fbpx

Search Continues for New Columbia Falls Basketball Coach

School district seeking applicants to fill vacant coaching position after Cary Finberg stepped down

By Dillon Tabish

One of the most successful boys basketball programs in Montana can’t find a coach.

In the six weeks since Cary Finberg stepped down as head coach of the Columbia Falls Wildcats, the high school has not received any applications for the vacant position.

Activities Director Troy Bowman said he is actively pursuing candidates and recently reposted the employment notice on the state’s Office of Public Instruction website, hoping to attract someone to fill the role as soon as possible.

“I’m trying to reach out to people as much as possible,” Bowman said.

Bowman said the biggest hurdle for prospective applicants is the lack of a teaching position in the Columbia Falls school district to go along with the coaching job. The district is offering a salary of $5,496.95 to be head coach.

“I completely understand that that’s just not enough for someone to make a living off and feed their family with. But I just don’t have a teaching job that goes in our district,” Bowman said.

Finberg, who owns his own business, announced his decision in early May to step down after 19 seasons. He resigned from his alma mater after one of the most successful tenures in state history, leading the Wildcats to five Class A championships and seven consecutive top-three finishes at the state tournament from 2009-2015. He left with a career record of 298-138 as the boys head coach. Finberg remains the head coach of the girls basketball team.