The Flathead Valley is losing one of its most highly-regarded and respected coaches.

Bill Brist, who has guided runners at all levels for nearly 20 years, has been named the new head cross country and track coach at the University of Great Falls.

Brist, 48, accepted the positions with the Argos on Tuesday. He begins work on Monday.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but with where I am at now, it seemed like a good situation,” he said.

“The offer was good, they are willing to support want I want to do with the program. I just couldn’t say no at that point.”

Brist has been the head cross country coach of the highly successful Whitefish High School boys and girls programs for the last eight years. During that stretch, the WHS girls won four Class A state championships and placed third once. The WHS boys placed third at state twice and were a runner-up once.

Brist had one individual champion for boys and girls.

“It’s a fantastic program and I feel privileged to be a part of it,” he said of Whitefish.

“A great school ... the administration was so supportive. It was a fun program to be part of.”

Brist graduated from Flathead High School in 1982.

He was a two-sport standout in cross country and track at Montana State University.

Brist won a National Junior Cross Country Championship (ages 19-and-under) in 1983 and also made the U.S. team that year for the World Championships in Gateshead, England. He finished in the top 50 at that race.

Brist was an assistant cross country coach at Flathead High School under the legendary Paul Jorgensen for five years. He was the head men’s cross country coach at Flathead Valley Community College for six years.

“That experience (FVCC) was a big key to have a shot at this job (UGF),” Brist said.

Brist will be the third head coach for both sports at UGF, which started the two progams five years ago.

“I think they wanted someone with ties to Montana and somehow my name came up,” he said.

“They called me and asked if I would be interested in an interview.”

He was more than willing to take a look.

“When I was there, I was impressed with what I saw,” Brist said.

“It is a nice college, the athletic program is in a great spot and they want to suport cross country. They (two previous coaches) have done a great job of building it up.”

Brist will not teach.

“Basically, they will pay me for what I Iove to do,” he said of coaching.