Kyle Samson, the assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator at Montana State University-Northern, has been named the head football coach at Flathead High School.

Flathead activities director Bryce Wilson made the announcement Monday evening. Samson’s hiring is pending school board approval.

“We’re very excited,” Wilson said.

“He’s all in, really amped to be a part of it.”

Samson, 29, was one of four finalists. He interviewed Saturday along with Emmett Dougherty of Lewiston, Idaho; Jon Helmandollar of Wendell, Idaho; and Mark Kessler of Alamo, Calif.

Wilson said each finalist interview lasted about one hour and 15 minutes. The nine-member hiring committee then deliberated two hours.

Wilson said 13 people applied for the position.

“It was a great process,” Wilson said.

“I want to thank the committee for their commitment.

“I just felt like he has the ability to change the program and move us forward,” Wilson said.

“He has incredible energy.”

Samson has coached at MSU-Northern for seven years. The Lights broke 16 offensive school records the last two years and have been a national top 10 offensive team in NAIA.

He was a Gatorade Montana high school player of the year at Helena Capital, leading the Bruins to a state championship in 2002.

He played college football for one season at Montana and for three years at MSU-Northern.

His father Mark Samson is MSU-Northern’s head coach.

“My goal has always been to be a head coach,” Kyle Samson said.

“I thought this was a great opportunity. Flathead has a great tradition and I want to be a part of that and do a great job.”

Samson said this was the first head coaching position he applied for.

He was offered the position Saturday.

“They called me in the afternoon, but I wanted to talk it over with my family,” he said.

“I wanted it, but I just wanted to make sure it was the right move for my family. I always knew I’d take it.”

Samson’s wife Brooke is from Havre and is a second-grade teacher. They have two children, Troy, who is 4, and Jordyn, who will turn 2 in a couple weeks.

Samson is a health and physical education teacher.

“That was probably one of the hardest things ... leaving my dad after he has done so much for me,” Kyle said.

“I want to thank my father, my family and the (coaching) staff and players at MSU-Northern for giving me the opportunity to get this job. I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m very excited about the challenge to be the head coach at Flathead.

“I’m very thankful to Mr. Wilson and Mr. (Peter) Fusaro (FHS principal),” he added.

“Very excited to get over to Kalispell and start putting a plan together and working with the kids. I’m very excited about the future of Flathead football.”

Russell McCarvel, who was Flathead’s head football coach for the past seven seasons, stepped down in March.

McCarvel guided the Braves to three Class AA playoff appearances (2007, 2008 and 2011). Flathead finished 6-5 in both 2007 and 2008 and was 4-7 in 2011.

Flathead went 23-50 under McCarvel. The Braves posted a 3-7 record last season.

While at Flathead, McCarvel was selected to coach in the prestigious Montana-North Dakota Badlands Bowl and the East-West Shrine football game. Both events honor the top senior players from around Montana.

McCarvel served as an assistant coach for one season at FHS before taking over the head duties.

He came to Flathead after coaching the running backs at Carroll College in 2005. The Saints won the NAIA national title that year.