Flathead athletics lost two coaches last week when Bravettes volleyball coach Leon Wilcox and Braves soccer coach Dan Ferguson announced they have stepped down from their respective coaching positions.

Wilcox led the Bravettes volleyball program for the past eight seasons, reaching the state tournament every year during his tenure. He guided Flathead to a 122-93 overall record and a 59-37 mark in Western AA.

“I’ve been doing this for 23 years, 18 as a head coach, and my kids are getting to that age where they’re getting into activities and sports all year round. This year, I missed too much of that stuff,” Wilcox said.

“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Flathead. I’ve enjoyed coaching there and enjoyed the kids and administration. The administration has been great. My family and I still bleed black and orange, and we’ll be there to cheer them on.

“I thought I could do it another year or two, but I missed too much of what was going on at home. I don’t want to look back on it later and wish I had been there more. It’s simply a shift in my priorities.”

A math teacher at Flathead, Wilcox will continue to teach at the high school. His final season was a 14-12 campaign where the Bravettes reached the state tournament for the 12th consecutive season.

Ferguson left his post as head soccer coach for the boys program after two seasons at the helm. He accumulated a 5-24-2 record and took the Braves to the Class AA state soccer tournament last season after a huge upset victory over second-seeded Helena High, 4-2 on penalty kicks. It was the top accomplishment of the Ferguson era as the Braves went back to the state tournament for the first time in eight years.

Former technical director for the Bozeman Blitzz FC, a youth soccer club, Ferguson was also the director of coaching for the Flathead Soccer Club during his time in the Flathead Valley. He accepted a position as the director of recreational soccer for the Arlington Soccer Association in Arlington, Virginia.