Columbia Falls tennis coach Jerry Smalley has retired after coaching the girls program for 18 years.

“When I took the girls tennis team in l997, my daughter was a freshman and I never imagined I’d still be coaching tennis 18 years later,” Smalley said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with outstanding assistant coaches who shared my vision of teaching tennis fundamentals and having fun. Most importantly, I was honored to work with many of the most outstanding young ladies who attended Columbia Falls High School.”

Smalley is an avid fisherman and fishing columnist for the Hungry Horse News.

“I’m not tired of coaching, but I’m missing too much good fishing in April and May,” he quipped.

In addition to coaching, Smalley taught science at Columbia Falls High School and retired as a teacher a few years ago.

He began his coaching career in Ritzville, Wash. coaching boys and girls tennis from 1970-72.

He coached baseball in Ritzville in 1973 and then came to Columbia Falls in 1974

Smalley coached freshmen football here from 1974 to 1978 and junior varsity football from 1979 to 1981.

He was the Wildcat varsity football coach from 1985 to 1987 and the boys tennis coach for three years when the program first started several years ago.