It was just a matter of time.

O’Brien Byrd, a standout soccer player at Columbia Falls who later enjoyed a spectacular tour of duty directing the Whitefish High School program, has been named the head boys coach at his alma mater.

The announcement became official Monday night when the Columbia Falls School District 6 Board of Trustees approved the appointment.

“Ever since (my wife) Melanie and I moved back almost 13 years ago, I’ve been dreaming about it ever since,” Byrd said.

“This is my dream. I’m coming home.”

Byrd, 38, built Whitefish into a Class A powerhouse. The Bulldogs won four state championships in his 12 years as head coach, were state runners-up twice and captured nine conference championships.

Byrd compiled an impressive 121-32-15 coaching record. His teams went 15-0-0 in 2006, 2007 and 2012.

Those back-to-back perfect seasons helped the Bulldogs dominate play with a 42-match winning streak.

Last year WHS finished 8-4-2.

“An amazing time,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for those years, the players, parents, students, administration and community, I wouldn’t be who I am today as a coach and as a man. I will never forget them. I will always have friends and family in Whitefish. They will have a piece of my heart forever.”

Byrd knows he is taking on an enormous task. The Wildcats program has fallen on hard times after being a state power.

He replaces Peter Browne, who resigned in December. Browne guided the Wildcats to three Class A state championships (2001, 2003 and 2005).

“I’m inheriting a program that went 2-10, hasn’t won a state championship since 2005, but I don’t care about any of that. I’m looking forward to pouring my heart and soul into my backyard.”

Byrd lives in Martin City and has a business in Columbia Falls.

“Met with my Whitefish boys today,” Byrd said.

“I wanted to tell them face to face, tell them why these decisions come up in life. Sometimes you need to leave a comfortable situation for a challenging one. The No. 1 reason for me was my family. My three kids go to school in Columbia Falls.

“They shook my hand and said they understood,” Byrd continued.

“That means the world to me. That’s the most important thing.”

Byrd graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1995. He was a two-year starter as an attacker and earned honorable mention all-state honors his senior season. He led the state in assists his final year with 12.

“That’s (12 assists) what got me my scholarship to college,” he said.

“What led me to this life.”

He played soccer at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.

Byrd was an assistant coach with the Wildcats in 1999. He followed that by coaching high school soccer in Pennsylvania.

Byrd has been an ambassador for the sport in the Flathead Valley and Montana since his return. He’s president of the Flathead Rapids, which sponsors a youth soccer program and one for adults, and brings college teams to Whitefish for exhibition matches.

The last four years he’s coordinated an event at the completion of the prep season for the top senior boys and girls in Western Montana to showcase their skills in All-Star events.

He lured U.S. soccer team member Hope Solo to the Valley to speak to players and conduct a goalie camp in March of 2013.

Byrd was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Adidas National High School Coach of the Year in 2012.

“It was one of the most up and down days of my life,” Byrd said when he was officially named the head coach of the Wildcats.

“I was jumping around the room, excited. But then I started dreading going to the (Whitefish) high school and telling my players I was leaving. That’s when sadness took over me.

“But I’m excited again,” he added.

“I’m meeting with the (Columbia Falls) boys on Friday at open lunch at the school. I can’t get over it.”