One of the most successful girls coaches in Whitefish history is coming to Columbia Falls to coach the boys’ freshmen basketball team.

Dean McFadden will begin his tenure here this fall, after being recruited by new head coach John Anderson.

Under McFadden, the Whitefish girls varsity team never experienced a losing season. The Bulldogs posted a 95-40 record overall during his tenure. 

Whitefish finished second at the Class A state tournament in 2002-03. The Bulldogs had a 22-game winning streak in 2004-05 and finished that campaign with a 24-1 record and third place at state.

McFadden resigned in 2006 and hasn’t been a prep coach since. But then Anderson approached McFadden, who works at the Wave Aquatic and Fitness Center in Whitefish, about returning to coaching in the high school ranks.

After mulling it over, McFadden accepted the offer. The Columbia Falls School Board at its Sept. 21 meeting approved the hire.

“I’m really excited to be part of Wildcat nation,” McFadden said last week.

McFadden played professional ball for 11 seasons in Argentina and also for coach George Karl when he coached a Continental Basketball Association team in Great Falls.

McFadden said he’s been to open gyms at Columbia Falls, noting former coach Cary Finberg has left a great legacy.

“The work ethic is very good,” he said.

Anderson said he sought out McFadden because they have similar coaching philosophies and they both like to push the ball.

Bill Coleman, who also has a basketball background and is a teacher and assistant football coach and was a previous head football coach for the Cats, will be the  junior varsity coach.

The first basketball practice is Nov. 19.