Dirk Johnsrud, a longtime assistant basketball coach at Flathead High School, has been recommended to coach the Braves’ varsity boys’ basketball team.

The announcement came Friday via press release from Flathead activities director Bryce Wilson. Wilson also announced Sam Tudor is the choice to coach the Bravette girls’ basketball program.

“Dirk was extremely well-prepared as he clearly articulated his plan to build the Braves program … (with) a comprehensive packet that addressed every aspect,” Wilson said. “His passion for our kids was clear throughout the interview.”

It will be the first varsity head coaching job for Johnsrud, 40, who has been a physical education and science teacher at Flathead since 2009. He spent six seasons as junior varsity boys’ coach at the school: two with Fred Febach (2009-11) and four with Ross Gustafson (2016-19). Johnsrud spent last basketball season coaching the Flathead girls’ freshman team.

Gustafson’s resignation after five seasons has head boys’ coach came April 1. The Braves went 41-65 under him with a state tournament appearance in 2017, but slipped to 3-17 last season.

Several top players return next season, starting with Gabe Adams, Hunter Hickey, Ethan Vandenbosch, Ezra Epperly and Joston Cripe.

“I’m very excited with the talent that we have on the Braves and I’m looking forward to being their head coach,” Johnsrud said Friday. “I know the kids quite well.

“I’ve really enjoyed our students at Flathead High School. I really love the competition of the boys and that really drove me to that direction. I look forward to bringing my leadership and an exciting brand of basketball to Flathead Nation.”

Johnsrud was a standout senior shooting guard at Columbia Falls, graduating in 1998. He played for Cary Finberg and was a teammate of current Columbia Falls boys’ coach Chris Finberg.

“I’ve always been inspired by Coach Finberg and Coach Febach in the fundamentals and passion they brought,” Johnsrud said. “I was also a volunteer assistant for Brian Kavanaugh in Cut Bank, Montana (from 2006-08) and learned a lot of traits from him as well.”

Kavanaugh and Finberg have nine state titles between them.

Wilson headed an interview committee that included Flathead assistant principal Brad Holloway, Flathead principal Michele Paine, Braves’ wrestling coach Jeff Thompson and Mark Pirrie, a former Flathead player and parent to past Braves players.

“He wants to develop our program at all levels and within the Flathead community partner schools,” Wilson said of Johnsrud. “He wants to build a brand of basketball that is exciting and fills the stands with Black and Orange.”