The new Columbia Falls head basketball coach is no stranger to the program.

Austin Barth, 33, was officially hired last week to lead the Wildcats.

He’s been the freshman coach for six years and volunteered with the program for three years prior to that. As a standout player he was on the state A championship team in 2011 and on two other state runners-up under coach Cary Finberg.

Having played and coached for years with both Cary and Cary’s nephew Chris Finberg, he knows the expectations and how to coach the program. Chris retired after 20 years coaching, 10 as head coach at the end of this season.

“I’m excited to bring back the energy and get the kids fired up,” he said last week.

The first task at hand is to get more bodies in the off-season open gyms, which has been lacking in the past few seasons. Part of it is players are playing more sports in the spring that used to be available; another part is just conveying the importance of off season work, Barth noted.

He recalled when he was a player 16 years ago the open gyms had 10 players and the games were better than going to tourneys. He hopes to bring that energy back.

In addition, he wants the players to hit the weight room more and add 10 to 15 pounds of muscle.

“I’d like to see our defense a little more aggressive if we can,” he said.

There’s a lot of talent at hand, he noted. The team brings back seniors Jory Hill, Jett Pitts and Rhett Lindskoog, but he also noted there’s solid players in Tripp Ross, Banyan Johnston, Will Pedersen, Dylan Owens, Bentley Cady, Austin Hall and Jaxson Cadwell to name a few.

Last year the Cats were 15-6 overall, but missed a berth to the state tournament.

Barth teaches physical education at the junior high and is a Columbia Falls Hall of Fame athlete, having excelled in football and basketball as a player. He went on to play football for Montana State University and is an assistant coach for the Wildcats under coach Kelly Houle.