Bozeman picks former Hawk Holmquist to coach boys

By TIM DUMAS Chronicle Sports Writer

A more unusual scenario might be hard to find.

Wes Holmquist replacing the coach for whom he played a dozen years ago and whom he helped to eliminate from the Class AA state tournament in March.

Bozeman High School athletic director Randy Russell said Thursday that Holmquist has been recommended to succeed Mike Cole as boys varsity basketball coach. The appointment is expected to become official on Monday, pending approval of the school board.

Holmquist, 30, was an all-state guard/forward under Cole during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, but was on the opposite sideline this winter when C.M. Russell High defeated Bozeman in a loser-out game at the state tournament. The loss was the final game in Cole’s 21-year career, during which he won 325 games and five state championships.

“I don’t know if my feet are big enough to fill his shoes,” said Holmquist, who has been CMR’s varsity assistant the past five seasons. “He’s a legend. Coach Cole has been real supportive of me coming back and taking over for him. To have his blessing is a big factor for me.”

Cole said: “I’m excited for Wes. He’s done a great job where he’s been, and he’s ready for a head job. He knows the community here, and I think it’s just a great fit for him.”

Holmquist was the head boys basketball coach at Charlo High for two seasons before moving to CMR, where he teaches business.

Russell said five candidates were offered interviews, though only three went through the process.

“We liked his overall vision for a (Class) Double-A program and his experience in Double-A basketball,” Russell said of Holmquist. “That was a big piece that came out of the interview.”

Holmquist’s recommendation is the second in two days for Bozeman High. On Wednesday, Russell announced that Brad Rustan has been offered the head coaching position for the girls basketball team.

Holmquist, a 1996 Bozeman High graduate, played four seasons of basketball at Montana Western for Mark Durham and earned All-Frontier Conference academic team honors after each season. He graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. In 2006 he completed his master’s degree at Walden University in Minneapolis.

The Great Falls native moved to Bozeman from Big Sandy in 1994 after his parents sold the grocery store they owned. Holmquist played two seasons of basketball for the Hawks. He also played one season of football, earning all-state honors as a receiver, and he won the state high jump championship as a senior.

“Graduating from Bozeman High, it’s a little extra special for me,” he said of his new job.” Being able to come back and coach the Hawks … I still have a lot of pride in Bozeman High, and I want to continue the tradition.”

Cole said: “I think people are going to be happy to see Wes on the sideline.”

Holmquist and his wife Heather, who attended Montana State University, have a 2-year-old daughter, Hadley, and are expecting another daughter in September. Holmquist will teach business and physical education at Bozeman High. The teaching position became available after voters approved the high school general fund tax levy on Tuesday, which added more than $130,000 to the district budget.

“We would have had to look at a lot of different things as far as our budget had that (levy) failed,” Russell said. “Having the community’s support, that’s huge.”

Cole was one of two long-time Gallatin County coaches whose careers ended this winter. Belgrade High boys coach Jeff Elliott stepped down after 17 years with the Panthers. His replacement is expected to be named later this month, according to Belgrade athletic director Rollie Rieger.

“The position is closed and we’re setting up a screening committee and we may be interviewing at the end of next week,” Rieger said Thursday, noting that there were 18 applicants.

Tim Dumas is at tdumas@dailychronicle.com and 582-2651.

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