Whitefish’s Schulz, Polson’s Smith Nominated for National Coach of the Year Awards

Derek Schulz, the longtime boys track coach at Whitefish High School, and Larry Smith, the longtime softball coach at Polson, are finalists for the national high school coach of the year honors.

Schulz has served as head coach in his hometown for nearly 20 years and led the Bulldogs to six Class A state championships.

Smith has coached softball at Polson for more than 26 years and created a dynasty from the ground up. With Smith being the program’s lone coach since its inception, the Lady Pirates have won seven Class A state championships.

Both coaches were selected as finalists in their respective sports for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s top honor last week. Eight finalists from across the nation are selected in each sports category. The top honors will be announced at the NHSACA banquet June 18 in Jackson, Wyo.

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