Olson named new Whitefish hoops coach

Twenty-five years after playing basketball under coach Julio Delgado, Tim Olson is joining ranks with his former coach to help lead the Whitefish High School basketball program.

Olson was named the new head coach for the girls basketball team last Wednesday. Delgado returned to the helm of the boys program earlier this summer.

"As far as being part of the program, I've been a fan, player or a coach for 25 years," Olson said.

Olson coached the boys junior varsity team for the last three years under Derek Schulz and played basketball for Whitefish under Delgado in the mid-1980s.

He graduated from White-fish High School in 1987 and went on to the University of Montana-Missoula. Olson is currently the golf pro at Whitefish Lake Golf Course. "I thought it was a good opportunity to keep myself busy in the offseason," he said.

Olson is replacing Dean McFadden, who stepped down after nine seasons in the program, including six as head coach.

Olson said the positions for the junior varsity and ninth-grade programs haven't been filled yet, but he said he expects those positions to be filled by the end of this week.

Olson said he's looking to run a team that can pressure the ball with an up tempo game, but at the same time put together some strong team defense.

"The style I want to continue with the girls is the same style Delgado taught me when I was playing in the '80s," Olson said. "Good solid defense turns into offense at the other end."

Olson said he might pop into Delgado's practice for a few pointers now and then.

Last season, the girls finished 13-7 overall, but went two-and-out at the state tournament.

The Bulldogs have five returning seniors this season. Three of them were full-time starters.

"That, combined with some great athletes at the JV level, and we'll be in great shape," Olson said.

"I'm very excited about the program, and we'll have some fun doing it," he added. "Hopefully we'll get some wins for the girls basketball team along with that."