Hammond resigns as Valkyries' head coach

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

After eight years of coaching and teaching some of Bigfork's young athletes and students, Nate Hammond is stepping down at the end of the year.

The seven-year Bigfork High School head girls basketball coach announced his resignation Monday, citing a desire to be closer to family in eastern Montana as the reason for his departure.

"The decisions I make don't just affect me," Hammond said. He and his wife Kari had a baby boy last fall.

"He put his heart and soul into it," BHS Activities Director Shannon Smith said of Hammond's coaching.

Hammond leaves with an 87-64 overall record as head coach. He also coaches the throwing events in track and field at BHS.

"I really enjoyed Bigfork. The people here have been so good," he said. "The parents and administration were so patient." The Vals finished their first season under Hammond with a 3-17 record. "It was a nice place for a first year coach. It was nice to come in knowing people had my back."

Hammond, who said he enjoyed the coaching aspect of his job, and the Vals finished the past two seasons as Northwestern A Divisional champions.

"Mr. Hammond's a great coach," BHS senior point guard Avery Vogel said. "I don't think you could find a coach who cares more about his players than he does."

Bigfork placed fourth at the Class A state tournament last year and lost out in two games this year. Vogel attributed the Vals' success to a combination of talented atheletes and coaches. "All of that is not possible without a good coach."

Hammond said it is hard leaving the kids he's coached.

"Bigfork has good ball players who are fun to work with. The junior varsity team was 15-3 this year."

Hammond has no immediate plans to find a coaching position anywhere else in the next year, but said he'd look at other opportunities down the road.