Trageser out as Flathead basketball coach
· Yahoo Sports
The Flathead Braves are back on the market for a boys Basketball head coach.
Dan Trageser was let go from the position last Thursday, he confirmed to the Daily Inter Lake Wednesday.
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“It’s a tough outcome for me to accept knowing that I poured my heart and soul into Flathead basketball the past few years,” Trageser said. “I think the program is in a better spot than when I took over and I think the best part of being a coach is spending time with the kids and watching the kids grow and compete.
“I have a lot of love for Flathead basketball and I am appreciative of those battles, I will always be cheering for those kids even if I don’t agree with the decision of the administration.”
The Daily Inter Lake reached out to Flathead activities director Matt Allison for comment but did not receive an immediate answer.
Trageser said he was not given a reason for the decision. He was 4-48 as the head coach of the Braves overAttem three seasons.
He missed four games in February from an internal suspension; David Baker filled in as interim head coach.
The reason for the suspension was not given.
“There's issues that arise within programs that can often be handled in house, and I think that was a situation that could have been handled in house,” Trageser said. “I don’t think that any person is perfect, and I thought we had gotten past the issues that had happened. This is why the decision is a bit of a surprise.”
Trageser said the decision was relayed to him as the team was conducting exit interviews and setting up summer activity plans for the team.
“... our kids are now kind of left in limbo right now,” Trageser said. “The kids are ultimately the ones who suffer. I want what is best for the kids.”
Attempts to reach Flathead activities director Matt Allison on Wednesday were not successful. On Friday Kalispell Public Schools and Allison sent out a release acknowledging the decision and thanks Trageser for his efforts.
“Coach Trageser provided consistent leadership during his time with the Braves. He demonstrated a strong passion for the game of basketball and invested significant time and energy into the program. Coach Trageser also worked diligently to strengthen connections with our middle school programs and support the development of future Braves,” the release said.
“Flathead High School will begin a search for a new head coach who can build upon the strong foundation currently in place.”
Flathead will begin interviews with new coaching candidates at the end of April.
NOTE: This story was updated to include a Kalispell Public School's press release that came out Friday.