Epperly resigns as Vikes basketball coach

JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

After seven years of coaching the Bigfork Vikings Boys Basketball team, Jim Epperly has resigned.

"It's time for somebody else to give it a shot," Epperly said on Tuesday. "I had a really good time doing it, but I just think it's time for someone new."

Epperly will continue to coach track and teach at the school. He said he hopes to continue to have a positive impact on the students in Bigfork.

"I appreciate the seven years he's dedicated to the team," Matt Jensen, BHS AD said. "His passion for the game and commitment to the athletes will be missed."

Epperly said he'll probably coach again one day, after all, it's in his blood. He is the son of Bill Epperly who is in the Montana High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

"I really appreciate the opportunity to get to coach in Bigfork," Epperly said. "It's been a really great experience and I've really enjoyed it."

Epperly's most successful season was his first when his team was 16-8 and made it to the state tournament where they went 1-2. However, the team has not been as successful the last couple of years with a 6-12 regular season record last year and 0-18 the previous season. Following these tough seasons there have been some grumbling in the community that there needs to be a new coach.

"There are a lot of talented kids at the school and I hope that they get someone with a lot of energy that can help them succeed," Epperly said. "They deserve to have a quality coach, and I hope they find someone fairly fast."

Jensen said they have opened the position and hope to get as many qualified candidates as possible.

"It's a time-consuming position," Epperly said. "It is fun, but over the long haul it grinds you down."

The team is tentatively scheduled to play a tournament in Ronan this weekend. Last weekend Epperly did not go to the UM Griz Camp with the team. They were chaperoned by parents. The school is unsure what they will do with the team and the remaining tournaments and camps they are scheduled to participate in this summer.

Epperly is looking forward to spending more time with his family, especially his kids Evan, 12, Anders, 8 and Isak, 3.

"It's been my whole life," Epperly said. "I'm the son of a coach. I've been coaching since the mid-80's, so it's been my family's whole life too. Everything has always revolved around basketball.