The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Most everyone in Big Sandy, and adjoining Class C schools, knows that Ronnie Simpson has taken the head coaching job for Big Sandy Varsity boys and girls.

That seems sort of overwhelming but then Ronnie Simpson is no ordinary coach. His assistants are Cheryl Strutz for the girls and Pete Jerrel for the boys.

Simpson modestly says of coaching his two teams, "I am just going to do it. It is simply two practices and it is similar things we do for both teams."

And if that wasn't enough, Simpson is coaching junior high boys basketball as well and by the time readers are reading these words, they will be in the middle of a District contest in Gildford.

Simpson was born and raised in San Diego, California. He is excited as he and Morgan Louvar were heading for San Diego after school on Tuesday for Thanksgiving in spite of reports of bad weather.

When asked how in the world Simpson found Big Sandy and the vast prairies of Montana, he said that he had been recruited by MSU Northern to play basketball and he did that from 2005 to 2007.

Simpson said that his father was certain that the Northern move was what Simpson should do. And father Simpson does get to Montana to visit, but not a great deal. Simpson laughed and added that you know his father is from San Diego.

Simpson comes from a basketball family. He has a brother who is 22 and playing college basketball and a sister who is 26 and playing college basketball as well.

Simpson does admit that basketball is not his only love. When it comes to sports, football is right up there too.

One day, after a lot of talk to a lot of people, Simpson got the idea that he just might be able to coach the Big Sandy varsity teams.

Before he knew it, he was!

As it sorted itself out, there are eight on the boys team and eight on the girls team.

As to how they might be doing this season, Simpson didn't have a lot to say.

"It is early yet," Simpson said with a laugh. "I have lots of returning and lots of new. We have only had two practices but both teams look solid."

Yes, but are they a winning team?

"It all depends on how they accept my coaching and grow as a team," added Simpson. "There's a lot of potential but there is a lot of work to be done." On the court and off, Coach Simpson is teaching several methods of learning almost at the same time. If that works it will make for a couple of very strong teams.

And about strength, both teams are spending a lot of time in the weight room right now.

"I noticed that bodies were not built up last year like they should have been so we are building bodies," said Simpson. They are going to be strong basketball players, and soon."

Simpson singled out key returners for the girls as Maddy Reichelt who is a senior and he said that the entire sophomore class looks good on the girl's side.

With the boys varsity, all the junior class looks good and Dallas Geyer as a freshman starter and Eric Schwarzbach as a returning senior look good. Josh Solf is a good playing senior even though the last time he came out is when he was in junior high.

Simpson said that when there are only eight people on each team it is really important for them to keep up with it academically and to keep healthy as well. "Those two things are key," said Simpson. "Our division is extremely tough. We can't afford to lose a person."

As important as keeping up academically and healthwise, Simpson said it is very important for the community to really support those two teams.

"I need parents and players in the gym," continued Simpson. "We don't have a huge talent pool to draw from but if kids and parents can get in the gym and work on basketball, we will continue the basketball tradition that Big Sandy has had for so many years."

Simpson said he really wanted to thank the Big Sandy Administration, the Staff and the Board for their confidence in him.

Simpson had a last word or two for coaching this or any season.

"I try and stay positive as much as possible with the kids. They need to be positive and keep their heads up."