Titans get 1 year extension from MHSA

Flint Creek Titan players, parents, fans, and supporters fill the MHSA Executive Board meeting January 14, 2023. Picture by Tim Allen

MISSOULA – At 9:27 a.m., Titan nation breathed a collective sigh of relief.

At least for now.

It was at that moment that the Montana High School Association (MHSA) Executive Board voted unanimously to renew the Flint Creek Co-op between Drummond and Granite high schools for one more year, bringing the Titan Football program back from the edge of extinction after nine years of play.

The Flint Creek Co-op was forced into this appeal process when MHSA Executive Director Brian Michelotti opted to not use his authority to automatically approve the co-op’s renewal in November 2022, denying it based on roster size and program success. Those two metrics, along with student body size, are the current criteria used to determine the formation and renewal of co-ops in the state of Montana for athletics.

His initial denial came on the anniversary of the Titans’ regular three-year review, but Michelotti withdrew that decision for further consideration after the MHSA received phone calls and emails concerning the matter from Titan parents, players and supporters. But he issued a second denial December 19, causing the Flint Creek Co-op board to request a review before the full MHSA executive board January 14.

Once the session turned to discussion of the Flint Creek Co-op, Drummond Superintendent Dean Phillips and Granite Superintendent Tom Gates made a presentation outlining the actual numbers of the Titan football program, the culture that the team has created within its ranks and the community, and the potential negative effects that disbanding the program might have on both schools, but specifically Granite.

Philipsburg Schools Superintendent Tom Gates (left) and Drummond Schools Superintendent Dean Phillips. Picture by Tim Allen

Also speaking on behalf of the Titans was Discovery Ski Area owner Ciche Pitcher, who spoke as a father, business owner, and former high school athlete.

All three men made compelling arguments for the continuation of the co-op, arguments that clearly resonated with the board.

When the presentation finished, John Fitzgerald (Class B representative and Superintdent at Red Lodge Public Schools) made a motion that the board approve a one-year renewal of the Flint Creek Co-op and that the MHSA form a committee to create a more objective rubric by which to determine whether any co-op should be formed and/or allowed to continue its existence. Board Vice President Doug Reisig (State Superintendent’s Office Representative) seconded the motion.

Board President Jim Hawbaker (Class A Representative and Assistant Principal at Billings Central High School) performed a roll call vote to which all seven of the members responded in the affirmative.

In addition to the members already listed, other members of the board currently include Krystal Zentner (Montana School Boards Representative), Jimmy Patelis (Governor’s Office Representative), Steve Thennis (Class AA Representative and Principal at Helena High School), Luke Kloker (Class C Representative and Superintendent at Fairview Public Schools).

Following the decision, the room packed with Titan parents, players, coaches and supporters erupted in applause as their program lived to fight another day.

“I think it’s the right decision,” said Phillips of the extension. “It relieves our program and hopefully we won’t have to go through this process again next year. I think that in years past some schools have not been completely transparent with enrollment numbers and so I think the one year satisfies our request and keeps them (MHSA) safe from having this happen to them again.”

Gates responded similarly, stating, “I’m Thankful. It’s fair because it gives the board time to make those criteria more fair.”

Reactions from meeting attendees

As the attendees exited the conference room it was clear that this decision was a breath of fresh air after waiting on pins and needles for almost a month.

“That’s a good start,” said Titan Head Coach Jason Ostler of the MHSA Executive Board’s decision. “I think this gets the most kids able to play football.”

Former head coach Mike Cutler also voiced his approval. “Great deal and I think that’s exactly how it should have gone. Brian’s (Michelotti) in a tough spot as executive director and to me this was the right decision.”

The rubric proposed by Kloker is an attempt to make the co-op decision process more objective and to take it out of the hands of the executive director and the board, for the most part. The general consensus was that the three current metrics – student body size, roster size, and success – weren’t clear enough for the board nor did they give schools an accurate enough picture of what’s required as a co-op.

Phillips expressed to the board and Michelotti that he would like to be part of that process to develop the new co-op standards as they move forward.

Granite High School Athletic Director JB Chandler pointed out the potential devastation for his school had the renewal not been granted.

“I think the main issue, and I’m thankful that Mr. Kloker of Fairview made this comment during the debate, is that Philipsburg would have struggled to field any football team next year if the co-op would have been dissolved. So I think the idea is when you’re eliminating activities for kids – and that is essentially what would have happened if they disbanded the co-op today – is that our Pburg boys wouldn’t have been able to participate in football and moved somewhere else and which was the snowball effect that we didn’t want to see happen.

“If you pull four or five boys out of the school, there are four or five sisters that might get pulled from the teams as well. So when we’re looking at the numbers, it wasn’t just the boys football team we were worried about, it would have been the girls basketball team that would be adversely affected as well.”

The Titans were created in 2013 and played their first season in 2014. Jim Oberweiser was the head coach for the first three seasons, with Mike Cutler and JC Holland taking over in 2017 and exiting in 2020. Jason Ostler has been at the helm the past two seasons.

The Flint Creek program has amassed a record of 82-14 over their nine years, winning state titles in 2017, 2018, and 2020. They were runners up in 2021 and had quarterfinal finishes 2019 and 2022. They have played in the postseason all nine years.