Popular Longtime Great Falls Coach is Retiring in 2025

(Updated 3-6-25)

In a new press release through the Great Falls Public Schools social media platforms, a new coach has been found for Great Falls High School cross country program.

David Kilian is being recommended to be hired as the next head Cross Country coach for Great Falls High School.  The hire is pending School Board approval at this time.  He is replacing Bob Stingley who retired this fall after leading the program the past 27 seasons.

See the full story on Coach Stingley retiring below - 👇

Kilian has served as the assistant coach in the cross-country program for the past 4 seasons and currently serves as the Head Track and Field Coach for the Bison.  He is also member of the Great Falls High School math faculty.

In making the announcement, GFPS stated that:

Great Falls High School and the GFPS Athletic Department are excited to have David lead our Cross-Country program. He is knowledgeable, dedicated to the betterment of kids and student-athletes and possesses an infectious energy and enthusiasm for distance running and the sport of Cross-Country. He is a great fit for the program.

 

• After 27 years, Great Falls High School will be looking for a new head coach for the cross-country running program for the 2025-2026 season
• The vacant head Cross Country position will be advertised beginning February 3 and will be listed as “open until filled.”

Popular Longtime Great Falls Coach is Retiring in 2025

In an announcement on social media, the Great Falls Public Schools through Great Falls High have announced that Coach Bob Stingley will be retiring from his coaching position with the cross-country running program.

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Coach Stingley has been with the program for over 3 decades and has been the head coach at Great Falls High for the past 27 years.  In making the announcement, GFPS and GFHS said:

The GFPS Athletic Department and Great Falls High School thank Bob for his years of dedication to the athletes of Great Falls High and the sport of Cross Country in Great Falls and around the state. Bob always put the kids first and instilled in many of them self-confidence, a lifelong love of distance running and a respect for teammates and competitors alike.

Great Falls Now Searching for a Replacement for Coach Stingley

In his years with the program, Coach Stingley won 7 state championships, most recently with the Boys Championship in 2023.  Stingley was also recognized as the Montana Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2023 and received the USTFCCCA (United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association) Boys Coach of the Year for Montana in 2023.

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Great Falls Public Schools and GFHS are in search of a replacement immediately.  Interested parties can visit gfps.k12.mt.us for further details. Applications will be submitted via the GFPS website.

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