McPhie joins HSCSD as coach and P.E teacher

Head Bobcat football coach and P.E. teacher Matt McPhie comes to Thermopolis from Sioux Falls, S.D. where he had been coaching at Augustana University.

An Augustana alumnus, McPhie played college football and did some coaching before leaving the game to pursue some business opportunities, get married and start his family.

McPhie spent 12 years in Boise, Idaho, as well as some time in Phoenix, Ariz. where he took a turn at professional golf.

He and his wife decided it was time to complete his teaching degree and the family moved back to Sioux Falls where he was offered a coaching position, first part time, then finally, full time.

"Coaching is really tough on families at the college level," he said. "Our original plan was to teach and coach on the high school level, so we've kept an eye out for something, and here we are."

McPhie has three children, 14, six and four.

"They are really enjoying it here," he said. "There are wonderful opportunities for the kids that they may not have had elsewhere."

His teaching and coaching philosophy is "creative motivation." McPhie said the best coaches and teachers he had growing up used unique methods and he sees players and students as individually unique as well.

"You have to find unique ways to reach the students and players," he said. "Be firm but fair and keep a level playing field."