Pirates basketball coach Kelley resigns

Roughly two months after Polson won another state trophy, the school announced Monday that Randy Kelley was hanging up his whistle after eight years as the boys basketball coach.

Kelley guided the Pirates to an 18-8 record and third-place finish at the State A tournament in Missoula in March, and in eight seasons had a 112-69 record with six trips to state.

The 1986 Polson High alumnus was also the Pirates girls basketball coach from 2006-13, with two trips to state, in 2012 and 2010. He has taught in the school district for 27 years.

“I thought about it during the state tournament,” Kelley, whose club lost its opener at state and then won a third-place trophy, said. “It just takes so much. I gave myself time to think about it, and one week I’d be out, and one week I’d be in. Finally I said it’s time to make a decision.”

He’s out. Polson won three state trophies – the Pirates were also third in 2017 and 2018 – in his tenure.

“We appreciate the years of dedication Randy and his staff have committed to the basketball program at PHS,” Pirates activities director Ethan Bucaray said in a statement. “He has strengthened and sustained a great program over the years.”

“It was fun,” Kelly said. “I’ve told people that asked, that I don’t know if I’m all the way out forever. It’s just time to take a little break.”

Polson was a consistent winner during Kelley’s tenure: Butte Central made the last eight State A tournaments, while Billings Central and Laurel made seven. The Pirates and Bulldogs are next in that time frame, with six berths.

“We aimed to play in March,” Kelley said. “That’s all that mattered.”