New football coach at U-Hi has credentials

The first of the vacant GSL football coaching positions has been filled by a high profile name. Bill Diedrick, longtime college and professional assistant coach and coordinator is coming home to take the reins at University High.

Lewis and Clark’s job will be posted soon and activities coordinator Jeff Norton said it will be opened up outside, although he anticipates interest for the position within. Process is on-going at North Central.

There’s palpable excitement at U-Hi in the hiring of the Spokane native and Rogers high coach in the late 1970s. Diedrick is a storied name in town and it sounds like a lot of former Titans assistants - dating back to the Dave Holmes era - are excited enough to want to re-up.

“I’m excited,” said U-Hi activities coordinator Ken Van Sickle. “We had a great pool of candidates. Withhis experience and backround, it is great for our community to have someone like him take over our program.”

Diedrick, during his college career mentored 12 quarterbacks who played in the NFL, helped coach a Grey Cup champion in the Canadian Football League, was part of a national champion Montana State team and worked for coaches like Tyrone Willingham, Dennis Erickson and Jim Lambright.