Great Falls Coach Retires After Legendary Career

Sports are great, aren't they? It gives us a way to learn, teach, grow, and of course, compete. For many in the community, coaches act as a medium for all of those things in our respective sports.

Coaches hold you accountable, so you perform your best; they provide with you support if you come up short in a competition.

But most importantly, they teach life lessons along the way.

Montana Hall of Famer Announces Retirement

In a Facebook post shared on April 17th, Great Falls High School and CMR swimming Head Coach Ed McNamee, endearingly known as "Coach Mac", announced his retirement.

"After much reflection and with a full heart, I am announcing my retirement as the Head Coach for GFHS and CMR Swimming," Coach Mac said in his statement, "For over two decades, I have had the privilege of serving as head coach at two of the top high schools in the state of Montana."

"What began as an opportunity to grow my coaching career quickly became something far greater than I ever imagined."

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Coach Mac is known as one of Montana’s most successful high school swimming coaches. Over the course of his career, he has earned multiple Coach of the Year awards, a Hall of Fame induction, four national nominations, and a prestigious record of 9 state titles and nearly 30 team trophies across Great Falls High and CMR.

"Our philosophy of 'Four Teams, One Family' grew into more than just words; it became an ethos that extended far beyond the pool," Coach Mac said, "We created an environment where kids from different backgrounds could be themselves, find a place to belong, come together, and build meaningful relationships that last after their time as a Bison or a Rustler swimmer."

"On a personal level, those relationships have shaped me in ways I never expected. They have made me a better father, husband, coach, and teacher, and for that, I am incredibly grateful."

Coach Mac's Legacy on Montana Sports

According to Coach Mac's father, who everyone in town knows as Baker Bob and is heard on 560 KMON, swimming has always been in Ed's heart.

"He started swimming competitions at the age of nine," Bob said, "Took a break during college days then came home to coach his kids here."

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There's no telling what's next for Coach Mac as he enters this new chapter of his life. But there's a good chance you'll hear him enjoying Montana sports from the sidelines when he calls games for 560 KMON.

And there's also a good chance he'll circle back to where it all came from - being home, with family, instilling the life lessons that all of the great coaches naturally do.

You can read Coach Mac's full retirement statement HERE.