Sukut out as Pony coach

There will be a change at the top of the Havre High School football program. On Wednesday afternoon, Havre Public Schools announced that Blue Pony head football coach Kevin Sukut will not be rehired for the 2010 season. Havre coaches work on one-year contracts. "Mr. Sukut's work the past five years has been appreciated," Havre High Activities Director Dennis Murphy said. "The school district has decided to pursue a change for its head football coach at Havre Public Schools." Sukut, who came to Havre High from Cascade in 2005, went 26-19 in his time as the Blue Ponies' head man. He replaced former Pony head coach Troy Purcell, who left for the head football coaching job at Bozeman High School after guiding HHS to the Class A state championship in 2004. During Sukut's tenure, Havre captured two Central A Conference championships and made three Class A playoff appearances. HHS reached the quarterfinals in 2006, losing to Frenchtown and Again in 2008, losing to Dillon. Both games were in Havre. The Ponies finished third in the Central A this past season, losing 38-21 at Laurel in the first round of the state playoffs. "It goes with the coaching occupation," Sukut said in a statement. "It is the only profession where your job depends on the performance of 16- and 17-year-olds. Each year you take the cards you are dealt with and try to be successful. "I especially would like to thank the coaches that helped me over the years," Sukut added. "Nobody worked harder, put in more hours for so little pay. I would also like to thank the players for their hard work and dedication to the program." Sukut said he will look at other options for next fall, but for now, he will continue to teach high school physical education. As for the coaching vacancy at Havre High, Murphy said no timeline has been set on when a new coach will be named.The process for searching for a new coach will begin in the near future.