Football coach selected for Havre High School

The Havre High football program has its new head coach. Pending school board approval Tuesday, March 9, former Blue Pony and current Montana State University-Northern assistant coach Jason Christenson will be named as the Blue Ponies new head coach. Because of his having a long history with Havre High, the community and the Ponies, HHS Acitivties Director Dennis Murphy is more than pleased with the new hire. "We are really excited about having Jason back," Murphy said. "We are excited about his enthusiasm and bringing a Blue Pony back home. He is back as part of the family again, and we are just really excited about that." As an HHS student, Christenson was a standout football player on the offensive line at Havre High. He earned Central A All-Conference and Class A All-State honors and was selected to play in the 45th annual Montana East-West Shrine Bowl. He graduated from Havre High in 1991. As a coach, Christenson was a part of the Blue Pony program from 2000- 2004, helping the Ponies win a Class A state championship. He began as the offensive and defensive line coach, but took over the reigns as defensive coordinator from 2001-2004 under then head coach Troy Purcell. "I am really excited to get back there," Christenson said. "To get this job has always been a goal of mine and something I have wanted for a very long time. Now that the opportunity is here, I am just really excited and can't wait to get going." After his short stay with HHS, Christenson moved up the ranks as a coach at Montana State University-Northern. He has been at MSU-N for five years, where he began coaching the offensive line, but now works as the linebacker coach. And after working with the Lights, Christenson really thinks his coaching skills have taken a turn for the better. "The coaches that I have worked with up there Are great coaches," Christenson said. "They have taught me a lot about the game. On the defensive side of the ball I have learned much more about coverages and how to break it down and how to teach it. "Coach (Mark) Samson is a great offensive mind," Christenson added. "Our philosophies are a lot a like and I really gained a lot of knowledge. It's the same thing, I learned how to break it down and teach it. I think that has really made me a lot better coach."