HHS wrestling coach on administrative leave

The Havre High School wrestling team has a temporary new leader, as its highly successful head coach has been placed on administrative leave pending an inquiry.

"I really do believe this will be quickly resolved, " Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson said this morning about the situation with head coach Scott Filius.

Carlson said he could not release any details about the administrative leave — which he stressed is not a disciplinary action — or the inquiry, which will be conducted in house by the district, due to confidentiality issues for both district staff members and students.

The Havre Daily News attempted to contact Filius this morning. Havre High Assistant Principal Kipp Lewis told the Havre Daily that Filius was teaching class when the message was left and that the high school staff could not give him the message.

Lewis directed all questions to Carlson.

Carlson said assistant coach Chad Edgar would be the acting coach until the inquiry is completed and the issue is resolved.

The team is competing today and Saturday at the Cut Bank Invitational tournament.

Filius, who earned a national championship title in 1991 while wrestling for Northern Montana College, now Montana State University-Northern, has led the Blue Ponies to seven Class A state championships, and the team has finished first or second in the past seven straight years.

Carlson said the district is making great efforts to be certain the inquiry is conducted properly.

"I am hopeful this will be quickly resolved, " he said.