Bryce Buttz, 27, takes over as head football coach at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake, inheriting a program that has seen four different leaders since the school opened in 1998. The hire marks a significant shift in both coaching philosophy and approach, as Buttz brings eight years of coaching experience and plans to implement an offensive system developed by his father, legendary college and professional football coach Dennis Erickson.
Buttz graduated from Lake City High School in 2018, where he played quarterback before transitioning into coaching. His path to the Timberlake position reflects steady progression through the coaching ranks in North Idaho and Eastern Washington. He spent four seasons coaching at Lake City High after his graduation, then moved to Central Valley for another four seasons as a coach. In January, Buttz joined the Timberlake staff as a paraprofessional while working toward his teaching certificate, which he expects to complete within the next one to two years.
Offensive Overhaul for Timberlake Football
The most visible change under Buttz’s leadership will be a complete departure from the wing-T offense that has defined Timberlake football historically. Instead, the new coach plans to install what he calls the Dennis Erickson system—a one-back spread offense run from the shotgun with a heavy emphasis on the passing game. Buttz has also expressed admiration for the “Air Raid” offense, signaling an aggressive, pass-first approach that contrasts sharply with the run-oriented wing-T.
Catey Walton, Timberlake’s athletic director, praised Buttz’s preparation and intensity. “His energy is contagious. He lives, breathes, sleeps football. He really came in prepared. Organized … ‘Here’s what I want, just give me the opportunity,'” Walton said.
Buttz explained his readiness for the head coaching role, saying “I’ve always looked at the game through a head coach perspective. I just really thought with that process that I’ve had over my eight-year coaching career, that I could really take a crack at it, because I’ve been preparing for it.”
Coaching Staff and Leadership Structure
Buttz has assembled a coaching staff that includes both veteran contributors and new additions to the Timberlake program. Travis Jerome will serve as receivers coach and junior varsity offensive coordinator, while Shane Calligan takes on defensive coordinator duties. Zion Dixon will handle run game coordinator and offensive line responsibilities. Max Noll will coach the JV offensive line, and Matt Miracle will serve as JV head coach. Matt Whitcomb rounds out the staff as linebackers coach.
The stability of the coaching structure represents nearly three decades of continuity in the core group, providing institutional knowledge even as the program’s offensive philosophy undergoes a dramatic transformation. Miracle and Buttz have prior coaching history together, having worked at Post Falls Junior Tackle for two years.
Transition from Kelly Amos Era
Buttz replaces Kelly Amos, who guided Timberlake through two separate tenures. Amos first led the program for three seasons, stepped away, then returned in 2020 for a second stint spanning six seasons. The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for a school that has cycled through four different head coaches since opening its doors nearly three decades ago.
The hiring signals Timberlake’s commitment to modernizing its football program while maintaining the organizational and coaching infrastructure that has sustained the team through previous transitions. Buttz’s family pedigree in football—his father’s Hall of Fame coaching career spans college football at Arizona State and Wyoming, as well as stints in the NFL—provides both credibility and a clear philosophical framework for how the team will approach the game.
What Comes Next for Timberlake Football
Buttz will oversee spring and summer football activities at Timberlake, implementing his offensive system and building team chemistry under the new approach. The transition from wing-T to spread offense will require adjustments in player development, recruiting priorities, and game strategy. Completion of Buttz’s teaching certificate within the next year or two will formalize his position within the Kootenai County school system.
For Kootenai County high school football fans, the 2026 season will offer a chance to see whether Buttz’s preparation and energy translate into success on the field. Similar leadership transitions across North Idaho schools have sparked broader conversations about educational quality and institutional stability, making the Timberlake coaching change part of a larger regional discussion about school district direction and community accountability.