Zack Ringler

Years Coaching: 14 years

Years with GFHS Bison program: 14 years

Profession: History Teacher at Great Falls High School

Coach Ringler played offensive line at Great Falls High School and graduated in 2007. He went on to attend the University of Montana and majored in History and Political Science, graduating from college in 2012. He started coaching at Great Falls High under head coach Matt Krahe in 2013 as the Freshman offensive line coach then he moved up to coach the sophomore offensive and defensive lines in 2014. He became the varsity defensive line coach in 2016 under head coach Mark Samson then became the Special Teams Coordinator in 2022 under coach Tchida. Coach Ringler is the coordinator for the Bison Football Kids Camp as well and has worked extensively with student-athletes through youth camps and mentorship opportunities, emphasizing accountability, effort, and team-first mentalities. Coach Ringler started his teaching career at East Middle School and has now been teaching history at Great Falls High since 2018.

Notable Achievements:
- Defensive Ends coach for the Montana Shrine All-Star game in 2022Great Falls Public Schools Foundation Excellence in Education - Distinguished Educator (2022)
- Co-Organizer of Great Falls High School’s “Night of Champions,” bringing together over 100 former state championship football players to celebrate the program’s legacy
- Longtime student council advisor

Coach Ringler and his wife Tabitha, stay busy raising their two children. He credits his family as being his biggest fans and always supporting him through the large time commitment he gives to coaching football. Outside of football, Coach Ringler enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, traveling, and working out.

Favorite Part of Coaching:
Bison Football saved my life and I love being able to give back to this program and help kids that are growing up and going through the same stuff I did. I love being able to help kids improve themselves and become not just better players, but better people. There is nothing better than having the chance to teach kids lessons that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives and that will make them better sons, husbands, and fathers.

Favorite football memory:
There are a lot to choose from. I suppose my favorite as a player was beating CMR my senior year and the parents (not the students) rushed the field. Back then, they didn’t ever allow fans on the field so it was a big deal. My favorite as a coach is a tie between seeing Wyatt DeVoss break the school sack record that had stood for 27 years and then watching his brother Colter break that record a few years later. Seeing kids that you invest so much time in coaching be able to reach their goals and cement themselves in history is very special.