Dan Lacey was an all-conference receiver for Butte High as a senior in 2002.
He played for Butte High head football coaches Steve Schulte and Greg Salo before coaching under Arie Grey as a student teacher. He also played basketball for coach John Thatcher with the Bulldogs.
Today, Lacey is on his way to writing his own legend as a high school coach in the Smelter City. Lacey is in his third year coaching the Anaconda High School football team, and the Copperheads are headed to the Class B playoffs for the first time since 2015.
First, the Copperheads have a rivalry game to close out the regular season Friday night in Deer Lodge.
Lacey took over the Copperhead program in 2023. That came after a successful nine-year run as head football coach in Whitehall, where he also coached basketball and track while serving as the activities director of the high school.
He moved to Anaconda for a change in scenery and a new challenge. Boy was it a challenge. In the five seasons before Lacey arrived in Anaconda, the Copperheads won a total of three games. The coach worked to change the culture, and now the wins are finally starting to come.
Listen in to this episode as he talks about playing for the Bulldogs and getting into coaching. Listen to how he worked on the attitude and culture before he worked on the wins and losses.
Listen to some of the coaches who influenced him along the way, and get a look at how the Copperheads are going to do when the postseason arrives in the Smelter City next week.
Today’s podcast is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the local’s eat.
Today's podcast is brought to you by Casagranda's Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
