Some of you known him as John Stenson, musician in iconic Butte bands like Uncle Mary, King Friday and the Berkeley Pits. (The Berkeley Pits, by the way, will be playing Music on Main on July 31.)

Others know him as Mr. Stenson, history teacher at East Middle School and now Butte High School. Some might even know him as “Johnny Blackout,” a defensive back on Butte High’s 1991 State championship football team.

Once again, he will be known as “Coach Stenson.” Butte High hired Stenson to take over as head coach of girls’ flag football program. His hire was made official by the Butte School Board Monday night.

It will not be John’s first coaching job. He coached junior high and varsity football in Whitehall, and he coached football at East. He also coaches his son Zach’s Special Olympics basketball team.

Butte High enters its fourth season playing flag football, and John looks to take the program to new heights. He currently has 26 players out for the team, and he is looking for more. He is also looking to raise the program out of anonymity.

The Bulldogs have played the last few seasons with little fanfare or media coverage. While the latter will change with the return of the ButteCast SportsCap with the fall season, John would like you to see more fans fill the sidelines when the team plays at Copper Mountain Park or the stands whey the Bulldogs play at Naranche Stadium.

With assistants Mike McGurk and Josh Hettick, senior leadership and young talent, John expects the Bulldogs to play an exciting brand of football this fall and for years to come.

Listen in to this episode of the ButteCast as John talks about his days playing football at Butte High and his career as a musician. Listen as he describes how playing for Uncle Mary at the old Brews Billiards in Butte felt like Madison Square Garden.

Listen as John talks about how he got into the education game, teaching and coaching in Whitehall, and his move back to Butte. Listen as he talks with passion about his new gig coaching flag football.

Today’s episode is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat.