Bobby Hauck retirement Montana football

MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Grizzlies head football coach Bobby Hauck announced his retirement on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most successful coaching careers in FCS and Big Sky Conference history. Hauck, a Missoula native, steps away after 14 total seasons leading his alma mater across two stints.

Following Hauck’s decision, wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy has been promoted to head coach and will oversee football operations moving forward. Hauck and Montana athletic director Kent Haslam are scheduled to address the media at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

A Historic Career Comes to a Close

At 61 years old, Hauck retires as the winningest coach in Montana football history and the most successful coach in Big Sky Conference history. Across his time in Missoula, Hauck compiled an impressive 151–43 overall record, including an 86–23 mark in conference play.

Under his leadership, the Grizzlies won eight Big Sky championships, qualified for the FCS playoffs 13 times, and recorded 20 postseason victories. Montana reached the FCS national championship game four times during Hauck’s tenure — in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2023 — cementing the program’s reputation as a perennial national contender.

Hauck’s second stint began ahead of the 2018 season and featured some of the most productive years in program history, including a run to the FCS national championship game following the 2023 season and a semifinal appearance in 2025.

Record-Setting 2025 Season

Montana finished the 2025 season with a 13–2 overall record, with both losses coming against in-state rival Montana State. One of those defeats occurred in a historic semifinal matchup in Bozeman.

Offensively, the Grizzlies posted one of the best statistical seasons the program has ever seen. Montana accumulated 6,855 total yards of offense and scored 615 points, averaging 41 points per game.

Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat led the offense by passing for 4,070 yards and 33 touchdowns, while wide receiver Michael Wortham recorded 85 receptions for 1,224 yards and 10 scores. Running back Eli Gillman added 1,610 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Ah Yat and Gillman have both announced their intentions to return for the 2026 season, providing continuity during the coaching transition. Wortham, however, exhausted his eligibility following the 2025 campaign.

Hauck’s Broader Coaching Legacy

Beyond Montana, Hauck also served as head coach at UNLV from 2010 to 2014, where he compiled a 15–49 record. His overall career coaching mark stands at 166–92.

Despite never capturing a national championship, Hauck’s impact on Montana football is undeniable. His consistency, player development, and postseason success shaped the modern identity of the Grizzlies program.

Bobby Kennedy Takes Over in Missoula

New head coach Bobby Kennedy joined the Grizzlies staff in August 2025 and coached a receiver group led by Wortham and Brooks Davis. A Colorado native, Kennedy brings more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience to the role.

Kennedy was part of the Texas Longhorns’ 2005 national championship staff and has coached at several prominent programs, including Rice, Stanford, Iowa, Washington, Arizona, Wake Forest, and Wyoming.

This marks Kennedy’s first head coaching position, and he takes over at a pivotal time for the program.

Signing Day and Transfer Portal Implications

Hauck’s retirement comes on National Signing Day, when Montana was expected to announce several incoming transfers. Due to the coaching change, NCAA rules allow a new transfer window for current Montana players.

Beginning February 9, Grizzlies players will have a 15-day period to decide whether to remain with the program or enter the transfer portal.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season

Montana will open the 2026 college football season on August 29, hosting Southern Utah in a Big Sky Conference matchup at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

The program officially announced Hauck’s retirement in a Wednesday press release. Skyline Sports first reported the news early Wednesday morning, which was later confirmed by MTN Sports.

As Montana transitions into a new era, Bobby Kennedy inherits a roster built to compete immediately, while Bobby Hauck leaves behind a legacy that will define Grizzlies football for generations.