Kowalski retires from Griz football coaching staff
8/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
University of Montana assistant football coach Ron Kowalski has decided to retire, he announced recently. He had served as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies the past five seasons.
This past spring he was working with the quarterbacks and receivers, while the previous four years at UM he had coached the running backs as well as tight ends (2001 and 2002).
"It was a tremendous experience for both our players and coaches to have the opportunity to work with a veteran coach like Ron Kowalski," said UM head coach Bobby Hauck. "Ron brought a lot to our program. He had a wealth of coaching experience, but most importantly he was a great person to be around on a daily basis."
The past two seasons Kowalski coached halfback Lex Hilliard, a two-time first team All-Big Sky Conference selection and 2005 Walter Payton Award finalist.
A coaching veteran in the Treasure State, he is in his 38th season of coaching at the high school and college levels in Montana.
Kowalski came to UM after a successful 32-year stint at Cut Bank High School. He was the head coach at Cut Bank for 29 seasons and compiled an overall record of 206-80-1. His prep teams won state championships in 1985, 1989 and 1990 and were runners-up on four occasions.
Originally from Roundup, Kowalski is a 1966 graduate of Eastern Montana College.
"With practice starting we are in a mad scramble right now to find a replacement for Ron, and I hope to have that done as soon as possible," Hauck said.
This past spring he was working with the quarterbacks and receivers, while the previous four years at UM he had coached the running backs as well as tight ends (2001 and 2002).
"It was a tremendous experience for both our players and coaches to have the opportunity to work with a veteran coach like Ron Kowalski," said UM head coach Bobby Hauck. "Ron brought a lot to our program. He had a wealth of coaching experience, but most importantly he was a great person to be around on a daily basis."
The past two seasons Kowalski coached halfback Lex Hilliard, a two-time first team All-Big Sky Conference selection and 2005 Walter Payton Award finalist.
A coaching veteran in the Treasure State, he is in his 38th season of coaching at the high school and college levels in Montana.
Kowalski came to UM after a successful 32-year stint at Cut Bank High School. He was the head coach at Cut Bank for 29 seasons and compiled an overall record of 206-80-1. His prep teams won state championships in 1985, 1989 and 1990 and were runners-up on four occasions.
Originally from Roundup, Kowalski is a 1966 graduate of Eastern Montana College.
"With practice starting we are in a mad scramble right now to find a replacement for Ron, and I hope to have that done as soon as possible," Hauck said.
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