Hauck agrees to new three-year contract at Montana

Bobby Hauck, the winningest football coach in Big Sky Conference history, has agreed to a new three-year contract with the University of Montana, director of athletics Kent Haslam announced Thursday. The contract will keep Hauck in Missoula through January of 2027.

Hauck has led the Grizzlies to incredible success in his 12 overall seasons at Montana with a 129-36 record in that time and a 49-19 record since returning in 2018. In 2023 he led Montana back to the FCS National Championship for the first time since 2009 and became the winningest coach in conference history.

"I'm excited to continue representing the Montana Grizzlies, the University of Montana, and the state of Montana as the head football coach. Stacey and I are committed to the future of Grizzly football and want to continue to have an impact on our players, our university, and our community," said Hauck.

"We've won a lot of playoff games and been highly competitive over the last six seasons, culminating in an appearance in the national championship game this year. We want to continue to bring more championships to Montana and are looking forward to that challenge. I am appreciative of the University, our president Seth Bodnar, Kent Haslam, and all the other people that make this the best college football environment in the country."

In addition to a national title appearance, Hauck led the Griz to the 19^th Big Sky championship in program history and the eighth in his overall tenure at UM.

Since returning to his alma mater in 2018, Montana has advanced to the FCS playoffs four of the five full seasons with two quarterfinal appearances and one championship appearance.

He was named the Big Sky Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career, the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year for the third time, and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year second time following the 2023 season.

"I am excited Coach Hauck is under contract for three more years. The football coaching staff and student-athletes are coming off an amazing season and I am happy we are maintaining continuity in the leadership of the Griz football program. Coach Hauck is passionate about the University of Montana and developing young men both on and off the field. I appreciate his hard work and commitment," said Haslam.

Not only have Hauck's teams excelled on the field, they've also reached new heights in the classroom.

Since his return in 2018, the Grizzlies have posted the best GPAs in program history, with the team averaging a 3.0 or better each semester, an almost unheard-of achievement in college football.

In his 12 years overall, 274 of Hauck's players have earned a place on All-Big Sky Academic teams, averaging the most or second most selections each season. The Griz have also had four Academic All-America honorees in that time as well.

Hauck has also been recognized for his efforts in the community as the 2023 recipient of the Grant Teaff "Breaking the Silence" Award by the Jason Foundation at the AFCA Convention in January, honoring a head coach that has exceeded expectations as a National Awareness Ambassador, helping spread awareness of youth suicide.

Montana will open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Missouri State in Missoula for the first of seven regular season home games in the coming year.

University of Montana Athletics

Related Videos