Montana Grizzlies football

Montana Grizzlies football
Name	Montana Grizzlies football
Founded	1897
Stadium	Washington–Grizzly Stadium
Capacity	25,217
City	Missoula, Montana
Conference	Big Sky Conference
Division	FCS
Head coach	Bobby Hauck
Athletic director	Kent Haslam
Fight song	"Up with Montana"
Mascot	Monte
Colors	Copper, Silver, Gold
Rival	Montana State Bobcats (Brawl of the Wild)

Montana Grizzlies football represents the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The program competes in the Big Sky Conference and has established itself as a national power, claiming two national championships and appearing in numerous postseason tournaments. Known for its passionate fan base and intense rivalry with the Montana State Bobcats, the team plays its home games at the iconic Washington–Grizzly Stadium.

History

The program began in 1897 under coach Fred D. Smith and played its first intercollegiate game against Montana State. Early decades saw sporadic success, with a notable period under Frank W. Milburn in the 1920s. The modern era of prominence began with the hiring of Don Read in 1986, who led the team to its first national title in 1995. Success continued under Joe Glenn and Bobby Hauck, with Hauck guiding the Grizzlies to the 2009 national championship game. The program has produced numerous All-Americans and has been a consistent contender in the Big Sky Conference, earning multiple conference championships under coaches like Mick Dennehy and Robin Pflugrad.

Championships and postseason results

Montana has won two national championships, in 1995 and 2001, and has appeared in the title game seven times, including runner-up finishes in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2009. The team has captured 18 Big Sky Conference championships, with recent titles in 2009 and 2011. Montana holds the record for the most consecutive FCS playoff appearances (17 from 1993 to 2009) and has numerous victories in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, including memorable games against Furman Paladins, Appalachian State Mountaineers, and James Madison Dukes.

Rivalries

The primary and most historic rivalry is with the Montana State Bobcats, known as the Brawl of the Wild (formerly the Cat–Griz rivalry), contested annually since 1897 with the Great Divide Trophy at stake. This matchup, one of the oldest in the FCS, divides the state and typically has implications for the Big Sky Conference title and FCS playoffs berths. Other significant, though less frequent, rivalries include contests with the Idaho Vandals, a former Big Sky Conference foe, and the Weber State Wildcats, with whom they have battled for conference supremacy. The Grizzlies also have a competitive history with the Eastern Washington Eagles, often playing for high stakes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs.

Notable players

The program has produced many players who achieved success in the National Football League, including Marc Mariani, a Pro Bowl return specialist for the Tennessee Titans; Colt Anderson, a longtime special teams ace for the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills; and Kroy Biermann, a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons. Standout quarterbacks include Dave Dickenson, the Walter Payton Award winner and CFL legend, and John Edwards. Other notable alumni are Tim Hauck, a longtime NFL safety and coach; Shann Schillinger, who played for the Atlanta Falcons; and Dante Olson, a Buck Buchanan Award winner. Legendary defensive end Mick Delaney also had a storied career before becoming a coach.

Head coaches

Notable head coaches include Don Read, who won the first national championship in 1995; Joe Glenn, who led the team to the 2001 title; and Bobby Hauck, the program's all-time wins leader who took the Grizzlies to three national championship games. Other significant tenures belong to Mick Dennehy, Robin Pflugrad, and Bob Stitt. Early coaches like Frank W. Milburn and Jug Beck helped establish the program's foundation. Hauck, in his second stint, has continued the tradition of success, competing for Big Sky Conference titles and FCS playoffs berths.

Facilities

The team plays its home games at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, an on-campus venue in Missoula, Montana known for its loud and intimidating atmosphere, often referred to as the "Loudest Stadium in the FCS." The stadium opened in 1986 and has undergone several expansions, increasing capacity to over 25,000. The Grizzlies practice at the Riverbowl Complex and utilize the Grizzly Sports Performance Center for training. Administrative and coaching offices are housed in the Adams Center, which also contains the Grizzly Athletics Hall of Fame. The program's equipment and locker rooms are located in the Champions Center, a state-of-the-art facility supporting University of Montana athletics.

Category:Montana Grizzlies football Category:Big Sky Conference football