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BREAKING - Bobby Hauck expected to resign as UM head football coach Wednesday

BozAngelesGriz said:
Hasn’t seemed like he enjoyed coaching the last couple of seasons. Hauck could have retired in 2023 and gone out (nearly) on top
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Agree, and he did a good enough job leading thru that! He explained and described that in his press conference, college football is filled with many more conundrums anymore.
 
406football said:
You’re right on the historical comparison: this is not the Delaney moment. Delaney was hired to steady the ship after Pflu’s late‑cycle firing. Kennedy inherits a stable, high‑expectation program, and he is unquestionably more credentialed on paper than Delaney ever was.

Where the debate becomes interesting—and necessary—is whether Bobby Kennedy’s resume truly reflects an accomplished position coach in today’s college football, or whether it reflects a well‑traveled coach whose peak impact is increasingly distant.

That distinction matter.



Here is the blunt fact: Bobby Kennedy has not coached an All‑American wide receiver in over a decade, and none at Montana.

Yes, his career includes All‑Americans such as Reggie Williams (Washington) and multiple Texas receivers—but those accolades came 15–20 years ago, in a completely different recruiting and development environment.

At Stanford (2018–2022), Rice (2024), and Montana (2025), Kennedy’s receiver rooms produced:

  • Solid contributors
  • Occasional All‑Conference players
  • No nationally dominant wideouts
That’s not failure—but it’s not excellence at the highest level either.

NFL Development: Thinner Than the Reputation Suggests​

Kennedy’s biography often references NFL draft picks, but a closer look shows that:

  • Most were mid‑round selections
  • Several plateaued or declined statistically after initial success
  • Few became consistent NFL starters
For example, Stanford receivers under Kennedy like Simi Fehoko and J.J. Arcega‑Whiteside reached the NFL, but neither developed into high‑impact professional players relative to expectations.

In modern evaluations, sending players to the league is less impressive than maximizing their college dominance first. That dominance has been sporadic in Kennedy’s later stops.

The Recruiting Piece Is Underwhelming​

An accomplished position coach in 2026 is, by necessity, a recruiting weapon.

Kennedy has never been known as a:

  • Primary closer on elite recruiting classes
  • Portal magnet
  • Relationship‑based regional recruiter
At Stanford and Rice, recruiting success was largely driven by institutional fit, admissions standards, and head‑coach influence—not receiver‑specific dominance.

At Montana, Kennedy had one recruiting cycle before promotion—far too little time to establish proof of recruiting excellence in the Big Sky.

That doesn’t mean he can’t recruit. It means we have no evidence yet that he materially elevates recruiting outcomes.

Scheme Adaptation: A Legitimate Question​

Kennedy built his reputation in pro‑style and spread‑hybrid systems that emphasized:

  • Traditional route trees
  • Vertical concepts
  • Timing‑based passing
Modern offenses—especially in the FCS—prioritize:

  • RPO integration
  • Motion‑heavy concepts
  • Space creation through tempo and formations
There is limited evidence that Kennedy has been a scheme innovator rather than a scheme executor over the past decade.

That’s not a flaw in a position coach—but it matters when projecting ceiling.

Montana‑Specific Results: Too Early, But Also Too Quiet​

Kennedy’s lone season at Montana produced competent but not transformative receiver play. The Griz offense was not defined by explosive receiver production, and no wideout emerged as a national or conference‑defining star. we were never dominate on the edges in 1-on-1's, but scheme was the driver force.

Again—this is not failure.

But when someone is labeled an “accomplished position coach,” expectations rise accordingly.

Final Thought: Hope Is Reasonable—Certainty Is Not​

You’re absolutely right to give him the benefit of the doubt. That’s fair, responsible fandom.

The mistake would be confusing professional longevity with current positional excellence.

Time will tell whether Kennedy’s strengths translate upward. But as a receivers coach in the last decade, the résumé suggests competence without distinction, not dominance.

And for a program with Montana’s standards, that’s a meaningful distinction.
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Looking over the last 30 years. I am not counting anyone who left UM and were then drafted or signed on an UFA contract.

In response to Kennedy and NFL Development, I don't think he brings anything less than any of the other Griz HC's have brought with them. He has produced as many mid round draft picks as any other Griz HC, other than Dennehy, Pflugrad and Hauck who each had one mid-round pick in that order 2/3/4.
I am counting Dennehy, Glenn, Hauck 1.0, Pflugrad, Delaney, Stitt, Hauck 2.0. I am not counting any professional years other than NFL. I am not considering practice squad or reserves for years played. So I would argue his ability to develop players is on par with the rest of the past Griz HC's.
-----------------------------------------
1-2 Rd. Draft picks
-----------------------------------------
* Scott Gragg - 2nd Rd - 10 years - OT
*Trumaine Johnson - 3rd Rd. - 7 years - DB
-----------------------------------------
Mid Rd. Draft picks (3rd, 4th 5th)
-----------------------------------------
* Junior Bergen - 4th Rd. - 0 years - cut pre-season; signed to reserves 1/20/2026 - WR/KR
* Kroy Biermann - 5th Rd. - 8 years -LB
* Jordan Tripp - 5th Rd. - 4 years -LB
*Justin Green - 5th Rd. - 4 years - RB
-----------------------------------------
Late Rd. Draft Picks 96th & 7th)
-----------------------------------------
* Lex Hilliard - 6th Rd. - 6 years - RB
*Tyrone Holmes - 6th Rd. - 3 years - DE
* Scott Curry - 6th Rd. - 2 years - OG
* Marc Mariani - 7th Rd - 6 years - Pro Bowler - WR/KR
* Jimmy Wilson - 7th Rd. - 5 years - DB
*Dylan McFarland - 7th Rd. - 3 years - OT
* Caleb McSurdy - 7th Rd. - 1 year - LB
------------------------------------------
Undrafted Free Agents
------------------------------------------
Dan Carpenter - UFA - 8 years - Pro bowler - K
Colt Anderson - UFA - 7 years - S
Chase Reynolds - UFA - 6 years - RB
Blaine McElmurry - UFA - 5 years - S
Cory Proctor - UFA - 5 years -OG
Brock Coyle - UFA - 5 years - LB
Jimmy Farris - UFA - 5 years - WR
Dallas Neil - UFA - 4 years - TE/P
Thatcher Szalay - UFA - 4 years - OG
Shann Schillinger - UFA - 4 years - LB
Tuff Harris - UFA - 4 years - DB
Dylan Cook - UFA 3 years - OT
Patrick O'Connell - UFA - 3 years - LB
William Poehls - UFA - 1 year
Kris Heppner - UFA - 1 year
Craig Ochs - UFA - 0 years
Ben Roberts - UFA - 0 years
Chris Snyder - UFA - 0 Years
Danny Kistler - UFA - 0 years
Dante Olson - UFA - 0 years

As far as his WR's, I would definitely say they were not only competent but definitely transformative. Look at Davis and Wortham.

Bobby isn't exactly known as a remarkable recruiter. That was Justin Green.

As far as his coaching schemes, if he keeps Pease around, or if Pease sticks around, the offense won't be a big deal. I would say that BP's offense is pretty dadgum effective. Let Pease do Pease.

Hopefully NOW we see that stupid 3-3-5 go the way of the dinosaur it is and get a DC that can actually run a modern defense effectively.

Also, he is on a 1 year contract as the 38th Head coach. In my mind that essentially means everything you wrote and i wrote mean exactly nothing. It means, I think, that Haslam might be out? Hauck might be getting hired as the AD? I don't think so but I have considered that from time to time. With Bodnar out, and BH retiring, is Haslam next? Idk. I do think Bobby would make a good AD.

But this was fun researching and writing.
 
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SinCityGriz2005 said:
Looking over the last 30 years. I am not counting anyone who left UM and were then drafted or signed on an UFA contract.

In response to Kennedy and NFL Development, I don't think he brings anything less than any of the other Griz HC's have brought with them. He has produced as many mid round draft picks as any other Griz HC, other than Dennehy, Pflugrad and Hauck who each had one mid-round pick in that order 2/3/4.
I am counting Dennehy, Glenn, Hauck 1.0, Pflugrad, Delaney, Stitt, Hauck 2.0. I am not counting any professional years other than NFL. I am not considering practice squad or reserves for years played. So I would argue his ability to develop players is on par with the rest of the past Griz HC's.
-----------------------------------------
1-2 Rd. Draft picks
-----------------------------------------
* Scott Gragg - 2nd Rd - 10 years - OT
*Trumaine Johnson - 3rd Rd. - 7 years - DB
-----------------------------------------
Mid Rd. Draft picks (3rd, 4th 5th)
-----------------------------------------
* Junior Bergen - 4th Rd. - 0 years - cut pre-season; signed to reserves 1/20/2026 - WR/KR
* Kroy Biermann - 5th Rd. - 8 years -LB
* Jordan Tripp - 5th Rd. - 4 years -LB
*Justin Green - 5th Rd. - 4 years - RB
-----------------------------------------
Late Rd. Draft Picks 96th & 7th)
-----------------------------------------
* Lex Hilliard - 6th Rd. - 6 years - RB
*Tyrone Holmes - 6th Rd. - 3 years - DE
* Scott Curry - 6th Rd. - 2 years - OG
* Marc Mariani - 7th Rd - 6 years - Pro Bowler - WR/KR
* Jimmy Wilson - 7th Rd. - 5 years - DB
*Dylan McFarland - 7th Rd. - 3 years - OT
* Caleb McSurdy - 7th Rd. - 1 year - LB
------------------------------------------
Undrafted Free Agents
------------------------------------------
Dan Carpenter - UFA - 8 years - Pro bowler - K
Colt Anderson - UFA - 7 years - S
Chase Reynolds - UFA - 6 years - RB
Blaine McElmurry - UFA - 5 years - S
Cory Proctor - UFA - 5 years -OG
Brock Coyle - UFA - 5 years - LB
Jimmy Farris - UFA - 5 years - WR
Dallas Neil - UFA - 4 years - TE/P
Thatcher Szalay - UFA - 4 years - OG
Shann Schillinger - UFA - 4 years - LB
Tuff Harris - UFA - 4 years - DB
Dylan Cook - UFA 3 years - OT
Patrick O'Connell - UFA - 3 years - LB
William Poehls - UFA - 1 year
Kris Heppner - UFA - 1 year
Craig Ochs - UFA - 0 years
Ben Roberts - UFA - 0 years
Chris Snyder - UFA - 0 Years
Danny Kistler - UFA - 0 years
Dante Olson - UFA - 0 years

As far as his WR's, I would definitely say they were not only competent but definitely transformative. Look at Davis and Wortham.

Bobby isn't exactly known as a remarkable recruiter. That was Justin Green.

As far as his coaching schemes, if he keeps Pease around, or if Pease sticks around, the offense won't be a big deal. I would say that BP's offense is pretty dadgum effective. Let Pease do Pease.

Hopefully NOW we see that stupid 3-3-5 go the way of the dinosaur it is and get a DC that can actually run a modern defense effectively.

Also, he is "Interim" at the moment. THat means what? It means everything you wrote and i wrote mean exactly nothing until a contract is signed as the 38th Head Coach of the Montana Grizzlies.

But this was fun researching and writing.
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Bobby Hauck was known as a remarkable recruiter 20 years ago. That was one of his main strengths in his first iteration.
 
5280Griz said:
Bobby Hauck was known as a remarkable recruiter 20 years ago. That was one of his main strengths in his first iteration.
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Twenty years ago we were a lot of things. I still think he is the best ST coach in the FCS and one of the best in college football. I'll pillow fight in an alley over that claim, because 20 years, just like Bobby was known as a great recruiter, I was quite the remarkable twat. Now I'm just an average twat. :LOL:
 
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I see no down side to this. Hauck was clearly not the coach he was earlier in his career and the changes in the game were wearing him down. So I hope he goes fishing every day he feels inclined and catches many fish. I'm not worried about the change. I've said it before but vitually any one with a whistle and a decent resume ( unless he wears a green hat) should be able to go 9-3 with the facilites and fan base at UM. I hope Kennedy changes the culture and program to emphasize his stregths and does even better.
 
BadlandsGrizFan said:
Yeah nice ChatGPT summary there bud.

I’m not sure how much AI really knows about football. But anyone who does know and pays attention knows that BK had amazing impact on the WR room this year. He also produced a freshman that played at All American levels.
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I don't have AI. I watch, research, and find things out. I will gladly post every source I cited. Brooks Davis is amazing, but didn't produce consensus All-American numbers to be in that category. Who has BK recruited? From everything I've read he has never been even the recruiting coordinator. Why did Hauck choose now? He knows all too well that a national search in February is impossible.
 
,
406football said:
I don't have AI. I watch, research, and find things out. I will gladly post every source I cited. Brooks Davis is amazing, but didn't produce consensus All-American numbers to be in that category. Who has BK recruited? From everything I've read he has never been even the recruiting coordinator. Why did Hauck choose now? He knows all too well that a national search in February is impossible.
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He has experience and presumably connections for recruiting in some of the strongest areas of the country California and Texas. His experience in Montana is very limited which does worry me about recruiting within Montana. We need someone who can shake up the Billings West to Bozeman pipeline.
 
BrownBear9501 said:
I think Bobby knows that with the guys who transferred out as well as graduated this year compared to what is coming in, that the roster isn’t good enough to win a championship. If he really thought the Griz were currently at that level he wouldn’t be retiring. Sadly, I think this coming year is looking a lot like 2024 was. I hope I’m wrong.
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Watch the conference.
 
5280Griz said:
,

He has experience and presumably connections for recruiting in some of the strongest areas of the country California and Texas. His experience in Montana is very limited which does worry me about recruiting within Montana. We need someone who can shake up the Billings West to Bozeman pipeline.
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That's all hypothetical and nothing tangible.
 
I think Bobby summed up the reason he was retiring very succinctly. It's the same reason a lot of HC's are leaving, especially the older coaches. They don't want to deal with the players now, and I don't blame them. I can't speak as a coach, but I can speak as a parent whose kid went through the recruiting process. The recruiting process was tough seventeen years ago. The effort those coaches and programs go through, not to mention money, to convince a kid to go to their program is intense. prior to the portal, you could count on a kid staying in the program for a while, occasionally they would transfer up or down, but not very often. When a kid signed, it was a big deal. I remember going through the recruiting sites like a rabid dog ten/fifteen years ago. It was a HUGE deal at the FCS level to get a kid who had one or two stars, let alone three. Which was all but unheard of. To have a five star kid sign prior to the portal and NIL, even if he WAS a kicker was a unicorn's wet dream. We would have never ever expected that, heck we would have never expected to sign one 3* kid let alone three or four.

So now, you expend all of this time, energy, resources, money, sacrifice your family, and the kid decides to leave as soon as the portal opens up if they signed, or decommit before they sign or even after they sign. Verbals mean nothing, LOI mean nothing, heck signings mean nothing now. The kids leaving aren't even that good. They are okay, maybe better than okay, and you might have a gem leave, like Toure, but really, Fife, Otlewski, and the rest just aren't that good. They will go to whatever program they go to and maybe start but probably ride the bench, and will be gone.

Coaching staffs and school invest so much into these players just to have them leave once they are somewhat developed enough to play at the "next" level.

Yeah, I don't blame Bobby at all. And he's right, there is never a good time to retire. You can't wait until the time is right, because you'll be dead before that happens, so why not go out on top, let the next guy deal with the mess, spend time with the grandkids, go fishing, camping, hunting, traveling, actually go to a game and enjoy yourself?

Good for Bobby.
 
SinCityGriz2005 said:
I think Bobby summed up the reason he was retiring very succinctly. It's the same reason a lot of HC's are leaving, especially the older coaches. They don't want to deal with the players now, and I don't blame them. I can't speak as a coach, but I can speak as a parent whose kid went through the recruiting process. The recruiting process was tough seventeen years ago. The effort those coaches and programs go through, not to mention money, to convince a kid to go to their program is intense. prior to the portal, you could count on a kid staying in the program for a while, occasionally they would transfer up or down, but not very often. When a kid signed, it was a big deal. I remember going through the recruiting sites like a rabid dog ten/fifteen years ago. It was a HUGE deal at the FCS level to get a kid who had one or two stars, let alone three. Which was all but unheard of. To have a five star kid sign prior to the portal and NIL, even if he WAS a kicker was a unicorn's wet dream. We would have never ever expected that, heck we would have never expected to sign one 3* kid let alone three or four.

So now, you expend all of this time, energy, resources, money, sacrifice your family, and the kid decides to leave as soon as the portal opens up if they signed, or decommit before they sign or even after they sign. Verbals mean nothing, LOI mean nothing, heck signings mean nothing now. The kids leaving aren't even that good. They are okay, maybe better than okay, and you might have a gem leave, like Toure, but really, Fife, Otlewski, and the rest just aren't that good. They will go to whatever program they go to and maybe start but probably ride the bench, and will be gone.

Coaching staffs and school invest so much into these players just to have them leave once they are somewhat developed enough to play at the "next" level.

Yeah, I don't blame Bobby at all. And he's right, there is never a good time to retire. You can't wait until the time is right, because you'll be dead before that happens, so why not go out on top, let the next guy deal with the mess, spend time with the grandkids, go fishing, camping, hunting, traveling, actually go to a game and enjoy yourself?

Good for Bobby.
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That kid gave himself the title of a 5 star. I don’t see him ranked nationally anywhere. On 247 sports he is unranked.
 
5280Griz said:
,

He has experience and presumably connections for recruiting in some of the strongest areas of the country California and Texas. His experience in Montana is very limited which does worry me about recruiting within Montana. We need someone who can shake up the Billings West to Bozeman pipeline.
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lol. Like Bobby has been knocking Montana out of the park lately? Repairing that relationship seems like job number 1 for any new coach.
 
Babyyoda said:
That kid gave himself the title of a 5 star. I don’t see him ranked nationally anywhere. On 247 sports he is unranked.
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No, he was a five star, but a five star is an entirely different rating for kickers and specialists than it is position players. Our long snapper was also a five star so to get a five star kicker or specialist is not insane or unheard of.
 
SinCityGriz2005 said:
Whatever happens, this definitely woke eGriz up and will keep us all busy and guessing and making good bad and ridiculous comments until a new coach is hired or, if Kennedy stays, will keep us guessing until next season starts. SO much to process. New HC, new asst coaches, players staying/leaving, how is this going to affect recruiting, commits, support staff, SO MUCH NEW MATERIAL!
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An early wakeup call for us hibernating Griz.
Expectations haven't changed one iota. Beat the scats, Conference Champions, NC. If the new Bobby can accomplish this, then he is truly HC material. If not....
 
HookedonGriz said:
No, he was a five star, but a five star is an entirely different rating for kickers and specialists than it is position players. Our long snapper was also a five star so to get a five star kicker or specialist is not insane or unheard of.
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Sailer and Kohls do most of the rankings for specialist recruits.
 
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