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RIP Don Read

Obviously Coach Read was a legend. I had the pleasure of meeting him and talking to him a few times and this man was an amazing human being. He was so humble and had a good heart. No matter who you were, he always made you feel important when he talked to you and genuinely cares about you and his players. In the age of players changing teams like changing clothes, you don't get that real deep player coach connection as much as you used to. And Coaches like Don Read will be missed deeply. A Coach who not only won, but genuinely cared about the players and their families. He was never too busy for anyone and his players loved playing for him. May God bless you and your family Coach. We love and miss you and we know you'll be watching down on the Griz this Sunday. A true LEGEND!! GO GRIZ!!!
 
Dmontanagrizzlies said:
kemajic said:
His pep rally after the '95 win in Huntington remains clear in my mind. He described the Griz future as if he would be there forever. What a high. A few days later he announced his retirement. Broke my heart. He was 62.
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Agreed, Kem. I was in Dahlberg for that rally as well. It was as if I had been transformed at that rally, back to a little kid. I sat there fixed, listening and just the grand sense of magic that seem to float in the air there, that evening.
I saw him a few times on campus, during my school years. Always would say hello and would stop to talk, if he had an extra second.
You could almost feel the entire city of Missoula saddened, those few days later when he announced his retirement.
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I wasn't in Dahlberg, I was in Huntington just after the game. While they were in a hurry to catch the charter, he seemed to reach everyone. This was a man who made Griz Football and Griz Football made the man.
 
Got recruited to play by coach Read. Decided a different path in my life, but to tell him no was painful. He was amazing at talking to “us kids” back in the day. RIP coach!
 
RIP Coach Read - You are Missed in Missoula! Thanks for your electric Passing Game!
 
EverettGriz said:
It's probably far too late to get a DR added to the unis for Sunday, but damn. He certainly deserves it.
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Would it be possible to put some sort of sticker on the helmets?
 
kemajic said:
Dmontanagrizzlies said:
Agreed, Kem. I was in Dahlberg for that rally as well. It was as if I had been transformed at that rally, back to a little kid. I sat there fixed, listening and just the grand sense of magic that seem to float in the air there, that evening.
I saw him a few times on campus, during my school years. Always would say hello and would stop to talk, if he had an extra second.
You could almost feel the entire city of Missoula saddened, those few days later when he announced his retirement.
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I wasn't in Dahlberg, I was in Huntington just after the game. While they were in a hurry to catch the charter, he seemed to reach everyone. This was a man who made Griz Football and Griz Football made the man.
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I was one of the many who stood out in the bitter cold that night to welcome Papa Bear and his Grizzlies home from Huntington. I clung to my front row spot on the rope for a couple hours so I would be able to high five our returning champions. That night will always we one of my best memories ever!!!! It brings tears running down my face as I remember.
 
Was really hoping to hear or see coach Read leading up to this game. Sorry to hear of his passing. Wishing the whole Read family condolences.

Is Montana even Montana without him? So instrumental in taking this program over the hump and to the very pinnacle of 1-AA. He was the cherry on top to make the program, WaGriz, the university get to where it was at that peak from the goals and efforts from the previous decade plus. His influence still surrounds this program. The connections between his staff and this staff are omnipresent. As well as his philosophy. Just see this excerpt from his book Complete Quarterbacking.

“The team leader needs to know exactly what is happening on the line of scrimmage, who can get open to catch a pass, and who is in position to run the ball. He needs to be able to read the defense and react accordingly. He must be a team motivator and effective communicator, and he must be able to withstand the physical and mental pressures of this most prestigious position.”
 
I got a lot lump in my throat when I saw this post. Very sad news. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Don on a few occasions. Was able to help build his house when he was in Corvallis before he went back to be AD. Don was the best. Genuine, generous and just a good person all around. I recall him getting me tickets to go to a game at PSU and bringing me a box of Griz gear. That’s when he was AD.
Rest in peace coach!!
 
God bless him and his loved ones. He was a very nice gentleman and happened to also be a very good coach.

It was a match made in heaven when he arrived in Missoula. He was the catalyst to launch the Grizzlies program into a tradition of winning. We were very fortunate to have him! Go with God coach.
 
Wolf777 said:
Was really hoping to hear or see coach Read leading up to this game. Sorry to hear of his passing. Wishing the whole Read family condolences.

Is Montana even Montana without him? So instrumental in taking this program over the hump and to the very pinnacle of 1-AA. He was the cherry on top to make the program, WaGriz, the university get to where it was at that peak from the goals and efforts from the previous decade plus. His influence still surrounds this program. The connections between his staff and this staff are omnipresent. As well as his philosophy. Just see this excerpt from his book Complete Quarterbacking.

“The team leader needs to know exactly what is happening on the line of scrimmage, who can get open to catch a pass, and who is in position to run the ball. He needs to be able to read the defense and react accordingly. He must be a team motivator and effective communicator, and he must be able to withstand the physical and mental pressures of this most prestigious position.”
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Deserves a bust in the Champions Center
Ruby Valley Fan
 
kemajic said:
Dmontanagrizzlies said:
Cant think of a more proper goodbye than to bring that trophy home for Papa.

This sucks.
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His pep rally after the '95 win in Huntington remains clear in my mind. He described the Griz future as if he would be there forever. What a high. A few days later he announced his retirement. Broke my heart. He was 62.
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I still remember that one like it happened last week.
 
SaskGriz said:
I was lucky enough to take two of his coaching classes at the U. What a class individual and like all great coaches; what a great teacher!

RIP Coach Read and my condolences to his family.
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Took those also.
 
EverettGriz said:
Oh man. This entire program owes a huge debt of gratitude to Coach Read.

Prayers for his family, and please know that in Heaven, that middle jailbreak screen always goes for 6. Farewell Sir.
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Agreed. RIP Coach and god bless the Read family and close friends - we send our condolences.

I can still hear him yell out "good play 47" - coach was famous for using numbers in lieu of last names.
 
Appreciate Jim O'Day (who took over for Coach Read after Read's brief stint as Montana's interim AD 2004-2005) as well as Griz Great Dave Dickenson for jumping on our ESPN MT show today. Dave, as always, was as good as it gets.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6MMJxqdBtb2irfb0iLKMhD?si=f4a1c1c3afff40ce
 
Great Coach and Great person from everything I have ever known... Condolences to his family. Gone but not forgotten.

I don't say RIP because our souls never rest. Maybe he will be an even better Coach in his next life.
 
Rest in peace coach Read. You sent this program on a trajectory that made it into one of the premier programs in the FCS. Thank you for all you did. Griz Nation is forever grateful.
 
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