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Sunday Conversation: Talking football with Tim Hauck
By Scott Mansch, Great Falls Tribune, January 10, 2015
Full story at:
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/sports/2015/01/10/sunday-conversation-talking-football-tim-hauck/21572185/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Editor's Note: Tim Hauck was one of the best football players in Montana Grizzly history, a two-time Big Sky Conference defensive MVP, and had a productive 13-year career as a defensive back in the National Football League. Since retiring from pro football in 2002, the former Big Timber prep star has been in the coaching business. He's worked for several NFL organizations as a defensive assistant and most recently was defensive coordinator at UNLV, where his brother Bobby was the head coach. Tim is currently living in Portland, Ore., where Sports Editor Scott Mansch caught up with him this week for our Sunday Conversation.
Question: How are you, Tim? It's below zero here this morning.
Answer: (laughs) I'm fine, Scott. Thanks. I actually got out steelhead fishing yesterday. Had a great day out on the river. I guess that's not going on in Montana right now because it's too cold (laughs).
Q: That's for sure, Tim. You know, with the big playoff game between the Packers and Cowboys (today) I was thinking about you. I haven't talked to you in awhile so I thought I'd track you down and find out what kind of memories you have of that rivalry.
A: I appreciate it, buddy, I appreciate it.
Q: Tim, how are you feeling physically? You dished out so much punishment during your career (when he was nicknamed Hitter).
A: I'm good. I walked around the river yesterday with no problems. I've had a few surgeries here or there since my career got over, but I feel really good. I'm been extremely fortunate with my health. I look at a lot of guys I played with who are struggling with different things and I feel very blessed that I'm still healthy.
Q: I was thinking about the first time I saw you play for the Grizzlies. It was at a spring game in Havre and I believe you had two interceptions. You had just transferred to Montana (from Pacific). Remember that?
A: I do. (laughs) I was still trying to find my way at that point in time. I was very tunnel-visioned with what I wanted to do with my life and career, and the first step was finding my way on the field for the University of Montana.
Q: I remember coach Don Read saying after that scrimmage, "You know, we might have found a player out there in that Tim Hauck kid."
A: (laughs) I don't think they knew who I was going into that spring. It was one of those deals where I went in as a third-string cornerback and ended up starting coming out of spring.
Q: And you basically walked on at Montana, right?
A: I did, yes. I started my college career at Pacific University in Oregon and decided I always wanted to play at Montana and came back. That was coach Read's first year. I found a way to draw their attention, I guess.
Q: I saw where on the Big Sky list of all-time greatest players you were ranked No. 46 in league history, Timmy. That's way too low, I believe.
A: I appreciate it. That was an honor, whether it was 46 or No. 6. I just appreciated the fact that they recognized the things I did at Montana. It was a fun time for me. I wouldn't trade my college career for anything.
Q: I knew your Dad (Bob) when he was at Missoula Loyola. He was quite a gentleman. Do you still have family in Montana here?
A: Oh yes. Mom is there. And my sister is there. Uncle Tom (Hauck) is still in Missoula, too. Both my dad's brothers are there, as well as my mom's brother. So I still have a lot of connections in Missoula.
Q: You were born in Butte, right?
A: Yes. Both Mom and Dad were from Butte. They had actually already moved to Big Timber, but happened to be in Butte for Christmas when I was born (Dec. 20, 1966). But I was raised in Big Timber.
Q: Right. The most famous pole vaulter in Big Timber history, isn't that correct?
A: (laughs) Bobby and I, yes. Tell you what, that was one thing, sport-wise, that I absolutely loved. I got second at State my junior year and won it my senior year. I set a state record (14 feet, 4 inches).
Q: Pretty good for a 5-foot-10 defensive back, Tim.
A: (laughs) I loved it. You know, I didn't know what I was going to do in college, whether it was track, football or basketball.
Q: Well, I'm sorry things didn't work out better in Las Vegas. How's your big brother doing?
A: He's doing good. I think we're all disappointed the Montana (coaching opportunity) thing didn't work out for us. We had a bunch of Montana guys who were looking forward to going back home. We thought it would be a lot better fit. But it just didn't work out that way.
Q: What does the future hold for you, Tim? Still coaching?
A: Yes, I hope so. I'm really hopeful that one of these NFL jobs that opens I might be able to get, most likely as a secondary coach. If that doesn't happen I would be more than happy to still be coaching college football someplace.
Q: Is Bobby still in Las Vegas, or has he moved?
A: He's still there. His son, Robby, is still in high school and he's playing basketball right now. I assume they'll be there until the end of the school year at least.
Q: Is Robby a good football prospect, too?
A: He is. I watched him play this year. He's an extremely aggressive, undersized player, not unlike his dad and his uncle (laughs). The one thing that stands out is that he's smart smart. He knows it all. He's obviously been hanging out with football guys a lot.
Q: Well, Tim, you know better than anybody, things can change quickly in pro or college football. Who knows when your next coaching opportunity will come?
A: There's no doubt about it. The business is very volatile. I found that out early in my professional playing career. You can go place to place in a hurry, and the coaching profession isn't a lot different.
Q: I talked to David Dickenson not long ago, right after he was named the coach in waiting up there in Calgary.
A: That's awesome. I actually saw Dave earlier this year and have talked to him a few times on the phone. I'm happy for him. He's doing a great job.
Q: I know that Grizzly football is near and dear to your heart, whether you're coaching here or not. Right, Tim?
A: Yes. It will always be a special place for me. Again, we had a bunch of Montana guys who wanted to come back there to coach and it didn't work out. But we'll find our way.
Q: Thanks Tim. It's always great to talk to you.
A: Great talking to you, Partner. Call anytime. You tell everyone there in Great Falls hello for me.
By Scott Mansch, Great Falls Tribune, January 10, 2015
Full story at:
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/sports/2015/01/10/sunday-conversation-talking-football-tim-hauck/21572185/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Editor's Note: Tim Hauck was one of the best football players in Montana Grizzly history, a two-time Big Sky Conference defensive MVP, and had a productive 13-year career as a defensive back in the National Football League. Since retiring from pro football in 2002, the former Big Timber prep star has been in the coaching business. He's worked for several NFL organizations as a defensive assistant and most recently was defensive coordinator at UNLV, where his brother Bobby was the head coach. Tim is currently living in Portland, Ore., where Sports Editor Scott Mansch caught up with him this week for our Sunday Conversation.
Question: How are you, Tim? It's below zero here this morning.
Answer: (laughs) I'm fine, Scott. Thanks. I actually got out steelhead fishing yesterday. Had a great day out on the river. I guess that's not going on in Montana right now because it's too cold (laughs).
Q: That's for sure, Tim. You know, with the big playoff game between the Packers and Cowboys (today) I was thinking about you. I haven't talked to you in awhile so I thought I'd track you down and find out what kind of memories you have of that rivalry.
A: I appreciate it, buddy, I appreciate it.
Q: Tim, how are you feeling physically? You dished out so much punishment during your career (when he was nicknamed Hitter).
A: I'm good. I walked around the river yesterday with no problems. I've had a few surgeries here or there since my career got over, but I feel really good. I'm been extremely fortunate with my health. I look at a lot of guys I played with who are struggling with different things and I feel very blessed that I'm still healthy.
Q: I was thinking about the first time I saw you play for the Grizzlies. It was at a spring game in Havre and I believe you had two interceptions. You had just transferred to Montana (from Pacific). Remember that?
A: I do. (laughs) I was still trying to find my way at that point in time. I was very tunnel-visioned with what I wanted to do with my life and career, and the first step was finding my way on the field for the University of Montana.
Q: I remember coach Don Read saying after that scrimmage, "You know, we might have found a player out there in that Tim Hauck kid."
A: (laughs) I don't think they knew who I was going into that spring. It was one of those deals where I went in as a third-string cornerback and ended up starting coming out of spring.
Q: And you basically walked on at Montana, right?
A: I did, yes. I started my college career at Pacific University in Oregon and decided I always wanted to play at Montana and came back. That was coach Read's first year. I found a way to draw their attention, I guess.
Q: I saw where on the Big Sky list of all-time greatest players you were ranked No. 46 in league history, Timmy. That's way too low, I believe.
A: I appreciate it. That was an honor, whether it was 46 or No. 6. I just appreciated the fact that they recognized the things I did at Montana. It was a fun time for me. I wouldn't trade my college career for anything.
Q: I knew your Dad (Bob) when he was at Missoula Loyola. He was quite a gentleman. Do you still have family in Montana here?
A: Oh yes. Mom is there. And my sister is there. Uncle Tom (Hauck) is still in Missoula, too. Both my dad's brothers are there, as well as my mom's brother. So I still have a lot of connections in Missoula.
Q: You were born in Butte, right?
A: Yes. Both Mom and Dad were from Butte. They had actually already moved to Big Timber, but happened to be in Butte for Christmas when I was born (Dec. 20, 1966). But I was raised in Big Timber.
Q: Right. The most famous pole vaulter in Big Timber history, isn't that correct?
A: (laughs) Bobby and I, yes. Tell you what, that was one thing, sport-wise, that I absolutely loved. I got second at State my junior year and won it my senior year. I set a state record (14 feet, 4 inches).
Q: Pretty good for a 5-foot-10 defensive back, Tim.
A: (laughs) I loved it. You know, I didn't know what I was going to do in college, whether it was track, football or basketball.
Q: Well, I'm sorry things didn't work out better in Las Vegas. How's your big brother doing?
A: He's doing good. I think we're all disappointed the Montana (coaching opportunity) thing didn't work out for us. We had a bunch of Montana guys who were looking forward to going back home. We thought it would be a lot better fit. But it just didn't work out that way.
Q: What does the future hold for you, Tim? Still coaching?
A: Yes, I hope so. I'm really hopeful that one of these NFL jobs that opens I might be able to get, most likely as a secondary coach. If that doesn't happen I would be more than happy to still be coaching college football someplace.
Q: Is Bobby still in Las Vegas, or has he moved?
A: He's still there. His son, Robby, is still in high school and he's playing basketball right now. I assume they'll be there until the end of the school year at least.
Q: Is Robby a good football prospect, too?
A: He is. I watched him play this year. He's an extremely aggressive, undersized player, not unlike his dad and his uncle (laughs). The one thing that stands out is that he's smart smart. He knows it all. He's obviously been hanging out with football guys a lot.
Q: Well, Tim, you know better than anybody, things can change quickly in pro or college football. Who knows when your next coaching opportunity will come?
A: There's no doubt about it. The business is very volatile. I found that out early in my professional playing career. You can go place to place in a hurry, and the coaching profession isn't a lot different.
Q: I talked to David Dickenson not long ago, right after he was named the coach in waiting up there in Calgary.
A: That's awesome. I actually saw Dave earlier this year and have talked to him a few times on the phone. I'm happy for him. He's doing a great job.
Q: I know that Grizzly football is near and dear to your heart, whether you're coaching here or not. Right, Tim?
A: Yes. It will always be a special place for me. Again, we had a bunch of Montana guys who wanted to come back there to coach and it didn't work out. But we'll find our way.
Q: Thanks Tim. It's always great to talk to you.
A: Great talking to you, Partner. Call anytime. You tell everyone there in Great Falls hello for me.
