Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck Announces Retirement, Bobby Kennedy Named Successor
MISSOULA, Montana – – University of Montana head football coach Bobby Hauck announced his retirement, effective immediately. The announcement came on a day the Grizzlies were scheduled to reveal their latest recruiting class.
Hauck, a native of Big Timber, Montana and a University of Montana alumnus, leaves as the winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history. During his tenure, he amassed an overall record of 166-92 and a 151-43 record specifically with the Grizzlies, according to reports.
Montana Director of Athletics Kent Haslam will join Hauck for a press conference at 10 a.m. in the Adams Center’s West Auxiliary Gym.
Wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy has been named Hauck’s replacement and will immediately oversee the program’s operations.
Hauck coached the Grizzlies for 14 seasons across two stints, beginning in 2003. His second term began prior to the 2018 season. He led the team to a 13-2 record last season, reaching the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. The Grizzlies fell to Montana State in that semifinal matchup.
Under Hauck’s leadership, Montana reached the FCS national championship game four times (2004, 2008, 2009, and 2023) but did not secure a title. His teams won eight Big Sky championships and reached the playoffs 13 times, achieving 20 victories in the FCS playoffs.
Hauck’s overall record at Montana stands at 151-43, including an 86-23 mark in Big Sky Conference play. He previously spent five years as head coach at UNLV.
Last season, the Grizzlies boasted a potent offense, totaling 6,855 yards of total offense and scoring 615 points (an average of 41 points per game). Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat passed for 4,070 yards and 33 touchdowns, while Michael Wortham recorded 85 catches for 1,224 yards and 10 scores. Eli Gillman contributed 1,610 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
Both Ah Yat and Gillman have announced their intention to return for the 2026 season. Wortham completed his senior year in 2025.
