Bobby Hauck Retires: Montana Football Faces Transfer Portal Chaos & USD’s Transfer Success Story

Montana Football in Transition After Hauck’s Unexpected Retirement

Missoula, Montana – A surprising announcement shook the FCS football world on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, as Montana Grizzlies head coach Bobby Hauck announced his retirement. The move, revealed during a press conference after notifying his athletic director the previous evening, comes on the heels of a successful, yet ultimately frustrating, season for the Grizzlies.

Montana reached the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs, defeating both South Dakota State (52-22) and South Dakota (50-29) in consecutive weeks. However, their season ended with a 48-23 loss to in-state rival Montana State, marking the third consecutive year and sixth time in Hauck’s eight-year second stint that the Bobcats defeated the Grizzlies. Montana State went on to win the national title, adding to the sting of the defeat.

Hauck’s tenure at Montana spanned 15 seasons, punctuated by a five-year period at UNLV. He led the Grizzlies to eight Big Sky titles and four trips to the national championship game, though he was unable to secure a national championship victory, finishing with a 0-4 record in those title games.

The timing of Hauck’s retirement is unusual, leaving Montana in a precarious position. According to reports, the late timing prevents a full-scale search for a long-term replacement. Despite this, Athletic Director Kent Haslam has appointed wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy as the immediate successor, though without specifying a multi-year contract, only stating that the program’s performance will be assessed after the 2026 season.

The retirement also triggers a special two-week transfer portal window for Montana players who wish to explore other options, a consequence of head coaching changes. This window would not have been opened had Hauck retired before the standard Jan. 2-16 window.

Hauck reportedly cited the challenges of the current college football landscape – specifically, the impact of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer portal – as a primary reason for his departure, echoing similar sentiments expressed recently by former USD coach Bob Nielson and Kansas State’s Chris Klieman.

South Dakota Women’s Basketball Finds Success Through the Transfer Portal

In a separate development, South Dakota women’s basketball coach Carrie Eighmey is demonstrating the potential of strategic roster building through the transfer portal. After inheriting a program with an 11-20 record in her first season, Eighmey has revitalized the Coyotes through targeted transfer acquisitions.

This season, all five starters and the top seven scorers for South Dakota are transfers, including Angelina Robles from Denver, who led the team to a 73-54 victory over three-time defending league champion South Dakota State. Eighmey emphasized her focus on recruiting experienced players – four of the top seven are seniors – who fit her coaching style and contribute to team chemistry.

As of February 5, 2026, the Coyotes hold a 16-7 record and a 7-2 mark in the Summit League, placing them in second place with seven regular-season games remaining.