Retirement Announcement
In a surprising announcement, Bobby Hauck, the long-serving head coach of the University of Montana football team, revealed his retirement on Wednesday. Hauck, who is recognized as the Big Sky Conference’s winningest coach and has achieved legendary status in FCS football, cited a growing dissatisfaction with the evolving landscape of college athletics as a key reason for his decision.
Coaching Career Highlights
Hauck’s coaching career at Montana spans 14 years, divided into two separate tenures. Over this period, he led the Grizzlies to impressive accomplishments, including:
- Eight Big Sky Conference titles
- 13 playoff appearances
- Four trips to the national championship contests
His tenure included an impressive 166-92 record over 19 seasons, featuring a 151-43 mark while guiding the Grizzlies. Most recently, the 2025 season culminated in a 13-2 record and a run to the national semifinals.
Reflections on Change
The 61-year-old coach also referenced significant changes within college football’s structure since the NCAA introduced new transfer rules and compensation models for athletes, particularly those regarding name, image, and likeness agreements. Hauck expressed frustration with the modern dynamics of college coaching, specifically the influence of outside agents and the rapid turnover of players.
“I want to enjoy my career and my job, and a lot of the head coach stuff in current-day Division I college football is not enjoyable,” he stated during the retirement announcement. “It just feels like the right time.”
Looking Ahead
Following Hauck’s departure, Bobby Kennedy, who recently completed his first season as the receivers coach, will succeed him. Kennedy and Hauck share a previous working history, having both served as assistants at the University of Washington in 2002, and Kennedy has since held positions at prestigious institutions such as Texas and several other prominent programs.
Now that he has stepped back from coaching, Hauck remains uncertain about his next steps but confirmed he does not wish to return to head coaching. He had recently come back to Montana in 2018, and as he concludes his coaching career, he reflects on his journey with mixed emotions.
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, Hauck’s departure marks the end of an era for Montana football and leaves fans and the program looking ahead to new leadership.
