Through it all, Bobby Hauck's mission was to win football games – and protect the Griz shield

Bobby Hauck, head coach of the University of Montana's football team, has announced his retirement, marking the end of a significant era in Grizzly football history. Hauck, who led the team to 151 wins over 15 seasons in two separate coaching stints, cited changes in college football, including transfer rules and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, as key reasons for his decision. Hauck expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of college football, which he feels has shifted control to the players.

During his tenure, Hauck's teams made several playoff appearances, reaching the FCS national championship game four times but never securing a title. His coaching record included eight Big Sky Conference titles and a notable 80-17 overall record in his first tenure from 2003 to 2009. Despite the success, Hauck's career at Montana was also marked by controversies, including off-field player incidents and contentious interactions with the media.

Hauck, 61