Montana Football Coach Bobby Hauck Announces Sudden Retirement

Longtime Grizzlies coach cites changes in college game as reason for stepping down after 14 seasons

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Bobby Hauck, the winningest active FCS coach and leader of the perennial powerhouse Montana Grizzlies football program, announced his sudden retirement on Wednesday. Hauck, who had two stints totaling 14 years as Montana's head coach, cited the changing nature of college football in recent years as the reason for his decision, saying he no longer enjoys the "head coach stuff" due to issues like player transfers and name, image and likeness deals.

Why it matters

Hauck's retirement is a major shakeup for the Montana football program, which has been one of the most successful FCS teams over the past two decades. His departure comes at a time of significant changes in college sports, as new NCAA rules have transformed the landscape around player transfers and compensation. Hauck's comments highlight the challenges many veteran coaches are facing in adapting to the evolving college game.

The details

Hauck, 61, had a 151-43 record in 19 seasons as Montana's head coach, leading the Grizzlies to 8 Big Sky championships, 13 playoff appearances, and 4 national championship game berths. He was the winningest active FCS coach. Hauck cited issues like player transfers, name/image/likeness deals, and the "transient nature" of the modern college game as reasons for his retirement, saying he no longer enjoys the "head coach stuff." Offensive coordinator Bobby Kennedy, who previously worked with Hauck at Washington, will take over as the new Grizzlies head coach.

  • Hauck announced his retirement on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • Hauck had two stints totaling 14 years as Montana's head coach, first from 2003-2009 and then again from 2018 until his retirement.

The players

Bobby Hauck

The winningest active FCS coach, Hauck had a 151-43 record in 19 seasons as the head coach of the Montana Grizzlies football program.

Bobby Kennedy

Offensive coordinator at Montana, Kennedy will succeed Hauck as the new Grizzlies head coach. Kennedy previously worked with Hauck as an assistant at Washington in 2002.

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What they’re saying

“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. I just think it's the appropriate time.”

— Bobby Hauck, Retiring Head Coach

“Dealing with agents and the transient nature of this and the lack of forward thinking by young people, which has never been a strong suit for centuries for young people. … But now when they've got adults pushing them and pulling them in different directions, I kind of got tired of that.”

— Bobby Hauck, Retiring Head Coach

What’s next

Kennedy will take over as the new head coach of the Montana Grizzlies football program, looking to continue the team's success after Hauck's long tenure.

The takeaway

Hauck's retirement highlights the challenges veteran coaches are facing as college sports undergo major changes, with issues like player transfers and name/image/likeness deals transforming the landscape of the game. His departure from one of the most successful FCS programs signals a shift in the college football world.