New Montana Coach Bobby Kennedy Signs Incentive-Heavy 1-Year Deal

Kennedy's contract includes a $175,000 base salary but offers big bonus potential for on-field and off-field success.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in shades of green, gold, and maroon, breaking down a football scene into sharp, overlapping planes to capture the intensity and complexity of the coaching challenge facing Bobby Kennedy at Montana.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes pressure and expectations facing new Montana football coach Bobby Kennedy as he takes the reins of one of the FCS's most prestigious programs.Missoula Today

New Montana football coach Bobby Kennedy signed a one-year contract that pays him a $175,000 base salary, but includes a robust bonus structure that could more than double his total earnings if he meets certain on-field and off-field performance targets. The deal, which runs through February 2027, gives Kennedy a short runway to prove his value and earn a longer-term future with the Grizzlies.

Why it matters

Montana is one of the marquee FCS football programs, and Kennedy is inheriting the job from the highly successful Bobby Hauck. The incentive-heavy nature of Kennedy's contract reflects the high expectations and pressure that come with leading the Grizzlies, as he looks to build on the program's strong tradition and cement his status as the long-term leader.

The details

Kennedy's contract includes a base salary of $175,000, which is on the low end for top FCS coaches. However, he can earn significant bonuses for on-field success, such as $5,000 for beating a playoff team, $7,500 for winning 9 games, $10,000 for winning 10+ games, and $50,000 for winning the national championship. He can also earn up to $47,500 in off-field bonuses, including $12,500 for academic performance and up to $15,000 based on season ticket sales. The contract also outlines unspecified compensation for media and promotional appearances.

  • Kennedy signed the contract on February 5, 2026.
  • The contract runs through February 3, 2027.

The players

Bobby Kennedy

The new head football coach for the University of Montana Grizzlies, inheriting the program from the highly successful Bobby Hauck.

Bobby Hauck

The former head football coach for the University of Montana Grizzlies, whose two separate stints cemented him as one of the most successful coaches in FCS history before he became defensive coordinator at Illinois.

Brent Vigen

The head football coach at Montana State University, whose contract pays him a $295,000 base salary, providing a point of comparison for Kennedy's lower base pay.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be my last job. Whether it's long ... let's make it be long, OK? Or however long it is, let me say that, I want this to be my last job. I want to do it with these guys, and I want to do it with these players and I want to do it with the great Griz fans and the people of Montana.”

— Bobby Kennedy, New Montana Head Football Coach

What’s next

Kennedy's debut season will be closely watched, as it serves as both an opportunity to establish himself as the long-term leader of the program and an audition to prove his value to the university and its high-expectation fan base.

The takeaway

Kennedy's incentive-heavy contract reflects the high stakes and pressure that come with leading one of the FCS's marquee programs. If he can deliver on-field success and off-field engagement, he has the chance to earn a lucrative long-term deal and cement his status as the Grizzlies' coach. However, the short one-year term also means he must quickly prove his worth to the university and its passionate fan base.