Bobby Hauck has officially retired as head coach of Montana football, and on this episode of Big Sky Now, the Daily Inter Lake panel breaks down what it means for the Griz, the Big Sky Conference, and the future of FCS football.

Host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake's sports editor Fritz Neighbor and reporter Jon Allen to unpack the timing and nuance behind Hauck’s decision — from his growing frustration with the transfer portal and NIL era to the ripple effects of signing day, recruiting cycles, and roster stability. The panel reflects on Hauck’s legacy as the winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history, his two tenures in Missoula, and why this retirement felt sudden — yet inevitable.

The discussion also turns to Bobby Kennedy stepping in as Montana’s next head coach, how the Griz are positioned heading into spring ball, and what this change could mean for player retention and competitiveness in 2026. Plus, the crew touches on Big Sky offseason storylines, returning quarterback-receiver duos across the state, and the growing national footprint of Big Sky players at the professional level.

Read Fritz's article about Coach Hauck's retirement on dailyinterlake.com.

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In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

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