Montana Football's New Era with Head Coach Bobby Kennedy

speaker-0: Yeah, yeah, they grill crank the speakers loud Saturday's feel holy in this college crowd set the jack on the mic preaching gospel truth talking rivalries legends red black gold and blue from their valley lights to the camp Randall cold they're telling stories They never get old ain't no bench warm hearts on the show tonight They're walking on proud on the stadium lies. They'd prefer walk on no scholarship still putting it on from the church of tailgate hands

speaker-1: Welcome to the preferred walk-on show. am your host Seth Saunders. And today, March day one of our summer interview series, and we couldn't be more fired up to chat with our guests today. You know, I want to start by saying, you ever meet a coach or a ballplayer and you just know the game has been good to them because they've been good to the game? Well, I can't think of anyone that embodies that more than today's guest. He spent more than three decades. earning respect at every level of college football. And now he'll roam the sidelines of one of the most iconic jobs in the FCS with a championship resume, a teacher's mindset, and the kind of credibility that only comes from a lifetime of service to the game. Texas national championship runs stops across the power for a career built on developing players, mastering the details and learning what championship cultures actually demand. And that path of perseverance led him to Missoula where the standards are high. The fan base is unmatched in their passion and every Saturday inside Washington Grizzly Stadium feels like something spiritual. This is a leader stepping into pressure with purpose, a coach task, not just with preserving Montana's tradition, but pushing it forward. An enthusiastic preferred walk on welcome to the 38th coach of the Montana Grizzlies, Coach Bobby Kennedy. Coach, welcome to the show.

speaker-0: Thanks Seth, it's great to be here with you.

speaker-1: Well, we were talking off air and you are a road weary. You've been working hard and I know you are ⁓ so passionate about this program and so passionate about this opportunity. And coach, you said in your introductory press conference that the thing that was most important to you is where do you fit? And sitting here now after a few months in the job, what is it about Montana and being the Grizzlies head coach that fits?

speaker-0: Well, number one, it's the people, right? Developing relationships, not only with your players, but people of Missoula, people of the state of Montana. You know, when you feel that you're at home, there's just a calm that comes over you. So Montana's been great to me. The people have been great, very supportive. Obviously the players have embraced me since I got here as the wide receiver coach. And then becoming the head coach, it's been a really good ⁓ transition. When I took over, we didn't have one guy enter the portal. And so I'm really proud of that. And just didn't have to do just with me. I credit our staff, but also the passion that our fans have for this program. The players know that they're valued here. And so that's exciting for me.

speaker-1: Coach, you have had quite the journey to get where you are. And I'm always interested in the origin of everybody's story. And so for you, was there a moment early in your career where you thought, man, this is the profession. This is the grind and I am totally in for this life. Can you think of a moment that maybe that was or kind of a pivot point where you went, this is the road I'm going be on and I'm going be all in.

speaker-0: Yeah, it really started when I was, when I was very young. My uncle was a scout for the Denver Broncos and we called them Uncle Hank, but he coached my dad in college at Butler University. And he was a scout for the Broncos and I'd go up and I'd work training camp and be around training camp and the players. But then also through high school, I had great relationships with Tom and Mike McCartney, Toby Fairbanks, the head coach's sons at the University of Colorado. And I saw what their. their dads did and I was like, wow, I would love to do that one day. And then when I was playing and I didn't have a great career at Northern Colorado playing, but I always really respected the coaches, guys like Joe Glenn. I mean, there were so many guys that had a positive impact on my career, whether it been my high school coach, Dave Ramsey and Dennis D, also Sam Pagano at the rival high school, Fairview High School. And I was just like, yeah, what a cool thing to be able to work with guys every day and get the best out of them. And so being around, you know, the University of football program, working their football camps in the summertime or the mile high football camp and seeing the coaches and how they worked with us, I said, yeah, this is something I want to do.

speaker-1: Well, you mentioned coach Glenn, which I'm so glad you did. Cause I wanted to ask you about that. He was your quarterback's coach when you were playing at Northern Colorado and later won a national title at Montana. When you were contemplating taking a job or even after you got the job, A, did you and coach Glenn have conversations and B, what has his influence been? What has his thumbprint been on your life and your journey?

speaker-0: Well, number one, ever since he was my quarterback coach and then he ascended to the role of head coach at the University of Northern Colorado, he just had such an infectious personality. He knew everybody. He treated people the right way. And yeah, I did. After I actually got to Montana as a wide receiver coach, I called him and we had a great conversation. But then once I was named the head coach, he reached out, but then we had a long conversation and he was great and really supportive. And I'm just so thankful for him in my life and men like him because they've really molded me. So Joe Glenn's been a big influence in my life.

speaker-1: Well, Coach Glenn is not the only influence that you've had. You have had the privilege of being on just some outstanding coaching staffs with just so many dynamic leaders and guys that have had tons of success across the space. Who were some of your biggest influences along your path to sitting in the head coach and seat and of all the coaches that you've worked with, who taught you the most meaningful thing about dealing with people? staff, players, families, and not so much the X's and O's side of things.

speaker-0: Yeah, you know, I've worked for, I have not worked for a bad guy. Okay. And I mean, starting with John MacVic at, at University of Illinois and kind of breaking in there, ⁓ that was a, a demanding experience, but, a really good experience for me. But then I'd have to go with, ⁓ Coach Paterna, you know, Joe Paterna was such a huge influence on my life. And also, just in terms of the way that he treated people. I still remember, and I've told this story before, my parents were visiting State College and I told him that they were going to be there. Well, I was showing him around the football offices and he heard me talking. Well, he comes out into the lobby and he's like, he comes up and greets my parents and he's, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, it's so good to have you here. You know, and then he invited them into his office and he spent an hour with them and just talking about Penn State, about me, about... my family, asking them different questions. And it just had a lasting impact on my dad, but also myself, because you think of Joe Paterno, an iconic figure, right? To take that time out of his busy schedule to really spend meaningful time with my family and my parents, that was really special. Then also, you know, I was fortunate enough to work with Lou Tepper at Illinois and Jim Caldwell at Penn State. Those were great influences on my life. Joe Tiller at Wyoming, Joe Tiller was, you know, that was my first full-time job at the University of Wyoming. And to learn under a guy like him was just really valuable and same thing, very demanding, tough, gritty, but also just had a good personality about dynamic personalities. So that was special. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention, you know, Mack Brown, I worked for him for eight years. but know, Mack Brown, Rick Neuheisel, I mean, just some great names in college football. But Coach Brown, I just learned the details and recruiting and managing people and players and how to interact with players. Not only, you know, on a positive note, but also being demanding with them. And he was demanding with the staff also. But Mack had a huge impact on my life and really thankful for him. But, you know, all the guys that I've been with have been... really special in their own way. And I said this a number of times that, you know, I've kept a journal for 36 years and about the different head coaches I've worked with and the different assistants I've worked with. Greg Davis, who was our offense coordinator at Texas and University of Iowa. I was with him for 13 years. Wow. How smart was he and just a good person, but same thing, demanding, fair. So yeah, just to be around, you know, people like that. It's really benefited me. I'll tell you this also, a guy like David Shaw, and then I had a connection with Mike Blumgren at Rice because he was our coordinator at Stanford. I learned a tremendous amount couple years ago from Mike Blumgren just in terms of taking over a difficult program. know, when he took over Rice and he did some really good things and his tenacity about just always just the details and working hard and recruiting and... player relationships. Keith Gilbertson at Washington was another great guy. He kind of came in during a transition at Washington and to see how he handled that and because he was kind of put in a pressure-packed situation right away because the Washington job, it's a great job, but it's a demanding job. And so just to be around all those people have impacted me greatly and I'm really, really thankful for their influence.

speaker-1: Well, I appreciate you sharing all that. One of the beauties of getting to do this show and meeting so many people is you transition from watching college football as a game to starting to watch college football as an ecosystem. And the thing that struck me coach is just how many dynamic folks, how many special folks there are in the game. And you just love it because you know that they're affecting people's lives and leaving kids and leaving programs better than they found them. So man, I love that. Well, you mentioned coach Brown. I wore my hat today for a reason coach, cause I knew I was going to talk to you. So let's go to Pasadena. Okay. January 1st, 2005, USC, Texas, and the granddaddy of them all. And everybody remembers that night Vince Young's singular performance and the iconic Keith Jackson on the call and all those things. But what I'm most interested in is your insider view of it. What is a story from that night or a memory from that night or even from that season? that really sticks with you and when you look back on it think of it, it always makes you smile or always gives you a fond memory.

speaker-0: Well, a couple things. Number one, there were some ups and downs during that season, even though we were undefeated. I mean, I remember the game against Oklahoma State where we were down 35-0 at halftime. And Coach Brown had such a calm way about, you know, about himself. When he was in the locker room, he told the guys, he's like, guys, hey, we're going to come back and win this game and we're going to beat them 40, 40, 42, 35. And when we ended up beating him, I think it was 52. to 35, they didn't score in the second half. But that was a huge game in that season. And it kind of showed our team that even when we were down, if you just keep fighting, good things can happen. But also during that national championship game, you know, there was never any panic. Even when I think it was with six minutes left, we were down by 12 points or whatever it was. you know, having Vince Young was obviously really special. But also we had great guys on defense. I mean, Michael Huff and Cedric Griffin, and I mean, so many guys, too many to name. David Thomas, I mean, both gave, but some great, great guys. And then obviously the receivers that I had, but just those guys continuing to grind and to fight. And then the stop on fourth down was obviously huge. But when we stopped him, I still remember Greg Davis telling me that Gene Chizik, when we stopped him on fourth down, he stood up in the press box. He threw his headset down and said, guys, we just won the national championship. And Greg was looking at him like, hey, Gene, we've got to finish this drive. We got to go sport and get it done. But once again, the confidence that not only the coaches and the players had, but just the feel of that team, it was special. There was a never give up attitude. And so that was fun. But also too, Greg and I were standing at midfield. stand at midfield before the game, they kind of look at the other team and I am up and things like that. And Greg and I were watching the SC guys run around and Mack walked up to us and he said to Greg, goes, damn, they're really good looking. I mean, that's a great looking team. And Greg turned to him and he goes, coach, you might want to turn around because the team that we have standing behind us, pretty good looking too. So I'll remember those two stories for the rest of my life. And ⁓ it was obviously a special moment.

speaker-1: ⁓ I love that. God, what a venue too, right? Like to be in that moment, in that space, I just, I can't fathom it.

speaker-0: There's nothing like the Rose Bowl and heck, I think I'd been to four and just, I like to tell stories, so I hope you don't mind me rambling here. No, I love that. Yeah. When I was at Iowa and we were 12 and 0 and we were playing Michigan State for the Big Ten Championship and we were up and they went on this tremendous drive. I think they converted ⁓ four down and they ended up beating us right at the end.

speaker-1: Bye.

speaker-0: Obviously it was tough losing the Big Ten Championship. But when we lost that game, it was kind of talked about that we were slotted to go to the Rose Bowl. And I kept telling the guys, I'm like, guys, listen, I know, okay, we didn't make the playoffs, we're gonna be in the Final Four if we won, but you guys will love the Rose Bowl. There's nothing like it. It's an iconic setting. mean, Pasadena, when the sun comes over and the clouds are orange and the sun is setting on that stadium, I mean, there is nothing like it. We go to the Rose Bowl, obviously it didn't work out too well because we played Stanford and they had Christian McCaffrey and gosh, mean, a bunch of really good players and they got after us pretty good. I think we had a little bit of a hangover from the Big Ten Championship, but still being in the Rose Bowl in any setting is a special moment and it's one that I'll cherish for the rest of my life just like I said before.

speaker-1: Yeah, coach. It's one of those ones where I've told folks if somebody says, Hey, I've got an extra ticket or I'd love for you to come to pass with me. Take it, Like it does not matter who's playing. Just go. It's just, it's an event in and of itself. And I just, I love it to death. So yeah, thank you for sharing those stories. That's outstanding. Well, look, coach, you have ⁓ forgotten more about football than I'll ever know. Your track record certainly speaks for itself. I am most interested in from a leadership perspective. which you obviously are outstanding at given how long you've been in the game and how many kids you've affected. But when a freshman walks into your position room or into your coach's office, day one, what's the first thing you're trying to teach them, imprint on them that has nothing to do with football and just has to do with growing up as a man and showing up every day and being excellent?

speaker-0: Yeah, just attention to detail, right? No matter what you do, whether it be on the football field, whether it be in the classroom, whether it be in your personal life, right? Like, how do you handle different situations? Because a lot of situations are going to come at you ⁓ that are unexpected, right? I'll tell you this, I always tell players, be present in that moment with whatever you're doing, okay? Be present in that moment. Because if you're looking too far down the road, you're going to miss a lot of good things that happen right in front of you. And it's just like when a guy comes in my office, I always, I'll stop a meeting, you know, if a player needs to see me, I want them to know that I am present in their life and that when they come in and talk to me, and it's important to them when they step in my office, whether it had been as an assistant or as a head coach, that they're the most important thing. So to teach them to give them that respect back to other people, like it drives me nuts. when you're talking to a guy and pulls out his phone or so, and you know, sometimes you gotta correct them, right? Because if people are taking the time to invest in you and they come in looking for answers or wanting some guidance, then you owe them that to be present. And it's the same on their end. It's like if they're in class, right? If they're distracted, if they're not really paying attention, then that professor wants to know that they're taking this information in. because what they're teaching is important. So on both ends, right? You can gain something, you can give something, but be present in the moment.

speaker-1: Coach Washington Grizzlies Stadium on a Saturday in early November. The snow has fallen. The crowd there is deafening. Describe how special the Grizzlies game day experience is.

speaker-0: It's so funny, there's a picture of Washington Grizzly Stadium right above my desk, and it's that exact scene, okay? 28,000 people in the stadium, the turf is covered with snow, right? But all those people are in the stadium cheering for the Grizz. And I gotta tell you, I've been some great places. know, University of Iowa was a special place, Texas was a special place, Illinois, Penn State, right? Like those are great venues. But this rivals any venue I've ever been a part of. And our fans, the way they show up and the way that they are into the game and pull us through in so many situations, I'm telling you, it's special. And if you've never been in Washington Grizzly Stadium, you are missing something.

speaker-1: want to expound upon that because I just love love a the FCS level of football and B I love rivalries throughout the game. And in my opinion, okay, just one man's opinion, it's worth what it's worth. But man, I don't know that there's a better rivalry in all of college football level independent than Montana, Montana State and for the uninitiated, what makes the brawl of the wild so special? Well,

speaker-0: The Brawl of the Wild is special because both teams think about it 364 days a year, right? I mean, and then the game happens. the fans, trust me, when I go out on the road, I hear about that game or about games in the past. The people of Montana live the Brawl of the Wild. both teams are very prideful. Both fan bases are very prideful. But they live this rivalry. You know, I was, I was involved in the Texas OU game, right? Iowa, Iowa state, Colorado, Colorado state. I mean, some great rivalry games, but I got to tell you this, this is unmatched in my opinion, because, you know, Montanans just feel really passionate about their teams. And like I said, you hear about that game, those or plays from those games everywhere I go. And so, so it is, it's a special environment, whether it's at our place or their place, but trust me. We live it every day.

speaker-1: It is on my college football bucket list. had put some pieces in place to be there for the semi game last year and details just didn't work out. Man, I was just gutted about it, but it is going to happen in the very near future. yeah, I, it's the-

speaker-0: You are welcome anytime, trust me.

speaker-1: Yeah, ⁓ I will take y'all up on that.

speaker-0: We'd love to have you up here in Missoula rather than at the other place.

speaker-1: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Well, coach look 30 plus years in the game. If you could hop in Doc Brown's DeLorean and talk to the player Bobby after his last game at Northern Colorado. What's the one piece of advice you would give yourself about the road ahead?

speaker-0: Yeah, very similar to what I said before, like enjoy the ride. You know, I remember when I was a young coach and as a graduate assistant and being at Illinois and Penn State, two iconic and special places. But sometimes in coaching, you're always thinking about, you know, I talked about being in the moment, being present, right? Like enjoy those times. I mean, I remember at Illinois, first real big game I was ever involved with was when the University of Colorado, my hometown team came to Champaign, right? And we didn't have a chance. We had lost Jeff George the year before. He came out early and man, we beat Colorado, right? And that was a huge game. We went on to be co-champions of the Big Ten. And I think that game was a springboard. But so often, right, as a coach, especially as a young coach, you're, hey, what's the next spot? How can I get to the next bigger job or this or that? And you know what? They're all special. My two years in Wyoming, I would not trade that for the world. know, living in Laramie, Wyoming. Wyoming's a great state, great people. But you know, it was like, ⁓ get to the Pac-10 at that time, or the Big 12, or this or that. And you know what? All those places are special. And live in the moment, learn from others, right? And that's where I've been really fortunate in terms of the coaches, not only the head coaches, but the assistants I've been around. Like, learn from great guys, because they all have something to offer. And so take your time, be present, enjoy the ride because I'm telling you now it goes quick. I mean, it goes really quick. I'm, you know, I'm sitting here at, would not say an advanced age, okay. But I'm not a, I'm not a whippersnapper anymore. And, and, and I still think I have a, have a, have a good run and a long time left in this profession, but I want to, I want to enjoy it every day because there's ups and downs, but you know, sometimes the downs are tough. and the ups are maybe you're way too high. You got to find that middle ground once in a while, but enjoy it because it does go fast and you can learn from so many other people.

speaker-1: All right, last one coach and this one holds a special place in our heart. mean, our show is preferred walk-on and it is that for a reason. love the role historically of the walk-on and the preferred walk-on throughout all levels of college sports. And I love so many of the stories of perseverance that come for it. And so for the kids out there who are under recruited, who don't have a dresser drawer full of letters. with scholarship center, just looking for an opportunity to play, just looking for a chance to continue their journey. What do you want those guys to know as they are sometimes in solitude pursuing that dream?

speaker-0: Yeah, be persistent, right? And get out, number one, listen to your high school coach. And the thing is this, okay, like people send me a lot of different, you know, links and highlights and things like that. And that's great, right? Be persistent, but also go showcase yourself. Pick out three or four camps of places that you might want to attend, right? And the university that you might want to go to. And go show your skills. But what I will tell... guys, especially high school players, there's a place out there for you to play. If you want to play football bad enough, might not be at Florida State or Alabama or University of Montana, but it might be Carroll College, okay? It might be Northern Colorado. It might be Fort Lewis. There are great places to play college football and to get that experience. Go to those camps. Showcase your skill and be persistent. You know, I'll tell another story. We have a great guy here, Ian Finch, who I absolutely love. Coached him last year and he did all the tough stuff for us at wide receiver. I mean, he would block and he'd pull on different plays. And I think we threw him two passes last year. Well, he came to me in January, in early January, and he said to me, goes, hey, goes, coach, you know, I've had a tremendous opportunity and career here. He goes, but do think I could talk to coach Howe? about being on scholarship. And I said, holy cow. said, you're not on scholarship? I didn't know, you know, I mean, because at this level you can give partials, tuition fees, fulls, different things, right? And I said, yeah, you need to talk to him. But here's the thing, he was playing football because he loved the University of Montana and he loved football. And like I said, for all those young guys out there, there's a place for you. I grew up wanting to be a buff and I took my visits and this and that. The only school that offered me an opportunity was the University of Northern Colorado. And to this day, I would not trade it for the world. I met great friends, great coaches, Joe Glenn, right? Some great people that have really affected my life. But to have that opportunity, and it's not just the shiny place that plays good football, right? Like there's great places out there, and you've got to find the place that's right for you and that you fit at. And so be persistent, go to camps, listen to your high school coaches. and then pursue your dream because there is a place out there.

speaker-1: Well, coach, we are so, grateful for your time today. I am beyond fired up to watch you leading the Grizz this fall and just can't wait to see how things are going to play out. a, what a one of a kind place to play college football and what a one of a kind program. So so fired up for your opportunity and to see what the Grizz do in the fall. Please tell our listeners any way they can support you, support the program and follow the Grizz.

speaker-0: Yeah, well, remember, hey, you're always welcome to join our quarterback club, okay? Because obviously that money, there's a lot of things with NIL and Transfer Portal and things like that. It's a system that we live in. our quarterback club allows us to do some great things in terms of provide some services for our guys. You know, ⁓ we're getting 150 iPads this summer, okay? And we're going all digital and people are gonna be like, wow, you haven't been digital before? But our quarterback club is directly responsible for that. And our nutrition center, like we do a great job here of supplementing our kids' meals after their workouts with a great nutrition center. Our strength coach, Dan Ryan, does a great job, and Shelby, our nutritionist. But yeah, I mean, that's a great way to get involved and to be able to impact our guys' lives here at Montana in a positive way. So I appreciate you asking me that question. Thank you.

speaker-1: Yeah, Coach. Well, we love the program. We love what's going on there. And we know that you are going to lead them continued in the right direction, man. I'm fired up to watch it. And look, if you are a supporter of the Grizz, please do everything you can. What a great program. What a great program to follow and support. So, and like I told you, I've got it on my list. So I'm coming to Missoula and I'm going to hit you up. right.

speaker-0: Well Seth, you're welcome here at Missoula anytime. We'd love to host you at a game and thank you for having me on. It's been real pleasure.

speaker-1: Absolutely coach, thank you so much.