MISSOULA — Bobby Hauck has been the head coach for the University of Montana football team for all of eight days, yet he’s already making a big impression on the recruiting trail.
Hauck inherited recruiting class with 15 verbal commitments who pledged to recruiting coordinator Justin Green and former head coach Bob Stitt. Hauck announced on Friday that Green, offensive line coach Chad Germer and safeties coach Shann Schillinger will be retained.
At least eight of those prospects told Skyline Sports their primary reason for choosing Montana before Stitt’s contract was not renewed centered upon their love for the Griz football program and the university in general rather than the head coach or currently coaching staff.
Most of those sentiments remain true now that Hauck is back at the helm for his alma mater for the second time.
Before Hauck was hired, six prep prospects told Skyline Sports that they remained committed to UM football regardless of who Montana athletic director Kent Haslam named as the 37th head football coach in school history. By Wednesday, less than five full days after Hauck’s hiring became official, nine more recruits confirmed they remain verbally committed to UM.
On Wednesday, Skyline Sports confirmed almost the entire recruiting class still hoped to sign with the Griz during either the new early signing period which begins on December 20 or on National Signing Day the first Wednesday in February.
Gabe Sulser is the headlining confirmations from Hauck’s first week on the job. The Class AA Offensive MVP and two-time first-team all-state performer is widely considered the top prospect in the state of Montana. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound wide receiver led Billings Senior to 26 straight wins and two consecutive Class AA state championships.
“Coach Hauck is an awesome guy and I’m really happy he got the job,” Sulser said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “Nothing has changed. I’m still committed to the Griz. I’m excited. It was a crazy few weeks for sure but I didn’t bat an eye. Nothing has really changed at all. I’m still a Griz all the way.”
Hauck and Schillinger visited Sulser’s home in Billings on Monday. The meeting affirmed even further that Sulser wanted to follow in his father and sister’s steps and head to Missoula for his college career.
“We talked about the good ol’ days and those were the Griz I grew up falling in love with,” Sulser said. “That was cool to hear his side of it and what went on. It will be fun to see what happens.”
Sulser said Hauck did not mention the early signing period but that he would be interested in signing his letter of intent early if “that’s what Coach Hauck wants me to do.”
Eureka athlete Garrett Graves, Missoula Sentinel wide receiver Nick Germer, Missoula Loyola wide receiver/safety David Koppang, Helena Capital offensive lineman Conor Quick, Woodinville, Washington safety Nash Fouch and Las Vegas defensive end Lorenzo Brown are still committed to Montana.
“I’m staying committed because we have a great group of dudes coming in to the Griz next year and that’s where I want to be,” Quick wrote in a text message to Skyline Sports.
Graves, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound versatile athlete who is also a state champion wrestler, recently quarterbacked Eureka to a second straight Class B state title. He also played a variety of roles, lining up at all three levels defensively for the Lions.
“I am 100 percent committed and very excited for the future and playing for coach Hauck,” Graves quote in a text message to Skyline Sports.
Koppang, a two-way standout who battled against Graves and Eureka in the 2016 state championship game, echoed his future teammate’s sentiments.
“I have always wanted to be a Griz and that nothing would change my mind. I’m 100 percent committed to the Griz,” Koppang wrote in a text. “And I’m very, very excited to play for Hauck.”
Hauck went to the Flathead Valley the day after his hiring press conference. He visited Graves, Kalispell Glacier running back Drew Turner, Glacier safety Jackson Pepe and Valier tight end Colten Curry, all who remain committed.
“Thanks Coach Hauck and Coach Green for the home visit. Can’t wait to be a Griz!” Turner tweeted after Hauck and Green came to his house December 3.
On Thanksgiving, Kyle Sample of Skyline Sports reported that Turner, Pepe, Curry along with out of state prospects running back Teshawn White (Inglewood, California) and offensive lineman Sean Anderson (Buckeye, Arizona) and Tyler Ganoung (Portland) are still pledged to sign with the Griz.
“I remain committed to Montana and I will get along with whomever the coaches me be,” White, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back from Inglewood, California, told Sample. White then added that he was “still very excited to play at the University of Montana.”
Hauck also garnered new verbal commitments from Kalispell Glacier tight end Max Morris and Missoula Big Sky quarterback Levi Janacaro, who will play fullback at UM. The only verbally committed player not confirmed by Skyline Sports is Los Angeles defensive back Alex Johnson.
“From his tenure here the first go-around, I know he’s a winner and a hard-ass but in a good way,” Janacaro said in a phone interview on Wednesday night. “I know he will boost his players to embrace the challenge and they will be better men for it.”
On Monday, JSerra High quarterback Matt Robinson, a 3-star recruiting who was the Offensive MVP of the prestigious Trinity League, de-committed from Montana.
“Because of the recent coaching change at Montana, and after consideration, I am de-committing from Montana and re-opening my recruitment. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to attend a great university and football program. Wish only the best and looking forward to the future,” Robinson tweeted on December 3.
Most committed players are expected to make official visits to Montana before the early signing period begins in less than two weeks.
Kyle Sample contributed to the writing of this story. Photos contributed or attributed. All Rights Reserved.
