While Montana athletic director Kent Haslam’s decision Monday not to extend the contract of former Griz head coach Bob Stitt has placed the football program in a delicate position, there is a small group trying to provide it some stability.
Of Montana’s 15 commits, six have confirmed to Skyline Sports that they remain committed to signing with the Griz despite the coaching change. Sean Anderson, Colten Curry, Tyler Ganoung, Jackson Pepe, Drew Turner and Teshawn White have all said they still plan on attending Montana regardless of who the next coach is.
The newly implemented National Signing Day has been moved up to December 20. The standard National Signing Day remains on the first Wednesday of February.
“I remain committed to Montana and I will get along with whomever the coaches me be,” said White, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back from Inglewood, CA. White then added that he was “still very excited to play at the University of Montana.”
Skyline Sports has reached out to 14 of the 15 recruits, but has not received returned correspondence from eight players.
White’s sentiment was echoed by each of the six players who responded to messages Wednesday and Thursday. Turner, a running back from Glacier who was considered by many as the top athlete in Montana, said he will remain committed, while Colten Curry, a 6-7, 200-pound tight end from Valier, said, “I feel I will be able to work with any coach that may be hired. I plan on being willing to help the team however they need me to to.”
Sean Anderson, who was recruited by former defensive coordinator Jason Semore, wrote in a message, “I’m committed 100% love the program and everyone involved with it.”
While Stitt’s contract was not extended, Haslam said the contracts of assistant coaches, set to expire at the end of January, will be extended at the discretion of the next head coach. Haslam asked offensive line coach Chad Germer to helm the program in the interim and running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Justin Green to maintain his recruiting responsibilities.
Haslam said he would like to “move quickly” with his search for Montana’s next coach. He said he wouldn’t address a timeline, but said he would like to have a coach in place by the opening of the 72-hour early signing period that begins Dec. 20.
Montana coaches are prohibited from commenting on recruits until after they have signed a National Letter of Intent.
