It's pretty fascinating to look back on recruiting classes and see who made it the full run of their career. The 2016 season marks the year that the remainder guys who redshirted in 2012 will be seniors. For these few remaining guys consider their journey.
- Recruited in the fall/winter by head coach Robin Pflugrad. They observe the 2011 team fall just short of getting to the natty with a semi final loss to SHSU. Offense design is a spread-offense centered around a zone-read/mobile QB.
- The spring of 2012. Sexual assault allegations and the national spotlight falls on Missoula and the Griz for all the wrong reasons. With LOI's all signed and submitted the news comes out that Robin Pflugrad and Jim O'Day have essentially been let go and returning QB Jordan Johnson has been charged with sexual assault.
- Mick Delaney is hired in the middle of spring ball, he had just retired and was in Augusta, GA watching The Masters. He flies back to Missoula, cutting his trip short, and takes over spring ball, with the beneficial gap of spring break inbetween giving him a little time to organize.
- Over the summer word comes out Jordan Johnson will face trial and the UM Student Court has suspended him from school. His 2012 season is over while he awaits trial.
- In the midst of all this I believe every 2012 recruit honored their LOI and arrived for fall camp.
- 2012, first losing season since 1984. Two position coaches essentially gave up on their players and their job through the season (OC and Safeties). Loss at home to MSU caps off a super crappy year. I believe it was Gregorak's first year at DC. The offense changes to a more traditional power-run/I-form offense.
- 2013, JJ returns, back to the playoffs with a 1st round bye but then a 2nd round exit. Meanwhile NCAA penalties are announced as a mutual agreement against the football program, cutting back a few scholarships. The Co-OC's of Gragg and Hynson take over the offense.
- 2014, A better season with JJ as a senior, back to the playoffs with a 1st round win but getting bounced out by EWU, who beat us at home in the regular season as well. Mick bids the team farewell as was planned and a search committee is announced. Meanwhile Royce Engstrom is asked to appeal the NCAA sanctions but eventually after a consult with someone (possibly an attorney) experienced with these appeals it is decided to not be worth it since we self-imposed.
- 2015, The hiring of Bob Stitt and an almost entirely new staff, save Green, Suianoua, and Gregorak. The offense changes again to a spread passing attack. The season has its highs and lows with an opening win vs NDSU on ESPN followed by two bad home losses. Back to the playoffs with a solid 1st round win but then getting dismantled by NDSU on their field.
- Winter/Spring of 2016, the surprise announcement that current DC Ty Gregorak is leaving Montana and heading to Montana State. Less than surprising was the announcement that Legi Suianoua was moving on to a better job. Semore takes over as DC.
A look at the 2012 class and where they are now
Brady Gustafson, QB - starting QB, team captain
Ryan Johnson, DE - starting DE
Max Kelly, OL - backup G
JR Nelson, CB - suspended currently, will return to start at CB
Zach Peevey, DL - starting DT
McCauley Todd, OL - starting/rotating G
Ben Weyer, OL - starting C
Joey Counts, RB - backup RB
Devin Dietrich, OL - starting RG
Caleb Kidder - starting DE, pre-season Big Sky and FCS defensive MVP
Herbert Gamboa, LB - 2015 grad
Tyrone Holmes, DE - 2015 grad, NFL draft pick
Jeremiah Kose, LB - 2015 grad
Ellis Henderson, WR - declared for the NFL but undrafted
Jacob Coogan, S - I believe had to retire due to a neck injury
Hayden Craig, OT - not sure, obviously left the team
Anthony Goodwin, CB - JuCo transfer, graduated in 2014
Ryan Burke, WR - retired due to concussions
Bo Harris, DT - quit the team between 2014/2015 I believe
Clint LaRowe, OL - quit the team last year
Chase Naccarato, WR - transferred to a smaller school after 2015 season
Taylor Walcott, WR - retired in 2014/2015 due to ongoing ankle injuries/issues
Harrison Greenberg, K - parted ways with the Griz this summer
Nick Holt, LB - left the team, can't recall when
----------
Thinking about all that these seniors have gone through, both the 2015 grads and especially the 2016 guys. Recruited by one coach and one system, showing up under a new coach, seeing the football program at it's lowest in 25+ years, seeing the rebuild, and then having a whole new system and a 3rd head coach come their way last year.
These guys have been through quite the journey, their commitment to the program and especially to each other and their fellow teammates is amazing.
Thanks 2016 seniors and the 2012 class. Go kick some ass this season.
- Recruited in the fall/winter by head coach Robin Pflugrad. They observe the 2011 team fall just short of getting to the natty with a semi final loss to SHSU. Offense design is a spread-offense centered around a zone-read/mobile QB.
- The spring of 2012. Sexual assault allegations and the national spotlight falls on Missoula and the Griz for all the wrong reasons. With LOI's all signed and submitted the news comes out that Robin Pflugrad and Jim O'Day have essentially been let go and returning QB Jordan Johnson has been charged with sexual assault.
- Mick Delaney is hired in the middle of spring ball, he had just retired and was in Augusta, GA watching The Masters. He flies back to Missoula, cutting his trip short, and takes over spring ball, with the beneficial gap of spring break inbetween giving him a little time to organize.
- Over the summer word comes out Jordan Johnson will face trial and the UM Student Court has suspended him from school. His 2012 season is over while he awaits trial.
- In the midst of all this I believe every 2012 recruit honored their LOI and arrived for fall camp.
- 2012, first losing season since 1984. Two position coaches essentially gave up on their players and their job through the season (OC and Safeties). Loss at home to MSU caps off a super crappy year. I believe it was Gregorak's first year at DC. The offense changes to a more traditional power-run/I-form offense.
- 2013, JJ returns, back to the playoffs with a 1st round bye but then a 2nd round exit. Meanwhile NCAA penalties are announced as a mutual agreement against the football program, cutting back a few scholarships. The Co-OC's of Gragg and Hynson take over the offense.
- 2014, A better season with JJ as a senior, back to the playoffs with a 1st round win but getting bounced out by EWU, who beat us at home in the regular season as well. Mick bids the team farewell as was planned and a search committee is announced. Meanwhile Royce Engstrom is asked to appeal the NCAA sanctions but eventually after a consult with someone (possibly an attorney) experienced with these appeals it is decided to not be worth it since we self-imposed.
- 2015, The hiring of Bob Stitt and an almost entirely new staff, save Green, Suianoua, and Gregorak. The offense changes again to a spread passing attack. The season has its highs and lows with an opening win vs NDSU on ESPN followed by two bad home losses. Back to the playoffs with a solid 1st round win but then getting dismantled by NDSU on their field.
- Winter/Spring of 2016, the surprise announcement that current DC Ty Gregorak is leaving Montana and heading to Montana State. Less than surprising was the announcement that Legi Suianoua was moving on to a better job. Semore takes over as DC.
A look at the 2012 class and where they are now
Brady Gustafson, QB - starting QB, team captain
Ryan Johnson, DE - starting DE
Max Kelly, OL - backup G
JR Nelson, CB - suspended currently, will return to start at CB
Zach Peevey, DL - starting DT
McCauley Todd, OL - starting/rotating G
Ben Weyer, OL - starting C
Joey Counts, RB - backup RB
Devin Dietrich, OL - starting RG
Caleb Kidder - starting DE, pre-season Big Sky and FCS defensive MVP
Herbert Gamboa, LB - 2015 grad
Tyrone Holmes, DE - 2015 grad, NFL draft pick
Jeremiah Kose, LB - 2015 grad
Ellis Henderson, WR - declared for the NFL but undrafted
Jacob Coogan, S - I believe had to retire due to a neck injury
Hayden Craig, OT - not sure, obviously left the team
Anthony Goodwin, CB - JuCo transfer, graduated in 2014
Ryan Burke, WR - retired due to concussions
Bo Harris, DT - quit the team between 2014/2015 I believe
Clint LaRowe, OL - quit the team last year
Chase Naccarato, WR - transferred to a smaller school after 2015 season
Taylor Walcott, WR - retired in 2014/2015 due to ongoing ankle injuries/issues
Harrison Greenberg, K - parted ways with the Griz this summer
Nick Holt, LB - left the team, can't recall when
----------
Thinking about all that these seniors have gone through, both the 2015 grads and especially the 2016 guys. Recruited by one coach and one system, showing up under a new coach, seeing the football program at it's lowest in 25+ years, seeing the rebuild, and then having a whole new system and a 3rd head coach come their way last year.
These guys have been through quite the journey, their commitment to the program and especially to each other and their fellow teammates is amazing.
Thanks 2016 seniors and the 2012 class. Go kick some ass this season.