NFL Veteran Scott Linehan joins Grizzly coaching staff - University of Montana Athletics
Former NFL head coach and 30-plus year coaching veteran Scott Linehan has joined the Montana football coaching staff as an offensive analyst, head coach ...
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Scott Linehan, Former Coach of the Vikings and Many Other Teams, Joins Missoula Staff
- Thread starter ElrodGrizzly
- Start date
By: Montana Sports Information
Former NFL head coach and 30-plus year coaching veteran Scott Linehan has joined the Montana football coaching staff as an offensive analyst, head coach Bobby Hauck announced Tuesday.
Linehan comes to Montana after serving as an analyst in the SEC at Missouri in 2021. Prior to that he spent a season at LSU as the passing game coordinator and five seasons in Dallas where he helped the Cowboys to three NFC East division titles and three playoff appearances.
In total he spent 17 years in the NFL with three seasons as a head coach and 13 as an offensive coordinator.
He was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2006-2008 and has served as the OC for the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. He also served as a collegiate coordinator at Idaho, Washington, and Louisville.
"We're excited that Scott has decided to come help us out. Having someone with his expertise and experience is certainly a benefit to the Grizzlies. He will be good for our coaches, good for our players, and to top it off, he's a great guy and really fun to be around," said Hauck.
"This is a huge win for the Montana football team."
Linehan will assist Grizzly offensive coordinator Brent Pease guide an offensive unit that sizzled with methodical balance in 2023.
Of Montana's 5,619 yards of total offense last season, it was nearly split down the middle between the run and pass. The Griz threw for 2,967 yards and rushed for 2,652 yards, a combined difference of just 315 yards. The Griz were third in the nation and first in the Big Sky in first down offense, moving the chains 297 times while outscoring opponents 454-258.
With the addition of Linehan, Montana boasts one of the most veteran offensive staffs in the FCS with over 130 years of combined coaching experience, many at the game's highest levels.
Linehan also joins his son Mike Linehan, Montana's second-year defensive line coach, on the Grizzly staff.
"I've got great respect for Coach Hauck and the tradition of the Grizzly football program he's built is well known. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help continue that success as an analyst. It's also a special opportunity to work with my son Mike," said Linehan.
Linehan served on the Dallas Cowboys staff for five years, handling passing game coordinator duties in 2014 before his promotion to offensive coordinator (2015-18). The Cowboys went 12-4 and claimed the NFC East with Linehan calling the plays as the passing game coordinator in 2014. In 2016 – with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott – Linehan helped lead Dallas to a 13-3 mark and the NFC East title. The Cowboys also won the NFC East in 2018.
Linehan was the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator from 2009-13. In 2011, the Lions posted a 10-6 mark and earned a playoff berth. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was named Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for career-highs of 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Linehan served as head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2006-08, compiling an 11-25 mark.
He also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings (2002-04) and offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 under Nick Saban.
Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and, in 2004, led the NFL in passing yards (4,717) and completions (379). Also, during that span, Viking wide receiver Randy Moss caught 37 TD passes and led the NFL in touchdown receptions with 17 in 2003.
Linehan's collegiate stops include LSU (2020, passing game coordinator), Louisville (1999-01, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks), Washington (1998, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1996-97, offensive coordinator and wide receivers; 1994-95, wide receivers), UNLV (1991, quarterbacks), Idaho (1992-93, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1989-90, wide receivers).
As a player he was a quarterback at Idaho from 1982-86, earning team offensive MVP honors in 1986 when he led the Vandals to an 8-4 overall mark and a berth in the I-AA playoffs. In 1984, Linehan passed for 2,407 yards and 17 TDs and then in 1986, he threw for 3,954 yards and 22 scores.
He and his wife, Kristen, have three sons: Matt, Mike, and Marcus. Matt is currently the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Idaho.
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Former NFL head coach and 30-plus year coaching veteran Scott Linehan has joined the Montana football coaching staff as an offensive analyst, head coach Bobby Hauck announced Tuesday.
Linehan comes to Montana after serving as an analyst in the SEC at Missouri in 2021. Prior to that he spent a season at LSU as the passing game coordinator and five seasons in Dallas where he helped the Cowboys to three NFC East division titles and three playoff appearances.
In total he spent 17 years in the NFL with three seasons as a head coach and 13 as an offensive coordinator.
He was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2006-2008 and has served as the OC for the Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. He also served as a collegiate coordinator at Idaho, Washington, and Louisville.
"We're excited that Scott has decided to come help us out. Having someone with his expertise and experience is certainly a benefit to the Grizzlies. He will be good for our coaches, good for our players, and to top it off, he's a great guy and really fun to be around," said Hauck.
"This is a huge win for the Montana football team."
Linehan will assist Grizzly offensive coordinator Brent Pease guide an offensive unit that sizzled with methodical balance in 2023.
Of Montana's 5,619 yards of total offense last season, it was nearly split down the middle between the run and pass. The Griz threw for 2,967 yards and rushed for 2,652 yards, a combined difference of just 315 yards. The Griz were third in the nation and first in the Big Sky in first down offense, moving the chains 297 times while outscoring opponents 454-258.
With the addition of Linehan, Montana boasts one of the most veteran offensive staffs in the FCS with over 130 years of combined coaching experience, many at the game's highest levels.
Linehan also joins his son Mike Linehan, Montana's second-year defensive line coach, on the Grizzly staff.
"I've got great respect for Coach Hauck and the tradition of the Grizzly football program he's built is well known. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help continue that success as an analyst. It's also a special opportunity to work with my son Mike," said Linehan.
Linehan served on the Dallas Cowboys staff for five years, handling passing game coordinator duties in 2014 before his promotion to offensive coordinator (2015-18). The Cowboys went 12-4 and claimed the NFC East with Linehan calling the plays as the passing game coordinator in 2014. In 2016 – with rookie quarterback Dak Prescott – Linehan helped lead Dallas to a 13-3 mark and the NFC East title. The Cowboys also won the NFC East in 2018.
Linehan was the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator from 2009-13. In 2011, the Lions posted a 10-6 mark and earned a playoff berth. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was named Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for career-highs of 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Linehan served as head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2006-08, compiling an 11-25 mark.
He also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings (2002-04) and offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 under Nick Saban.
Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and, in 2004, led the NFL in passing yards (4,717) and completions (379). Also, during that span, Viking wide receiver Randy Moss caught 37 TD passes and led the NFL in touchdown receptions with 17 in 2003.
Linehan's collegiate stops include LSU (2020, passing game coordinator), Louisville (1999-01, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks), Washington (1998, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1996-97, offensive coordinator and wide receivers; 1994-95, wide receivers), UNLV (1991, quarterbacks), Idaho (1992-93, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; 1989-90, wide receivers).
As a player he was a quarterback at Idaho from 1982-86, earning team offensive MVP honors in 1986 when he led the Vandals to an 8-4 overall mark and a berth in the I-AA playoffs. In 1984, Linehan passed for 2,407 yards and 17 TDs and then in 1986, he threw for 3,954 yards and 22 scores.
He and his wife, Kristen, have three sons: Matt, Mike, and Marcus. Matt is currently the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Idaho.
Related News
Bobby Hauck: Recruiting to Save Lives
Wednesday, March 13
Griz Spring Game tickets on sale now
Thursday, March 07
Cooper and Hauck named co-Defensive Coordinators
Tuesday, March 05
All News
Skip Ad
A more Machiavellian person than I might wonder if Bobby had a thought that perhaps if he brought the son on board, maybe the father would want to come spend some time with him.
We brought a well-credentialed NFL coach to be the defensive analyst and it did wonders for the back side of our defense. Really excited to see what Linehan, a vaunted offensive mind at one point, adds to our offense. I could NOT be more excited.
We brought a well-credentialed NFL coach to be the defensive analyst and it did wonders for the back side of our defense. Really excited to see what Linehan, a vaunted offensive mind at one point, adds to our offense. I could NOT be more excited.
Damn, that's a pretty good hire for an Analyst! Excited to see who the D Analyst is but he and Pease could be lethal together! Love this pickup!
TheNorthRemembers
Member
Excuse me what?! This is an incredible hire for Hauck and staff.
This has to be the most highly credentialed hire ever at the U of M Football program, right? Maybe any sport?
Can't think of a anyone with even close to his pro coaching experience.
Wow. Just an incredible hire. Textbook definition of overqualified! Honestly the only logical explanation is that linehan has the money he needs to simply do what he wants, and what he wants is to get a little time in gods country and spend some time with his son while also remaining a part of the game.
Hoops watcher
Well-known member
Agreed and it's great for the O.
Bobby making money moves. Gets a huge resume to Missoula to coach with his son. Big time hire
oldngrizzly
Well-known member
I will give kudos to Bobby. He knew the offense was lacking and it appears he went to work to find solutions.
GlacierGrizX
Well-known member
Maybe Coach Larry K in basketball, would be the nearest thing?
Good pull! I'm so glad I got to be on campus back when he was a coach. That was a fun time to go to games, especially with Facebook being so new. Virgil Matthews one a fast break dunk against Stanford in the 4th quarter right in front of me is still my favorite live basketball memory.
Gosh, so many good memories. I remember some kid would print off WAY too detailed personal bios of opposing players. Yelling out things like "How do you like attending (insert their actual church name here)" was so much fun for the reactions. That first year that Facebook came out was the wild west.
No shit! I literally looked at the date twice to be sure it wasn't 4/1 when I read this.
Sure would have been nice if he could of been the QBs coach too 
I mean, this is ok if you’re in to hiring people that know what they’re doing I guess. Nice
Right around there with Marty Mornhinweg and Tim Hauck. Seems like a lot of other guys too, if you start looking into it.
Pretty cool to see all these guys coming back together and coaching together at the alma mater, or back on the big sky for Linehan, after going on to such national success.
This feels like a REALLY exciting time for Griz football.
IdaGriz01
Well-known member
I wasn't that alert, but had much the same reaction: This can't be real. As more information came in, my thought switched to: How the Hell did they pull this off?
Proof positive that Bobby is reading eGriz....finally!
mthoopsfan
Well-known member
UM has 3 student assistants assigned to reading egriz.
