Full Count: Kennedy: Early master of the quick change

Bobby Kennedy, rewarded on June 26 with a four-year contract before his Montana Football Grizzlies faced an opponent, was asked what changed since he signed his original one-year deal in February.

“I don’t think they knew exactly what they were getting when they hired me,” he said Thursday morning, drawing chuckles from UM athletic director Kent Haslam and sports information director Eric Taber.  

“And I think through the process, whether it be recruiting, or the Quarterback Club, relations, opening up things to the media — I think they saw the positive things that I was doing,” Kennedy continued. “And then also the support we had from the team and the staff — we didn’t lose a guy in the transfer portal and so obviously the players were excited.  So yeah, it means a lot that they were willing to step up.” 

It was a small media contingent that met Kennedy and Co., in front of UM’s Champions Center, and the themes were familiar: Kennedy will recruit Montana kids and connect with boosters. 

“I realize he hasn’t been a head coach in a football game yet,” Haslam said. “The big difference was, you spend five months working with somebody, you learn a lot about them.” 

In late June one Griz booster who pays close attention counted Kennedy and his staff were up to 18 junior commitments, which is a big number, and yet not the only reason for a revamped contract. What Haslam and Commissioner of High Education Clayton Christian saw between the end of spring drills and now really got things going. 

“You got to see him in action during spring ball; you got to see him action with our players, our boosters, the media, everything,” said Haslam, adding that talk heated up during Grizzly Athletics’ annual spring tour of Montana. “We liked everything he was doing, so let’s reward him.” 

The four-year deal does, among other things, increase his base salary of $175,000 this season by $10,000 each successive one. It has expanded incentives each year, including academics. He will have the money to hire another assistant on July 1, 2027. 

It also gives peace of mind to those assistants already hired, who didn’t know if they should plan beyond June 30 of next year. 

“For them to feel comfortable in moving their families in and making Missoula their home, I think it goes a long way for those guys as well,” Kennedy said.  

“A year ago, I was back in the Bay Area planning to take the year off, then finding a good place to take my wife at the FBS level. ... and finish the career,” Kennedy said. “This university is a special place and we have a great program and great kids, and I want to be here as long as I can.” 

There’s a term unique to football: Quick change. This guy seems pretty good at it. 

Sports Editor Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 406-758-4463 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.