Montana's Robin Pflugrad, white, is the Big Sky football Coach of the Year.
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OGDEN, UTAH (Nov. 23, 2011) -Robin Pflugrad, of The University of Montana, has been selected as the 2011 Big Sky Conference football Coach of the Year by his league peers.
Pflugrad, in his second season at the helm of the Grizzlies, guided Montana to a co-Big Sky Championship with a 7-1 record. Montana earned the Big Sky’s automatic bid to the Division I playoffs, and will take a 9-2 record into a second-round game on Dec. 3 against either Central Arkansas or Tennessee Tech.
“I’m very humbled and honored to receive the award,’’ Pflugrad said. “I really believe it’s an award for our entire football team and entire program, and I think it’s an honor for how hard our entire coaching staff worked throughout the spring, summer, and fall.’’
Following a 42-28 loss at Sacramento State on Sept. 24, Montana rallied to win seven straight games. Montana opened the season with a loss to Tennessee of the SEC.
The Grizzlies went 7-4 during Pflugrad’s first season, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Montana avenged all four of those losses in 2011, beating Cal Poly, Eastern Washington, Weber State and rival Montana State. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 36-10 victory over then-No. 1 ranked Montana State in Bozeman.
“We had all of those scores up and used those at a motivator through winter, spring, summer and fall,’’ Pflugrad said. “We made it really clear that we had to do our best against those opponents. They were all outstanding football teams, and we really had to do extra film work to get to know those opponents. As a football staff, we met and critiqued those four games on a couple of occasions before we got into fall camp.”
“It’s a tribute to our players and how hungry they were all season long,’’ Pflugrad added. “Credit Sacramento State, and what they did to us. They hit us in the mouth and played a great game. It was a great wakeup call for our team.’’
The Grizzlies finished the regular season tops in the Big Sky in rushing defense, scoring defense, and tied for the lead in total defense. UM is also first in turnover margin, interceptions, and sacks allowed.
Montana has won or shared 20 Big Sky Championships, including 16 of the last 19. Montana is ranked fifth in both major FCS polls, and is the No. 4 seed in the 20-team playoff field.
Pflugrad began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater Portland State in 1980 as a graduate assistant. He returned to Portland State in 1982, and stayed there until moving to Montana in 1986 with legendary Grizzly coach Don Read. Pflugrad also had stints as an assistant coach at Arizona State, Northern Arizona, Washington State, and Oregon before returning to Montana in 2009 as Bobby Hauck’s wide receivers coach.
Pflugrad is the sixth Montana coach to win Big Sky Coach of the Year, following Jack Swarthout (1969, 1970), Don Read (1989, 1993, 1995), Mick Dennehy (1996), Joe Glenn (2000, 2001, 2002) and Bobby Hauck (2006, 2007, 2009).
Pflugrad is assisted by assistant head coach/running backs coach Mick Delaney, defensive coordinator Mike Breske, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith, special teams coordinator Dick Arbuckle, wide receivers coach Shalon Baker, offensive line coach Bob Beers Sr., tight ends coach Scott Gragg, linebackers coach Ty Gregorak, defensive line coach Lawrence Suiaunoa, cornerbacks coach Aric Williams, and strength and conditioning coach Rob Oviatt.