Hauck, one of four people mentioned prominently for the Stanford Cardinal head football coaching position, was passed over for another I-AA coach, Jim Harbaugh from mid-major
San Diego.
“We're happy to have him back,” said linebacker Kyle Ryan, the team's second-leading tackler as a junior. “It's definitely good for us. Selfishly speaking, being a senior and all, it'd be tough to have another coach come in, and have to learn a new system.”
“My biggest thing was the stigma that I might have two or three head coaches in four years,” said linebacker Muckie Foreman, who will also be a senior next fall. “Being able to come here and have once coach my entire career is a good thing, and for the rest of guys is a great thing.
“It was more of a relief to hear he was staying than anything.”
Hauck, 41-13 in four seasons at his alma mater, was noncommittal at 4:30 p.m. Monday, mentioning only that was it was nice to be asked to apply. One source said Hauck learned he was not Stanford's choice around 4 p.m. The news services had Harbaugh's hiring by a little after six.
“I thought he had a better chance than some people,” said Ryan. “I was pretty worried about it; we know that they're going to leave at some point. They're good coaches. They're going to get their opportunities. But I was hoping that they'd stay one more year.”
Rumors flew earlier Monday that Stanford was going to hire Hauck.
“I was actually checking some stuff out on Scout.com, and it seemed like Bobby was their guy,” said defensive tackle Craig Mettler, who will be a junior in 2007. “I was like, ‘Wow, maybe he actually is going to leave.'
“It would've been a good opportunity for him - I know it's a business. But I'm pretty happy he's staying and I'm sure a lot of other guys are, too.”
Either way the Griz would have been looking forward to 2007. At present time there will be 27 seniors on the UM squad next fall, including three - Lex Hilliard, Jason Washington and Tyson Johnson - who had their final years delayed by season-ending surgery.
The Griz went 12-2 this fall, completing their first unbeaten Big Sky Conference slate since 2001. They made the Division I-AA/FCS semifinals, losing to Massachusetts 19-17.
“We're losing five guys on defense and four on offense,” said Mettler. “We have a solid core coming back. Lex Hilliard is going to be back and healthy. I think we're going to pick up where we left off.”
They'll do it with the same head coach.
“Personally, I think coach Hauck and the guys that he has are awesome,” said Foreman. “Bobby is one hell of a coach, and he does everything to make sure his players are treated the best and that we play our best.
“I think it's our best chance to repeat and do even better than we did this year. We're going to actually go all the way. That's our philosophy going into next year. Bobby staying strengthens that philosophy even more.”
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)