It also signaled the beginning of one of the most crucial time periods in Grizzly football in more than a decade. Not since 1996 has this program been faced with such a loss of talent along with so much uncertainty about its leadership.
Regardless of whether Bobby Hauck remains at the school where he’s coached for five seasons or moves on, 2008 will be a year to watch.
While 2007 featured a perfect 11-0 run through the regular season, another Big Sky Conference title and the school’s 15th straight trip to the postseason, it was also a year of turmoil and questions - both on and off the field.
Those questions will need to be addressed if UM is to remain a showcase program in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Off the field, the school cannot afford another year like the one that is about to expire.
There was the alleged involvement in the shooting death of a man in California by cornerback Jimmy Wilson this past offseason. Wilson pleaded not guilty to the charge in September.
There was also the more recent case of four current and former players who were allegedly involved in a violent break-in and drug-related robbery that disrupted the end of the season.
Virtually every major college football program has its share of athletes who run afoul of the law at times. But this year’s rash of scofflaws is hard to ignore - or explain away.
The answer to the problem is a difficult one indeed.
Some people have suggested that Montana should be less receptive to transfers from larger schools, especially those who have had previous trouble staying within the lines.
There have been rumblings that UM recruiters should focus more on local talent and less on athletes from larger cities - even if it meant fewer victories on Saturday.
Let’s shine the light of truth on that cockroach. To suggest something like that is racist. Montana coaches should continue to pursue the best players available, while still doing their due diligence on those athletes’ backgrounds.
But clearly there needs to be a better support system at UM to make sure incoming players are monitored and cared for - and not just their sprained ankles.
On the field, Montana will have a difficult time making up for the loss of 23 seniors, including 11 starters - four on offense and seven on defense - plus Carpenter and punter Tyson Johnson.
Running back Lex Hilliard and defensive end Kroy Biermann, a Buck Buchanan favorite, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to filling the missing gaps.
At this point, no one is sure who will be coaching the team. Hauck interviewed for the Stanford job after last season and appears to be on the short list for the current opening at Colorado State.
But no matter what happens with Hauck, this is clearly a team that needs to find more lightning for its bottle. Griz coaches would be hard-pressed to build a better defense than they did this season or find a better running back than Hilliard, but UM was still bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s the third time in the last five years that has happened, and the culprit has generally been an offense that has failed to impress.
Blame whatever or whomever you want - bad luck, bad coaching, bad recruiting or bad karma. The Grizzlies cannot continue to score two offensive touchdowns against playoff-caliber teams and expect to contend for national titles.
Hopefully none of these concerns will lead to a bunch of maroon-clad lemmings plunging over the railing of the Orange Street Bridge.
In 1996, fresh off the school’s first national championship and with star quarterback Dave Dickenson and coach Don Read bidding a fond farewell, the Griz put together a remarkable season behind the emergence of young QB Brian Ah Yat, advancing all the way to the title game.
In 2008, playmakers might suddenly emerge for the offense, and a young defense could jell around veterans like safety Colt Anderson.
Or the Grizzlies could struggle, and with the rise of a talented Eastern Washington team, find themselves battling to keep their playoff streak intact.
Whatever happens in 2008, the path for the next decade of Montana football begins right now - in the choices the players, coaches and administration at the university make.
John Smithers is the city editor at the Missoulian. He can be reached at 523-5257 or at jsmithers@missoulian.com.
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