The Montana Grizzlies football team no longer has an interim coach leading them into the 2012 football season after Thursday's news: Mick Delaney has signed a two-year contract with the university to be the head coach. Delaney was named the interim coach in late March when then-head coach Robin Pflugrad did not have his contract renewed.
Delaney, a former Colorado St. Rams assistant coach under Sonny Lubick, received high praise from the university president:
"This is a time to look toward a strong and vibrant future for Grizzly Athletics," said UM President Royce Engstrom. "In Mick Delaney, we have chosen a head coach who will lead us into that future. He is highly motivated himself, but he is also an exceptional motivator of others, including the players, coaches and staff around him. He understands the important role that Grizzly football plays at The University of Montana, and he has quickly earned our trust and respect."
The university has remained quiet on why Pflugrad and then-athletic director Jim O'Day did not have their contracts renewed in March, but it is widely believed to be over the handling of sexual assault investigations that surround several members of the football team. Both sides have reached settlement agreements, but the specific reasons for their dismissals remain unclear.
Montana begins its season on Sept. 1 against South Dakota.
For more on this situation, stay with SB Nation Denver's StoryStream. For more college football coverage, head over to SB Nation's NCAA football news hub.