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Former
coach to lead
University athletics
The University
of Montana athletic department recently hired a hero from its past
to guide it through the financial troubles of the present.
Don Read, 70, the most successful head football coach in UM history,
was named the University’s new athletic director by President
George Dennison on May 27.
“My heart has always been in Montana,” Read said. “This
is a wonderful opportunity for me. I did a lot of things and really
enjoyed my retirement. But I really need something to focus on, and
what is better than to come back to (UM) and be a part of a great
university and a tremendous athletic program?”
Read replaces Interim Athletic Director Marie Porter, who had been
guiding athletics since March 3, when former director Wayne Hogan
resigned because of athletic department fiscal problems. Porter will
return to her duties as associate athletic director, a post she has
held since 1996.
Read said he is prepared to tackle UM’s recent fiscal problems.
“There is no question in my mind that there has been a good,
sound plan created to solve the deficit problem that we face, and
my job is to be sure we do it,” he said.
Read coached the Griz during 1986-95, amassing a career record of
85-36 and a Big Sky Conference mark of 54-22. He had 10 straight winning
seasons, with 10 victories in a row over cross-state rival Montana
State. The capstone of his UM career came when the Griz captured their
first I-AA national championship in 1995. Read resigned from his head
coaching job on April 15, 1996.
Since his retirement, Read wrote the book “Complete Quarterbacking,”
and he is working on another. He also is author of “The Complete
Passing Game” and has written more than 100 articles for athletic
and coaching publications.
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