March 2001

Da reason? Da Bears -- da Griz, dat is. NFL football coaching legend Mike Ditka introduced Glenn as the Division I-AA coach of the year during a Dec. 4 awards ceremony at the New York Downtown Athletic Club's Heisman Room.

Glenn became the first Grizzly coach to receive the Eddie Robinson Award. Only one other coach in the Big Sky Conference has earned the award, and that was in 1991.

The Grizzlies' Don Read was a finalist in 1995, the year UM won the national championship, but the award went to Murray State's coach.

"Words simply cannot express how grateful and honored I am to receive the Eddie Robinson Award," Glenn said after claiming his award.

"Coach Robinson is one of the greatest gentlemen of the game, and to receive this award in his name is overwhelming. I accept this great award on behalf of the football team and coaching staff here at The University of Montana."

The award was established in 1987 by the Sports Network to honor Robinson, a legendary coach at I-AA's Grambling State University.

On the job exactly one year at the time the honor was presented, Glenn led the Grizzlies to a 10-1 regular-season record, a Big Sky Conference championship, a No. 1 ranking in the National Top 25 poll, the top seeding in the I-AA playoffs and national championship runner-up. In the 103 prior seasons of Grizzly football, no coach had put together as impressive a record in his first season.

The Grizzlies, often noted before Glenn's tenure for their offensive proficiency, became one of the nation's top defensive clubs under Glenn's tutelage. Montana allowed 265 yards per game on the season, a figure that ranked eighth best in I-AA.

Glenn, 50, came to UM with a winning record. He was twice named GTE Division II national coach of the year after his Northern Colorado Bears captured national championships in 1996 and 1997.

Glenn is active in the Missoula community. His penchant for piano playing at gatherings and community events has earned him the nickname "Piano Joe."

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