No Football? No Problem For This Late Montana Bloomer

Dave Hoit’s football resume was short, even counting backyard two-hand touch games over Thanksgiving holidays.

He attended Coeur d’Alene Christian Center, where his father, Ted, is the pastor. The school didn’t offer football.

These days, Hoit plays football at the University of Montana, which is ranked No. 6 in Division I-AA heading into Saturday’s game against Idaho in the Kibbie Dome. He has played, sparingly, in five of six games as a redshirt freshman offensive guard.

Two questions: How? And Why?

As for the latter, Hoit said, “I always liked watching (football) and wanted to play, but our school never offered it. We tried to talk to (former) coach (Greg) Drake at Coeur d’Alene High, but I couldn’t go to the Christian school and play for CdA (High).”

And how? With a lot of help. First, Missoula pastor and family friend Steve Valentine alerted UM coaches about Hoit. Second, a friend of the Grizzly staff saw Hoit play basketball on a church team and told of Hoit’s surprising mobility and 6-foot-2, 290-pound frame.

UM coaches invited Hoit to walk on. Walk-ons are put on the service, or scout team, and generally act as impersonators for Montana’s upcoming opponent and tackling dummies for the starters.

First, Hoit had to learn how to suit up.

“Steve Hackney (equipment manager) had pre-warned some of the guys and the athletic trainer. They were waiting to see if I came out in the right gear,” Hoit said. “I sit next to Yo (Manzanerez, defensive end) and he helped me out with the pads. And (minutes later at practice) he introduced me to my first bit of physical contact.”

Once on the field, teammates gave pointers.

“The (coaches) show little cards (illustrating a particular play). Guys to the left and right of me would show me how to get in a stance,” Hoit said. “It was trial and error, and pretty scary at times. My teammates said I had a lot of guts, they kind of laughed, but they’ve been real encouraging.

“After the first day of practice I called home and told my parents, ‘I don’t know if this is what I was meant to be doing.”’

Hoit stuck with it, learned technique on the run and developed a commitment to the weight room. When he enrolled at UM, not once could he bench press 225 pounds. Recently he did it 14 times.

“It’s kind of a weird deal,” admits offensive coordinator and line coach Mick Dennehy. “He’s a real neophyte in terms of experience and he’s got a long way to go, but he’s got a chance to play. He’s done some amazing things already.”

Hoit’s inexperience isn’t all bad, either, Dennehy points out: “One of the good things he had going for him is he didn’t have a lot of bad habits.”

Dennehy said spring football and winter conditioning are important for Hoit.

“He’s a real widebody and he has very quick feet,” Dennehy said. “He’s able to get downfield on our screen package.”

Hoit hopes to receive a scholarship by next fall. Dennehy said, “It’ll develop into an aid situation down the road if he continues to work and do the things he’s doing. He’s a joy to be around.”

“I’m definitely going to be here five years,” Hoit said. “The coaches are great. They said they’d give me a chance.”

And Hoit’s making the most of it.

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