UM president comes to defense of football coach

MISSOULA – University of Montana football coach Bobby Hauck is a strong disciplinarian and is not to blame for the recent spate of negative news surrounding Grizzly players, UM President George Dennison said Wednesday.

“I think he’s been doing a good job,” said Dennison, who returned to Missoula Tuesday after two weeks of vacation and university business. “As I understand it from the police here in Missoula, they believe that the regime has been very good for the last four years and that Coach Hauck has been very willing to deal with all the situations that are reported to him. If there is one thing that Hauck is known for, it’s as a disciplinarian.”

The Grizzly football program has been under scrutiny following allegations that cornerback James Leon “Jimmy” Wilson, 20, killed a man in Southern California.

Wilson turned himself in to Los Angeles authorities on June 12. He was charged with murder in Los Angeles County Superior Court in the June 2 shooting death of Kevin Smoot, 29, at the Smoot home in Lancaster, Calif. Wilson remains in custody on $2 million bail.

California authorities say UM backup cornerback Qwenton Freeman witnessed the shooting and has refused to answer their questions.

Freeman was arrested in downtown Missoula early Sunday for alleged disorderly conduct and was dismissed from the team.

Police say Freeman, 22, threw a beer bottle at a man standing outside Stockman’s Bar. He pleaded not guilty Monday in Missoula Municipal Court.

Both Freeman and Wilson have been dismissed from the team, sports information director Dave Guffey said.

Dennison voiced confidence in UM’s recruitment policies, saying it’s in the school’s best interest to recruit athletes who exhibit strong academic talent and can help UM boost its graduation rates.

“We don’t want to recruit somebody who is not going to make it,” he said. “I just think that we’ve got to make certain that we are enforcing all of these policies and procedures.”

He added that the university’s athletic program is planning to strengthen its mentoring program, including possibly pairing student athletes with police officers to improve the interaction and relationships with the community.

Regarding Hauck, Dennison said: “I’m satisfied with him. I don’t think anyone could have foreseen what happened in California. What’s important is how you respond to it.”