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Editor’s Note: As Montanans prepare to choose their side in the Montana-Montana State athletic rivalry, which will be renewed on the football field in Saturday’s FCS National Semifinal, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is looking back at the history of the game – the legendary performances, the game-changing moments, and the Hall of Famers – in her Cat-Griz Classics series.
HELENA, Mont. — The University of Montana and Montana State football programs have boasted incredible athletes throughout their histories, from national-championship-winning quarterbacks to all-American defensive stalwarts to NFL-caliber talents.
Only a select few from those star-studded lists have earned the honor of entering the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame. Established in 2020, the Big Sky’s Hall of Fame honors those who “made outstanding contributions to Big Sky athletics as a student-athlete, coach and/or administrator.”
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen highlights the Hall of Famers in today’s Cat-Griz Classics.
Big Sky Conference Football Hall of Fame
Montana and Montana State University (in alphabetical order)
Dave Dickenson – Montana Grizzlies Quarterback (1992-95)
“Super Dave” Dickenson is one of the most recognized names in FCS (Division I-AA) football following a record-setting career under center at UM. The former Great Falls CMR standout was a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, earning the league’s offensive MVP honors three times. He was also a three-time all-American and collected the Walter Payton Award as the nation’s best FCS (I-AA) player in 1995. That season, Dickenson and his Griz teammates captured the national championship, defeating Marshall and its future NFL quarterback, Chad Pennington, 22-20. Dickenson led a late drive that ended in Andy Larson’s game-winning field goal with under a minute to play. Dickenson spent a decade in the Canadian Football League, collecting the Most Outstanding Player Award in 2000. He was on five Grey Cup Championship teams and was named the game’s MVP in 2006. Dickenson became a head coach in the CFL and has continued his winning ways, earning accolades and a championship. In addition to being inducted into the University of Montana and Big Sky Conference Halls of Fame, Dickenson has also been inducted into the Montana Football, CFL, and College Football Halls of Fame.
Tim Hauck – Montana Grizzlies Safety (1987-89)
One of Montana’s greatest all-time players, Tim Hauck is now on the sidelines offering tutelage to the next wave of Grizzlies. The Big Timber native began his Grizzly football career in the late 1980s and quickly made an impact. Hauck was a first-team all-Big Sky Conference selection in 1988 and 1989, capturing the league’s Defensive MVP honors each season. He was also selected to the Associated Press and Kodak All-American teams in those two seasons. Hauck became the University of Montana’s first Walter Payton Award finalist in 1989. He was one of the top tacklers in UM and Big Sky history and still holds the Grizzlies’ record with 25 tackles in a game. He also owns the league record with seven blocked extra points, including four in one season. After representing the University of Montana in the Japan Bowl All-Star Game, Hauck spent more than a decade in the NFL, finishing with 284 career tackles, 13 pass deflections, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, and an interception. Following his playing career, Hauck ventured into coaching at both the college and professional levels. As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive staff, Hauck helped the team to a 41-33 Super Bowl victory in February 2018. He has mentored numerous Grizzlies to all-conference and all-America honors, and he recently helped lead the program to the FCS National Championship game. Hauck is a 2017 inductee into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.
Allyn “Sonny” Holland – Montana State Bobcats player (1957-59) / Coach (1971-77)
Butte-native Sonny Holland enjoyed one of the greatest playing and coaching careers as a member of the Bobcats. A two-way player, Holland suited up on offense and defense, leading MSU to the 1956 national championship. He was a three-time all-American in the late 1950s, MSU’s first-ever three-time all-American, and played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1959. His number 52 jersey was retired following his playing career, making him the first Bobcat to have his jersey retired. Following his playing career, Holland immediately stepped into the coaching ranks, joining the staff at nearby Bozeman High School. Holland also had coaching stints at Washington State University and Western Montana College (Montana Western), earning Frontier Coach of the Year honors at the latter. Holland returned to Montana State in the 1970s and went on to string together an incredible run with the Bobcats, including conference championships and a magical 1976 season. Two decades after capturing a national title as a player for the Bobcats, Coach Holland guided MSU to the Division II national championship. While he was the head coach for less than a decade, Holland’s impact on Montana State and the football program continued for years to come. In addition to being an integral part of the alumni foundation and offering advice to coaches and players, Holland also worked with the MTN Sports team as an analyst for MSU and Big Sky Conference games. Montana State’s south endzone is named the “Sonny Holland Zone,” and a statue of Holland was erected outside the stadium, becoming part of the tradition on Bobcat gameday. Holland passed away in December 2022 at the age of 84. Montana State fans voted Holland as the school’s “greatest football player of all time,” and he was inducted into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.
Bill Kollar – Montana State Bobcats Defensive Tackle (1971-73)
One of the most decorated all-around Bobcats in history, Kollar achieved success as both a college and professional player, and later became a prominent coach in the NFL. After graduating from high school in Ohio, Kollar landed at Montana State University, where he was named to the First Team All-Big Sky Conference team three times from 1971 to 1973. He became the conference’s first lineman and only the second defensive player to earn a trio of first-team all-conference selections. Kollar was an all-American selection in 1972, leading the Bobcats to the conference title, and he vaulted to the First Team All-America team a season later, collecting more than 100 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and one sack. Kollar earned MVP honors at the 1974 Senior Bowl and joined Sonny Holland, Jan Stenerud, and Don Hass in having his jersey number retired and on display in Bobcat Stadium. A first-round pick of the 1974 NFL Draft, Kollar played for the Bengals and Buccaneers before joining the Tampa Bay coaching staff. Kollar became a mastermind of defensive line coaching, guiding teams across the league to incredible success. Kollar coached in the Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons and helped the St. Louis Rams capture the 2001 championship. He mentored a trio of Houston Texans players to Pro Bowl appearances before joining the Denver Broncos nearly a decade ago. Kollar and the Broncos’ defense helped defeat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. In addition to being named to the Montana State and Big Sky Conference Halls of Fame, Kollar was inducted into the 2017 Montana Football Hall of Fame, the local hall of fame back home in Ohio, and he was honored with induction into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in 2014.
Don Read – Montana Grizzlies Coach (1986-95)
Don Read made a significant impact on college football as the head coach of the Montana Grizzlies from 1986 to 1995. Under his leadership, Montana claimed its first National Championship in 1995 and consistently excelled in the postseason, reaching the semifinals in both 1989 and 1994. Read was recognized for his exceptional coaching ability, earning the AFCA 1-AA Coach of the Year award in 1995, as well as three Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1989, 1993, and 1995. He led the Grizzlies to two Big Sky titles and became the program’s all-time winningest coach, amassing an impressive record of 86 wins, including 54 in conference play. (Note: current University of Montana coach Bobby Hauck surpassed Read as the program’s winningest coach). Read guided the team to the playoffs in five of his ten seasons, never had a losing season, and never lost to rival Montana State. A mentor to future stars like Dave Dickenson, Read’s coaching career also included successful tenures at Portland State and in Oregon. Don Read passed away in 2024 at the age of 90, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of college football.
Naseby Rhinehart – Montana Grizzlies Athlete/Athletic Trainer (1932-82)
Naseby “Doc” Rhinehart was a pioneering figure in athletics and athletic training at the University of Montana, serving as the head athletic trainer from 1935 to 1982. An exceptional athlete, he earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, and track, and was named an Honorable Mention all-American in football in 1935. He also won the prestigious Grizzly Cup for outstanding athlete that same year. As Montana’s first athletic trainer, he developed one of the nation’s early athletic training programs and implemented techniques that are still utilized today. His contributions to the field were recognized with inductions into multiple Halls of Fame, including the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Montana Football Hall of Fame. He also served as a trainer for the United States at the 1979 Pan American Games. Honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1974, the athletic treatment center at UM now bears his name, reflecting a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
Jan Stenerud – Montana State Bobcats Kicker (1964-66)
Stenerud became a legendary figure in football after an illustrious career that began at Montana State University. As a member of the Bobcats, he made a significant impact as a standout kicker, though his career began as an all-American ski jumper. He quickly found success on the gridiron, and his 59-yard field goal against the University of Montana was an NCAA record. He also set a collegiate best with 82 points in 1966, while collecting a Big Sky Conference record 49 extra points. Following the season, Sporting News named Stenerud the top kicker in the nation with an all-American accolade. Stenerud took his talents to the National Football League, where he became one of the first pure placekickers in the league. His exceptional skills helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl IV appearance, and he went on to have a storied career with multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Over the years, he built a reputation as one of the best kickers in the game, earning three Pro Bowl selections and being named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s. Stenerud was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats in both collegiate and professional football. He was also inducted into the Montana Football Hall of Fame, and Montana State retired his jersey number, which is on display in Bobcat Stadium.
*Editor’s note: Information and statistics obtained from the Big Sky Conference, Montana State University, University of Montana, and National Football League. More information about the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame is available online at https://bigskyconf.com/hof.aspx?type=sport.