What Is 1920 Montana Grizzlies football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1920 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1920 college football season, finishing with a 2–3 record under head coach Bernie Bierman, who later became a College Football Hall of Fame inductee. The team played its home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.

Key Facts

The 1920 Montana Grizzlies finished the season with a 2–3 overall record.
Bernie Bierman was the head coach, later achieving fame at the University of Minnesota.
The team played home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Montana.
They were an independent team, not affiliated with a conference.
Bierman coached at Montana from 1919 to 1924 before moving to Minnesota.

Overview

The 1920 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1920 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Bernie Bierman, who was in his second year at the helm. The Grizzlies played their home games at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, a modest venue by modern standards but central to early Montana football culture.

That season, the team compiled a 2–3 overall record, reflecting both the challenges of early 20th-century college athletics and the developmental stage of the program. Despite the losing record, the season contributed to the foundation of what would become a storied football tradition. The 1920 campaign occurred during a transitional era in college football, just after World War I and before the sport's widespread commercialization.

Record: The team finished with a 2–3 overall record, winning two games and losing three during the 1920 season.
Coach: Bernie Bierman served as head coach, a role he held from 1919 to 1924 before achieving national fame at Minnesota.
Home Field: Games were played at Dornblaser Field, a small on-campus field in Missoula used until the 1960s.
Opponents: The Grizzlies faced regional teams, including Idaho and Montana State, though schedules were less standardized than today.
Era Context: College football in 1920 lacked formal conferences for Montana, and teams often arranged games independently.

How It Works

Understanding the structure and operation of early college football programs like the 1920 Montana Grizzlies requires examining coaching, scheduling, and team organization during that era. These elements shaped how teams competed and evolved.

Independent Status: The 1920 Grizzlies were not part of a conference, meaning they scheduled games independently without league obligations or standings.
Coaching Role: Bernie Bierman managed all aspects of the team, from strategy to player development, with minimal support staff compared to modern programs.
Game Scheduling: Teams arranged matchups through personal contacts, often playing nearby schools due to travel limitations and budget constraints.
Player Roster: Rosters were small, typically under 30 players, and many athletes also held academic or work responsibilities.
Equipment: Players wore leather helmets or none at all, and uniforms were basic, lacking the protective gear seen today.
Season Length: The 1920 season consisted of five games, far shorter than the 12+ game seasons common in modern NCAA football.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1920 Montana Grizzlies compare to modern college football teams across key dimensions:

Aspect	1920 Grizzlies	Modern FCS Team
Record	2–3	Typically 6–6 or better
Head Coach	Bernie Bierman	Full-time staff of 10+
Home Stadium	Dornblaser Field	Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,000+ capacity)
Conference	Independent	Big Sky Conference
Scholarships	None (amateur era)	63 FCS scholarships allowed

This comparison highlights the evolution of college football over a century. While the Grizzlies of 1920 operated with minimal resources and no formal league structure, today’s program competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision with extensive support, scholarships, and national exposure. The growth reflects broader changes in sports, education, and media.

Why It Matters

The 1920 season is a small but meaningful chapter in the University of Montana’s athletic history. It illustrates the humble beginnings of a program that would later achieve national prominence in the FCS. Understanding this era helps contextualize the growth of college sports in the American West.

Historical Foundation: The 1920 team contributed to the long-term development of Montana’s football identity and traditions.
Coach Legacy: Bernie Bierman later won five national titles at Minnesota, making his Montana years a key early career phase.
Amateur Roots: The season exemplifies the amateur spirit of early 20th-century college sports before widespread scholarships.
Regional Rivalries: Early games helped establish rivalries, such as with Montana State, that remain intense today.
Program Growth: From a 2–3 season to FCS powerhouse status, Montana’s trajectory shows long-term athletic investment.
Cultural Insight: The 1920 season reflects how college football served as community entertainment in small Western towns.

Though records from this era are sparse, the 1920 Grizzlies represent the perseverance and growth of collegiate athletics in Montana. Their story is part of a larger narrative about the evolution of sports in America.