What Is 1989 Montana Grizzlies football team

Overview

The 1989 Montana Grizzlies football team represented the University of Montana during the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing as a member of the Big Sky Conference, the team was led by head coach Don Read, who was in his second year at the helm.

The Grizzlies played their home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Montana, a venue that had become a growing fortress since its opening in 1986. While the season did not culminate in a playoff appearance, it laid foundational experience for future success under Read’s leadership.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record, marking modest improvement from the previous season’s 5–6 mark.
• Conference performance: In Big Sky Conference play, Montana went 4–4, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
• Head coach: Don Read, in his second season, continued building a competitive program with an emphasis on disciplined, physical football.
• Home stadium: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, opened in 1986, hosted all home games and had a capacity of approximately 25,000 at the time.
• Playoff appearance: The Grizzlies did not qualify for the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, which featured a 12-team field.

Season Structure & Key Games

The 1989 season followed the standard NCAA Division I-AA schedule, consisting of 11 games with a mix of non-conference and conference matchups. The Grizzlies faced a challenging slate that tested both their offensive consistency and defensive resilience.

• Season opener: Montana defeated Western New Mexico 45–7 in a non-Division I contest, showcasing early offensive firepower.
• Non-conference test: A 34–24 loss to Southern Illinois, an I-AA playoff contender, revealed areas needing improvement.
• Conference opener: The Grizzlies opened Big Sky play with a 24–21 win over Idaho State, a crucial early victory.
• Rivalry game: In the Brawl of the Wild, Montana lost 28–21 to in-state rival Montana State, a key setback in the standings.
• Season finale: The team closed with a 31–14 win over Weber State, finishing above .500 for the first time since 1983.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1989 season compares to surrounding years in terms of performance and program development:

The 1989 season was a transitional year that signaled improvement under Read’s guidance. While not a playoff contender, the 6–5 record demonstrated upward momentum. The team’s performance laid the groundwork for Montana’s breakthrough in 1991, when they returned to the postseason for the first time since 1983.

Why It Matters

The 1989 Montana Grizzlies season is significant as a stepping stone in the program’s resurgence during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though not a headline-grabbing year, it contributed to the culture of consistency that would define the Grizzlies in the coming decade.

• Program trajectory: The 6–5 record marked the first winning season since 1983, signaling a turnaround under Don Read.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained critical experience that helped fuel Montana’s 1991 playoff run.
• Stadium growth: Continued strong attendance at Washington-Grizzly Stadium helped establish a home-field advantage.
• Conference competitiveness: A .500 conference record showed Montana could compete with top Big Sky teams.
• Coaching continuity: Don Read’s third season built trust and stability after years of inconsistent leadership.
• Foundation for success: The 1989 season helped set the stage for Montana’s national prominence in the 1990s and 2000s.

While overshadowed by later championship seasons, the 1989 campaign was a quiet but essential chapter in the Grizzlies’ rise to FCS prominence.