National Sports Journalism Center

Despite national media attention, Montana football coach Bobby Hauck has continued to shut out student reporters, and Chelsi Moy writes that school officials are dealing with the accompanying negative publicity. "We are taking this seriously, as we do all issues with our student athletes," Montana Athletic Director Jim O’Day says. "If people think we are ignoring it they are wrong. We are handling the situation internally, and we are doing what we feel is right and best under these circumstances, and that won’t be met favorably by all." The Montana student newspaper earlier reported a story about an alleged assault by two Grizzly football players and since then, Hauck has declined to answer student reporters’ questions. National media has called Hauck "egotistical" and a "bully," with writers from ESPN and Sports Illustrated among the national voices weighing in on the issue.