MISSOULA — Former University of Montana head football coach Larry Donovan has died.
Donovan, who was 84, led the Grizzlies from 1980 to 1985 and compiled a record of 25-38-1 with one Big Sky Conference championship. His death was reported by UM on social media and by The Canadian Press on Tuesday. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Donovan, a Wyoming native, succeeded Gene Carlson as Griz coach in 1980. In his Big Sky title-winning season in 1982, his team went 5-2 in conference play and 6-6 overall. The Griz reached the playoffs for the first time on the NCAA I-AA/FCS level and lost to Idaho in their postseason opener.
After Donovan's contract was not renewed in 1985, he moved to Canada where he worked as defensive line coach for the B.C. Lions of the CFL. He became interim head coach for the Lions in 1987 and was head coach in 1988 and 1989. He guided them to an appearance in the Grey Cup in 1988.
Donovan later served as an assistant coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Donovan, who was instrumental in making Washington-Grizzly Stadium a reality, played football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1960-62. In addition, he was a commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving two years of active duty in Oklahoma and Korea.
