Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018 — E1
2X ALL-AMERICAN • WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER • 1995 NATIONAL CHAMPION
LEGEND OF THE FALL
‘Super Dave’ Dickenson enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame
KURT WILSON/ Missoulian
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E2 — Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018
GRIZZLY GAME DAY | DAVE DICKENSON
‘A Living Legend’ Dickenson revered in Calgary as well as across Montana FRANK GOGOLA 406mtsports.com
Football fans around the state of Montana got to see Dave Dickenson the player up close and personal in his time as the Grizzlies’ All-American quarterback. Dickenson, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame earlier this week, has been out of the state as a player and coach since leading the Griz to the 1995 national championship. He’s won five Grey Cup championships in the CFL, including his first as the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders on Nov. 25. 406mtsports.com caught up with Danny Austin, the Stampeders’ beat writer for the Calgary Herald, to get some insight into what Dave Dickenson is like as a coach. Q: How would you characterize Dave’s interactions with his players? A: He’s a players’ coach in the purest sense of the word, and you can see that in almost every interaction he has with the guys on the Stampeders roster. In particular, his relationship with reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Bo Levi Mitchell seems close. Maybe it’s that they’re both quarterbacks, but Mitchell speaks in glowing terms about his head coach. The players like and respect Dave and I think they’re all very aware of what he accomplished when he was on the field himself, which helps. Q: How has the fan sentiment toward Dave evolved in his time in Calgary? A: The truth is, Dave’s time in Calgary predates my own, but he’s a little bit of a living legend among hardcore CFL fans in town. Between his time as a player and as a coach, he’s spent 15 years with the Stampeders and won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2000. He just finished his third season as the team’s head coach, and while there were
DARRYL DYCK, Associated Press
Calgary coach Dave Dickenson is doused with ice water after the Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League Grey Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, on Nov. 25. definitely some people questioning his leadership after the Stampeders lost in the Grey Cup in 2016 and ’17, they were few and far between. Winning the championship in 2018 has silenced the critics once and for all. Q: How would you sum up Dave’s philosophy and style of play on offense, defense and special teams? A: The truth is, Dave leans heavily on his defensive coordinator to manage the defense and the Stampeders’ longtime special teams coordinator gets his full trust, too. He seems like the sort of boss who empowers those around him, and offense is where you really see his philosophies shine through. The Stampeders are not a team that’s afraid to go deep at any point during the game, and when the offense is clicking they switch
things up on nearly every play. He’s a quarterback, though, and he definitely loves when his team throws the football. Q: How does Dave’s sense of humor come through? A: I say this with the utmost respect, but Dave might be the reigning king of dad jokes — at least when he’s dealing with the media. In general, the Stampeders and their head coach are more open than you’d expect with those of us who provide coverage of the team, and Dave generally likes to open up his post-practice media scrums with a joke. He’s got kids, though, so those jokes are always family friendly. Q: How would you describe the meaning of the Grey Cup win to both Dave and the city after coming up short the past two seasons? A: For Dave, the win guarantees him
job security for a long time in Calgary and secures his legacy as a genuine CFL great. He’s a five-time Grey Cup winner as a player and as a coach, and while the Stampeders were by far the most successful regular-season team in Dave’s first three years as a head coach, the losses in ’16 and ’17 threatened to overshadow that. Now that he’s won the big one, there aren’t many doubters left. As for Calgary, the city’s been going through some tough economic times and needed a win. The Stamps gave everyone something to celebrate, and after the heartbreak of the last two years it feels just a little more special. Frank Gogola covers Griz football and prep sports for the Missoulian. Follow him on Twitter @FrankGogola or email him at Frank.Gogola@406mtsports.com.
Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018 — E3
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E4 — Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018
GRIZZLY GAME DAY
Far from
‘normal’ Dickenson officially enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame
No one could take it away. After that moment, everything’s kind of fell in line. So, it’s amazing how I guess one game and one season can kind of set you up To borrow a line from Saturday for the rest of your life. It certainly did it Night Live: Live from New York, it’s for me.” Dave Dickenson. Dickenson excelled off the field as The former Montana quarterback wore well and was a three-time Academic a black tuxedo with a white shirt and a All-American and a National Football black bow tie on Tuesday in New York Foundation Scholar Athlete. He said he City as he was inducted into the College turned down about $35,000 in postFootball Hall of Fame. graduate scholarships to play professionDickenson’s induction came nearly 23 ally. He had short stints in the NFL with years after he last put on a Griz uniform San Diego, Seattle, Miami and Detroit in 1995. before he went to the CFL, where he won “More than anything, I think I’m just five titles as a player, assistant coach and one of normal Montana people,” Dickhead coach. enson said on Tuesday. “I just basically “During your time at the University play a game, got lucky, had some success. of Montana, you were the epitome of To be recognized on the national stage, student-athlete success,” University of I think, is important, though. I think sometimes we get stuck in our little neck Montana athletic director Kent Haslam said in a video about Dickenson that was of the woods. So, I’m just glad they’re shared on Twitter. proud of who I am and what I accomDickenson was one of 13 former plished but also what I stand for, and I’m players and coaches to be inducted by doing my best to represent the state.” the National Football Foundation on At Montana, Dickenson won the Walter Payton Award and was a two-time Tuesday. Some of the more nationally All-American. He guided the Griz to two recognizable inductees were players like Ed Reed, Calvin Johnson and Charles Big Sky Conference titles and the 1995 Woodson, and coaches like Frank Beamer national championship, a game that he thought was the last time he’d ever play. and Mack Brown. Dickenson, though, was the lone “I do remember, ‘This is it. This is inductee in this year’s class who has going to be it for Dave,’” Dickenson won a high school state title, a college recalled. “You know, they asked me a question, like after we won, we beat Mar- national championship, a title as a shall, and they said, ‘You don’t look sur- professional player and a championship prised,’ and I said, ‘Well, we didn’t show as a professional head coach. He checked the last item off that list nine days earlier up to lose.’ I just believe people, once when his Calgary Stampeders won the again, short selled us a little bit, didn’t Grey Cup in the CFL. think we were going to finish the deal. “These two weeks for me have been as “Kind of been that way my whole life. good as any in my life,” Dickenson said. Just for me, it was kind of like, ‘OK, the career’s over. What a great way to finish.’ “... I remember like seeing some other Felt like we had done something special. athletes like Peyton Manning and some FRANK GOGOLA 406mtsports.com
Photo courtesy Melissa Macatee
Dave Dickenson holds his award at the National Football Foundation’s annual awards dinner in New York City where he was formally inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. other guys that after they win a Super Bowl and they’re just almost feel like they’re exhausted and a relief. I felt the same way. I felt like it was overdue. “Worked super hard to accomplish it, so to me, now to get to New York and just kind of relax and get together with these guys, the guys I’ve looked up to my whole life and watched football my whole life, it’s big time for me just to get away and be part of this group. It’ll be tough to match 2018, though, because it’s been a great year for me.” Known as ‘Super Dave,’ Dickenson is the third person from the state of Montana to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. William ‘Wild Bill’ Kelly was inducted in 1969. Bernie Bierman, a Griz football and basketball coach from 1919-21, went on to win five national titles at Minnesota. Dickenson is just the fourth player from the Big Sky Conference to be inducted. In total, only 997 college football players out of approximately 5.5 million have been inducted, which is roughly 0.02 percent of players. “There is simply no higher honor that
a student-athlete can receive, and there’s no one more deserving than Dave,” University of Montana president Seth Bodnar said in the video shared on Twitter. Montana head coach Bobby Hauck added: “He made the entire state of Montana proud, both as a national champion and as a Walter Payton Award winner.” Dickenson previously was inducted into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. His No. 15 jersey is retired at Montana. “The state of Montana loves its football. It really does. And it’s proud of the people that are from there,” Dickenson said. “Basically, if you have any relative or any ties to Montana and you’ve done something special in sports as well as anything else, Montana’s going to adopt you. … You know, we’re proud of where we’re from, and we think we play some pretty good football.” Frank Gogola covers Griz football and prep sports for the Missoulian. Follow him on Twitter @FrankGogola or email him at Frank.Gogola@406mtsports.com.
Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018 — E5
‘This is as good as it gets’ Dickenson wins Grey Cup, gets inducted into Hall of Fame in 10-day stretch FRANK GOGOLA 406mtsports.com
Nine days after winning the Grey Cup, former Montana Grizzly standout Dave Dickenson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony, part of the National Football Foundation’s annual awards dinner, was Tuesday in New York City. Dickenson’s Grey Cup victory is his first championship as a head coach. He won two state titles at Great Falls CMR before guiding the Griz to the 1995 FCS national championship. Playing in the CFL, he won three Grey Cups and was the MVP of the 2006 championship game. He was the offensive coordinator on Calgary’s 2014 championship team. Dickenson has already been inducted into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. 406mtsports.com caught up with Dickenson before the ceremony to discuss the Grey Cup win, his future coaching plans, his induction and a Cat-Griz game for the ages. Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness. Q: What were the 24 to 48 hours after winning the Grey Cup like for you? A: You’re happy, but then you feel this relief like, ‘Good, we were able to finally get it done.’ After you realize you did that, it’s more kind of getting your people around you. My brother’s in town, my family was there, was good to see them, had my son jump on stage with me and go to my press conference. Those are memories you can’t ever replace. There’s not a lot of down time as a coach. You’re already worried about who’s coming back, how do we get these coaches signed for next year, how do we get our players who are free agents signed, what’s our schedule going to be for the offseason. You don’t have a lot of time to chill. That’s why I’m so excited to get to New York and get away from it. It’s been fun. We’ve had a lot of things go on in the town up here, a
Griz fans cheer on Dave Dickenson during a playoff game in 1995, Dickenson’s senior season. lot of support, rallies, hockey game, went out on the town. Q: You said after the game that you didn’t think your life would have been the same without a title as a head coach. Why not? And what do you think you proved to yourself by winning as a head coach? A: When you get into something, you should have a goal and be working toward that. When I got into coaching, I didn’t think I needed a head coaching title. But once I started going down that path, I felt like I’ve always wanted to be at the top of the mountain. I’m always a guy that I don’t want to settle for anything that I See DICKENSON, Page E11
Kurt WILSON/Missoulian
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E6 — Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018
Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018 — E7
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Dave Dickenson, Montana’s quarterback from 1992-95 who led the Grizzlies to their first national championship in 1995, holds the award inducting him into the College Football Hall of Fame as he’s recognized at Washington-Grizzly Stadium during the game on Sept. 22.
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ABOVE: Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson celebrates after the Grizzlies’ 1995 national championship victory.
Dave Dickenson still owns Montana’s single-season and career passing records. He threw for 5,676 yards in 1995 and finished his career with 11,080. KURT WILSON/Missoulian
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Dickenson served as Calgary’s offensive coordinator the past five years.
Russell High School football coach Jack Johnson looks at memorabilia of one of his and the University of Montana’s most famous athletes, Dave Dickenson, at the high school. Johnson recently retired after 41 years of coaching CMR to 340 wins and 13 state championships, while Dickenson, following a stellar career as quarterback at UM, has had an equally successful time in the Canadian Football League, where he still coaches.
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E8 — Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018
GRIZZLY GAME DAY | COMMENTARY
NATHAN DENETTE, The Canadian Press via AP
Former Montana State linebacker Alex Singleton hoists the Grey Cup after his Calgary Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks for the Canadian Football League championship in Edmonton, Alberta, on Nov. 25.
DARRYL DYCK, The Canadian Press via AP
Calgary Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson hoists the Grey Cup after the Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League Grey Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, on Nov. 25.
Cats, Griz play nice together Dickenson, Singleton team up to win Grey Cup
“The more it sinks in, the more you realize just how cool it is, the things that go along with us winning the oldest trophy in North America,” Singleton said on Friday. “To think that three years ago I was (Dickenson’s) first draft pick cratch it off the list of memorable sports sights you never envisioned. up here ... “Being a part of the tradition of Red and white confetti raining Cat-Griz, and now to be able to win this down while a hulking, long-haired with the greatest Griz of all time, that’s alpha male hoists above pretty cool.” his head a trophy the size Don’t get the wrong idea about Dickof a Studebaker. Sharing enson and his prized linebacker. It’s not the same awards podium like they’re out having brews at Buffalo with this muscle-bound Wild Wings on their days off. ex-Montana State Yet they’ve managed to form a special standout is the king of all bond. So much so they make friendly Montana Grizzlies. BILL SPELTZ wagers on the Brawl of the Wild, with Let it soak in for a Dickenson coming out on the short end moment: You’ve got Alex Singleton, a former Bobcat two weeks ago, forced to wear a Bobcat and the best darn defensive player in the shirt for a day.“To be able to make a Canadian Football League for two years Griz like that wear a Bobcat shirt three running. And Dave Dickenson, a relent- years in a row, it’s pretty cool,” Singleton said playfully. “The boys handled less head coach who paved the way for their business. Singleton and the Calgary Stampeders “The wagering never dies, no matter to win the Grey Cup in convincing fashhow separated you are by a generation ion last weekend. of football or coach to player. When Who says the Griz and Cats can’t you get that Cat-Griz rivalry in you, it work well together?
S
never stops.” On Tuesday, Dickenson will receive the ultimate honor for his career as Montana’s QB when he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in New York. But as spine-tingling as that moment will be, Dickenson is going to have a hard time upstaging the moment Singleton shared with his sister on the football field after the Stampeders secured their title. Born with Down Syndrome, Ashley Singleton hugged her younger brother Alex for what seemed like an eternity. It ranked right up there with my favorite sports moments of the year, reminding me what’s truly important on this crazy, mixed-up planet. Alex will tell you that Ashley, whom he coaches in Special Olympics, has taught him a lot about life. That win or lose, there’s no such thing as a bad day. Regardless of what happens from this day forward, last week’s magical moment for Singleton, his teammates, his head coach and his family is locked in time. The names are on the trophy now. After two straight years of losing
in the Grey Cup final, this was, in Singleton’s words, “silencing everybody forever.” And to think, it took an irreplaceable Griz-Cat combination to get it done. A CFL version of the old New York Giants combination, if you will, with Bill Parcells as the head coach and Lawrence Taylor as the star linebacker. If you weren’t a fan of the CFL before, last weekend will most certainly help. And if you weren’t quite sold on Dickenson as a championship coach before, it might help you to know what his best linebacker has to say about him. “He’s a quieter guy, but you can tell his work ethic and drive to win is, I believe, parallel to none,” Singleton said. “Since the day he started playing football he’s won championships. From (Great Falls CMR) to Missoula to playing in the CFL to now. That’s a longrunning time to be that great. I won my first championship on Sunday. He’s been doing it since the early 1990s.” Bill Speltz is the Deputy Sports Editor of the Missoulian. Email him at bill. speltz@406mtsports.com.
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E10 — Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018
GRIZZLY GAME DAY
off its first playoff victory in program history, which set up a rematch against Eastern Washington from November. In that game, the Eagles ripped UC Davis Four out of five dentists might with a 59-20 win in Cheney, Washingrecommend Colgate. Or maybe ton, the site of this weekend’s game. it’s Crest. Last week, the Aggies had to deal with If you’re taking college football an experienced Northern Iowa team and betting advice from your dentist in addition to oral hygiene guidance, they pulled out a 23-16 win. The Eagles, on the other hand, doubled up Nicholls better not be recommending Colgate State, 42-21. This meeting could be this week. a shootout with Eastern Washington The Colgate Raiders, ranked No. averaging 44.9 points per game and 9 in the FCS, will hit the road for a UC Davis at 40.6 points. Bill: Eastern quarterfinal game against No. 1 North Wash. 42, Davis 38. Frank: Eastern Dakota State, which may as well be the Washington 49, UC Davis 35. Kyle: crest of the entire FCS. The Bison have won six of the past seven national titles Eagles 45, Aggies 41. No. 9 Colgate at No. 1 North and could be in line for their seventh Dakota State: Colgate boasts the top since 2011. scoring defense in the country, giving up While North Dakota State has been just 7.0 points per game. North Dakota a fixture deep into the playoffs, the Big State isn’t far behind, ranking second Sky Conference is experiencing a big with just 12.0 points per game allowed. surge this postseason. The league, which has been vying for The difference comes on offense, where North Dakota State comes in with a playoff berths since the tournament potent attack averaging 42.1 points per started in 1978, has three teams in the game, while Colgate has struggled scorquarterfinals for the first time ever. ing, putting up just 29.5 points per game Some history: The playoffs began with on average. There might not be much four teams, went up to eight in 1981, shine left on Colgate, the Patriot League increased to 12 in 1982, expanded to 16 champion, after its first-ever meeting in 1986, was upped to 20 in 2010 and against North Dakota State. Bill: North has been at 24 since 2013. At least one Big Sky team will advance Dakota State 45, Colgate 21. Frank: North Dakota State 42, Colgate 14. Kyle: to the semifinals since Eastern WashBison 35, Raiders 20. ington and UC Davis will play each No. 5 South Dakota State at No. other in the quarterfinals. 2 Kennesaw State: Scoring could be By the time you’re reading this, it the name of the game in this quarterficould well be two Big Sky teams in the nal matchup. South Dakota State ranks semis since No. 3 Weber State hosted second in the FCS in scoring offense No. 12 Maine on Friday night. If the Wildcats won that game, they’d face the (45.9 points per game), while Kennesaw State is third (45.7). Both teams have winner of Eastern Washington and UC stout defenses, too. Kennesaw State Davis, meaning a Big Sky school would ranks sixth in the country with 14.4 be in the national championship game points per game allowed, while South on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. Dakota State is 13th with 20.8 points That would be the first time since 2010 that a team from the Big Sky made per contest given up. Kennesaw State quarterback Chandler Burks is one of the title game. Eastern Washington three players nominated for the Walter edged out Delaware, 20-19, to win the Payton Award, and the Owls have won 15 championship that year. consecutive home games. Bill: S. Dakota If a Big Sky team can even make it to the title game, they’ll likely have to take State 27, Kennesaw State 17. Frank: South Dakota State 35, Kennesaw State down North Dakota State, a team that 24. Kyle: Owls 34, Jackrabbits 31. could leave them with a bad taste in their mouth. Bill Speltz is the Deputy Sports Editor of the Missoulian. Email him at bill. No. 7 UC Davis at No. 4 Eastern speltz@406mtsports.com. Washington: UC Davis is coming FRANK GOGOLA 406mtsports.com
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Missoulian, Saturday, December 8, 2018 — E11
Dickenson Continued from E5
able to accomplish. To me, it’s a crazy that a kid from Montana is joining this group. Never thought I’d make it. I didn’t even think about it until my brother brought it up and nominated me. This is as good as it gets. Q: This is a 10-day stretch from winning the Grey Cup to getting inducted. Can you think of a 10-day stretch for yourself like that before? A: Not really. It’s just crazy. It’s two separate parts of your life; they’re football related, but they’re not connected. To be honest, I was just trying to put all my focus into the regular season and try to win and then let New York handle it. Q: Did you get to watch the CatGriz game up there? A: I don’t get a feed up here. I was on my computer, so I did the Game Center where all it does is type in the next play. But, man, it was stressful even then because you’re waiting like, ‘Reload, reload. What happened?’ To see how it went down and not really know the real details and then I called my dad and was like, ‘What happened?’ He told me. It was pretty suspenseful and nervewracking even though I’m all the way up here. It was a crazy finish, no doubt. Q: I know you have a bet with (former Bobcat) Alex Singleton about Cat-Griz. What has to change to get this rivalry back to where the Griz are dominating? A: I think the best rivalries are those that are give and take. Even back in our day, I think when I got through there it was somewhere in the realm of 12 or 13 in a row. I really don’t think that’s what makes a rivalry. I think you want some give and take, some back and forth. I’m ready for the Griz to start taking it. I mean, three years in a row. We’ve had a wager three years. It seemed to me like it was one of the best games, most classic games ever in the Brawl of the Wild. I believe both schools are on solid footing, both schools have good coaches, players, facilities. I do believe it’ll be a little more give and take down the road. I love having both schools doing well. I’d love to see the Griz beat them every year, but I think as far as when you talk about rivalry games, it is nice to have both schools win some and have really close games. I think that’s where we’re at these days.
don’t consider my best and the team’s best. I felt it was very realistic and we had gotten there twice and weren’t able to get it done. Once you’ve been there and you haven’t got it done, now you’re kind of getting known as the coach who couldn’t win the big one. I didn’t want to be that guy. I’m hoping to get a lot more opportunities, but I also felt like I needed that to validate the way I coach, the way our program is set up, all the hard work, the right hires, the right players. I wanted to get that validation that a championship can do for you. Q: Any desire to try to win a title as a general manager? A: I don’t even know what a general manager does. (Laughs.) Obviously, they have a lot of say in personnel and hiring. But as far as when it gets to on the field, I feel most comfortable being part of what happens between the sidelines. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a good feeling, but I think it would be the best feeling to have a little bit more direct say, and the first thing to do that is be a player, and the second part is be a coach. Q: Do you want to try coaching in college or the NFL or these newer leagues popping up? A: I’m not going to say I don’t. Sometimes you got to be happy with what you got. I really like the CFL because it allows you to have a life outside of football. I’m selfish with my family time. The pros and college, maybe you’d be able to work yourself towards that. College, I could probably come in somewhere fairly high, but who knows. It might happen. For me, my daughter just turned 14, she’s in eighth grade, and my son’s in sixth grade, so I’d like to keep as much stability and continuity as I can. I’ve got a good thing going up here. I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. I certainly haven’t been contacted by any NFL teams or anything like that. I don’t even have an agent. My agent was Ken Staninger from Missoula; he passed away a few years ago and just haven’t had the desire to replace him. I’m kind of just on my own. (Dickenson has two more years remaining on his current contract.) Q: Who are you most excited to meet at the induction? A: I’m the low man on the totem pole. Frank Gogola covers Griz football and I’m just excited to meet the whole group, KURT WILSON, Missoulian just to be a part of it. I think all of us have prep sports for the Missoulian. Follow him our own stories. We’re all pretty proud of on Twitter @FrankGogola or email him at Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson gestures to the Montana crowd before the 1995 national championship game. Frank.Gogola@406mtsports.com. where we came from and what we were
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