Montana Grizzlies: New Head Coach Bobby Kennedy, Eli Gilman, & Peyton Wing

While at Big Sky Conference's 2026 Media Day in Spokane, host Luke Schmit got a chance to sit down with the University of Montana's new football coach and standout players. New head coach Bobby Kennedy, running back Eli Gilman and linebacker Peyton Wing talk about the transition to a new era of Grizzly football, in-state recruiting, and life in Missoula.

Montana's new head coach opens up about stepping into the top job after years as an assistant, crediting mentors from Bill McCartney to Mack Brown for shaping his belief that in-state recruiting has to be the foundation of the program. Coach Kennedy talks candidly about the learning curve of managing an entire program instead of a single position group, and what it felt like to be embraced by Griz fans across the state during his spring tour. 

Running back Eli Gilman reflects on his final season in Missoula, playing alongside his brother, and the deep connection he's built with his returning quarterback. Linebacker Peyton Wing, now in year two, talks about settling into his role, the interceptions that defined last season, and what he loves about life in Missoula outside of football - from fly fishing to floating the river.

Watch the Big Sky Now podcast's panel discussion about their time in Spokane for Big Sky Conference's Media Day: https://youtu.be/181QjRjRo1M

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Transcript

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SPEAKER_04 0:21

We're back on the Big Sky Now podcast. I'm here with new head coach Bobby Kennedy of the Grizz. Coach, I've heard the best messages about you. Everyone's excited about you. What your energy are you bringing that everyone just loves you so far?

SPEAKER_01 0:34

Well, I just I just think being engaged with with whether it be fans or donors or players, um, you know, I've always thought that football is number one a people-person job, right? And and I've always wondered, like, if you didn't like coaches and you didn't like players, like why would you be in this business? And so, so just you know, maybe bringing a different approach. Not that, not that other approaches are are wrong, but I've got to be me. And um, I like people, I like engaging. Uh you know, we'll we'll see we'll see how that goes, right? Um, but but yeah, I'm just I'm excited just to kind of this is my first first time doing this as a head coach, been an assistant a long time, but I've got to be me and I've got to do it my way. And being in the community and being engaged with whether it be our quarterback club, our people on campus, people in our department, our players on the team, um I I get energy from other people, so so that's I'm glad I'm glad that those things have been positive.

SPEAKER_04 1:38

Yeah, they've been they've been all positive. Like you said, your journey, you've got you've assisted a lot of places. You know, talk to me about why you love football so much because you've gone to so many, you know, so many of opportunities, and this is your chance to get the head coaching spot. What about football do you love?

SPEAKER_01 1:53

So I loved when I was a high school player and started to have success, and it gave me great confidence. And then I went and played in college and I was a career backup. I didn't have great success. Um and playing at Northern Colorado at that time, Division II school, um, North Central Conference, um I was always one because I grew up in Boulder, loving the buffs, and I was always like, God, I want to I wanted to experience what that big time football was was all about. And so I got into football to experience that, but also being around at a young age, like Bill McCartney and Chuck Fairbanks and Mike Shanahan, Dan Reeves, guys like that. I always thought uh Lou Tepper, I mean I could I could go down the list, Jim Caldwell, like just just coaches that I saw not only that had an impact on my life, but were impacting other people's lives. And I said, wow, that would be a really cool job. You know, everybody always says, find something you love and do it, and then and then go after it. And the funny thing was when I first got into football, it was all about the glitz and the glamour. Uh like I went to Illinois as a graduate assistant, Big Ten, right? Like going to Michigan, playing there in Ohio State. Uh we're Big Ten champions, our first year at, you know, my first year in Illinois. Then going to Penn State and being around a guy like Joe Paterno and being in that stadium when it was 92,000 uh, you know, people. And that was really cool. But as I've gotten older, once again, games are really important, right? Wins and the wins are really important, the losses are really important. But being around the players every day, I think it's kept me young. I think it's given me a good perspective on uh, you know, like when I was in college and then seeing these guys, what they're going through, we all go through the same stuff. The only thing that's different is this stuff right here, right? There's they have more access to different things. But they have girlfriend issues, there's some things with families, right? There's school, like all these things. And being around the players every day and hopefully having a positive impact on those guys, and even when you're hard on guys, and and they might not like you at the time, but then coming back in 10 years saying, you know, coach, I'm really glad that she saw something in me and I'm a better person because of it. So like that that's what's kind of sustained me through this whole journey. And it's the home, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 4:23

Like you said, you you've been on so many successful programs, you've seen so much. What's a common theme you've seen on these teams that attributes to success?

SPEAKER_01 4:32

Yeah, I think, you know, it might be cliche-ish, but like team teamwork, hard work, passion for one another, your teammates and your coaches. Um, the really good places that I've been around, uh, I think there's been really good leadership at the top. You know, like when you talk about uh Mac Brown and David Shaw and Jim Caldwell, Joe Tiller, Keith Gilbertson at Washington, um you know, like being around people like that and seeing how they did it and and trying to incorporate that into how I'm coaching, um and you know, I use the term the family you choose all the time. Uh you know, you chose us, we chose you, families are gonna go through ups and downs, they're gonna have hard times, they're gonna have good times. And how do you do it together? Right? How do you have success together? How do you have struggles together? And can you come out the other end? And so, so yeah, so that's that's kind of my my approach to things, and and the good teams that I've been around. Um there's obviously been really good players, and there's big fish, and there's little fish, but those little fish, man, they do their part too. And so the the team and that family that you're in, man, you've got to be a unit, you've got to be a core going forward.

SPEAKER_04 5:54

And coach, first thing I noticed when you've got hired, you're you've been big about the in-state recruiting, about that, making sure that we're important on that. How important and why is that something that you take pride in now compared to maybe some teams in the past for the Grizzlies?

SPEAKER_01 6:09

Well, so number one, the places that I've been around, um, when I was growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Bill McCartney. The first thing he did when he came in and said, hey, we're gonna keep the good players home. And then you look at the University of Iowa, being around Kirk Ferrets, and how they recruit the state. You look at Mac Brown, the University of Texas. Like when we controlled the state, we were really good. Yeah, I see. And and and had a chance to win all the games. And so those in-state players are always gonna be the base of Montana football. And we've got to keep the guys in-state, the really good players, and even the guys that that maybe aren't the stars, those guys because it's important to them, it's important to them to play for you know their team in the state because they're invested in it. And then also for our fans and for our alumni, like they want to see Montana kids at the University of Montana. And so, so I'd say Bill McCartney and and and Mac Brown, they had a huge impact. And so when I got this job, I said, and also our athletic director. They said, hey, it's really important, right, that we get the good players in the state. So I said, that's gonna be my number one goal, and I'm gonna go after it every day.

SPEAKER_04 7:21

And I wanted to ask you, you've been an assistant, like you said, this is your first year as a head coach. We're not in the season yet, but has there been anything different that you've already caught? You're like, oh, like this, this is something I haven't done yet. Have you got any news yet? Anything that you that you're going a first time into besides being a head coach?

SPEAKER_01 7:37

I just I just think you, you know, when you're an assistant, you manage your group. Well, now I'm in charge of managing the whole team, the training room, the equipment room, uh, the field people. Right? There's just a lot of things coming at you all the time. And probably the, and I didn't realize this, and I did it as an assistant. Um I'm sure drove some of the head coaches that I work for nuts, right? But number one, everybody wants a piece of your time. And and I always talk to my players about like be present in the moment. So when somebody's talking to you, or somebody comes, you know, to meet with you about something, like like give them what they're due, right? Give them their time and be present in that time. Even though you might have a million other things going on, right, that you have to accomplish, right, their issues are important to them. So so the time demands have been um have been something that I've I mean, I knew it was gonna be hectic and chaotic, but uh I just think the that experience the consistency of those demands, you know, in terms of them happening every day all the time, um, that's been something that I've been like, oh wow, this is you know, this is this is a little different.

SPEAKER_02 8:51

But also just uh the schemes function too.

SPEAKER_01 8:57

So like I like solving problems, and 99% of the time that you're dealing with other people, you're trying to help them solve problems that are really important to them. And so so I've embraced that, and uh I like doing it, and and if I can do it, I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna try to solve that problem.

SPEAKER_04 9:16

I'd love to hear it, coach. Last question I have for you how welcoming has been the whole Missoula base and the fan base and everyone around you, and part two of that question, how excited are you to get out to Washington Grizzly to coach your first skin as a head coach?

SPEAKER_01 9:29

Yeah, so number one, our fans, not only in Missoula but around the state, you know, when I went out on the spring tour, it was so good, like they were so welcoming and and excited. And um, you know, Bobby had done it at our place for a long time and had done it really well. And I was kind of the shiny new toy, right? So people are coming out to see me, but people have really embraced me, the teams embraced me, and I gotta tell you, I'd be less than honest if I said the first time that I run out into Washington Grisley Stadium leading our team, uh, that I won't be totally jacked, uh, would be an understatement. So I'm I'm really excited about that. But our our fan base, we've got a great fan base and obviously uh great support all around the state. But there's people I've gotten letters from alumni from all over the country uh wishing me good luck and support, and that's been that's been really, really precious.

SPEAKER_04 10:27

I'm here with Grid's running back Eli Gilman. Eli, before we get into all this season, just talk to me what you've done in this offseason and what you've been doing just to stay out of football.

SPEAKER_00 10:35

To stay out of football. I've been honestly just like enjoying outside. I've been kind of like accepting the fact that it's my last year, so I can try and do as like as much as I can in Montana that doesn't really involve football. Um I guess with just a lot of exploring, um, going up the lake with my friends. Um I love rollerblading, I have a rollerblade a lot, pickleball, sandboy ball. Um I've been doing all kinds of stuff, but but no, I guess I've been like working out a lot still too, so um, it's nice to stay in shape and then also do things outside of football.

SPEAKER_04 11:00

You gotta float the river at all yet, I gotta ask that.

SPEAKER_00 11:02

Yeah, yeah, you got to float the river. Especially like I don't know how much I'm gonna be back here after all of it, but like yeah, you gotta float the river.

SPEAKER_04 11:08

Next question I have for you, you know, you're such a prestigious running back for the Grizzlies and such a great player. What's the drive for you to come back again and keep this legacy that you're building?

SPEAKER_00 11:18

I mean it's something I've always wanted to do since I got here. Like since I took my visit here when I was like 17 years old, like I I knew I wanted to start and end here. So like and the people around like in Missoula like make it so easy to stay and play for. So I mean that's I mean I owe it to them, they've been so loyal to me, like I'm gonna be loyal back to them. So how special it is it to play with your brother on the team as well? How cool is that? That's super cool, it's super rare. Um I've you know I'm blessed to play with him really my whole life, um, you know, elementary, middle school, high school. Um and yeah, fortunate enough to play with him in college too. That's sweet. My family loves it too, so it's sweet to be on the same team.

SPEAKER_04 11:49

I'm sure everyone's already been talking to you that you've got this season coming up, breaking records, all of that, but what are you trying to do to just to maintain the day-by-day training and keep being Eli Gilman?

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Honestly, like I'm just like I'm just like blessed to be here. Um so I just look at it kind of like that. Um as long as I don't think of it as like a whole process and just think of one day at a time. Um I think that's when I have the most joy with it, and that's when I honestly get the most results, best results anyways. So yeah, I'm just going day by day and you know trying to take it all in.

SPEAKER_04 12:13

So you get to have the quarter same quarterback come back. I believe for the first time you get to have a quarterback handing you the ball two years in a row if I'm not, I believe I'm right. What's your relationship with him and how how great has it been just to be able to work with such a talented quarterback?

SPEAKER_00 12:27

No, he's sweet, like that's that's my guy, like literally that's my guy. Um we even like live in the same apartment building, like we're always hanging out outside of football. Um it's well, we've connected, we've connected like on such a deeper level than like this previous year's. Like, I think, and especially he connects with the whole offense. Like, I think this year's gonna be really special. Um, and the way he's like leading the team this year is also different. So I'm excited to see what he does this year. But no, I'm blessed to play the quarterback like him for sure. How excited are you to get back out there when last year, a Washington Grizzly, but also with some new turf in front of all those fans? It's sweet. Like, like I said, like that's the best, it's really the best place I could ever play. Like it's the best place, the only place I want to play. Um, the fans are great, the turf looks really nice. Um, so I'm excited for that. Um, I'm just excited to get back out there one last season in front of Washington Grizzly Stadium.

SPEAKER_04 13:11

I got one last question for you, Eli. It's a fun one. I want to know your favorite football team and your favorite running back of all time.

SPEAKER_00 13:17

My favorite football team is the Miami Dolphins. I was adopted from Florida, so I like to claim Florida sports. Okay. Um, but my favorite running back of all time is Adrian Peterson.

SPEAKER_04 13:24

Adrian Peterson. I guess I have one more. And what is your favorite sport outside of football? That was my other one. Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. Well, I appreciate your time, man. Thank you. You're a active player, and best of luck. I'm here with Grizz linebacker Peyton Wing. Peyton, talk to me about this weekend. You know how you feel about being here, and we'll jump off to the season next.

SPEAKER_03 13:42

You know, this weekend's been awesome. Uh I was telling some other interviewers that I'm very honored to be here. You know, like it they only have two guys come, but we have a whole bunch of guys on our team that should be here. I'm not the best at interviews, so like we'll see how it goes, but I'm excited, you know, very honored to be here and represent the University of Montana. Um, like so far we got here, we did a kids' camp, it was great. Uh then we've just been doing interviews, did media, which isn't really my thing, but it was fun. And uh now we're doing this, and then we head out, hit the road, get back to Missoula. So it's been a great time. How excited are you? Get back in pads, get ready to crack. I know you're a linebacker, obviously, so you're ready, I'm sure. Yeah, I know. I mean, we're all ready. Uh yeah, we're ready. We start Friday, uh, get after it. I mean, it's exciting. This is my last season, so I'm ready to squeeze it all out.

SPEAKER_04 14:32

This will be your first year that you returned to Montana because last year is your first. Talk to me about how exciting that is, but also what were some uh maybe some challenges last year joining a team right away and trying to fit in.

SPEAKER_03 14:42

Yeah, I mean it's hard, it's hard uh moving around to schools. Like I'm I did one change. Uh I don't get how people do multiple, but like you know, you gotta learn new verbiage, you gotta be able to add value to the team in what whatever way that is. So being able to get in quick, find my role, and uh just run with it was huge, but uh also like help my team as much as I can, you know. So uh that's my biggest thing. It's a team sport, so being able to do that was huge for me, and I just had a blast. And I I mean like I'm still here, I would never leave. Like this is this is one special place. So I love it.

SPEAKER_04 15:17

Let's talk about Coach Kennedy, his first year. You know, what's it like getting to know him and then even spending some time away from Missoula here, just getting to bond with him more and more.

SPEAKER_03 15:26

Yeah, it's been great. I mean, we had we had Coach BK uh last season, he was with the receivers, so like we would cross pass. I mean, they're doing their thing during the season, we're doing our thing. Uh, but I mean BK is a perfect fit for the job. Like, all right, I love our old coach and staff and everything, but uh, you know, the game changes, so you gotta be able to adapt quick. And I think our whole team, we just buckled down, we got closer as as the changes happened, which is huge because in the season we're gonna see adversity too. So seeing that preseason was awesome, and it was like music to my ears. So yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Peyton, the the ball found you last year had quite a bit of interceptions. What did you attribute that to? Uh I guess being right place, right time. Uh, I mean, our defense is awesome. Our defensive coordinator last year was awesome. This year he's our defensive coordinator is great. Uh so I think just like being right place, right time, and uh actually being able to catch the ball, you know, not dropping it, stone hands. Now I got a couple fun questions to ask you now.

SPEAKER_04 16:26

We're past that. Favorite NFL team and favorite player?

SPEAKER_03 16:30

Yeah, definitely. Favorite NFL team is Seattle Seahawks. I'm from Washington, so growing up being a Seahawks fan, I'm more of a college sport guy, but like professional team, the Seahawks. And then growing up, I I look to Brian Erlacher, you know, seeing the Mike linebacker. Yeah, I'm the players. Yeah, oh yeah. I watched him a lot. Uh that's probably my favorite player, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 16:52

Next question. You've been to Missoula now, you're going on year two, your favorite place to eat, or you can if you don't have one, you could give me a couple.

SPEAKER_03 16:57

Yeah, I mean, I got a couple. There's great places all over the uh all over Missoula. Like, it depends on what I want to eat, you know. Like, if I want a steak, I'll go depot, Lolo Steakhouse. If I want to, like Breakfast Rito, Breakfast Club, you know, market on front. There's there's places everywhere. Uh like coming from Portland, there's food, like they do food trucks, but the the spots here in Missoula are awesome, like the tourist PIG, man, there's good stuff everywhere. That's good barbecue. Exactly, exactly. So it's just really what I want to eat. But I mean I love steak at the end of the day, so like Lolo Steakhouse and the Defa are the top top spots.

SPEAKER_04 17:33

Last question I have for you for those who don't know Payton Wing, what do you do outside of football? You know, what are some of your hobbies and what have you been doing in the offseason?

SPEAKER_03 17:39

Yeah, I mean, off-season's just been running and lifting and then just hanging out with the fellas, getting closer and closer and closer. Uh, but outside of all that stuff, I like being outside. I like uh like a big thing in the summertime. I like wake surfing. I grew up on a lake, so we grew up wake surfing, knee boarding, intertwining, all that stuff. But uh yeah, wake surfing's probably like top, top. I got into fly fishing actually, being here in uh Montana. My old roommate Grayson Pybel taught me how to do it and uh went with Matt Elden, who's one of our centers on the team. Uh but yeah, just being outside as much as I can, you know, Montana's such a beautiful state. Uh just embracing it because I love it. Yeah.