May 10, 2005

ITEM 127-1003-S0505  Authorization to Confer the Title of Athletic Director Emeritus for Intercollegiate Athletics Upon Don Read; The University of Montana-Missoula

THAT: Don Read, the winningest head football coach in the history of The University of Montana, has merited the appreciation and commendation of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System, and has earned the title of Athletic Director Emeritus for Intercollegiate Athletics.

EXPLANATION: Don Read began his coaching career in 1959 and spent 10 of those 26 years at The University of Montana where he was head coach from 1986-1995. With 10 straight winning seasons, including 10 consecutive victories over intra-state rival Montana State University, a career record of 85-36 (.702) and Big Sky Conference mark of 54-22 (.711), Read has distinguished himself as the coach with the most wins in UM history. Furthermore, his teams made five Division I-AA playoff appearances during his time as head coach. This decade of success culminated in the Division I-AA national championship in 1995.

A transplant from Portland State where he was the head coach from 1981-1985 and 1968-1971, Read also coached at Oregon (1974-1976) and Oregon Tech (1977-1980). In the span of 26 years of outstanding coaching at the college level, he achieved an overall record of 154-127-1 and coached more than 50 players who advanced to play professional football.

Don Read has been acknowledged extensively in the field of college athletics including the honor of Coach of the Year in the Big Sky (1989, 1993, and 1995), the Evergreen and the Western Football Conferences, recognition as the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year twice, Division II National Coach of the Year in 1984, and Division I-AA National Coach of the Year in 1995 for his winning season at The University of Montana.

Other accomplishments to Read's credit include his service as a color commentator for FOX Sports, authorship of two books, "Complete Quarterbacking" and "The Complete Passing Game," as well as more than 100 articles for publications of athletics and coaching.

In May 2004 Read returned to The University of Montana to serve as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics during a difficult time for the program. He has provided leadership and expertise in this role not unlike the formidable direction and knowledge he bestowed on his players. Again his term has been marked with distinction as coaches under his guidance led the Football team to a Big Sky Championship, three NCAA playoff games and a runner up national championship in 2004 and both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams to the Big Sky Championship and the NCAA tournament in 2005.

Given his unwavering dedication to student athletes and steadfast commitment to both The University of Montana and the Missoula community over a span of 12 years, The University of Montana is honored to recommend Don Read for Emeritus status.