MISSOULA, Mont.-
Former Montana quarterback Craig Ochs was named an assistant coach for the Grizzlies on Wedensday.
A native of Boulder, Colo., Ochs most recently played for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe before suffering an injury last May. He was allocated to NFL Europe by the Buffalo Bills.
Ochs, 25, begins his duties on Friday as a graduate assistant offensive football coach at Montana.
“Craig is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff,” head coach Bobby Hauck said. “He is a great young man with a lot of character. He’s very bright and I think he has a great future as a football coach.
“He’s one of those players, who you recognize that if he decides to get into coaching, he’s got a great aptitude. I am excited that he is joining us,” Hauck said.
Ochs said he and his wife are excited to return to Missoula and be a part of Grizzly football gain.
“Obviously it’s going to be in a little different capacity this time for me as a coach, but I am very excited about starting my career in coaching, and of course doing it at my alma mater.”
Ochs was 17-6 as a starter for the Grizzlies in 2003-2004 after transferring to Montana from Colorado.
Ochs led the 2004 Montana team to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game, a 31-21 loss to James Madison. In the title game he completed 29 of 38 passes for 371 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His completions and passing yards in that contest were career-highs.
He was a team captain as a senior when he completed 309 of 450 passes for 3,807 yards and 33 touchdowns. His passing percentage of 68.7 percent was a single-season school record, while his career passing yardage was second in school history.
Ochs and his wife Jessica have a daughter, Lucy, born March 2.
