Montana Football Program Under Investigation by NCAA

The NCAA is now investigating the University of Montana football program, which is already the focus of investigations by two other federal agencies, The U. S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice.

The NCAA sent a letter to the University on January 30th, informing President Royce Engstrom about the investigation, without revealing its focus or intent. The University released the information about the NCAA investigation late Wednesday afternoon. President Engstrom had no comment on this additional investigation. Athletic Director Jim O’Day and head football coach Robin Pflugrad were informed at the end of March by President Engstrom that their contracts were not being renewed. Over the past 18 months, the University, City Police, the Missoula County Attorney and now the U. S. Departments of Justice and Education have been looking into allegations of sexual assault by student athletes both on and off campus. So far, only one individual, former football team member Beau Donaldson, has been charged with a crime. Just this week, President Engstrom announced that Grizzly quarterback Jordan Johnson, himself under a cloud of suspicion after a woman filed an order of protection against him, was enrolled for fall classes and was still a member in good standing of the UM football team.