On Monday morning, Jeff Choate moved one step closer to finalizing his coaching staff. His most recent addition will certainly send shock waves across the state of Montana.
Skyline Sports confirmed through multiple sources that Montana defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak will join Choate’s staff in the same capacity at Montana State. Choate was announced as the Bobcats’ 32nd head football coach last week. The Missoulian confirmed Gregorak’s hire on Monday.
Gregorak, 37, leaves Montana after spending 12 of the last 13 seasons on the Grizzlies’ coaching staff, including the last four as the defensive coordinator.
“It was one of the toughest decisions of my life, there’s no question about it,” Gregoark told Bill Speltz of the Missoulian. “I’ve been thinking about it for a week.”
Gregorak coached linebackers under Bobby Hauck between 2003 and 2009, helping mentor a collection of standouts as Montana won seven straight Big Sky Conference titles and advanced to the FCS national title game in 2004, 2008 and 2009.
“I’m extremely excited to hire a coach with Ty’s reputation for coordinating defenses and coaching young men,” Choate said in an MSU press release. “His ability to communicate and motivate players is one of his strong suits, and that was one of my top priorities in a defensive coordinator. His record of leading outstanding defenses speaks for itself. His familiarity with our conference and his credibility in Montana are great assets. This is a home run hire for the Bobcats, and I’m very happy to welcome Ty.”
In 2010, Gregorak went with Hauck to UNLV. After a bizarre incident in Boulder, Colorado, Gregorak was let go at UNLV and landed at Central Washington for the 2010 season. He returned to Montana in 2011 and in 2012, Mick Delaney promoted Gregorak to defensive coordinator. In the off-season, Delaney retired. New head coach Bob Stitt retained Gregorak, running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Justin Green and defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa from Delaney’s staff. This season, Montana led the conference in sacks with 43 and ranked third in total defense, allowing 380 yards per game.
UM head coach Bob Stitt and former defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak.
“We would like to thank Coach Gregorak for his years of service to the Montana football program, and we wish him all the best in his career moving forward,” Stitt said in a UM press release. “We will make an announcement regarding the new Defensive Coordinator in the near future.”
During his 12 seasons at Montana, Gregorak coached on 11 playoff teams and helped 30 players earn All-Big Sky honors. He helped mentor NFL linebackers like Jordan Tripp, Brock Coyle and Caleb McSurdy. Under his watch as defensive coordinator, Gregorak saw defensive ends Zack Wagenmann and Tyrone Holmes climb Montana’s all-time sacks and tackles for loss lists.
Choate indicated that Gregorak will coordinate the Bobcats’ defense without assignment to a specific position group. “That will allow him to really dig into coaching the coaches and making sure our defense is on track,” Choate said. “I know he will coach a dominating defense here at Montana State.”
Gregorak and Choate met many years ago through former Montana head coach Mick Delaney, who coached at Choate’s alma mater, Western Montana College (now UM Western). “I’ve always felt we think about football in a similar way,” Choate said. “I think it should be a great fit.”
A Spokane native, Gregorak was a graduate assistant at Washington in 2001 and ’02 after finishing his playing career at Colorado (1997-2000). He is married to former Bobcat volleyball standout Kandice Kelly.
Gregorak did not immediately return a message requesting comment. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
