Travis DeCuire has done something special at Montana.
Building a Legacy in Missoula
The 54-year-old head coach enters his 12th season as the winningest coach in program history, with 223 victories and a sterling 140-61 record in Big Sky play. His consistency and leadership have kept the Golden Grizzlies among the most respected mid-major programs in college basketball.
Montana is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 24 wins and another NCAA Tournament appearance. Last year’s squad earned a 14 seed before falling to Wisconsin, but it was another step in DeCuire’s long pattern of success.
From Player to Program Builder
DeCuire’s path to success has been a steady climb. After coaching high school basketball in Sammamish, Montana, he took over at Green River Community College before assistant stops at Old Dominion and California. In 2014, he returned to his alma mater to take over the Grizzlies and has built one of the steadier programs in the West.
His resume includes five Big Sky regular-season titles, three conference tournament crowns, and two Coach of the Year honors. Each year, Montana has remained a fixture near the top of the standings thanks to DeCuire’s ability to develop players and maintain team identity.
New Faces, Familiar Results
The Golden Grizzlies started the 2025-26 season in style, routing Northwest Indiana behind a balanced offensive attack. Brooklyn Hicks, a transfer from UNLV, led the way with 17 points in his Montana debut. Hicks gives the Grizzlies a versatile wing presence who can score at all three levels.
Returning star Money Williams, last season’s Big Sky preseason MVP, anchors the lineup again. Williams led the team in scoring a year ago, with Malik Messina-Moore, Joe Pridgen, and Kai Johnson providing consistent support. Together, they accounted for nearly half of Montana’s offensive output.
The Road Back to March
Once again, Montana enters the season as the Big Sky favorite. The preseason poll gave the Golden Grizzlies six of ten first-place votes, with Portland State, Northern Colorado, and Idaho following behind.
DeCuire’s formula, defense, depth, and discipline continue to deliver results. With a veteran roster and proven coaching, Montana has all the tools to secure another league title and return to the NCAA Tournament in March.
If history is any indication, DeCuire’s steady hand will have the Golden Grizzlies right back in the mix when it matters most.