Montana fires football coach, AD amid sexual assault allegations against players

MISSOULA, Mont. – The University of Montana fired athletic director Jim O'Day and football coach Robin Pflugrad Thursday.

While the university has not given a reason for the dismissals, they come on the heels of several allegations of sexual assaults against football players.

University president Royce Engstrom said in a statement that interim replacements will be named this week.

Engstrom released a report last week detailing the university's response to the sexual assault allegations, saying five Montana students had left the school as a result.

Three others who were accused were appealing the decisions, while three cases were closed due to a lack of evidence, and two more were not pursued by the alleged victims.

According to the Missoulian, some cases involved alleged rapes by multiple men.

Engstrom said some of the cases are still being investigated by police.

A woman obtained a restraining order against starting quarterback Jordan Johnson, claiming he sexually assaulted her in early Feb. Johnson denies the accusation and no charges have been filed.

Running back Beau Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent. The alleged incident occurred in Sept. 2010.

Pflugrad, 53, was promoted to head coach in 2010 after spending his entire career as an assistant at several schools. The Grizzlies went 11-3 in 2011, reaching the semi-finals of the FCS playoffs.