Griz name Green RB coach

Posted: Feb 13, 2012 5:37 PM by Scott Breen - Q2 Sports

MISSOULA - Former University of Montana and National Football League running back Justin Green has been named the running backs coach at his alma mater, announced third-year Griz head coach Robin Pflugrad.

Green, 29, who is from San Diego, Calif., and was a student assistant coach at Montana last season, replaces Mick Delaney, who retired recently after an outstanding 44 years of coaching, 29 of which were at the college level.

"Justin is a quality person, and I noticed this past spring and fall how much respect that the players have for him," Pflugrad said. "He did a great job of shadowing coach Delaney, because that is where his interest naturally migrated to - the running back position. So we had him help at that position on the field and in the video room.

"As we prepared our game plan, Justin Green tried to be at every single meeting," Pflugrad said. "It seemed like he was there as much as we were as full-time coaches. That's challenging because he was going to class and has a nice, beautiful, young family.

"He's coached some high school football in the state of California, as well as being a junior college player from California, so I think those are assets he brings to our program as well, as is his NFL experience." Pflugrad said. "We're really excited to have him on board. I am really excited for him. Like Ty (Gregorak, UM's newly named defensive coordinator) he really wants to be here, and he is very passionate about wanting to be a Grizzly."

Green had an outstanding two-year career at Montana, rushing for career 1,784 yards in 2003 and 2004, which ranks him eighth in school history.

Prior to his senior season he was touted by UM as a Walter Payton candidate. His senior season Green shared the running back duties with Lex Hilliard, and rushed for 638 yards and 8 touchdowns.

As a junior in 2003 he rushed 252 times for 1,146 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was chosen the Big Sky Conference's "Newcomer of the Year." His rushing yards and touchdowns that season rank him fourth in Montana's single-season history. He was a second team all-league pick as a junior.

After his Griz career he was a fifth round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, and had a four-year career in the NFL. He played three seasons at fullback for the Ravens, and then moved on to the Phoenix Cardinals, and played there for one season.

Between his stint with the Ravens and Cardinals, he coached for one season at Berean High School in Walnut Creek, Calif., working with the running backs, linebackers, and cornerbacks. He returned to Berean High School again, after his season with the Cardinals, once again working with the running backs, linebackers, and cornerbacks.

He came to Montana from San Diego Mesa College where he played for one season (2002), and was team captain and co-MVP, rushing for 874 yards and 7 TDs, and was a JC Gridwire All-America honorable mention that season. He started his college career at San Diego State, where he redshirted in 2000. He lettered one season for the Aztecs in 2001.

He was a standout running back at University of San Diego High School where he rushed for 5,397 career yards - which at the time was the most in San Diego County history. He was a first team All-C.I.F. selection as a junior and senior.

His junior year in high school he rushed for 2,385 yards, which was the fifth most in California prep history. His senior season he rushed for 1,801 yards and 20 touchdowns and was tabbed a USA Today honorable mention All-American.

He recently earned a degree in sociology at UM. Justin and his wife, Meghan, have a two-year-old daughter, Giana.