Glacier Wolfpack fans will have to wait a little longer to see their head coach on the sidelines this season. Defending Class AA state champions Glacier will kick off their title defense without head coach Grady Bennett, who has been handed a two-game suspension by the Montana High School Association (MHSA) following recruiting allegations.
The controversy began when Bigfork High School filed a formal protest, prompting an MHSA hearing on April 20. During the proceedings, the MHSA Executive Board unanimously ruled that Glacier High had violated Article II, Section 17.1 of the association's handbook—the rule that prohibits recruiting. The decision, first reported by 406mtsports.com, underscores the seriousness with which the MHSA treats any attempts to sway student-athletes for athletic purposes.
According to the MHSA handbook, recruiting is defined as any effort by a school or its representatives to induce a student—directly or through their family—to transfer or stay at a school for athletic reasons. It's a rule designed to keep the playing field level, and the Wolfpack are now feeling its bite.
The board voted 6-2 in favor of the penalties: a two-game suspension for Bennett, a private reprimand for the school, and a $100 fine. While the fine is relatively modest, losing Bennett for the opening games is a significant blow to a team looking to build on last season's perfect 12-0 run.
Glacier's 2025 championship was a statement win, a 16-3 victory over Billings West at Legends Field that secured the program's first state title since 2014. The Wolfpack will now open the 2026 season on August 28 at home against the same Billings West squad—a rematch that just got even more intriguing without Bennett on the sideline. They'll follow that with a September 4 road game at Bozeman High.
Bennett, who declined to comment on the specifics, did tell 406 MT Sports that he was looking forward to the upcoming season. When reached by the Daily Inter Lake, he confirmed he would not elaborate further. For now, Glacier's coaching staff and players will need to rally together as they prepare to defend their crown—at least for the first two games without their leader on the field.