A bittersweet day for those of us who know this great guy. You're thrilled for him and yet so disappointed to see him go.

Our thanks to Joel Carlson in UM Sports Information for letting us know that Jamie Pinkerton, who needed just three seasons to take the Montana softball team from startup to champion, was announced as the new head softball coach at Iowa State this morning. Coach 'Pink' was an assistant at Iowa State for four years before taking the Griz job in 2013.

Iowa State lost their head coach to the University of Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. There is no reason to doubt Jamie when he says that he never intended to use Montana as a stepping-stone job. Obviously a Power Five conference, bigger salary with longer contracts and more staff all entered into the decision. But Jamie's and his wife's parents, all in their 70s, live within a couple of hours of Ames, and his daughter just graduated from Iowa State and accepted a job in Ames. So the lure of family ties was pretty powerful, too. What an opportunity!

A national search will be conducted for Coach Pinkerton's replacement. He has lots to be proud of for what he accomplished with the Griz and we wish him all the best with the Cyclones.

DB

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