Missoula, MT (Sports Network) - New Montana football coach Mick Delaney no longer has an interim tag after he signed a two-year contract on Thursday.

The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2014.

In an offseason at Montana that was troubled with arrests, alleged sexual assaults and the firing of both head coach Robin Pflugrad and athletic director Jim O'Day, the Grizzlies' current interim athletic director, Jean Gee, said she hopes to move forward with the decision to ink the veteran Delaney.

"When I think of the qualities that are needed in a head coach, I think of, among other things, expertise, mentorship, leadership," Gee said, "but above all else, I think of integrity. When I contemplated those qualities, there really was no question that the right thing to do for this team and all of Griz Nation was to remove the interim title and offer Mick Delaney a two-year contract."

Delaney is no stranger to the game, having spent 30 years as a coach at the collegiate level. He also is familiar with the Griz, having spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach working with running backs, as well as taking on the role as associate head coach.

"He understands the important role that Grizzly football plays at The University of Montana, and he has quickly earned our trust and respect," University of Montana president Royce Engstrom said. "Coach Delaney will strengthen even further the grand tradition of Grizzly football, and he will work tirelessly to provide a supportive and competitive environment for our student-athletes."

Delaney's Montana debut will be Sept. 1, when the Grizzlies host South Dakota.

The Sports Network