Bobby Daly
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobby Daly Rejoins Bobcat Football Staff as Defensive Coordinator
2/13/2026 9:12:00 AM | Football
Decorated former player and assistant coach returns to alma mater
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Feb. 13, 2026) – Bobby Daly, one of the greatest linebackers in Bobcat history and a Montana State assistant coach from 2019-24, has rejoined the program as defensive coordinator, head coach Brent Vigen announced Thursday.
Daly returns to the Bobcats after a season as defensive coordinator at UTEP, where he also coached Bandits. During his five campaigns at Montana State (2019-24) he coached four All-America linebackers and six first team all-league selections, and mentored one All-CUSA choice at UTEP.
A Helena Capital product, Daly joined the Bobcat coaching staff as linebackers coach in 2019 after six seasons at Idaho. He was elevated to assistant head coach in 2022, and defensive coordinator in 2024. His time on MSU's defensive staff includes one of the best defensive eras in program history, with the Cats rising from 23rd in the FCS in scoring defense during his first season as linebackers coach to 11th when he called defensive signals in 2024. MSU finished sixth in that category in 2021.
Linebackers coached by Daly is a distinguished list, including Idaho's Christian Elliss, now a member of the New England Patriots, and MSU star Troy Andersen, who is with the Atlanta Falcons. Callahan O'Reilly (2022) and McCade O'Reilly (2024) earned All-America honors under Daly's tutelage, along with First Team All-Big Sky Bobcats Josh Hill and Amandre Williams. Idaho's Kaden Elliss also earned all-league kudos.
Daly stands among MSU's most decorated and productive linebackers, earning 1st Team All-Big Sky and 1st Team All-America honors as a junior in 2007, and Honorable Mention All-America and 2nd Team All-Big Sky as senior in 2008. His 382 career tackles remains 4th in MSU history. He played professionally for the Billings Outlaws of the Indoor Football League from 2009-11.
Daly's coaching career began at Idaho in 2013 as a graduate assistant. He became Director of Football Operations in 2015, and linebackers coach in 2017. The 2016 Vandals won the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. After returning to his alma mater in 2019, he helped lead the Cats to the FCS playoffs each season, to the FCS Championship Game in 2021 and 2024, and to the semifinals in 2019 and 2022.
Like his father J. before him and his brother Brad after, Bobby Daly was a Bobcat team captain. He and Brad are both members of the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame.
#GoCatsGo
Daly returns to the Bobcats after a season as defensive coordinator at UTEP, where he also coached Bandits. During his five campaigns at Montana State (2019-24) he coached four All-America linebackers and six first team all-league selections, and mentored one All-CUSA choice at UTEP.
A Helena Capital product, Daly joined the Bobcat coaching staff as linebackers coach in 2019 after six seasons at Idaho. He was elevated to assistant head coach in 2022, and defensive coordinator in 2024. His time on MSU's defensive staff includes one of the best defensive eras in program history, with the Cats rising from 23rd in the FCS in scoring defense during his first season as linebackers coach to 11th when he called defensive signals in 2024. MSU finished sixth in that category in 2021.
Linebackers coached by Daly is a distinguished list, including Idaho's Christian Elliss, now a member of the New England Patriots, and MSU star Troy Andersen, who is with the Atlanta Falcons. Callahan O'Reilly (2022) and McCade O'Reilly (2024) earned All-America honors under Daly's tutelage, along with First Team All-Big Sky Bobcats Josh Hill and Amandre Williams. Idaho's Kaden Elliss also earned all-league kudos.
Daly stands among MSU's most decorated and productive linebackers, earning 1st Team All-Big Sky and 1st Team All-America honors as a junior in 2007, and Honorable Mention All-America and 2nd Team All-Big Sky as senior in 2008. His 382 career tackles remains 4th in MSU history. He played professionally for the Billings Outlaws of the Indoor Football League from 2009-11.
Daly's coaching career began at Idaho in 2013 as a graduate assistant. He became Director of Football Operations in 2015, and linebackers coach in 2017. The 2016 Vandals won the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. After returning to his alma mater in 2019, he helped lead the Cats to the FCS playoffs each season, to the FCS Championship Game in 2021 and 2024, and to the semifinals in 2019 and 2022.
Like his father J. before him and his brother Brad after, Bobby Daly was a Bobcat team captain. He and Brad are both members of the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame.
#GoCatsGo
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