by US Fed News

University of Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen announced on Monday that Pete Kaligis has joined the Wyoming Football staff as its new offensive line coach. Kaligis comes to Wyoming from the University of Montana, where he was an assistant coach for the Grizzlies the past four seasons. "Pete Kaligis is a winner, and he has proven that with the success he has enjoyed as both a college coach and former college player," said Christensen. "He has not only been a successful coach at the University of Montana, but was a member of Washington's 1991 National Championship team as a player.

He understands what it takes to win at this level of competition, and I'm excited about the intensity and knowledge he will bring to coaching our offensive line." Kaligis helped lead Montana to the 2008 National Championship game where the Griz concluded the season as the national runner-up in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Montana ended the season ranked No. 2 in the nation in both the final FCS Coaches' Poll and the Sports Network's FCS Poll. He has coached the Grizzly offensive line the past three seasons. His first season at UM he worked with tight ends and offensive tackles and also served as UM's recruiting coordinator for three years. "I'm blessed and honored to be here at the University of Wyoming," said Kaligis. "I'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Coach (Dave) Christensen. I admire what he was able to accomplish at the University of Missouri with Coach (Gary) Pinkel and their staff. I can't say enough about how pleased I am to come here and coach with what I think will be a great staff." In 2008, Kaligis coached senior offensive guard Colin Dow at Montana. Dow was named First Team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation in `08. Dow also earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors, while Montana offensive linemen Levi Horn, Brent Russum and J.D. Quinn all earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors and O-linemen Chris Dyk and Terran Hillseland were named Honorable Mention All-Big Sky in `08. The 2007 season saw junior tackle Brent Russum and junior guard/center J.D. Quinn were First Team All-Big Sky Conference selections, while center Colin Dow was a second team pick, and senior tackle Cody Balogh and junior guard Dan Carter were named honorable mention. Before joining the Grizzly coaching staff, he was the head strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, the University of Washington, from 2002-2004. From 1999-2001 he was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Huskies. After graduating from Washington in 1994, Kaligis was an assistant football coach at Western Washington University in his hometown of Bellingham, Wash. He was the assistant tight end/strength coach there from 1994-96, and was the assistant defensive line/strength coach at WWU from 1996-97. During his tenure at WWU, he coached two All-America defensive ends, and his team advanced to the NCAA Division II title game in 1996. He was a teacher and coach at Meridian Middle School in Bellingham in 1998-99. Kaligis played strong guard for the Washington Huskies and former head football coach Don James when they captured the 1991 National Championship. He was an All-American in track and field in the shot put. His personal best in the shot put in college was 62' 8". He won the gold medal at the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival, and placed third in the 1995 University Games. He participated in the 1996 Olympic Trials in track and field in the shot put, where he had a throw of 65' 8". Kaligis earned his B.A. degree in sociology and law enforcement at Washington in 1994. Pete and his wife Kristine have a daughter, Harlie Grace, and a son, Cooper.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

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