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MISSOULA- University of Montana football coach Mick Delaney can officially remove the "interim" tag that he's been wearing for the past several months.

UM officials announced during a Thursday morning press conference that Delaney has signed a two year contract to be the head football coach.

The deal will expire on January 31, 2014. Delaney replaces Robin Pflugrad who was let go for undisclosed reasons at the end of March.

Delaney spent the last four years as UM's running backs coach before briefly retiring and moving back to his native Butte after last season.

"When I think of the qualities that are needed in a head coach, I think of among other things, expertise, mentorship, leadership," said Jean Gee, UM's interim athletic director, "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."

"This is a time to look toward a strong and vibrant future for Grizzly Athletics," said UM President Royce Engstrom. "In Mick Delaney, we have chosen a head coach who will lead us into that future. He is highly motivated himself, but he is also an exceptional motivator of others, including the players, coaches and staff around him. He understands the important role that Grizzly football plays at The University of Montana, and he has quickly earned our trust and respect."

Delaney said during the news conference that he will recruit players with the highest character and good academics. The veteran is now in his 46th season in the coaching profession, 30 of those at the collegiate level.