Shann Schillinger
Montana: Shann has played in 42 consecutive games. He is the Grizzlies’ leading returning tackler with 108 stops a year ago.
2008: He started in all 16 games and was Montana’s second leading tackler. He led the Grizzlies with 10 pass deflections, and his .88 passes defended per game ranked him ninth in the Big Sky Conference.
He had a team-leading (tie) four interceptions. He also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (two) and fumble recoveries (two). He had five or more tackles in 14 of 16 games, and eight or more stops in six contests.
He was a second team All-Big Sky selection. He was chosen the recipient of UM’s 2008 Tony Barbour Award (Best Exemplifies Grizzly Football).
2007: He played in all 12 games, and although he did not start, he was the team’s 10th-leading tackler. He was tied with two other players for the most fumble recoveries with two.
2006: He played in all 14 games.
2005: He was slated to play as a “true” freshman but suffered a leg injury and was forced to redshirt.
High School: He was a four-year letterman in football, and his varsity teams had an amazing overall record of 49-1. He was a two-time all-state selection. As a senior he passed for 1,059 yards and 15 touchdowns, rushed for 650 yards and 14 touchdowns, and had three interceptions.
He was a team captain for the East (along with Griz teammate Shawn Lebsock) in Montana’s annual East-West Shrine Game. He also played in the Knights of Columbus Badlands Bowl (Montana-North Dakota All-Star Game). He lettered four times in both basketball and track. His head football coach was his uncle, Don Schillinger.
Career Highs: He had 12 tackles (seven unassisted, as well as a forced fumble) in UM’s 35-27 FCS semifinal win at James Madison last season. He had two interceptions against Idaho State in 2008.
Personal: He is majoring in history. His parents are Jim and Debi Schillinger of Baker. Birth date: May 22, 1986. His dad, Jim Schillinger, is the head track coach at Baker High School, an assistant football coach there, and was a running back for the Grizzlies in 1969-70. His older brother Jace was a running back at Dickinson (N.D.) State and is that school’s all-time leading rusher.
Says Coach Hauck: “Shann has a big frame. He also has great speed. He is a good all-around athlete. He’s smart. He gets himself in a position to make plays. I think he will have tremendous production for us at the safety position. It’s a playmaker’s position, and he’s got the ability to make a lot of plays there for us this year. It’s great to have a safety with great ball skills like Shann has.”