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Kent Haslam, in his third year as the University of Montana’s athletic director, will soon make his biggest hire yet with the Grizzlies.

But not too soon. He’s not in that big of a hurry to get it done.

“I want to take as long as it takes to get the right person,” Haslam, who was named AD on Sept. 13, 2012 -- roughly 5 1/2 months after Mick Delaney was named interim coach -- said Monday. “I hate to say, ‘By this date.’ The season’s not over yet. I want to work quickly, but I also want to be judicious in the process.”

Delaney announced Sunday night that he was retiring as coach. His Griz are chasing a second Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth in his three seasons as head coach, and a victory in the 114th Brawl of the Wild on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium should assure that.

Haslam is trying to focus on that for the time being.

“Mick Delaney’s our head coach and his job is to continue being our head coach,” Haslam said. “He’ll continue working with recruits and the community. We have the luxury to know he’s retiring and not in a hurry to get to his next job.