Is Peter Fields capable of finding a good coach?

[aucat]

I'm sorry, but I'm confused. Peter Fields made a big deal to point out that Brad Huse was NOT FIRED. Rather Huse resigned. Fields said he was not sure why he did. So then the next day I read that Huse will be paid his full salary for NOT WORKING! Am I missing something here? First of all, like everyone else, I wish Brad Huse the best. During his tenure here I never heard one person say the guy was anything but a fine classy individual. He just could not produce a team capable of competing for championships. That's the nature of the business of coaching on the collegiate level. If you can't win then don't expect to hold onto your job forever.

But let's focus on Peter Fields. If FIelds thought Huse was so good that last year Fields gave him a two year extension, then why in the world do we think Fields will be successful in leading a search for our new coach? Let's get down to the nitty gritty. Just what has Fields accomplished during his tenure as AD for MSU? Hopefully our football program has achieved a new level of performance, though last year's slide reminded us of the bad old days. We all hope that slide was a one year aberration. But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Other than our football program, the rest of MSU athletics is really pathetic--especially when you look around. Look at the success Weber has enjoyed in hoops. Look over to the state of North Dakota. NDSU is in the big dance and they've won, what, 3 straight NCs in football. The North Dakota women just hosted a BSC tournament and ND is going to the big dance. Now, would you rather be out on the cold, stark plains of North Dakota or here in Southwest Montana?

Then of course we have the legendary achievements of our rival, UM--in ALL sports, not just football. Hosting the Big Sky Conference hoops tournament has become almost an annual event for UM. Even now the UM women are playing in the NIT. They beat WSU in Missoula last night.

When was the last time MSU hosted a BSC tournament here in Bozeman by the men or women? Can anyone remember? Or worse yet, when was the last time MSU defeated UM in football, men's or women's basketball, or volleyball in a HOME game here in Bozeman? Can anyone remember? I think I remember the MSU men defeating UM in a basketball game about four years ago, but beyond that, it's been so long my memory dims.

So again, why is Peter Fields still on the job? Frankly, I hope that President Cruzado gets involved in our search for a new men's coach. Just the fact that Fields extended Huse's contract LAST YEAR when it was obvious to everyone (except Fields) that Huse was not going to ever raise the bar, tells me that Fields is not qualified to find an outstanding coach to lead our men's program.

[Hawks86]

Other than our football program, the rest of MSU athletics is really pathetic--especially when you look around.

Then of course we have the legendary achievements of our rival, UM--in ALL sports, not just football.

MSU won the mens all sports trophy in 2012-13

Under Fields MSU has 3 mens all-sports trophies compared to 1 for um during that time. Women have zero but um women only have 1 .

[SonomaCat]

I'm sorry, but I'm confused. Peter Fields made a big deal to point out that Brad Huse was NOT FIRED. Rather Huse resigned. Fields said he was not sure why he did. So then the next day I read that Huse will be paid his full salary for NOT WORKING! Am I missing something here?

This is pretty common in business and sports -- they say a guy wasn't fired or "pressured" to resign, but everybody knows that they actually were. It's a bit of polite professionalism.

[KittieKop]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

The football resurgance was well underway before Cruzado landed at MSU (4?? years ago)

If you look beyond basketball, I think you'll find most of athletics is reasonably successful. Indoor and outdoor track and field, tennis, golf, skiing......(I'll throw rodeo in there but I know its technically not).

Its already been pointed out the all-sports trophy awards. Is PF the best, brightest AD in the world? No, but I think he sometimes gets more blame and less credit than he deserves. I will wholeheartedly agree he blew it with the Huse extension last year.

[allcat]

He is still heads above Chuck.

[AlphaOAlum]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Neither. The Quarterback Club, which was in place before Fields or Cruzado arrived.

And, in a weird way, the Grizzlies. Every time the Griz won, the sour taste increased the generosity (desperation) of the MSU boosters. We became increasingly willing to open our pocketbooks and fund football.

[grizzh8r]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Neither. The Quarterback Club, which was in place before Fields or Cruzado arrived.

And, in a weird way, the Grizzlies. Every time the Griz won, the sour taste increased the generosity (desperation) of the MSU boosters. We became increasingly willing to open our pocketbooks and fund football.

And of course your father had a big role in the MSU Football resurgence... I'll always appreciate his work in getting MSU "up off the mat" and competitive again.

[AlphaOAlum]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Neither. The Quarterback Club, which was in place before Fields or Cruzado arrived.

And, in a weird way, the Grizzlies. Every time the Griz won, the sour taste increased the generosity (desperation) of the MSU boosters. We became increasingly willing to open our pocketbooks and fund football.

And of course your father had a big role in the MSU Football resurgence... I'll always appreciate his work in getting MSU "up off the mat" and competitive again.

Lol, I wasn't trolling for the compliment, but I appreciate it. The funding from the Quarterback Club is really what tipped the scales for MSU football. They hadn't had a budget increase between 1994 and 2000.

Between this and my other post about MSU being a coaching graveyard (?), I'm trying to take the perspective view on how and why MSU has been successful when it was. Truthfully, it comes down to money for gear and facilities. If the University isn't able to competitively fund the program the program won't be successful without subsidies from the private sector. And therein lies the need for an athletic director who sees the need for both a well-run organization and is a dynamic fundraiser (or can delegate to one).

[brucat5]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Neither. The Quarterback Club, which was in place before Fields or Cruzado arrived.

And, in a weird way, the Grizzlies. Every time the Griz won, the sour taste increased the generosity (desperation) of the MSU boosters. We became increasingly willing to open our pocketbooks and fund football.

And of course your father had a big role in the MSU Football resurgence... I'll always appreciate his work in getting MSU "up off the mat" and competitive again.

Lol, I wasn't trolling for the compliment, but I appreciate it. The funding from the Quarterback Club is really what tipped the scales for MSU football. They hadn't had a budget increase between 1994 and 2000.

Between this and my other post about MSU being a coaching graveyard (?), I'm trying to take the perspective view on how and why MSU has been successful when it was. Truthfully, it comes down to money for gear and facilities. If the University isn't able to competitively fund the program the program won't be successful without subsidies from the private sector. And therein lies the need for an athletic director who sees the need for both a well-run organization and is a dynamic fundraiser (or can delegate to one).

This...x 1 billion. Feter Pields...our non leader leader.

[PHAT CAT]

He is still heads above Chuck.

Oh, that's no BS. Up-Chuck was bad.

[John K]

Other than our football program, the rest of MSU athletics is really pathetic--especially when you look around.

Then of course we have the legendary achievements of our rival, UM--in ALL sports, not just football.

MSU won the mens all sports trophy in 2012-13

Under Fields MSU has 3 mens all-sports trophies compared to 1 for um during that time. Women have zero but um women only have 1 .

So apparently we're pretty good at the sports that most people don't really care much about, and which get zero media attention? I don't mean to denigrate the efforts of the athletes who compete in those other sports, but the fact is that not many MSU fans are going to go around bragging about our exploits in golf, or XCC, or track, or skiing, or whatever. Most fans really only pay attention to FB, MBB, WBB, and maybe VB to some degree, and we haven't been very good at any of those sports in recent years, except for FB.

[John K]

But who was really responsible for the resurgence of MSU football? Was it Fields or President Cruzado?

Neither. The Quarterback Club, which was in place before Fields or Cruzado arrived.

And, in a weird way, the Grizzlies. Every time the Griz won, the sour taste increased the generosity (desperation) of the MSU boosters. We became increasingly willing to open our pocketbooks and fund football.

And of course your father had a big role in the MSU Football resurgence... I'll always appreciate his work in getting MSU "up off the mat" and competitive again.

Amen!! And didn't he play a pretty big role in getting the QBC up and running?

[BigBruceBaker]

Kramer had a huge roll in the resurgence.

Out of curiosity who hired Kramer?

[AlphaOAlum]

Kramer had a huge roll in the resurgence.

Out of curiosity who hired Kramer?

Chuck Lindemann and Mike Malone, about 20 days before Malone died on the tarmac at Gallatin Field.

If I were to write a book about MSU football, the opening scene would be Malone's heart attack.

[CatBlitz]

Kramer had a huge roll in the resurgence.

Out of curiosity who hired Kramer?

Chuck Lindemann and Mike Malone, about 20 days before Malone died on the tarmac at Gallatin Field.

If I were to write a book about MSU football, the opening scene would be Malone's heart attack.

I have not heard this. I would be very interested. I don't know a ton about MSU's history (at least with administration) pre-Kramer era.

[aucat]

How about the athletic program at NDSU! 3 straight NCs in football and not only do they get in the big dance, they whip Oklahoma. Guess they pour lots more money into coaches than we do?? Better AD?? Whatever it is, it works!