Brent Vigen - New Bobcat Head Coach

[coochorama42]

Thanks for the analysis. Well done.

From ndsu and Wyoming boards - sounds like we are going back to Solomon years...enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Earle Solomonson ran the veer option back in the 80's at MSU. Brent Vigen likes to run the ball from a variety of formations mixed in with a big play passing attack. QB has to be sharp in the intermediate to deep range (needs to hit his shots because they'll be there) and overall just efficient at running the offense (make the big play when its there).

MVFC - Offensive Ranks

2009 - Scoring Offense (3rd), Pass Offense (6th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (2nd) - Missed playoffs, went 2-6
2010 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (9th) - Lost to EWU in the Quarterfinals, beat MSU 42-14
2011 - Scoring Offense (2nd), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (5th), Total Offense (6th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 17-6
2012 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (4th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 39-13
2013 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (1st) - FCS Champion, beat Towson 35-7

Success as an offensive coordinator at NDSU was due to a gradual mix of establishing the trenches, recruiting outstanding OL/RBs, and QBs who execute. They never really needed a dual-threat guy who went for 500 yards of total offense. Just needed a guy who can take advantage of the big plays when they're there. Brock Jensen was so damn efficient on the clutch plays during their run from 2010-2013.

Mountain West - Offensive Ranks

2014 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2015 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (10th), Total Offense (8th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2016 - Scoring Offense (4th), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (4th) - Record was 6-2 (Conference)
2017 - Scoring Offense (10th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (12th), Total Offense (12th) - Record was 5-3 (Conference)
2018 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (10th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2019 - Scoring Offense (8th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (11th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2020 - Scoring Offense (5th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-4 (Conference)

The biggest struggle Wyoming has had under Bohl's tenure was getting the run game going in the Mountain West. They finally broke through in that area in 2018 but the passing offense suffered. They've had a QB carousel due to injuries since Josh Allen left. Its also crazy Brent's worst offense was back in 2017 (Josh Allen's last year). Overall, I really think they've struggled to recruit top talent at Wyoming. They've had great players at different positions throughout the years but Bohl has not kept up with other Mountain West schools and it shows every year. I think you can take a ton of negatives from Vigen's time at Wyoming but you can also take a ton of positives from his time at NDSU. He expects a lot out of his QBs in terms of efficiency which worked to perfection at NDSU and was mixed at Wyoming.

I think Brent is going to make a tremendous HEAD COACH and the offense will take care of itself based off the personnel we have. Hopefully we get a feel for what the staff is going to look like in the coming days. I think this guy is ready.

[BigBruceBaker]

From ndsu and Wyoming boards - sounds like we are going back to Solomon years...enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Earle Solomonson ran the veer option back in the 80's at MSU. Brent Vigen likes to run the ball from a variety of formations mixed in with a big play passing attack. QB has to be sharp in the intermediate to deep range (needs to hit his shots because they'll be there) and overall just efficient at running the offense (make the big play when its there).

MVFC - Offensive Ranks

2009 - Scoring Offense (3rd), Pass Offense (6th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (2nd) - Missed playoffs, went 2-6
2010 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (9th) - Lost to EWU in the Quarterfinals, beat MSU 42-14
2011 - Scoring Offense (2nd), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (5th), Total Offense (6th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 17-6
2012 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (4th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 39-13
2013 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (1st) - FCS Champion, beat Towson 35-7

Success as an offensive coordinator at NDSU was due to a gradual mix of establishing the trenches, recruiting outstanding OL/RBs, and QBs who execute. They never really needed a dual-threat guy who went for 500 yards of total offense. Just needed a guy who can take advantage of the big plays when they're there. Brock Jensen was so damn efficient on the clutch plays during their run from 2010-2013.

Mountain West - Offensive Ranks

2014 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2015 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (10th), Total Offense (8th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2016 - Scoring Offense (4th), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (4th) - Record was 6-2 (Conference)
2017 - Scoring Offense (10th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (12th), Total Offense (12th) - Record was 5-3 (Conference)
2018 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (10th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2019 - Scoring Offense (8th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (11th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2020 - Scoring Offense (5th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-4 (Conference)

The biggest struggle Wyoming has had under Bohl's tenure was getting the run game going in the Mountain West. They finally broke through in that area in 2018 but the passing offense suffered. They've had a QB carousel due to injuries since Josh Allen left. Its also crazy Brent's worst offense was back in 2017 (Josh Allen's last year). Overall, I really think they've struggled to recruit top talent at Wyoming. They've had great players at different positions throughout the years but Bohl has not kept up with other Mountain West schools and it shows every year. I think you can take a ton of negatives from Vigen's time at Wyoming but you can also take a ton of positives from his time at NDSU. He expects a lot out of his QBs in terms of efficiency which worked to perfection at NDSU and was mixed at Wyoming.

I think Brent is going to make a tremendous HEAD COACH and the offense will take care of itself based off the personnel we have. Hopefully we get a feel for what the staff is going to look like in the coming days. I think this guy is ready.

Recruiting to Wyoming cant' be easy. Recruiting against Colorado State about 2 hours down the road.....don't you lose every time?

I think with the quality of recruits Wyoming was a very decent team.

[Bocephus]

From ndsu and Wyoming boards - sounds like we are going back to Solomon years...enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Earle Solomonson ran the veer option back in the 80's at MSU. Brent Vigen likes to run the ball from a variety of formations mixed in with a big play passing attack. QB has to be sharp in the intermediate to deep range (needs to hit his shots because they'll be there) and overall just efficient at running the offense (make the big play when its there).

MVFC - Offensive Ranks

2009 - Scoring Offense (3rd), Pass Offense (6th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (2nd) - Missed playoffs, went 2-6
2010 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (9th) - Lost to EWU in the Quarterfinals, beat MSU 42-14
2011 - Scoring Offense (2nd), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (5th), Total Offense (6th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 17-6
2012 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (7th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (4th) - FCS Champion, beat SHSU 39-13
2013 - Scoring Offense (1st), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (1st), Total Offense (1st) - FCS Champion, beat Towson 35-7

Success as an offensive coordinator at NDSU was due to a gradual mix of establishing the trenches, recruiting outstanding OL/RBs, and QBs who execute. They never really needed a dual-threat guy who went for 500 yards of total offense. Just needed a guy who can take advantage of the big plays when they're there. Brock Jensen was so damn efficient on the clutch plays during their run from 2010-2013.

Mountain West - Offensive Ranks

2014 - Scoring Offense (7th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (7th), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2015 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (5th), Rushing Offense (10th), Total Offense (8th) - Record was 2-6 (Conference)
2016 - Scoring Offense (4th), Pass Offense (4th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (4th) - Record was 6-2 (Conference)
2017 - Scoring Offense (10th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (12th), Total Offense (12th) - Record was 5-3 (Conference)
2018 - Scoring Offense (11th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (4th), Total Offense (10th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2019 - Scoring Offense (8th), Pass Offense (11th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (11th) - Record was 4-4 (Conference)
2020 - Scoring Offense (5th), Pass Offense (9th), Rushing Offense (2nd), Total Offense (7th) - Record was 2-4 (Conference)

The biggest struggle Wyoming has had under Bohl's tenure was getting the run game going in the Mountain West. They finally broke through in that area in 2018 but the passing offense suffered. They've had a QB carousel due to injuries since Josh Allen left. Its also crazy Brent's worst offense was back in 2017 (Josh Allen's last year). Overall, I really think they've struggled to recruit top talent at Wyoming. They've had great players at different positions throughout the years but Bohl has not kept up with other Mountain West schools and it shows every year. I think you can take a ton of negatives from Vigen's time at Wyoming but you can also take a ton of positives from his time at NDSU. He expects a lot out of his QBs in terms of efficiency which worked to perfection at NDSU and was mixed at Wyoming.

I think Brent is going to make a tremendous HEAD COACH and the offense will take care of itself based off the personnel we have. Hopefully we get a feel for what the staff is going to look like in the coming days. I think this guy is ready.

Those last two years is exactly what I think this Bobcat team is built for. Scoring and Running!

[WyoFan]

Good luck, Vigen had ONE good year of Offense at UW and it was in 2016 with Josh Allen(QB) and Brian Hill(RB). WRs were previous staffs recruits as well. Just look at Overall NCCA FBS offensive ranks during his tenure..........horrible! I guess as a Wyoming fan we are going to find out if it was Vigen or if it is Bohls philosophy. But Wyoming fans arent sad to see him go, if he is indeed the MSU hire. Good luck and see you in Laramie for first game of the year.

[gtapp]

Weren't there 3 or 4 players on the hiring committee? They must have seen something they like or we would still be looking. Right??

[AFCAT]

[coloradocat]

Weren't there 3 or 4 players on the hiring committee? They must have seen something they like or we would still be looking. Right??

There were seven. I wonder how involved they were. Even if they only had veto authority that still means they're on board with Vigen.

[RickRund]

[quotAe=stevo post_id=722801 time=1612824397 user_id=4691]
For ****** sake...How we going to get to 100 pages on the other thread?
[/quote]

So true. This new hire really messed up a long thread

[Bocephus]

Weren't there 3 or 4 players on the hiring committee? They must have seen something they like or we would still be looking. Right??

There were seven. I wonder how involved they were. Even if they only had veto authority that still means they're on board with Vigen.

Should help bringing the rest of the team on board quicker if the leaders of the team had a stake in it and believe in the choice.

[RickRund]

From ndsu and Wyoming boards - sounds like we are going back to Solomon years...enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

And if I was reading it correctly quite a few from that message board to the west of BOBCAT Land!!

[RobertCats]

Curious as to why he would pick Montana State in 2021 and pass on returning to NDSU back in 2018? Perhaps he didn’t feel he was ready? Selfishly, I’m glad he did!

[Bozcat003]

Curious as to why he would pick Montana State in 2021 and pass on returning to NDSU back in 2018? Perhaps he didn’t feel he was ready? Selfishly, I’m glad he did!

Did NDSU offer him? Gosh you gotta question his decision making


To me, this is a perfect hire. Keep the power run game going. Very curious to see who he brings in as coaches. I’m hoping, and optimistic he will keep most of our coaches

[ND0479]

[homeytennis]

He had Josh Allen and Carson Wentz as QBs along the way.

[VimSince03]

He had Josh Allen and Carson Wentz as QBs along the way.

Had a hand in recruiting Brock Jensen (the equivalent to Kellen Moore in FCS Football lore), Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, and Josh Allen.

[Hawks86]

It will be interesting to see what he does for OC/QB coach. Does he do it himself and use that money for the other coaches?

[RobertCats]

It also looks like Coach has a son in high school, 6’2 QB at Laramie high

[utucats]

Good luck, Vigen had ONE good year of Offense at UW and it was in 2016 with Josh Allen(QB) and Brian Hill(RB). WRs were previous staffs recruits as well. Just look at Overall NCCA FBS offensive ranks during his tenure..........horrible! I guess as a Wyoming fan we are going to find out if it was Vigen or if it is Bohls philosophy. But Wyoming fans arent sad to see him go, if he is indeed the MSU hire. Good luck and see you in Laramie for first game of the year.

This is an example of my favorite flawed fan logic that exists. I’m sure Bohl just sat back helplessly as Vigen ran the offense into the ground

[VimSince03]

In the end, what I truly hope happens here is Brent builds this thing in his vision...not Choate's leftover vision. Doesn't mean we have to make wholesale changes as I don't think Choate and Vigen are too far apart in how they view what it takes to win football games. But it would be nice to have different perspective on certain things and that's what I'm excited to see as a fan. Personality-wise, Vigen is more of a cool, calm, and collected guy with a positive perspective on basically everything. All the NDSU boosters I know love the guy and really wanted him to get the job in 2018.

Quick shoutout to Buxton, ND (pop. 320), which is the home of Mr. Vigen. This actually gives me a good feeling that Montana recruiting won't take a hit at all.

[Catsrgrood]

From ndsu and Wyoming boards - sounds like we are going back to Solomon years...enjoyed the ride while it lasted.