Vigen Speaks to Utah State about HC Opening

[Prodigal Cat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

[coloradocat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Some would argue it's not basically the same job. Sure, the job title is the same, but if you're fighting to win half your games with a less enthusiastic administration and fanbase, is that the same job as a perennial top 5 FCS team with great support that is/should be always in the running for a national championship? For some people it's all about the money, for others there are additional considerations.

[lutecat]

Vigen deserves a good gig when he decides to leave.

Fresno State is better than USU.

2 names I had never heard before they came to Bozeman. Jeff Choate. Brent Vigen.

In Costello we trust.

Not to nitpick, but Choate, incredibly, was a Peter Fields hire.

He also couldn't stand Costello.

Really? I hadn't heard that.

[wbtfg]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Some would argue it's not basically the same job. Sure, the job title is the same, but if you're fighting to win half your games with a less enthusiastic administration and fanbase, is that the same job as a perennial top 5 FCS team with great support that is/should be always in the running for a national championship? For some people it's all about the money, for others there are additional considerations.

I don’t think USU has the resources to be a serious contender in the MWC. I can’t think of a USU coach who has gone on to have success. It’s also a school where football is second fiddle to basketball.

That said. It’s probably a salary increase of close to $1mil/year.

[BleedingBLue]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Some would argue it's not basically the same job. Sure, the job title is the same, but if you're fighting to win half your games with a less enthusiastic administration and fanbase, is that the same job as a perennial top 5 FCS team with great support that is/should be always in the running for a national championship? For some people it's all about the money, for others there are additional considerations.

I don’t think USU has the resources to be a serious contender in the MWC. I can’t think of a USU coach who has gone on to have success. It’s also a school where football is second fiddle to basketball.

That said. It’s probably a salary increase of close to $1mil/year.

Hopefully they have resources since they're moving to the Pac.

[GoCats18]

As long as we bring home the Nattey, I wish him well if he goes. This is just something that we all knew was going to happen at some point and he and the staff deserve to take better paying jobs.

[tetoncat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

I've had that option and chose to stay in MT. Vigen doesn't have those ties though. I would guess he is making 400 a year with all his bonus and media. Not bad. But one big contract could be life changing I guess.

[GoCats18]

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. After his stint at UNLV, Hauck was at San Diego State as a special teams coach before coming back to UM. He could have stayed at the FBS level and probably moved on to better coaching jobs. Several FCS coaches have gone up only to come back to this level. I get moving on, but I respect the hell out of a coach that stays put and wants to make history.

[D-Wreck]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Heck no!





But I was just laid off, so 0x4=0

[onceacat]

It would be nice to get a coach who just wants to stay here, like Coach Binford.

No coach that’s good enough to win championships here is going to want to stay here.

Not exactly the same, but I can think of a few examples:

John Steigelmeir at SDSU
Mark Few has lived for 20+ years in Spo-Compton
Kyle Whittingham at Utah.

Booby Hauck

Not necessarily guys who've won championships, but guys who've stuck around at underpaid, under appreciated schools relative to more prestigious or higher paid jobs elsewhere.

(BTW, I think Vigen will leave, probably sooner, rather than later, just that there are a handful of excellent coaches good enough to win championships willing to take a pay cut to stay someplace they like)

Stigs took quite a while to win a championship. Also an alum and from a different era.

Mark Few isn't comparable at all. Gonzaga is a top tier basketball program. There aren't many schools that he could go to that would pay better and provide a significant competitive advantage. Plus he's essentially got tenure there.

Whittingham is getting paid millions, is in a major conference, and quite frankly, Mormon coaches don't like to leave Utah.

This isn't the same as as coach getting paid $300k in a lower level of football turning down million dollar jobs. Stigs is the closest example, and I just don't think there's too many guys like that anymore.

Mark Few started coaching at Gonzaga in the late 90s, back when I was there. Hes still vastly underpaid-makes <$2m/year, which isn't even Top 50 for coaches. Plus, he has to live in Spokane, which is something like a million dollar penalty. He probably started at <$100k.

Wittingham took over Utah when the Utes were still in the Mountain West, so I think thats a totally valid comparison. LDS? Maybe. He also started as HC at probably well under $200k.

Booby took a pay cut to come back & coach the gris and made it to the chipper last year.

If your point is that it takes a special set of circumstances to get a coach of that quality to stay, then sure. But there are plenty of coaches who take pay cuts to coach at a place where they want to be instead of chasing bigger payouts who are all on the cusp (or have won) national championships. Those were 4 who came to the front of my mind. I'm sure there are others, but those guys took under 30 seconds.

[onceacat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Heck no!





But I was just laid off, so 0x4=0

I think its a bit of a stretch to say that a G5 coaching job is somehow the same job as an FCS job.

For some people, at least, the extra responsibility and the association with a far lower quality program wouldn't be worth it. For others it would.

I can't imagine that Vigen is going to jump at the first lower tier MWC opportunity that presents itself. I have zero special insight, but I have to believe he is going to be on the lookout for something significantly better.

[Cataholic]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Some would argue it's not basically the same job. Sure, the job title is the same, but if you're fighting to win half your games with a less enthusiastic administration and fanbase, is that the same job as a perennial top 5 FCS team with great support that is/should be always in the running for a national championship? For some people it's all about the money, for others there are additional considerations.

I don’t think USU has the resources to be a serious contender in the MWC. I can’t think of a USU coach who has gone on to have success. It’s also a school where football is second fiddle to basketball.

That said. It’s probably a salary increase of close to $1mil/year.

They have actually been better than I originally thought. They have been to a bowl game the last 11 out 12 seasons. They won a conference championship in 2021 as well.

[seataccat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Heck no!





But I was just laid off, so 0x4=0

I think its a bit of a stretch to say that a G5 coaching job is somehow the same job as an FCS job.

For some people, at least, the extra responsibility and the association with a far lower quality program wouldn't be worth it. For others it would.

I can't imagine that Vigen is going to jump at the first lower tier MWC opportunity that presents itself. I have zero special insight, but I have to believe he is going to be on the lookout for something significantly better.

If Coach Vigan is offered the job at USU or Fresno State there is no way he's going to turn it down to stay in Bozeman unless they really try to low ball him. Thinking that somehow MSU has this cachet that is better than some mountain west jobs is pretty silly. The USU head coach will make ~$1.4 million this year. Vigan is in his prime earning years and those opportunities come when they come and that happens to be this year. Next year might be an entirely different circumstance.

[MSU01]

Reading about all these job openings, a common theme that emerges is that the schools want to have someone in place quickly to get started when the transfer portal opens this coming Monday. And that makes a lot of sense because if you're a school that's changing coaches you likely have a lot of outgoing transfers who are going to need to be replaced. So, if we want Coach Vigen to be the coach at MSU next year the best way for that to happen is for MSU to keep winning and still be playing in January. A decade ago maybe a team would've waited around for a month for their guy to become available, but I can't see it now when doing so will put you way behind in the portal market.

[onceacat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

Heck no!





But I was just laid off, so 0x4=0

I think its a bit of a stretch to say that a G5 coaching job is somehow the same job as an FCS job.

For some people, at least, the extra responsibility and the association with a far lower quality program wouldn't be worth it. For others it would.

I can't imagine that Vigen is going to jump at the first lower tier MWC opportunity that presents itself. I have zero special insight, but I have to believe he is going to be on the lookout for something significantly better.

If Coach Vigan is offered the job at USU or Fresno State there is no way he's going to turn it down to stay in Bozeman unless they really try to low ball him. Thinking that somehow MSU has this cachet that is better than some mountain west jobs is pretty silly. The USU head coach will make ~$1.4 million this year. Vigan is in his prime earning years and those opportunities come when they come and that happens to be this year. Next year might be an entirely different circumstance.

Eh...I wouldn't really be surprised either way. Vigen will make well over $500k this year. Would an additional $900k ($600k after taxes) be worth taking over a 3 win program? One that has to compete with something like 47 other D1 schools for in state talent?

Especially when theres an opening 60 miles south for a $2m Offensive Co-ordinator?

And you don't think there will be more, better offers for Vigen for a power 5 job down the road?

Vigen has seen what happens to quality FCS coaches who take crappy jobs (Bohl, Glenn, Hauck, Troy Taylor). He took a $100-$200k pay cut to come to Bozeman (I think Polsacks base salary at Wyoming is $350 or so), so the idea that hes got one foot out the door seems more than a little far fetched.

These jobs aren't "When they Come"...for a guy like Vigen, he will get to choose between several, if not dozens. These jobs are open every single year.

Thats not saying he wouldn't go...I just don't think that he took the step down & pay cut from Wyoming OC to come to Bozeman in order to get the HC job in Logan.

Knowing how many better opportunities are in the pipeline, it would be hard to jump to a crappy job, even with a $600k bump in pay. Vigen is no Jeff Choate.

[onceacat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

I've had that option and chose to stay in MT. Vigen doesn't have those ties though. I would guess he is making 400 a year with all his bonus and media. Not bad. But one big contract could be life changing I guess.

Troy Taylor went from Sac State to Sacramento...salary details aren't public according to the Googles, but the average P5 coach makes $6m/year, so it must be somewhere well north of $3m. Chris Kliman is making $5.5m/year at K-State. Neon Dion is making just under $6m at Colorado.

A good FCS head coach should be shopping for a promotion in the $3-4m range, I can't for the life of me understand why Vigen would seriously consider $1.5 at Utah or Fresno if money is his motivator.

[BigBruceBaker]

Vigen isn’t going to USU.

[Helcat72]

If he does go...maybe Brian Day will be available soon after that game with Michigan last Saturday. Lol.

Of course watching all the devastating losses and bad decisions he has made through the years I don't think he's a good choice for anyone.

[nanacat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

I've had that option and chose to stay in MT. Vigen doesn't have those ties though. I would guess he is making 400 a year with all his bonus and media. Not bad. But one big contract could be life changing I guess.

He doesn't have ties to Montana, well except for his sons who are/will be playing at MSU. But I'm certain he has ties to North Dakota, so Montana, even Wyoming, are within reasonable driving distance. Would he continue to move west or southwest away from his ties? Maybe. Certainly the money aspect is there, but he's got a wife and family to consider as well. I feel like Vigen is the type of guy that will make a calculated move, when he does, that meets more than one need.

But for now a National Championship is his focus and talk of a new gig is a distraction that neither he or the team need. Perhaps he's been approached, but I can't see him allowing anything to complicate the goal in front of this team. He's also building a program, and it's taken some time. If/when he leaves there will be something in place to continue to build on, which is fantastic, but my gut tells me he'll stick around at least another year to continue that process. Guess we'll see come January.

[Prodigal Cat]

I've got to wonder if being outside the P5 in the FBS is really even worth it? Sure you get paid more, but then you're running a mediocre program with mediocre enthusiasm from the fanbase.

I've got to think that the quality of life in BZN along with being an actual contending program in the FCS would be more valuable.

If you could quadruple your salary next year doing the basically the same job would you do it?

I've had that option and chose to stay in MT. Vigen doesn't have those ties though. I would guess he is making 400 a year with all his bonus and media. Not bad. But one big contract could be life changing I guess.

Mendenhall and Choate signed deals in the 5-6 million range for 4 years last year. As a school headed to the Pac there should be even more money for the football Coach. If you were able to hang on to the job for 10 years with multiple contracts that's probably somewhere in the 15 to 20 million range. Not just set up you and your wife, that's moving into generational type wealth for your kids as well. I'd definitely move to Logan or Fresno for 10 years with the plan to retire where I want.