Why the Cats should pursue Mike Van Diest

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:34 pm

I'm not giving up on Kramer, but since we're talking about it Mark Samson at Northern might be the hot coach to go after. He nearly knocked off CC in Helena last week and has only been at it for 2+ years. We'll see what happens in Havre later this year.

Samson is the son-in-law of former Carroll coach Bob Petrino, Sr., which means he's the bro-in-law of Bobby and Paul Petrino. I'd call that connected. Bobby about as hot a coach as there is on the nation and Paul has to be one of the most sought after asst. coaches. I think Bob, Sr. put in at MSU when both Solomonson and Hysell were hired.

That's not something I like to think about, but think about it: Sr. takes over in '86, brings Paul with him to play and has Jr. and Mark as assistants. Imagine the possibilities. Sr. retires, Bobby takes over, Bobby moves on, Mark takes over, Mark moves on, Paul takes over, Paul moves on, then Kyle Samson (Northern QB) takes over....I think I have us into my grandkids now.

LTown Cat · Post by **LTown Cat** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:51 pm

crazycat wrote:I'm not giving up on Kramer, but since we're talking about it Mark Samson at Northern might be the hot coach to go after. He nearly knocked off CC in Helena last week and has only been at it for 2+ years. We'll see what happens in Havre later this year.

Samson is the son-in-law of former Carroll coach Bob Petrino, Sr., which means he's the bro-in-law of Bobby and Paul Petrino. I'd call that connected. Bobby about as hot a coach as there is on the nation and Paul has to be one of the most sought after asst. coaches. I think Bob, Sr. put in at MSU when both Solomonson and Hysell were hired.

That's not something I like to think about, but think about it: Sr. takes over in '86, brings Paul with him to play and has Jr. and Mark as assistants. Imagine the possibilities. Sr. retires, Bobby takes over, Bobby moves on, Mark takes over, Mark moves on, Paul takes over, Paul moves on, then Kyle Samson (Northern QB) takes over....I think I have us into my grandkids now.

Boy do those Helena boys know football!!

buzzy · Post by **buzzy** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:53 pm

i occasionally view the egriz message board and there was a thread about van diest several months ago. it was stated in that thread by a number of griz faithful that they didnt think VD could coach at the 1-AA level. to be fair i think several griz fans defended VD in that thread but did not talk positively to the extent he has been "talked up" in this thread....

should hauck move on, there would no doubt be great interest nation wide for the Griz HC job. it would be a mistake of the selection committee not to consider mike van diest just because he is at the NAIA level.

to that point, someone on this thread mentioned that it would be a couple level jump up from NAIA to D-1AA....keep in mind carroll defeated central washington 3 years in a row (2002-04) and CWU dropped them from their schedule due to the embarrassing losses. that is the same school that beat EWU before they dumped the Cats last week. also, Central is in the same D-II conference as North Dakoka - they are coming off an early season win over mighty Norhtern Iowa. i'm not one to say because so and so beat so and so that carroll could beat the cats but the level of ball is not as great as you might think.....

buzzy · Post by **buzzy** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:00 pm

crazycat: RUMOR here in Htown is that samson will move on in two more years after establishing himself as a college coach and take a position under paul when he moves on...

samson has done a tremendous job to turn around that program in havre...can you imagine trying to recruit to havre, montana? (not meant as a put down to you bluepony fans)

in my opinion, if samson would have been at Helena Capital last season his coaching ability would have carried the Bruins to a state title over billings west rather than a 24-17 defeat....

RedCat · Post by **RedCat** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:07 pm

buzzy wrote:crazycat: RUMOR here in Htown is that samson will move on in two more years after establishing himself as a college coach and take a position under paul when he moves on...

samson has done a tremendous job to turn around that program in havre...can you imagine trying to recruit to havre, montana? (not meant as a put down to you bluepony fans)

in my opinion, if samson would have been at Helena Capital last season his coaching ability would have carried the Bruins to a state title over billings west rather than a 24-17 defeat....

Hey now, I don't know if you've heard this or not, but "Havre has it," and "it's the people."

all sarcasm aside, you're right, he must be one hell of a coach.

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:12 pm

buzzy wrote:crazycat: RUMOR here in Htown is that samson will move on in two more years after establishing himself as a college coach and take a position under paul when he moves on...

samson has done a tremendous job to turn around that program in havre...can you imagine trying to recruit to havre, montana? (not meant as a put down to you bluepony fans)

in my opinion, if samson would have been at Helena Capital last season his coaching ability would have carried the Bruins to a state title over billings west rather than a 24-17 defeat....

Frankly, and with all due respect to Samson, the Capitol coach, whoever he is, did an amazing job in giving West a game last year. 21-17, I believe was the score. Maybe you're right, but West was loaded and much more talented than Capitol. Isn't Capitol rolling again this year after losing big numbers to graduation last year? If you're a fan of theirs, you should be pretty happy with what you got.

I don't doubt that Samson will be moving on to coach with Paul and Bobby once he gets established. Logical move. He's good and he's related. Unless he just doesn't want to. I'd think it'd cause a family uproar if Bobby doesn't at least offer him a position once one comes open. But, if in the meantime, that doesn't happen and things go completely haywire here, I'd think Samson would get a look. MSU will also be looking at established I-A assistant coaches, DII head coaches. There's lots of coaches out there.

buzzy · Post by **buzzy** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:27 pm

crazycat: that 2005 west team was loaded but so was capital. capital controlled the line of scrimmage/momentum and rolled to a 17-7 halftime lead....but when bruins lost the peterson kid to injury, they seem to loose the momenturm. west scored twice in the 4th quarter to win....my point is the current capital coach made no adjustments in the second half - samson would have found a way to win the game !

LoyalCat · Post by **LoyalCat** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:29 pm

and thats why he is at the college level now

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:25 pm

buzzy wrote:some things that need to be cleared up in regards to mike van diest. dont kid yourselves, the man is very qualified to coach at the 1-AA level. the cat nation would be extremely fortunate to land him as head coach.

also, last season, after it was made public kramer had put in for the Idaho job, VD got his coaching staff together and told them he would put in for the MSU job if Kramer took the U of I job.

if kramer was fired, rather than moved on - that would have NO effect on whether VD put in for the cat job. also, his family would be very understanding if he took the head job at MSU.

finally, mike is looking out for his staff and although he is happy with the current salary at CC, his staff is horribly underpaid - another reason to move on from Htown.

Now this sounds very positive as far as I am concerned. When I started this blog I didn't know the availability of Van Diest. I looked at his record, his credentials, and his State pride. Since then I have heard nothing but reasons why he wouldn't come. This is great!

Too early to tell where this might lead but I like this option if Kramer fails to turn this around.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:38 pm

I really can't see the Cats pulling Van Diest and his staff to assist Kramer. Give him the head job after Kramer is let go or moves on. If he is able to win the rest of the games somebody else might give him a job.

Samson might be another up and coming canidate. If I had the choice I would still go with Van Diest.

catsrback76 · Post by **catsrback76** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:51 pm

BR GRIZ wrote:
buzzy wrote:catsbacker76: the majority of the griz faithful are so arrogant they consider VD below them...fortunately for VD the new Athletic Director at UM is a good one and would not let someone of his caliber get away without a fight....
I'm not sure where you get your information concerning what the Griz faithful consider. Both Glenn and VanDiest were highly thought of when they left, and I know of no one who thought it was beneath them when Glenn came back. What makes you think the Griz faithful will think it is below them if VanDiest is asked to come back?

Exactly buzzy-to think that Van Diest is below you is not only the height of arrogance but also shows you have zero football insight. He is a coach that has more than proven himself at every level. Both the Griz and Bobcats would be wise to think about him for their future.

On a side note: don't think that Hauck is staying put. If you have a good season like this is shaping up to be, he will bolt at any next level offer... and then listen to the names floated for the Grizzly position... Van Diest will be in the top 3 GUARANTEED!

IF we don't get him first.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:35 pm

Thread closed.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:17 am

There have been a lot of Griz coming on here and saying that the Cats have no chance at Van Diest and that it is crazy to even being talking about him. I had a feeling there was a alternatie motive behind it. MSU had better take a look at there options when the time comes and it should be sooner than later. VD isn't the only coach out there but he has to be one of the most qualified. He is a Montana guy that can win. Seems like he is the perfect age to stay with a program for a while before he retires. Just my point of view am I on the right track?

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:04 am

I see the Gazette has picked up on the discontent of Cat fans. Check out the article and blog your opinion.l

Cat_gld · Post by **Cat_gld** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:36 am

I urge some caution when demanding change and the names you drop, lest you get your wish and you still aren't happy. If there is a change, the new guy may not be familiar to many of us. And, I would suspect that some of us will still be unhappy.

The silver lining is that Doug Fullerton is not here to fire and hire coaches any more. However he does hire the guys in stripes that has everyone holding their nose.

I tend to lean with those that don't believe that firing a coach is not always the best way to find a 'better' one.

vike_king · Post by **vike_king** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:00 pm

twentythreeOh4 wrote:
duelalumnicat wrote:Didn't Earle Solmonson win at least one National championship at NDSU?
Earle won back-to-back D-II National Championships at NDSU.

This was my first thought when I started reading this thread........but, VanDiest's teams playe 21st century football so it wouldn't be as bad as hiring another North Dakotan (insert North Dakotan joke here)

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:27 pm

Now we can offer Van Diest a 3 year contract. I still believe we can get him. I have more faith in this move than the Cats turning this thing around. Still waiting to be proved wrong and I would happily admit it.

CATFAN4LIFE · Post by **CATFAN4LIFE** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:43 pm

Thread Closed