Brent Vigen - New Bobcat Head Coach

[gtapp]

Let's say that Coach Vigen has had some tough times and issues......fine. Hopefully he has learned from any "mistakes".

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

If that was true the MN Vikings would have been undefeated this year!

[lakesbison]

I think the most important question for Coach Vigen is... Do we get names on the jerseys again?

that will NOT happen with his bison blood
Team is all you know. No Individuals!

[RobertoGato]

Lord Vigo the Carpathian!

[catsrback76]

Welcome to Bobcat Nation Coach!!! Go Cats!!!

[3-7-77]

[quote=84CatGrad post_id=722968 time=1612842719 user_id=22115

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.
[/quote]

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.

[lutecat]

We could be up to 106 on the other thread. But you guys, selfishly are posting here. For shame!

[Catfanatic84]

I like this hire...checks a lot of boxes...and being from small town North Dakota, he's used to the cold winters. Good fit. Go Coach V....GO CATS!!

[bobcatfan123]

[quote=84CatGrad post_id=722968 time=1612842719 user_id=22115

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.
[/quote]

I think many said that we would be happy to land any of the top candidates on that list. He wasn’t the flashiest candidate, but looks to have had plenty of experience and success. Looking forward to football!

[The MICKSTER]

Well, he’s no fly sweep genius from DII or former coach returning home from national FBS humiliation, but I guess he’ll have to do.

[PortlandCat90]

On the upside:
+ His OC FCS run at NDSU ended in one Quarterfinal Playoff game and 3 straight National Championships. Knows the FCS game which, whether we like it or not, is a different world from FBS in recruiting, donor management, player development, etc.
+ Played a big part in the recruitment and more importantly - the development - of Wentz and Allen. Especially to recruit Allen out of Reedley and get him to Laramie.
+ Continuity of philosophy - running the ball. For me, this is high on the list. In 2019 MSU was first in Big Sky rushing and Coach had built the program around this with the tremendous RB and OL rooms. Over the last 3 years Wyoming has been 26th (2018), 23rd (2019), and 14th (2020) in the FBS rushing stats averaging 5.0 per carry. Wyoming averaged 0.9 fumbles per game the last two years (37th and 15th) - a direct reflection on strong coaching. MSU averaged 5.7 per carry in 2019 (seems so long ago!). This bodes well running against the Big Sky for a few more years with our focus on depth at OL and RB. Heck, against UM the last 4 years we have rushed for 3/4 of a mile and 3 of those 4 games we've averaged ToP of 37 minutes. With their weakness at DT and 5 DB sets in 2021 this should repeat. Don't know enough about the rest of the Big Sky defenses (who does at this point?) to comment deeper.
+ Decent career progression and fairly young at 45ish. Probably has a strong system (Bohl) intact to implement at MSU. I also trust the grass roots background and believe he will be a star in living rooms during recruiting.
+ Any extra incentive to get the team ready for the season while looking towards 9/4/21? Hehehe....

On the downside:
+ No defense experience and without a current DC this is a weakness for the time being. That said, I'm sure with the current focus of player conditioning and enough time to hire and install whatever changes need to be made we'll be fine.
+ Some tough record years at Wyoming. Couldn't imagine having the title of "Recruiting Coordinator" at Laramie...or Corvallis....or Pocatello....
+ QB depth - when injuries hit Allen and Chambers, there was little depth at the QB spot. I think this won't be an issue currently with our QB room but something to watch.

Overall, awesome hire in my opinion. I believe the recent success of the program will continue.

[grizzh8r]

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.

7 weeks? Math is apparently very hard for some griztards... Guess it's to be expected from fans of the school of dance and flair

[DBARNETT1953]

I see some sniping by Wyoming fans but look at Wyoming's record this century
2000-2002 5-29 (.147); 2003-2008 30-41 (.423); 2009-2013 27-35 (.435); 2014-2020 38-44 (.463)
Wyoming football has been more successful with Vigen on staff than any other time in the 21st century.
Combine that with the fact that Laramie is to the Mountain West as Pullman is to the PAC12; the least desirable option in their conference.
Great Coach, great choice by MSU. Go Cats!

[kennethnoisewater]

On the upside:
+ His OC FCS run at NDSU ended in one Quarterfinal Playoff game and 3 straight National Championships. Knows the FCS game which, whether we like it or not, is a different world from FBS in recruiting, donor management, player development, etc.
+ Played a big part in the recruitment and more importantly - the development - of Wentz and Allen. Especially to recruit Allen out of Reedley and get him to Laramie.
+ Continuity of philosophy - running the ball. For me, this is high on the list. In 2019 MSU was first in Big Sky rushing and Coach had built the program around this with the tremendous RB and OL rooms. Over the last 3 years Wyoming has been 26th (2018), 23rd (2019), and 14th (2020) in the FBS rushing stats averaging 5.0 per carry. Wyoming averaged 0.9 fumbles per game the last two years (37th and 15th) - a direct reflection on strong coaching. MSU averaged 5.7 per carry in 2019 (seems so long ago!). This bodes well running against the Big Sky for a few more years with our focus on depth at OL and RB. Heck, against UM the last 4 years we have rushed for 3/4 of a mile and 3 of those 4 games we've averaged ToP of 37 minutes. With their weakness at DT and 5 DB sets in 2021 this should repeat. Don't know enough about the rest of the Big Sky defenses (who does at this point?) to comment deeper.
+ Decent career progression and fairly young at 45ish. Probably has a strong system (Bohl) intact to implement at MSU. I also trust the grass roots background and believe he will be a star in living rooms during recruiting.
+ Any extra incentive to get the team ready for the season while looking towards 9/4/21? Hehehe....

On the downside:
+ No defense experience and without a current DC this is a weakness for the time being. That said, I'm sure with the current focus of player conditioning and enough time to hire and install whatever changes need to be made we'll be fine.
+ Some tough record years at Wyoming. Couldn't imagine having the title of "Recruiting Coordinator" at Laramie...or Corvallis....or Pocatello....
+ QB depth - when injuries hit Allen and Chambers, there was little depth at the QB spot. I think this won't be an issue currently with our QB room but something to watch.

Overall, awesome hire in my opinion. I believe the recent success of the program will continue.

Good post, I agree and would add another positive. Choate isn't staying anywhere long. Vigen has shown some ability and willingness to stay put. If he does a good job at MSU, he COULD be the kind of guy who doesn't leave until he actually has a good FBS HC offer. Obviously I'm speculating, but a good coach who is willing to stick around a while is a big deal at this level.

And I don't think QB depth is his fault. Maybe in a perfect world he could develop every QB into a world beater, but like you said, that shouldn't be a problem at MSU. I do think the talent is in that room to produce at least a couple very good FCS QB's.

[vike_king]

Let's say that Coach Vigen has had some tough times and issues......fine. Hopefully he has learned from any "mistakes".

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

If that was true the MN Vikings would have been undefeated this year!

You sure know how to hurt a guy!

[CatsNoMatterWhat]

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.

7 weeks? Math is apparently very hard for some griztards... Guess it's to be expected from fans of the school of dance and flair

I hear they're considering introducing books this coming semester. Could be a game changer for them.

[seataccat]

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.

7 weeks? Math is apparently very hard for some griztards... Guess it's to be expected from fans of the school of dance and flair

He's not the brightest bulb. He was sued and a restraining order put on him so he can't show his face at the dance school anymore. So he has to hang around here.

[RickRund]

I love the selection of coach Vigen. Go get 'em coach.

You all realize, of course, that you can't change your previous posts, right? How many pro-Vigen posters were there in the last seven weeks?
What's that old saying, 'Damned by faint praise.' #6 will be just fine.

7 weeks? Math is apparently very hard for some griztards... Guess it's to be expected from fans of the school of dance and flair

I hear they're considering introducing books this coming semester. Could be a game changer for them.

From reading a few comments "over there" they seem to be re-measuring their trophy case for a new addition. We finally got our 10th choice, they have won the in-state recruiting, they have already won the Brawl, we will be 3-3-3 and punt, etc... And will add that in their opinion what we have here now is a major $hit show. Of course that is probably what most rivals will say...

Pride goes before the fall...

[bobcat99]

Let em talk ******.

Makes it that much better when they lose to the person they ****** talked to much.

[CelticCat]

Here are some quotes from egriz when Choate was hired. I will admit there is a lot of "seems like a good hire" chat on the thread, but there are some gems - some smack, some legit:

"Yeaaaaaah who ordered the punching bag?" Bob Stitt stands up from his table "That's me, right over here!"

I've heard athletic directors refer to the football coach as 'the tip of the spear'. This is the first time I've ever heard an AD refer to a newly hired football coach as 'the nose of the clown' before. Way to go, Bozo!

WHOOOOOOO????????????????

never heard of him, he's a specials teams coach and DLine coach? that's it? oh boy, watch out !!! hahahaha.

Yeah, this year sucked. I thought it'd be a tough year for you when you put Kane in as a Coordinator for a few years, just like us with Ty ( sort of). But you all puked on Ash for that. Write it down, I think in 2 yrs you guys miss Ash more than you like Choate. Just my opinion.

Psssst . . . He wasn't their first choice . . . maybe not even their second! Peter Fields is my new favorite cat.

So this guy was a high school head coach 14 years ago. This could very well turn out to be a "Faustian" decision by the cats. By Faustian, I mean the hilarious Gerry Faust hiring by Notre Dame in the early 80s. Poor bobcats. The buffoonery just never seems to end.

I missed this yesterday. Is this seriously the best they could get? Don't get me wrong, the hiring of Coach Jon Choate definitely makes me very happy for several obvious reasons. Is a Choate another term for taint? Or is a Choate an old lady who has one big boob and one little boob? Either way, that program just can't seem to make a good decision. If you were to ask an alien who just landed on Earth which program has a coach named Jon Choate, he would guess Montana State.

I can honestly say I think they were better off with Ash then the hiring of Choate. I'm sure little brother will be banging the drum loudly and proudly for their new savior but I think they are headed right back to annual mediocrity.

It is interesting that the Wombats chose someone who didn't even make it into the final interviews at UM. He certainly doesn't come to the job as an earth-shaker; really kind of an odd choice given the hysteria in Bozeman over the state of the football program. A definite let-down for those all fired up over the prospects of Hill coming to Bozeman but, face it, the 'Bats managed to make a bad situation worse; a clumsy firing of a winning coach who had a bad year, a 40 year record of being a graveyard for collegiate coaches, a rabid irrational fanbase, a QB and asst coach conspiring to pressure the AD, an AD whose spine is kept in a closet in the president's office, and Montana's largest outdoor septic tank placed next to a stadium widely derided as a kitty litter box.

He is, if nothing else, a brave man.

There are plenty more but that's as much time as I want to waste on this project.

[catatac]

Here are some quotes from egriz when Choate was hired. I will admit there is a lot of "seems like a good hire" chat on the thread, but there are some gems - some smack, some legit:

"Yeaaaaaah who ordered the punching bag?" Bob Stitt stands up from his table "That's me, right over here!"

I've heard athletic directors refer to the football coach as 'the tip of the spear'. This is the first time I've ever heard an AD refer to a newly hired football coach as 'the nose of the clown' before. Way to go, Bozo!

WHOOOOOOO????????????????

never heard of him, he's a specials teams coach and DLine coach? that's it? oh boy, watch out !!! hahahaha.

Yeah, this year sucked. I thought it'd be a tough year for you when you put Kane in as a Coordinator for a few years, just like us with Ty ( sort of). But you all puked on Ash for that. Write it down, I think in 2 yrs you guys miss Ash more than you like Choate. Just my opinion.

Psssst . . . He wasn't their first choice . . . maybe not even their second! Peter Fields is my new favorite cat.

So this guy was a high school head coach 14 years ago. This could very well turn out to be a "Faustian" decision by the cats. By Faustian, I mean the hilarious Gerry Faust hiring by Notre Dame in the early 80s. Poor bobcats. The buffoonery just never seems to end.

I missed this yesterday. Is this seriously the best they could get? Don't get me wrong, the hiring of Coach Jon Choate definitely makes me very happy for several obvious reasons. Is a Choate another term for taint? Or is a Choate an old lady who has one big boob and one little boob? Either way, that program just can't seem to make a good decision. If you were to ask an alien who just landed on Earth which program has a coach named Jon Choate, he would guess Montana State.

I can honestly say I think they were better off with Ash then the hiring of Choate. I'm sure little brother will be banging the drum loudly and proudly for their new savior but I think they are headed right back to annual mediocrity.

It is interesting that the Wombats chose someone who didn't even make it into the final interviews at UM. He certainly doesn't come to the job as an earth-shaker; really kind of an odd choice given the hysteria in Bozeman over the state of the football program. A definite let-down for those all fired up over the prospects of Hill coming to Bozeman but, face it, the 'Bats managed to make a bad situation worse; a clumsy firing of a winning coach who had a bad year, a 40 year record of being a graveyard for collegiate coaches, a rabid irrational fanbase, a QB and asst coach conspiring to pressure the AD, an AD whose spine is kept in a closet in the president's office, and Montana's largest outdoor septic tank placed next to a stadium widely derided as a kitty litter box.

He is, if nothing else, a brave man.

There are plenty more but that's as much time as I want to waste on this project.

Ha ha ha - those are precious! I always find it interesting to look back at all these predictions and you quickly realize just how dumb the vast majority of those posters are.

Psssst, Griz nation - remember the last time we played? 48-14? Remember our best player didn't suit up? Ya - most of that offense is coming back, and dang it if you have to come and play us on Bozeman again. Dang the luck.