Experience... how much does it matter?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2025 11:37 am
Okay, yes, it's a DUH, question, on one hand. But here's where my brain has been going this morning...
Vigen- played and coached at NDSU who certainly had a formula for success and spent many years in championship situations, playing in the playoffs, etc. And since he's been at Bozeman he's been to the NC twice and coached in a semi final game 4 times, well this will be his 4th I guess. So he's been there done that, alot, knows how to prepare, knows what mistakes were made and need fixed, etc. Can he prepare his staff and team for this really, really big moment effectively due to his experience?
Bobby- has been to the NC once since he's returned, but more during his 1st tenure, though that was a long time ago. Still, he's the winningest coach in the Big Sky, etc. His record in the post season hasn't been stellar of late, other than 2023, so is he not as good in the big moments against much better teams than the bottom dwellers in the Big Sky, are his staff more "old school", and him too? Can he prepare his team effectively to win on the road with these high stakes?
Lamson- listening to the interview with him this morning, he's nearly surpassed his TD record in one year with the Cats than his two years at Stanford. He's played in some big venues comparatively, it sounds like, and has had the benefit of seeing different coaching styles, defenses, schemes, etc, just due to being a 5th year senior. Is that why going into WA-GRIZ really didn't affect him, and is he better prepared, due to his past, to lead the Cats to a win today?
KAY- he's a sophomore, and the full time starter this year alone. Hasn't played in big venues, hostile environments, but also is leading a team with many transfers who haven't spent more than this year together, and he's younger than many of them. That being said, Tommy, as a RS freshman, got thrown in after McKay got benched and led the Cats to the NC in '21, so clearly youth isn't necessarily a weakness. But is one year of playing mostly in the comfort of his home stadium actually a disadvantage to KAY in this game?
Both teams- Cats have several on their team who have been here before, semi finals, even NC. They're more battle tested having played in bigger venues against tougher teams, but also have more years of playing together in games with alot on the line. While not senior laden, they've been there done that.
The griz, with their plethora of transfers, have only had this year to gel as a team, and while it's obvious they have as the season has progressed, as with AhYat, they've been most successful in the comfort of their home stadium. In addition, though some say it doesn't matter, Colter shared that only 4 Montana players are on the griz starting rotation with 12 on the Cats, (I'm pretty sure these numbers are what he listed). But maybe more importantly is what Adam Jones said about playing for the seniors on the team who will be playing their last game in Bobcat stadium.
Obviously we'll know how much experience matters in a few hours. Go Cats!
Vigen- played and coached at NDSU who certainly had a formula for success and spent many years in championship situations, playing in the playoffs, etc. And since he's been at Bozeman he's been to the NC twice and coached in a semi final game 4 times, well this will be his 4th I guess. So he's been there done that, alot, knows how to prepare, knows what mistakes were made and need fixed, etc. Can he prepare his staff and team for this really, really big moment effectively due to his experience?
Bobby- has been to the NC once since he's returned, but more during his 1st tenure, though that was a long time ago. Still, he's the winningest coach in the Big Sky, etc. His record in the post season hasn't been stellar of late, other than 2023, so is he not as good in the big moments against much better teams than the bottom dwellers in the Big Sky, are his staff more "old school", and him too? Can he prepare his team effectively to win on the road with these high stakes?
Lamson- listening to the interview with him this morning, he's nearly surpassed his TD record in one year with the Cats than his two years at Stanford. He's played in some big venues comparatively, it sounds like, and has had the benefit of seeing different coaching styles, defenses, schemes, etc, just due to being a 5th year senior. Is that why going into WA-GRIZ really didn't affect him, and is he better prepared, due to his past, to lead the Cats to a win today?
KAY- he's a sophomore, and the full time starter this year alone. Hasn't played in big venues, hostile environments, but also is leading a team with many transfers who haven't spent more than this year together, and he's younger than many of them. That being said, Tommy, as a RS freshman, got thrown in after McKay got benched and led the Cats to the NC in '21, so clearly youth isn't necessarily a weakness. But is one year of playing mostly in the comfort of his home stadium actually a disadvantage to KAY in this game?
Both teams- Cats have several on their team who have been here before, semi finals, even NC. They're more battle tested having played in bigger venues against tougher teams, but also have more years of playing together in games with alot on the line. While not senior laden, they've been there done that.
The griz, with their plethora of transfers, have only had this year to gel as a team, and while it's obvious they have as the season has progressed, as with AhYat, they've been most successful in the comfort of their home stadium. In addition, though some say it doesn't matter, Colter shared that only 4 Montana players are on the griz starting rotation with 12 on the Cats, (I'm pretty sure these numbers are what he listed). But maybe more importantly is what Adam Jones said about playing for the seniors on the team who will be playing their last game in Bobcat stadium.
Obviously we'll know how much experience matters in a few hours. Go Cats!