Cat fans gloomy over arrests, Kramer's possible departure
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:03 am
Cat fans gloomy over arrests, Kramer's possible departure
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
Montana State football fans experienced pain on several different fronts Tuesday while awaiting news of their head coach.
While many MSU backers are chagrined that popular Bobcat coach Mike Kramer is a candidate for the vacancy at the University of Idaho, doubtless many more were distressed to learn that starting defensive back Andre Fuller and two former members of the MSU football team have been arrested on felony drug charges.
Kramer expressed deep disappointment over the developments and said there is not much to report about his status with the University of Idaho.
"No one's offered me a job," he said Tuesday night. "I still have a great job here. And I'm still working extremely hard for Montana State for our team to reach the highest level possible."
Kramer talked at length on the telelphone earlier Tuesday with members of the Idaho search committee. The Vandals are looking for for a replacement for Dennis Erickson, who was hired at Arizona State earlier in the week. Former Idaho head coach John L. Smith, who resigned under pressure this fall at Michigan State, was believed to be a front-runner to move back to Moscow and take over the Vandals.
But Smith reportedly withdrew from consideration Tuesday night, which could mean Kramer is closer to returning to his alma mater.
Or perhaps not. It was also reported Tuesday that Idaho officials are considering Washington State defensive coordinator Robb Ankey and might expand the search today.
Kramer said his phone conversation with the search committee focused on coaching philosophy. "They said they'd get back to me," he said.
How the news of the arrests might affect Idaho officials concerning Kramer is unknown. Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear made it clear at a teleconference with reporters on Monday that he would have no further comment until the Vandals had a new coach in place.
Until then Kramer, who led the Bobcats to the national playoffs this season, and countless Montana State fans are in limbo.
"I understand the handwringing," Kramer said. "It kind of comes with the position."
And then he paused.
"The one thing I don't want to do is turn to Montana State and say, OK, here's my opportunity at Idaho or any other school and now, match it. I won't do that," he said.
"Right now, this opportunity at Idaho is still nebulous. It's still out there quite a ways. There's a lot more work to be done for me for me to feel like it's what I want to do definitely ... In the meantime we keep working hard to recruit the best kids we can in Montana. That's what I'm doing right now."
Kramer, 52, grew up in Colton, Wash., near the Idaho campus. His wife, Sandi, is also from the area and many relatives of the Kramers still live in the area.
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
Montana State football fans experienced pain on several different fronts Tuesday while awaiting news of their head coach.
While many MSU backers are chagrined that popular Bobcat coach Mike Kramer is a candidate for the vacancy at the University of Idaho, doubtless many more were distressed to learn that starting defensive back Andre Fuller and two former members of the MSU football team have been arrested on felony drug charges.
Kramer expressed deep disappointment over the developments and said there is not much to report about his status with the University of Idaho.
"No one's offered me a job," he said Tuesday night. "I still have a great job here. And I'm still working extremely hard for Montana State for our team to reach the highest level possible."
Kramer talked at length on the telelphone earlier Tuesday with members of the Idaho search committee. The Vandals are looking for for a replacement for Dennis Erickson, who was hired at Arizona State earlier in the week. Former Idaho head coach John L. Smith, who resigned under pressure this fall at Michigan State, was believed to be a front-runner to move back to Moscow and take over the Vandals.
But Smith reportedly withdrew from consideration Tuesday night, which could mean Kramer is closer to returning to his alma mater.
Or perhaps not. It was also reported Tuesday that Idaho officials are considering Washington State defensive coordinator Robb Ankey and might expand the search today.
Kramer said his phone conversation with the search committee focused on coaching philosophy. "They said they'd get back to me," he said.
How the news of the arrests might affect Idaho officials concerning Kramer is unknown. Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear made it clear at a teleconference with reporters on Monday that he would have no further comment until the Vandals had a new coach in place.
Until then Kramer, who led the Bobcats to the national playoffs this season, and countless Montana State fans are in limbo.
"I understand the handwringing," Kramer said. "It kind of comes with the position."
And then he paused.
"The one thing I don't want to do is turn to Montana State and say, OK, here's my opportunity at Idaho or any other school and now, match it. I won't do that," he said.
"Right now, this opportunity at Idaho is still nebulous. It's still out there quite a ways. There's a lot more work to be done for me for me to feel like it's what I want to do definitely ... In the meantime we keep working hard to recruit the best kids we can in Montana. That's what I'm doing right now."
Kramer, 52, grew up in Colton, Wash., near the Idaho campus. His wife, Sandi, is also from the area and many relatives of the Kramers still live in the area.
