Chronicle Article on Kramer

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:53 pm

The latest article on line- probably tomorrows print edition.

Kramer: "This program has not run amok"

By TIM DUMAS Chronicle Sports Writer

After nearly a week of talks - and a 15-hour round trip - Mike Kramer has decided to remain as Montana State's head football coach.

Upon returning from Moscow, Idaho, Thursday night, Kramer told University of Idaho athletic director Rob Spear he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the vacant head coaching position at the school.

Kramer was in Moscow most of the day Thursday to interview with school president Tim White and Spear. Idaho is looking to replace former Montana State quarterback and coach Dennis Erickson, who left Saturday to take the head job at Arizona State.

"I made the decision in consultation with my family," Kramer said at a press conference at MSU on Friday morning. "And I called Mr. Spear last night at 10:30 and said, 'I will not be a candidate for the head the coaching position at your university.'"

Kramer, 52, was a finalist for the job earlier this year before Erickson took the job, stayed there 10 months and led the Vandals to a 4-8 record.

Kramer appeared to be a good fit for Idaho, where he played his college football and graduated in 1977. He and his wife's family are from the area and Kramer has 13 years of head coaching experience on his resume.

But all that changed Thursday night.

"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

The news came as a relief to junior linebacker Will Claggett.

"The past couple of days have been confusing and wondering where we're going to be," he said from his home in California. "With him doing that, it makes us feel a lot more comfortable and now we can go on for next year."

MSU athletic director Peter Fields, speaking Friday from Chattanooga, Tenn., where the FCS national championship game will be played tonight, said Kramer's choice started to become clear after his interview was completed.

"He indicated (Thursday) afternoon to me that he was thinking about (withdrawing his name) when he was driving back from Idaho," Fields said. "Now it's time for us to sit down and evaluate our program."

Kramer holds a 40-43 record in seven years at Montana State and his teams have won three Big Sky Conference championships. His 40 wins are third all-time at MSU, one behind Cliff Hysell and seven behind Sonny Holland.

"With the whole situation, I thought there was a high possibility that he could be leaving," senior safety Ryan Force said. "But at the same time, I think he has intentions at Montana State that he had set with (trying to win) the national championship.

"With what he's done over those seven years and with the type of players that he's brought in, it's good for the program."

There is speculation that Monday's arrest of current player Andre Fuller and former players Eddie Sullivan and Derrick Davis on drug-related charges had a role in Kramer not landing the job.

Another former player, John Lebrum, was arrested in June along with former basketball player Branden Miller, and charged in the murder of Jason Wright.

Kramer acknowledged that the arrests were part of his reasoning for not going to Idaho.

"I told Rob (Spear) that this situation at Montana State requires my leadership," Kramer said. "I'm talking about the arrest and the ongoing legal situation of Andre Fuller, and even our ex-players, because the last thing that I want to do is leave a program with the feeling that there's some work undone. I want to get this issue resolved."

Kramer met with his coaching staff at 8 a.m. Friday to discuss the recent events.

"We talked at length about the process we're involved with right now in regard to the arrest of Andre and what it means to us," he said. "I think I have a long process ahead of me to reassure our university, our university community, the fans, the boosters, that this is not a program run amok."

Claggett stated that it is now more important than ever to set a good example and to regain the public's trust.

"We're going to go out there and do everything that we can and do the right thing for the community, whether that be volunteering or setting a good example," he said. "Just sitting back and being a football player isn't going to cut it anymore."

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:10 pm

"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:33 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.

Read the whole article.

"I made the decision in consultation with my family," Kramer said at a press conference at MSU on Friday morning. "And I called Mr. Spear last night at 10:30 and said, 'I will not be a candidate for the head the coaching position at your university.'"

MSU athletic director Peter Fields, speaking Friday from Chattanooga, Tenn., where the FCS national championship game will be played tonight, said Kramer's choice started to become clear after his interview was completed.

"He indicated (Thursday) afternoon to me that he was thinking about (withdrawing his name) when he was driving back from Idaho," Fields said.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:37 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.

You may be correct, but ya gotta think that of course Idaho is going to say that to save face. It would look pretty bad for them to have a I-AA coach, who by the way is also an alum, turn down their job to stay at said school. I'm not sure who is saving face, but it has to be one or the other, and you can't just assume it was Kramer.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:47 pm

BozoneCat wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
You may be correct, but ya gotta think that of course Idaho is going to say that to save face. It would look pretty bad for them to have a I-AA coach, who by the way is also an alum, turn down their job to stay at said school. I'm not sure who is saving face, but it has to be one or the other, and you can't just assume it was Kramer.

You are right. Some one is trying to save face.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:50 pm

GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
Read the whole article.

MSU athletic director Peter Fields, speaking Friday from Chattanooga, Tenn., where the FCS national championship game will be played tonight, said Kramer's choice started to become clear after his interview was completed.

Read between the lines. I think he new at the point he was not going to be offered a job.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:10 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
Read the whole article.

MSU athletic director Peter Fields, speaking Friday from Chattanooga, Tenn., where the FCS national championship game will be played tonight, said Kramer's choice started to become clear after his interview was completed.

Read between the lines. I think he new at the point he was not going to be offered a job.

You did much better in your previous post where you agreed that one or the other was saving face. Kramer is for real............., he won't make anyone look bad in the process.

Cat_gld · Post by **Cat_gld** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:53 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.

We'l keep Kramer regardless of who's saving face, and you can keep Bobby. There's no question in anyone's mind who the better man is. Just ask the morons in grizville that tried to hijack him from us back in 2000.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:01 pm

I want him to coach my youngest kids and grandkids. He says what he means and means what he says, even if others don't have his vocabulay

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:18 pm

GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
Read the whole article.

"He indicated (Thursday) afternoon to me that he was thinking about (withdrawing his name) when he was driving back from Idaho," Fields said.

Having figuered out he was not getting the job, he calls Fields telling him he is withdrawing his application

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:21 pm

Cat_gld wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
We'l keep Kramer regardless of who's saving face, and you can keep Bobby. There's no question in anyone's mind who the better man is.

You're right, we all know it's Bobby. You can keep Kramer.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:23 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
GOKATS wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
Read the whole article.

"He indicated (Thursday) afternoon to me that he was thinking about (withdrawing his name) when he was driving back from Idaho," Fields said.
Having figuered out he was not getting the job, he calls Fields telling him he is withdrawing his application

So what the f--k is your point? You're probably one of the ones that still refuse to accept your school administrators tried to get him to change his mind after he verbally accepted our offer seven years ago. Give it up already. We're, as a whole, glad he turned it down and there's no way we begrudge him deciding to not work for the Butte wonder boy Spear. How well do you know Spear and which man would you trust?

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:25 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote: Having figuered out he was not getting the job, he calls Fields telling him he is withdrawing his application

State your point and why we should give a sh*. Honestly... Idaho didn't want Kramer, Kramer didn't want Idaho... Nobody wants Hauck, and Hauck wants anyone but the Griz...

Whats your f'in point?

*edit* Oops! Cat Grad beat me to it.

MTBobcatFan · Post by **MTBobcatFan** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:08 pm

Simple question...Why does eastcoastgriz post on our board?

bobcatmaniac · Post by **bobcatmaniac** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:20 pm

MTBobcatFan wrote:Simple question...Why does eastcoastgriz post on our board?

Because he 'claims' to be very very busy at work. go figure.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:26 pm

bobcatmaniac wrote:
MTBobcatFan wrote:Simple question...Why does eastcoastgriz post on our board?
Because he 'claims' to be very very busy at work. go figure.

Lives off the Joysey ******- first in line to buy dark pink and grey. Busy at work? Career change, front office stuff.........

Would you like a drink with that?

liqud360 · Post by **liqud360** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:17 am

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
Cat_gld wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
We'l keep Kramer regardless of who's saving face, and you can keep Bobby. There's no question in anyone's mind who the better man is.
You're right, we all know it's Bobby. You can keep Kramer.

Do you waste the rest of your life like you do here with your wonderful posts on Bobcat nation? Come on, you can do better than that. I hope, for your own self-esteem, that Bobby gets that coaching job that you've always wanted. And uofm hires a coach that can finally help them win more nc's than the cats. In reality, Martha Stewarts polishing brass on the Titanic...its all going down Eastcoastgriz.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:52 am

liqud360 wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
Cat_gld wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
We'l keep Kramer regardless of who's saving face, and you can keep Bobby. There's no question in anyone's mind who the better man is.
You're right, we all know it's Bobby. You can keep Kramer.
Do you waste the rest of your life like you do here with your wonderful posts on Bobcat nation? Come on, you can do better than that. I hope, for your own self-esteem, that Bobby gets that coaching job that you've always wanted. And uofm hires a coach that can finally help them win more nc's than the cats. In reality, Martha Stewarts polishing brass on the Titanic...its all going down Eastcoastgriz.

You can have your three championships (although you can hardley call a flip of a coin a championship. We couldn't beat them on the field but we are happy to take the champiopnship) I'll take our fans, our facility, our dynasty and our coach. msu can continue to be our little brother.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:06 am

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
liqud360 wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
Cat_gld wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:"We discussed the position and had a very good visit," Spear said in an e-mail early Friday afternoon. "At the end of the day, we mutually agreed it was not the right move for Mike or for the University of Idaho."

Read - Idaho wasn't giving him the job.
We'l keep Kramer regardless of who's saving face, and you can keep Bobby. There's no question in anyone's mind who the better man is.
You're right, we all know it's Bobby. You can keep Kramer.
Do you waste the rest of your life like you do here with your wonderful posts on Bobcat nation? Come on, you can do better than that. I hope, for your own self-esteem, that Bobby gets that coaching job that you've always wanted. And uofm hires a coach that can finally help them win more nc's than the cats. In reality, Martha Stewarts polishing brass on the Titanic...its all going down Eastcoastgriz.
You can have your three championships (although you can hardley call a flip of a coin a championship. We couldn't beat them on the field but we are happy to take the champiopnship) I'll take our fans, our facility, our dynasty and our coach. msu can continue to be our little brother.

And the longer you're in Jersey, the more you'll long for those world class facilitites

Especially while you're putting down everything in your midst longingly wishing you were "back home" in fizzleagainland

Dig out your Norman McLean books while you're at it to really get homesick

Better yet, watch the movie--wait--that was filmed in and around Bozo

Damn, your screwed no matter how you cut it, aren't you?

We like our coach. You didn't get him. You're stuck. Live with it and quit trying to bring everybody down to your level.

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:21 am

I read the story and expected to see posts that talk about the admiration, loyalty that Kramer's players have for him, the dedication Kramer has to the school, his players, the fans, etc..

Instead we get this 'who dumped who first' drivel. Bottom line: Who cares. Other bottom line: We'll never know. Bttom line Pt. 3: There's nothing anyone has said or could say that would convince anyone one way or the other. A griz fan saying Kramer got stiffed has even less credibility, since -tada!- it's coming from a griz fan, so of course they want to believe Kramer was jilted.

OK, I think Kramer's words in this article are pretty cool. He's owning up to the fact the there are problems and it was eating at him that he might not be able to stay and fix them. His players know he wants to win it all here and that was part of why he stayed. There's a bunch of other stuff in there as well as I'm sure you saw. I guess if I were a griz fan I'd be trying to read between the lines and focus on something other than what was said in the story.