Choate to interview for Boise State job

[TomCat88]

When is the interview scheduled or has it happened?

Dunno. Probably hasn’t happened yet. I bet Phat Cat knows.

[RickRund]

Very happy for Choate but VERY mixed feelings. He has done so much for the University, just being such a classy and upbeat guy...

[onceacat]

I gotta say I'd be far beyond shocked if BSU hires Choate.

BSU might not be a Top 10 coaching spot...but they are probably a Top 25, with expectations of playing in a New Years Six game year in and out. I'm trying to think of ANY other FCS head coach that has been hired into that sort of slot. Craig Bohl got hired at Wyoming, Chris Klieman went to K-State. Jim Harbaugh went to a 1-11 Stanford team.

The closest I can think of is Jim Tressel 20 years ago at Ohio State. That said, Tressel coaches Youngstown to 6 or 7 National Championships, winning at least 4 of them.

Choate is a damn fine coach, but he hasn't been within sniffing distance of a national championship, let alone won any. (No, getting blown out by NDSU in the Semis doesn't count IMO). And, as other posters have pointed out, Choate's record on paper is less than impressive (I'm not really interested in getting into the discussion of 'Is a 28-23 record indicative of a great coach or not?'). I just don't see a team with BSUs goals making a hire that risky.

That said, if Choate is offered the job, he 100% should jump at it. It would be an unprecedented FCS to FBS hire, and unless the Cats go on to a NDSU style championship run, Choate will probably never have that kind of opportunity again.

Selfishly, I hope he stays. But I wish him the best of luck-it would be an amazing career move.

[TomCat88]

I'm trying to think of ANY other FCS head coach that has been hired into that sort of slot. Craig Bohl got hired at Wyoming, Chris Klieman went to K-State. Jim Harbaugh went to a 1-11 Stanford team.

The closest I can think of is Jim Tressel 20 years ago at Ohio State. That said, Tressel coaches Youngstown to 6 or 7 National Championships, winning at least 4 of them.

That’s true, but I’m curious about what sector of coaching has a good success rate? Do FBS assistants, former FBS head. coaches, current FBS head coaches, NFL assistants do any better?

[Cataholic]

I gotta say I'd be far beyond shocked if BSU hires Choate.

BSU might not be a Top 10 coaching spot...but they are probably a Top 25, with expectations of playing in a New Years Six game year in and out. I'm trying to think of ANY other FCS head coach that has been hired into that sort of slot. Craig Bohl got hired at Wyoming, Chris Klieman went to K-State. Jim Harbaugh went to a 1-11 Stanford team.

The closest I can think of is Jim Tressel 20 years ago at Ohio State. That said, Tressel coaches Youngstown to 6 or 7 National Championships, winning at least 4 of them.

Choate is a damn fine coach, but he hasn't been within sniffing distance of a national championship, let alone won any. (No, getting blown out by NDSU in the Semis doesn't count IMO). And, as other posters have pointed out, Choate's record on paper is less than impressive (I'm not really interested in getting into the discussion of 'Is a 28-23 record indicative of a great coach or not?'). I just don't see a team with BSUs goals making a hire that risky.

That said, if Choate is offered the job, he 100% should jump at it. It would be an unprecedented FCS to FBS hire, and unless the Cats go on to a NDSU style championship run, Choate will probably never have that kind of opportunity again.

Selfishly, I hope he stays. But I wish him the best of luck-it would be an amazing career move.

About 4 games into Choate’s first season, my dad expressed disappointment in the Cats hire. He said aren’t you concerned with his results? I responded “this guy is going to win a lot of games and go onto bigger things”. He was a true leader who identified problems, focused on solutions, charismatic when needed, preached and lived chemistry/family all part of building a new culture. It wasn’t about the early losses or setbacks, it was about believing in the process. He had so many stories that just hit home and made me feel like he was actively working on the issues. I recall him discussing one of the first meetings he had with the team. He recognized that the offense was sitting in a group on one side of the room and the defense was sitting on the other side of the room. If you recall at that time, there were rumors of a divide between the historic offense and the struggling defense. He told the team that this must change and that they all play for the same team. There is no finger pointing and we all have the same goals: to win as a team. That sounds like the stuff of Disney movies, but he was 100% accurate.

I mentioned in an earlier post that it is hard to even imagine the Bobcat program without Choate. Can you imagine where this would have been if Prukop would have stayed? Would Brugman or Murray have been better if they had a year to learn the system with no expectations while Prukop did his magic?

My point is don’t get fixated on the record. Choates impact runs much deeper than wins and losses. If you look at the whole body of work, it is easy to understand why he is being considered at such a prominent program.

[onceacat]

I gotta say I'd be far beyond shocked if BSU hires Choate.

BSU might not be a Top 10 coaching spot...but they are probably a Top 25, with expectations of playing in a New Years Six game year in and out. I'm trying to think of ANY other FCS head coach that has been hired into that sort of slot. Craig Bohl got hired at Wyoming, Chris Klieman went to K-State. Jim Harbaugh went to a 1-11 Stanford team.

The closest I can think of is Jim Tressel 20 years ago at Ohio State. That said, Tressel coaches Youngstown to 6 or 7 National Championships, winning at least 4 of them.

Choate is a damn fine coach, but he hasn't been within sniffing distance of a national championship, let alone won any. (No, getting blown out by NDSU in the Semis doesn't count IMO). And, as other posters have pointed out, Choate's record on paper is less than impressive (I'm not really interested in getting into the discussion of 'Is a 28-23 record indicative of a great coach or not?'). I just don't see a team with BSUs goals making a hire that risky.

That said, if Choate is offered the job, he 100% should jump at it. It would be an unprecedented FCS to FBS hire, and unless the Cats go on to a NDSU style championship run, Choate will probably never have that kind of opportunity again.

Selfishly, I hope he stays. But I wish him the best of luck-it would be an amazing career move.

About 4 games into Choate’s first season, my dad expressed disappointment in the Cats hire. He said aren’t you concerned with his results? I responded “this guy is going to win a lot of games and go onto bigger things”. He was a true leader who identified problems, focused on solutions, charismatic when needed, preached and lived chemistry/family all part of building a new culture. It wasn’t about the early losses or setbacks, it was about believing in the process. He had so many stories that just hit home and made me feel like he was actively working on the issues. I recall him discussing one of the first meetings he had with the team. He recognized that the offense was sitting in a group on one side of the room and the defense was sitting on the other side of the room. If you recall at that time, there were rumors of a divide between the historic offense and the struggling defense. He told the team that this must change and that they all play for the same team. There is no finger pointing and we all have the same goals: to win as a team. That sounds like the stuff of Disney movies, but he was 100% accurate.

I mentioned in an earlier post that it is hard to even imagine the Bobcat program without Choate. Can you imagine where this would have been if Prukop would have stayed? Would Brugman or Murray have been better if they had a year to learn the system with no expectations while Prukop did his magic?

My point is don’t get fixated on the record. Choates impact runs much deeper than wins and losses. If you look at the whole body of work, it is easy to understand why he is being considered at such a prominent program.

I was really looking forward to this year being a sort of moment of truth. I 100% agree with all the positive qualities you listed in regards to Choate, and I think this year would have told us if his teams are going to compete for a natty.

But to say to a hiring committee at a Top 25 program “Don’t get fixated on the record” is pretty silly.

The ONLYthing football coaches are judged on (at that level) is wins & losses. Everything else is window dressing.

[St George]

Having lived in southern Idaho and watching a lot of the BS games. I don’t feel Choate fits the mold of what has built North Eastern California State. They have lived by the trick play since Peterson was coach The high light of their games is the dog retrieving the tee on kick offs. BS also has more band wagon fans than the western school of dance. I think Choate and Troy Anderson need to both compete at MSU a bit longer.

[TomCat88]

This Avalos guy sounds pretty good.

From Wikipedia “Under Avalos, Oregon’s team defense went from 49th in 2018 to ninth in 2019. Also in 2019, the #2 recruit in the country according to 247Sports.com, Kayvon Thibodeaux, committed to Oregon. He had nine sacks and one forced fumble in his first season as a Duck.”

[utucats]

This is always the worst part of success. That said, some coaches are better off at certain levels. I know Choate would do well at Boise State, but will he have the success that that program is used to? Who knows. Unfortunately most of the Big Sky coaches that have moved up, have not had much success as a head coach. Then you start back over again. Please, stay where you are. Show us this program is capable of winning a National Championship. Finish the Grind that you started. I just think Choate is the perfect fit for our program.

Most of the Big Sky coaches that have moved up have not had much success??

I think someone is forgetting about a certain coach that led UNLV to 15 big Ws over 5 seasons!

[TomCat88]

I’m hearing it’s between Choate and Avalos. And that Boise isn’t overly concerned with Choate’s on-field record here. They know him well enough and the situation here that it isn’t too concerning.

So it’s about 50-50 MSU is going to be getting a new coach.

[onceacat]

This is always the worst part of success. That said, some coaches are better off at certain levels. I know Choate would do well at Boise State, but will he have the success that that program is used to? Who knows. Unfortunately most of the Big Sky coaches that have moved up, have not had much success as a head coach. Then you start back over again. Please, stay where you are. Show us this program is capable of winning a National Championship. Finish the Grind that you started. I just think Choate is the perfect fit for our program.

Most of the Big Sky coaches that have moved up have not had much success??

I think someone is forgetting about a certain coach that led UNLV to 15 big Ws over 5 seasons!

In truth, most FCS coaches that move to FBS go to places like Wyoming or UNLV where there is very little chance of success.

[Hawks86]

[superbobcat]

Moore will be tough to beat if he throws in. A good problem to have if you are Boise!

[Bobcatsinmso]

I’m hearing it’s between Choate and Avalos. And that Boise isn’t overly concerned with Choate’s on-field record here. They know him well enough and the situation here that it isn’t too concerning.

So it’s about 50-50 MSU is going to be getting a new coach.

Mr self appointed expert has spoken...

[Common Cat]

[media] [/media]

[bobcat99]

Hallelujah.

[wbtfg]

[ilovethecats]

No WAY he's a top candidate. Have you seen his winning percentage....?

[MSU01]

"Another alum ready to go" sounds to me like Andy Avalos from Oregon. Choate is a UM-Western alum.

[VimSince03]

"Another alum ready to go" sounds to me like Andy Avalos from Oregon. Choate is a UM-Western alum.

Yeah the other alum is Avalos. MSU should breathe a sigh of relief though...he was a top candidate.