Brent Vigen - New Bobcat Head Coach

[bobcat92]

I’m curious. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of excitement on this board for the hire of Vigen. I expected 20 pages by now. What gives? Or am I just setting the bar to high?

I haven't posted in a while but have been reading the board. For me this was a tough coaching change as I thought we were close to being a consistent top tier FCS school under Choate. If covid hadn't happened who knows what the 2020 season would have been. I liked Choate and thought he elevated the program during his tenure. I gave myself some time to reflect on the last several years and didn't engage in following very close the coaching search. I am not the one doing the hiring so I am not going to spend a lot of time thinking about it.

My first impressions of Vigen have been good ones. I like his back ground and the fact he came from a small town in ND. I think this gives him a good understanding the culture of Montana and what is important to the supporters of MSU football. I think he is a person that is willing to invest in the long term as shown by his years at NDSU and WY.

His work with QBs that have gone on to the NFL will elevate our offense and will help to recruit QBs to MSU.

I think the program will be in good hands but I know I am emotionally exhausted from the stresses from Covid, Choate leaving for BSU then not, and then going to Texas.

I think I and others will get more excited as we hear more from the new coach, who the assistants will be, and yes actually get to see some MSU football in the fall.

Welcome coach Vigen and his family to the Bobcat family.

[BobcatOninetails]

Great work bobcat92. Though the board doesn’t seem overly excited. But, it’s the same 20 posters who get into pillow fights about who is the cutest fat girl. Like I said earlier on the 105 page thread, this place has become eCats. I read all 105 pages. Still come here for information but this place doesn’t have a lot anymore. We should be excited for this hire! To many on here want ex Cats to be on the staff instead of guys who can make us better. Choate brought guys who made us better. Most if then weren’t ex cats.

[rivercat]

Great work bobcat92. Though the board doesn’t seem overly excited. But, it’s the same 20 posters who get into pillow fights about who is the cutest fat girl. Like I said earlier on the 105 page thread, this place has become eCats. I read all 105 pages. Still come here for information but this place doesn’t have a lot anymore. We should be excited for this hire! To many on here want ex Cats to be on the staff instead of guys who can make us better. Choate brought guys who made us better. Most if then weren’t ex cats.

You obviously haven't read egriz lately. BN is still about football vs egriz where posters compete to be funnier/more clever/more insulting and little football is discussed. They actually talk about the Cats more than the griz.

When football starts, we'll all have something in common once again; cheering on our Bobcats!

[Bobcat4Ever]

I’m curious. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of excitement on this board for the hire of Vigen. I expected 20 pages by now. What gives? Or am I just setting the bar to high?

I think ‘92 nailed it. Emotional exhaustion. I am actually very pleased by this hire, as I think he is a very good fit for MSU. But at this point I think my dominant feeling is relief. I’m happy that Leon held his ground and didn’t just hire a resumé (if he could have) in able to fill the job and get down the road. I think he and the committee probably looked deeply into the person carrying the resumé. They had a pretty great model, and it set a high bar. I was pleased by the first presser, but didn’t know if anyone was in the room other than like Bill Lamberty. That would be more difficult, speaking to an empty room. Or was the committee, Quarterback Club, or anyone there? To me he seemed definitely a bit nervous at times, and I think maybe we didn’t get a very good glimpse of his personality. I did like it when he grinned a few times and he didn’t look as severe and stiff. It sure sounds like people liked him at his previous stops. It’s so important anymore for even the head of state of football to be approachable, open, honest and confidently relaxed.

Just my three cents worth, but relieved is the right word. I’m still gun-shy after watching coaching hires in the past that pretty much destroyed women’s basketball and volleyball. I think Leon and the committee did just fine. Now, let’s play some football.

Go ‘Cats!

[ND0479]

I think almost everyone is just cautiously optimistic. He's hard to get a read on... He's certainly a different breed than Choate, but maybe that's needed to take the next step. Definitely seems like a great coach! I think you'd get the same reaction from BN, regardless of who they hired, following Choate.

[lutecat]

I think as with many things, the pandemic changed people's habits. With no Bobcat football to talk about in 2020, people stopped making it their routine to come to BN regularly. I know that's me. I started checking hunting forums every day, and not BN like I used to. I used to listen to sports talk radio everytime I got in my car. I changed that habit in March of 2020 when there were no sports to talk about and all any of them talked about was conjrcture with the pandemic. I still don't listen to much sports talk.

It will take actual Bobcat football happening for more people to get on BN and start ramping up discussion.

[Purrfection Cat]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

[Hawks86]

[onceacat]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

I think this is spot on. I was stoked when I saw Vigens resume early on. I love that he has experience as a co-ordinator, unlike most of the other candidates. & I love that he has regional connections. Also, obviously, the fact that Kane & Choate left the D in great shape, and just a couple of holes on the offensive side-particularly in terms of developing a QB that is at least an all BSC honorable mention.

I'm also guessing that the hiring committee asked candidates some version of "What does it take for the team/program as currently constructed to compete (and/or beat) NDSU." I would expect that Vigen had a pretty good answer to that question.

[AFCAT]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

[VimSince03]

[onceacat]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

The Cats were also one missed block away from losing to the Griz & missing the playoffs in 2018.

That’s how football rolls when you aren’t NDSU or JMU.

[BleedingBLue]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

The Cats were also one missed block away from losing to the Griz & missing the playoffs in 2018.

That’s how football rolls when you aren’t NDSU or JMU.

Conference Championships are going to be more important for every FCS team shortly. With the WAC and ASUN sponsoring football beginning in the 2022 season, that is 2 at large bids gone. The Ivy League has also been discussing accepting their auto bid at some point in the near future as well.

[catatac]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

The Cats were also one missed block away from losing to the Griz & missing the playoffs in 2018.

That’s how football rolls when you aren’t NDSU or JMU.

Conference Championships are going to be more important for every FCS team shortly. With the WAC and ASUN sponsoring football beginning in the 2022 season, that is 2 at large bids gone. The Ivy League has also been discussing accepting their auto bid at some point in the near future as well.

Ivy League might join the FCS playoffs? That would actually be pretty cool if it happens IMO.

[vike_king]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

The Cats were also one missed block away from losing to the Griz & missing the playoffs in 2018.

That’s how football rolls when you aren’t NDSU or JMU.

Conference Championships are going to be more important for every FCS team shortly. With the WAC and ASUN sponsoring football beginning in the 2022 season, that is 2 at large bids gone. The Ivy League has also been discussing accepting their auto bid at some point in the near future as well.

Ivy League might join the FCS playoffs? That would actually be pretty cool if it happens IMO.

Not only would there be 3 less at-large bids due to 3 more conference champions, there would/could be competition from the 3 new conferences for the remaining at-large bids. The days of getting 4 teams in the tournament could be gone.

[BleedingBLue]

I am stoked for this hire. Choate’s biggest downfall was lack of quarterback development and no Big Sky title. If you really look at 2019 we didn’t play Weber or eastern which easily could have been losses and we don’t even get in playoffs. (Hypothetical of course). My point is we have a new coach that knows how to develop quarterback (next level) and an offensive mind. Time will tell but Vigen could be just what we need.

Big Sky titles are cool to have, but with the number of teams making the playoffs a Big Sky title is next to meaningless in the big picture of winning a natty. Heck, the Cats were one missed block away at UND from winning a share of the Big Sky in 2019 and still went to the semi finals.

The Cats were also one missed block away from losing to the Griz & missing the playoffs in 2018.

That’s how football rolls when you aren’t NDSU or JMU.

Conference Championships are going to be more important for every FCS team shortly. With the WAC and ASUN sponsoring football beginning in the 2022 season, that is 2 at large bids gone. The Ivy League has also been discussing accepting their auto bid at some point in the near future as well.

Ivy League might join the FCS playoffs? That would actually be pretty cool if it happens IMO.

It's definitely not a for sure, but a lot of the athletic departments and head coaches have gotten more vocal about the conference not accepting their auto bid. The powers that be have discussed it several times the past few years and most of the schools feel it will happen sooner than later.

[CelticCat]

I wonder what Vigen's contract looks like - the contract Choate had just signed last spring was pretty lucrative in the bonus department. All this talk about 206k base, but Choate was set to make another $80k from the coaches show and $30k for fundraising.

[kennethnoisewater]

I’m curious. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of excitement on this board for the hire of Vigen. I expected 20 pages by now. What gives? Or am I just setting the bar to high?

I talked to one player's dad, and apparently this kid left that initial meeting feeling very uninspired. That's unfortunate, but it's going to happen when a guy like Choate leaves. It has to be a disappointment. I think Vigen is the perfect hire, he just doesn't have the charisma of Choate, and that'll take some getting used to.

[superbobcat]

I believe our guys, especially the leaders, know how to motivate from within. They were trained by one of the best! Our assistant coaches, remaining, will probably provide a lot of motivation as well. The one downfall that I heard on Vigen is that his personality, compared to Choate, is pretty reserved. My thought is JUST WIN BABY and all will be forgiven! I believe Coach Vigan is a really good football mind and that is probably the next step needed to win a National Championship.

[imacat]

Craig Bohl has some interesting things to say about Brent Vigen.

https://county10.com/craig-bohl-holds-p ... ges-video/