Vigen Oregon State rumors.

[onceacat]

I know it is beating a dead horse but it bothers me every time I have to hear that Robby Hauck is the BSC career leader in tackles. While I understand that tackles was not an official state in the BSC until 2000, a simple comparison shows what a joke this is:

Robby Hauck, UM 2018-2022; Games played 53; solo 204; assists 278; Total Tackles 482.

Kirk Timmer, MSU 1983-1986; Games Played 47*; Total Tackles 518.

* 36 more tackles in at least 6 less game, but likely more because he missed at least one or two games in 1985 and 1986, and it is not clear that the MSU record book includes the three playoff games in 1984.

It is even more impressive considering he played with Jim Kalafat in 1983 who was a tacking machine (202 tackles in '82 and 30 in one game in '83) (along with Fellows, Sikora, Wilks, Burt, Lane during these years etc).

After seeing this post, the BSC officially added 310 tackles to Robin Hauks totals.

[rfischer94]

What I am about to throw out will never happen BUT…..

Vigen stays after building a powerhouse here. We get an invite to the PAC _____. We keep playing our rival and defeat them very soundly year after year. They are upset that because we are in an upper division the games aren’t fair.

Blah, blah, blah.

I would pay money to see that happen.

[Bobcat4Ever]

I know it is beating a dead horse but it bothers me every time I have to hear that Robby Hauck is the BSC career leader in tackles. While I understand that tackles was not an official state in the BSC until 2000, a simple comparison shows what a joke this is:

Robby Hauck, UM 2018-2022; Games played 53; solo 204; assists 278; Total Tackles 482.

Kirk Timmer, MSU 1983-1986; Games Played 47*; Total Tackles 518.

* 36 more tackles in at least 6 less game, but likely more because he missed at least one or two games in 1985 and 1986, and it is not clear that the MSU record book includes the three playoff games in 1984.

It is even more impressive considering he played with Jim Kalafat in 1983 who was a tacking machine (202 tackles in '82 and 30 in one game in '83) (along with Fellows, Sikora, Wilks, Burt, Lane during these years etc).

The only situation in my life in which I ever hear anyone mention Robby Hauck is here on Bobcat Nation. Maybe if everyone here could get over it and stop bringing him up all the time we wouldn't get annoyed by the stats anymore!

[Bobcat4Ever]

I know it is beating a dead horse but it bothers me every time I have to hear that Robby Hauck is the BSC career leader in tackles. While I understand that tackles was not an official state in the BSC until 2000, a simple comparison shows what a joke this is:

Robby Hauck, UM 2018-2022; Games played 53; solo 204; assists 278; Total Tackles 482.

Kirk Timmer, MSU 1983-1986; Games Played 47*; Total Tackles 518.

* 36 more tackles in at least 6 less game, but likely more because he missed at least one or two games in 1985 and 1986, and it is not clear that the MSU record book includes the three playoff games in 1984.

It is even more impressive considering he played with Jim Kalafat in 1983 who was a tacking machine (202 tackles in '82 and 30 in one game in '83) (along with Fellows, Sikora, Wilks, Burt, Lane during these years etc).

Baseball has revised old records. The Big Sky should do the same. This is a huge miscarriage of the science of statistics. Timmer won a National Championship as well.

[MTmadeCat]

Is OSU really a better job than MSU in 4-5 years pending the continuous shuffling of FBS/FCS football and the potential rumors of stadium upgrades/more seating capacity (and thus increased revenue and raises for coaches)? Vigen certainly knows more behind the scenes discussing current affairs with Costello than anyone else. I won’t be surprised when he leaves, I will be surprised if he leaves for an opportunity that isn’t significantly better than what he has and continues to build here.

[CodyCat]

Is OSU really a better job than MSU in 4-5 years pending the continuous shuffling of FBS/FCS football and the potential rumors of stadium upgrades/more seating capacity (and thus increased revenue and raises for coaches)? Vigen certainly knows more behind the scenes discussing current affairs with Costello than anyone else. I won’t be surprised when he leaves, I will be surprised if he leaves for an opportunity that isn’t significantly better than what he has and continues to build here.

The Pac2 still has a college football playoff bid. Yes, Oregon State is better job than MSU. However, I’m not sure that OSU has the resources to truly compete.

[onceacat]

Is OSU really a better job than MSU in 4-5 years pending the continuous shuffling of FBS/FCS football and the potential rumors of stadium upgrades/more seating capacity (and thus increased revenue and raises for coaches)? Vigen certainly knows more behind the scenes discussing current affairs with Costello than anyone else. I won’t be surprised when he leaves, I will be surprised if he leaves for an opportunity that isn’t significantly better than what he has and continues to build here.

1. Todd Bray was making $2,000,000/year. Thats double what Jason Eck is making at UNM or triple what Jeff Choate is making at Nevada & 500k more than Jimmy Rogers is making at WSU. Not totally clear if keeping the salary is sustainable or not given the status of the Pac2 moving forward, but it's obviously one of the best gigs in G5.

2. Not a lot of competition for in-state talent. The Ducks only have 17 Oregon players on the roster...and no FCS teams to compete with. Should be easy to compete for regional talent with Boise St, WSU, the Nevadas, etc. They would have one of the biggest stadiums in G5/6, some of the best facilities in G5/6...and an inside track to an auto bid to the playoffs. MSU would need to almost double the size of the stadium to get to OSUs capacity, as an example...Beavs have similar attendance as Boise State as another example. And its not as though the rebuilt Pac whatever is stacked with monster football teams...Beavs should have a shot at playoffs pretty consistently.

3. MSU isn't getting reshuffled. If MSU (and UM and the DSUs) didn't have an offer from wither the MWC or the Pac X last year, theres never going to be an invite coming. So no meaningful new revenue streams.

There might be better opportunities out there (Stanford? Michigan State if Smith goes back to OSU,Florida, Penn St) but I don't think Vigen will ever be in consideration for those.

[Common Cat]

Jay Norvell out at Colorado State.

[MSU01]

Jay Norvell out at Colorado State.

At this point this thread should just be renamed "Vigen Rumors". His name will 100% be brought up in connection with the CSU opening.

[Common Cat]

Jay Norvell out at Colorado State.

At this point this thread should just be renamed "Vigen Rumors". His name will 100% be brought up in connection with the CSU opening.

I had the same thought.

[MTmadeCat]

Is OSU really a better job than MSU in 4-5 years pending the continuous shuffling of FBS/FCS football and the potential rumors of stadium upgrades/more seating capacity (and thus increased revenue and raises for coaches)? Vigen certainly knows more behind the scenes discussing current affairs with Costello than anyone else. I won’t be surprised when he leaves, I will be surprised if he leaves for an opportunity that isn’t significantly better than what he has and continues to build here.

1. Todd Bray was making $2,000,000/year. Thats double what Jason Eck is making at UNM or triple what Jeff Choate is making at Nevada & 500k more than Jimmy Rogers is making at WSU. Not totally clear if keeping the salary is sustainable or not given the status of the Pac2 moving forward, but it's obviously one of the best gigs in G5.

2. Not a lot of competition for in-state talent. The Ducks only have 17 Oregon players on the roster...and no FCS teams to compete with. Should be easy to compete for regional talent with Boise St, WSU, the Nevadas, etc. They would have one of the biggest stadiums in G5/6, some of the best facilities in G5/6...and an inside track to an auto bid to the playoffs. MSU would need to almost double the size of the stadium to get to OSUs capacity, as an example...Beavs have similar attendance as Boise State as another example. And its not as though the rebuilt Pac whatever is stacked with monster football teams...Beavs should have a shot at playoffs pretty consistently.

3. MSU isn't getting reshuffled. If MSU (and UM and the DSUs) didn't have an offer from wither the MWC or the Pac X last year, theres never going to be an invite coming. So no meaningful new revenue streams.

There might be better opportunities out there (Stanford? Michigan State if Smith goes back to OSU,Florida, Penn St) but I don't think Vigen will ever be in consideration for those.

I’m sure there will be a significant salary gap regardless, but if he really did turn down Wazzu, he’s probably pretty happy with his current situation. Not to mention, a 6k seat increase in bobcat stadium capacity @ $25/ticket is over $1mil in additional revenue with 7 regular season home games a year. Obviously that is conservative and doesn’t include higher prices for additional box seating, etc. A lot of extra money to beef up his salary a little more, even if a lot of it is incentive pay, to compete with FBS poachers.

If the ducks have 17 of the best players from Oregon, I’m sure many of the top recruits are not only getting offers from UO and OSU, but also UW, USC, UCLA, Utah, Boise state, etc.. Then you add in the rest of the regional G5 and upper level FCS (MSU, UM, etc.), it’s not really a significant recruiting advantage. I mean we see MSU and the top of the FCS competing with these regional G5 schools for recruits right now as is. Reser stadium holds ~36k by all accounts I can find, and the past several home games they have had less than 30k people in attendance. MSU facilities are also top of the line and would still be excellent at the next level, and I hope to hear about the stadium expansion sooner rather than later as the University has done a great job knocking out the early stages of the facilities master plan as they said they would.

I don’t know that the Pac, with the teams they are bringing in, will have a seat at the table in the CFP for much longer. I totally agree that they won’t have many monster football teams. The power conferences see that too which is why the SEC commissioner wants to do their own thing haha.
I don’t agree with your 3rd point, there is still going to be more changes to the FBS & CFP whether that’s a separate P4 & G5 playoff, a new FBS conference (Sac St president mentioned this—though I think they are full of bs), other teams transitioning to FBS (Tarleton & other Texas schools?), etc. If the rumors were true this past offseason, that had Unlv left the MW for the Pac, the xDSU’s and the two MT schools would have received the funds to move up to the MW together, then there has to be significant interest across all parties. NDSU has been pretty vocal saying they’re just waiting for an invite. My personal preference is to watch MSU in a playoff format and not a bowl game, and I do think at some point, whether that’s 3 years or 10 years, there’s going to be the opportunity to do that as a new G5 division.

I’m sure Vigen knows if OSU would be a desirable situation for him or not, but I’d hate to see him leave with so much success and momentum at MSU to go have a Choate @ UNR like experience (so far) at OSU haha. But with success it certainly would be that stepping stone to one of those much better opportunities you mentioned above!

[onceacat]

Is OSU really a better job than MSU in 4-5 years pending the continuous shuffling of FBS/FCS football and the potential rumors of stadium upgrades/more seating capacity (and thus increased revenue and raises for coaches)? Vigen certainly knows more behind the scenes discussing current affairs with Costello than anyone else. I won’t be surprised when he leaves, I will be surprised if he leaves for an opportunity that isn’t significantly better than what he has and continues to build here.

1. Todd Bray was making $2,000,000/year. Thats double what Jason Eck is making at UNM or triple what Jeff Choate is making at Nevada & 500k more than Jimmy Rogers is making at WSU. Not totally clear if keeping the salary is sustainable or not given the status of the Pac2 moving forward, but it's obviously one of the best gigs in G5.

2. Not a lot of competition for in-state talent. The Ducks only have 17 Oregon players on the roster...and no FCS teams to compete with. Should be easy to compete for regional talent with Boise St, WSU, the Nevadas, etc. They would have one of the biggest stadiums in G5/6, some of the best facilities in G5/6...and an inside track to an auto bid to the playoffs. MSU would need to almost double the size of the stadium to get to OSUs capacity, as an example...Beavs have similar attendance as Boise State as another example. And its not as though the rebuilt Pac whatever is stacked with monster football teams...Beavs should have a shot at playoffs pretty consistently.

3. MSU isn't getting reshuffled. If MSU (and UM and the DSUs) didn't have an offer from wither the MWC or the Pac X last year, theres never going to be an invite coming. So no meaningful new revenue streams.

There might be better opportunities out there (Stanford? Michigan State if Smith goes back to OSU,Florida, Penn St) but I don't think Vigen will ever be in consideration for those.

I’m sure there will be a significant salary gap regardless, but if he really did turn down Wazzu, he’s probably pretty happy with his current situation. Not to mention, a 6k seat increase in bobcat stadium capacity @ $25/ticket is over $1mil in additional revenue with 7 regular season home games a year. Obviously that is conservative and doesn’t include higher prices for additional box seating, etc. A lot of extra money to beef up his salary a little more, even if a lot of it is incentive pay, to compete with FBS poachers.

If the ducks have 17 of the best players from Oregon, I’m sure many of the top recruits are not only getting offers from UO and OSU, but also UW, USC, UCLA, Utah, Boise state, etc.. Then you add in the rest of the regional G5 and upper level FCS (MSU, UM, etc.), it’s not really a significant recruiting advantage. I mean we see MSU and the top of the FCS competing with these regional G5 schools for recruits right now as is. Reser stadium holds ~36k by all accounts I can find, and the past several home games they have had less than 30k people in attendance. MSU facilities are also top of the line and would still be excellent at the next level, and I hope to hear about the stadium expansion sooner rather than later as the University has done a great job knocking out the early stages of the facilities master plan as they said they would.

I don’t know that the Pac, with the teams they are bringing in, will have a seat at the table in the CFP for much longer. I totally agree that they won’t have many monster football teams. The power conferences see that too which is why the SEC commissioner wants to do their own thing haha.
I don’t agree with your 3rd point, there is still going to be more changes to the FBS & CFP whether that’s a separate P4 & G5 playoff, a new FBS conference (Sac St president mentioned this—though I think they are full of bs), other teams transitioning to FBS (Tarleton & other Texas schools?), etc. If the rumors were true this past offseason, that had Unlv left the MW for the Pac, the xDSU’s and the two MT schools would have received the funds to move up to the MW together, then there has to be significant interest across all parties. NDSU has been pretty vocal saying they’re just waiting for an invite. My personal preference is to watch MSU in a playoff format and not a bowl game, and I do think at some point, whether that’s 3 years or 10 years, there’s going to be the opportunity to do that as a new G5 division.

I’m sure Vigen knows if OSU would be a desirable situation for him or not, but I’d hate to see him leave with so much success and momentum at MSU to go have a Choate @ UNR like experience (so far) at OSU haha. But with success it certainly would be that stepping stone to one of those much better opportunities you mentioned above!

Yes, I think hes pretty happy with his current situation.

If theres a 6k expansion, with $1m gross revenues, thats maybe $500k in net for the athletic department, and Vigen at best is getting a $250k raise. Hes still a cool million annually behind Wazzu & $1.5-$2 behind what OSU is paying.

Offering in-state athletes saves the program boatloads of money (in-state vs out of state scholarships) and a lot of kids want to play close to home or have a backup plan if they get cut. In state is a REALLY big deal. (Also, Oregon is roughly the same population as Oklahoma...there are WAY more than 17 legit D1 athletes available)

MSU facilities are top notch for this level & they also don't remotely compare to anything at OSU. Thats just a simple fact. It's not even close.

Pac 2 doesnt need an autobid, the best G5/6 champion gets an auto bid. OSU should easily be able to compete with the likes of BSU or Coastal Carolina or JMU or Army for an auto bid.

Brent Vigen is 50. MSU isnt getting a G5 invite in the next 3 years...but in 10 years hes going to be 60. Dollars to donuts says hes not here in a decade waiting for that to happen. If NDSU didn't get an invite last year, why on earth do you think theres an invite coming anytime soon? Fargo is double the size of Bozeman with double the media market...if NDSU isn't getting an invite, why on earth do you think one is coming for UM and MSU (remember, the BOR has made it clear that any move up is a package deal).

OSU is light years ahead of UNR. Their coach was making $2m/year, Choate is making $700k. UNR head coach is basically moving laterally from MSU with a decent salary bump. OSU is in an entirely different category, and it's not even close.

All that said, I dont get the vibes from Vigen that he is ready to leave. It's just that hes not likely to get a better opportunity than OSU. More likely he gets an offer at a P4 as a DC or a lower tier G6 school HC like Choate did (like at Colorado State).

[vike_king]

Sorry if this has been said but. Not only have the Oregon State and Colorado State head coacing jobs become vacant, there could potentially be quite a domino effect once the Penn State and Florida jobs are filled.

I don't think those jobs are going to up and coming coordinators but to established head coaches.

Stay tuned.

[GavinDonos]

What I am about to throw out will never happen BUT…..

Vigen stays after building a powerhouse here. We get an invite to the PAC _____. We keep playing our rival and defeat them very soundly year after year. They are upset that because we are in an upper division the games aren’t fair.

Blah, blah, blah.

I would pay money to see that happen.

You’re correct. That will never happen. The Board of Regents would only approve if both schools move up. But there will be a reckoning soon with all the west coast conferences. Can we keep up is the question or stay in the minor leagues. Billy Booster is getting tapped out.

[rfischer94]

What I am about to throw out will never happen BUT…..

Vigen stays after building a powerhouse here. We get an invite to the PAC _____. We keep playing our rival and defeat them very soundly year after year. They are upset that because we are in an upper division the games aren’t fair.

Blah, blah, blah.

I would pay money to see that happen.

You’re correct. That will never happen. The Board of Regents would only approve if both schools move up. But there will be a reckoning soon with all the west coast conferences. Can we keep up is the question or stay in the minor leagues. Billy Booster is getting tapped out.

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

[GavinDonos]

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

No, I get it totally. But the whole landscape is going to change between 2028 and 2030. That’s when the CFP and TV deals get reset. We need to get our poop in a group and figure out a plan. Otherwise we are going to be a D2 feeder team. All of the Big Sky will be. Either move the whole conference up, or MSU / UM join PAC/MTN west with the Dakotas. There is no choice, just a reckoning.

The NCAA is charging $1mil to move up. Ten years ago it was around $10k. I hate all this BS. But we need to start planning now. Billy Booster only has so much cash to spend.

[RickRund]

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

No, I get it totally. But the whole landscape is going to change between 2028 and 2030. That’s when the CFP and TV deals get reset. We need to get our poop in a group and figure out a plan. Otherwise we are going to be a D2 feeder team. All of the Big Sky will be. Either move the whole conference up, or MSU / UM join PAC/MTN west with the Dakotas. There is no choice, just a reckoning.

The NCAA is charging $1mil to move up. Ten years ago it was around $10k. I hate all this BS. But we need to start planning now. Billy Booster only has so much cash to spend.

Wouldn’t Billy Booster need to spend more if there was a move up? And I would love to see a move up.

[MSU01]

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

No, I get it totally. But the whole landscape is going to change between 2028 and 2030. That’s when the CFP and TV deals get reset. We need to get our poop in a group and figure out a plan. Otherwise we are going to be a D2 feeder team. All of the Big Sky will be. Either move the whole conference up, or MSU / UM join PAC/MTN west with the Dakotas. There is no choice, just a reckoning.

The NCAA is charging $1mil to move up. Ten years ago it was around $10k. I hate all this BS. But we need to start planning now. Billy Booster only has so much cash to spend.

Wouldn’t Billy Booster need to spend more if there was a move up? And I would love to see a move up.

Perhaps the comment is referring to the greatly increased fee to move to FBS, which is now $5 million and not $1 million. But Costello has said in at least one interview that being able to pay the fee wouldn't be a problem for MSU should they have an opportunity to move up. So at least for that the fundraising appears to have been completed already.

[GavinDonos]

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

No, I get it totally. But the whole landscape is going to change between 2028 and 2030. That’s when the CFP and TV deals get reset. We need to get our poop in a group and figure out a plan. Otherwise we are going to be a D2 feeder team. All of the Big Sky will be. Either move the whole conference up, or MSU / UM join PAC/MTN west with the Dakotas. There is no choice, just a reckoning.

The NCAA is charging $1mil to move up. Ten years ago it was around $10k. I hate all this BS. But we need to start planning now. Billy Booster only has so much cash to spend.

Wouldn’t Billy Booster need to spend more if there was a move up? And I would love to see a move up.

Not necessarily if there is TV $$ involved. Now I’m typically not a fan of moving up, but times are changing quick.

[AFCAT]

I didn't mean that in a sarcastic way. I would love to hear the gris whine and complain about that.

No, I get it totally. But the whole landscape is going to change between 2028 and 2030. That’s when the CFP and TV deals get reset. We need to get our poop in a group and figure out a plan. Otherwise we are going to be a D2 feeder team. All of the Big Sky will be. Either move the whole conference up, or MSU / UM join PAC/MTN west with the Dakotas. There is no choice, just a reckoning.

The NCAA is charging $1mil to move up. Ten years ago it was around $10k. I hate all this BS. But we need to start planning now. Billy Booster only has so much cash to spend.

Wouldn’t Billy Booster need to spend more if there was a move up? And I would love to see a move up.

Not necessarily if there is TV $$ involved. Now I’m typically not a fan of moving up, but times are changing quick.

TV contracts aren’t enough to fund a move up and aren’t a long term solution. The current Mountain West TV contract pays each school around $3.5 million per year and that’s with the schools they have now. The average MW head coach alone makes $1.6 million.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... ke-in-2025