Vigen is staying at MSU!

[AFCAT]

Two years in a row he has been looking. If we hold on to him through the playoffs without another interview we might have a chance to win it all this year. However, next season he won’t stay for the playoffs. It’s obvious he wants a different job at this point

At this point he is being headhunted I’m sure. I don’t think it’s him actively looking for new roles. With that said, he could just be interviewing to use it as leverage to get MSU to bump his salary for the time being (possibly until his kids finish up college). From what I’ve heard they love Bozeman so that could be a strong reason to hang around for longer.

…and more money for his assistant coaches and possibly some more NIL cash for the players too. I think that’s obvious by the statement they put out. Leon is finding some extra cash for everyone.

[JohnGotti]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

[lutecat]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

Would the BOR let that happen? We need a bill in the legislature to allow for more $ to be paid.

[damnyoutuesday]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

I strongly disagree. The entire athletic department would have to double their operating budget and add multiple sports just to join the Mountain West, and then our ceiling would basically be the Idaho Potato Bowl against Bowling Green. Not to mention we'd have to play more games on Thursdays and Fridays, which would kill attendance (on top of fans probably starting to care less since we aren't competing for national titles anymore).

Like I've said multiple times on this board and elsewhere, thanks but no thanks to FBS. It isn't worth it until the entire CFB landscapes upends and the G6 has it's own playoff

[thisnamesucks]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

I strongly disagree. The entire athletic department would have to double their operating budget and add multiple sports just to join the Mountain West, and then our ceiling would basically be the Idaho Potato Bowl against Bowling Green. Not to mention we'd have to play more games on Thursdays and Fridays, which would kill attendance (on top of fans probably starting to care less since we aren't competing for national titles anymore).

Like I've said multiple times on this board and elsewhere, thanks but no thanks to FBS. It isn't worth it until the entire CFB landscapes upends and the G6 has it's own playoff

I think when SEC and B10 media deals end next decade there’s going to be a major restructuring of especially college football. It’s at that point there would be potential for a move but agreed on not joining the MWC as things currently are. I just don’t see how it’s feasible right now

[The MICKSTER]

Gris fans are crying in their moms basement again.

They're gonna blame it on the refs.

[CalgaryCat]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

I strongly disagree. The entire athletic department would have to double their operating budget and add multiple sports just to join the Mountain West, and then our ceiling would basically be the Idaho Potato Bowl against Bowling Green. Not to mention we'd have to play more games on Thursdays and Fridays, which would kill attendance (on top of fans probably starting to care less since we aren't competing for national titles anymore).

Like I've said multiple times on this board and elsewhere, thanks but no thanks to FBS. It isn't worth it until the entire CFB landscapes upends and the G6 has it's own playoff

I think when SEC and B10 media deals end next decade there’s going to be a major restructuring of especially college football. It’s at that point there would be potential for a move but agreed on not joining the MWC as things currently are. I just don’t see how it’s feasible right now

There is absolutely going to be a restructuring that separates the P4 from the rest, and if the Montana schools haven’t moved up by the time that happens they are going to be stuck in the new third tier.

[JohnGotti]

Rather play in the Potato Bowl then the “Feedlot” bowl in Greeley.

[NOCOcat2005]

Montana State belongs in the FBS, just not this FBS. Call it FBS2 for all i care, it would include the Mountain West and like conferences and truly place MSU where it belongs. I will say, I'm not a fan of the CATS playing in places like Greeley, PSU High School, Utah Tech, Cheney and the like. Those are not similar programs to MSU, similar programs are Montana, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State. You get the point, that is the sweet spot for MSU to hopefully find, but unfortunately this will be dictated by money and greed.

[onceacat]

MSU, Bozeman, has out grown the FCS and the Big Sky Conference. We need to move up and pay our coaches more.

Would the BOR let that happen? We need a bill in the legislature to allow for more $ to be paid.

BOR historically has been clear that its only happening if both the Pandas and Cats move at the same time.

But theres no invite from another conference. And if it didn't come last year in the wake of the Pac 12 meltdown, it's likely never coming.

Bozeman & Missoula (also Fargo and Brookings) are too small of media markets to move the needle on a MWC or Pac whatever media contract. But the schools would still get to share revenue. And both the Cats & Pandas would be close to competing for an MWC championship on day 1 (in football, not in other sports).

So theres zero incentive to give the Cats an invite.

[CalgaryCat]

Montana State belongs in the FBS, just not this FBS. Call it FBS2 for all i care, it would include the Mountain West and like conferences and truly place MSU where it belongs. I will say, I'm not a fan of the CATS playing in places like Greeley, PSU High School, Utah Tech, Cheney and the like. Those are not similar programs to MSU, similar programs are Montana, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State. You get the point, that is the sweet spot for MSU to hopefully find, but unfortunately this will be dictated by money and greed.

MSU has the support to compete well in the G6 environment. I understand the fans that don’t want to make that jump just to be ignored for the P4 schools though.

The problem is that those P4 schools are absolutely going to separate at some point. The writing is on the wall. And when that happens, the G6 cash flow is going to drop significantly, and they aren’t going to be looking for more teams to join to share what remains. If the Montana schools haven’t moved up by that point, they will be stuck in the third tier of college football. We belong in the second tier of it, and right now that’s what the FCS is. But it won’t be for long.

[CodyCat]

Does anyone know the actual story of Vigen staying at MSU?

Was he not selected for OSU?

Did he make the decision that OSU wasn’t the right fit for him?

Did MSU magically come up with a bunch of money to keep him in Bozeman?

[coloradocat]

Montana State belongs in the FBS, just not this FBS. Call it FBS2 for all i care, it would include the Mountain West and like conferences and truly place MSU where it belongs. I will say, I'm not a fan of the CATS playing in places like Greeley, PSU High School, Utah Tech, Cheney and the like. Those are not similar programs to MSU, similar programs are Montana, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State. You get the point, that is the sweet spot for MSU to hopefully find, but unfortunately this will be dictated by money and greed.

MSU has the support to compete well in the G6 environment. I understand the fans that don’t want to make that jump just to be ignored for the P4 schools though.

The problem is that those P4 schools are absolutely going to separate at some point. The writing is on the wall. And when that happens, the G6 cash flow is going to drop significantly, and they aren’t going to be looking for more teams to join to share what remains. If the Montana schools haven’t moved up by that point, they will be stuck in the third tier of college football. We belong in the second tier of it, and right now that’s what the FCS is. But it won’t be for long.

If MSU had the support to compete in the G6 environment today the money for the stadium upgrades/expansion would already be secured and Leon would have announced during the regular season that construction will begin ASAP in 2026.

MSU has the support to consistently compete in the top tier of the FCS but I don't think we're at the MWC/PAC level yet. And it's not just because the people with money are waiting for us to move up before donating the big bucks. For all the money that people always talk about flowing around Bozeman, those transplants with no connection to MSU aren't going to suddenly give when we start playing Utah State instead of Weber State.

[CalgaryCat]

Does anyone know the actual story of Vigen staying at MSU?

Was he not selected for OSU?

Did he make the decision that OSU wasn’t the right fit for him?

Did MSU magically come up with a bunch of money to keep him in Bozeman?

Nobody that knows has posted on here.

[CalgaryCat]

Montana State belongs in the FBS, just not this FBS. Call it FBS2 for all i care, it would include the Mountain West and like conferences and truly place MSU where it belongs. I will say, I'm not a fan of the CATS playing in places like Greeley, PSU High School, Utah Tech, Cheney and the like. Those are not similar programs to MSU, similar programs are Montana, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State. You get the point, that is the sweet spot for MSU to hopefully find, but unfortunately this will be dictated by money and greed.

MSU has the support to compete well in the G6 environment. I understand the fans that don’t want to make that jump just to be ignored for the P4 schools though.

The problem is that those P4 schools are absolutely going to separate at some point. The writing is on the wall. And when that happens, the G6 cash flow is going to drop significantly, and they aren’t going to be looking for more teams to join to share what remains. If the Montana schools haven’t moved up by that point, they will be stuck in the third tier of college football. We belong in the second tier of it, and right now that’s what the FCS is. But it won’t be for long.

If MSU had the support to compete in the G6 environment today the money for the stadium upgrades/expansion would already be secured and Leon would have announced during the regular season that construction will begin ASAP in 2026.

MSU has the support to consistently compete in the top tier of the FCS but I don't think we're at the MWC/PAC level yet. And it's not just because the people with money are waiting for us to move up before donating the big bucks. For all the money that people always talk about flowing around Bozeman, those transplants with no connection to MSU aren't going to suddenly give when we start playing Utah State instead of Weber State.

We might not be at Boise State levels of support and facilities yet, but MSU would be above a large number of FBS facilities once the planned upgrades are done. And you’re right about transplants not supporting the program, but la hypothetical move up would lead to increased investment.

[grizzh8r]

Montana State belongs in the FBS, just not this FBS. Call it FBS2 for all i care, it would include the Mountain West and like conferences and truly place MSU where it belongs. I will say, I'm not a fan of the CATS playing in places like Greeley, PSU High School, Utah Tech, Cheney and the like. Those are not similar programs to MSU, similar programs are Montana, Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State. You get the point, that is the sweet spot for MSU to hopefully find, but unfortunately this will be dictated by money and greed.

MSU has the support to compete well in the G6 environment. I understand the fans that don’t want to make that jump just to be ignored for the P4 schools though.

The problem is that those P4 schools are absolutely going to separate at some point. The writing is on the wall. And when that happens, the G6 cash flow is going to drop significantly, and they aren’t going to be looking for more teams to join to share what remains. If the Montana schools haven’t moved up by that point, they will be stuck in the third tier of college football. We belong in the second tier of it, and right now that’s what the FCS is. But it won’t be for long.

If MSU had the support to compete in the G6 environment today the money for the stadium upgrades/expansion would already be secured and Leon would have announced during the regular season that construction will begin ASAP in 2026.

MSU has the support to consistently compete in the top tier of the FCS but I don't think we're at the MWC/PAC level yet. And it's not just because the people with money are waiting for us to move up before donating the big bucks. For all the money that people always talk about flowing around Bozeman, those transplants with no connection to MSU aren't going to suddenly give when we start playing Utah State instead of Weber State.

Interesting that you chose Utah State.... Not saying Bozeman and MSU are in the same position, but I'm in Boise for Thanksgiving, and that's EXACTLY what happened when BSU moved up and started playing in the WAC and then the MWC. It took them a few years, but the growth of their athletic programs has essentially parallelled the growth of the Treasure Valley, and there's NO WAY the growth of BSU happened organically with all alumni/booster contributions. Sure, Albertsons had a big role to play in it, but it's absolutely INSANE the growth Ada and Canyon Counties have experienced in the last 20-25 years. Hugely spurred on by the growth of Micron, HP, and other tech companies here.

[WalkOn79]

Interesting statement. I’m thrilled. But a little skeptical. The right opening could come open next week and he’s gone. Or is there more to this story I don’t know?

I know that BQC and the Foundation were working hard to keep him. Don’t know what that means but I’d be shocked if it didn’t include some additional compensation.

[MSU01]

Does anyone know the actual story of Vigen staying at MSU?

Was he not selected for OSU?

Did he make the decision that OSU wasn’t the right fit for him?

Did MSU magically come up with a bunch of money to keep him in Bozeman?

I doubt we'll ever know but it seems certain that someone came up with some money, whether it was MSU or boosters. If I were Vigen I'd be very happy at MSU but would also take advantage of every opportunity to leverage my success for a better deal to stay!

[nanacat]

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/fcs-foo ... todays-fcs

[Run-the-ball]

Personally don’t care if OSU wanted him.
We want him. Very glad he is staying for now. Congratulations to Leon for such a great hire for our program.