The Bobcat Nation

I know that the goal in hiring at MSU is to select the "best" candidate available but it does concern me that the entire leadership chain from President, Athletic Director and Football Coach did not grow up in Montana, did not attend or graduate from MSU and did not play for the Bobcats (Kramer played for Idaho, which used to be a huge rival).

I have had many conversations with all three and I like and respect all of them. I can tell though that the passion, loyalty and understanding that comes from growing up in Montana and attending MSU is not there. I am pretty sure they still do not fully understand the Cat/Griz rivalry. They may accept it but I doubt they fully understand why it is such a passion for most Montanan's.

Again, I respect all three as individuals and for the job they have done. My concern is how there lack of true passion for the school and the game (which only comes from growing up with it) will affect their long term decisions.

Just wanted to throw it out there for conversation.

In a perfect world, all those positions would be MSU grads... but I think you are smoking something wacky there g-tapp. Its not always about Cat-Griz. As a matter of fact, that school to the west should be trying to compare themselves to us, not vice versa.

Hmmm. Interesting point, however, Coach has stated over and over his childhood dream was to play for WAZZU but he went to Youdaho because they offered to pay for his education. In a perfect world, I would have been offered a position to teach and coach in the Valley rather than being forced to go to Georgia. Think it comes down to opportunities and hiring the best person for the position. Do ya'll think Dennis Erickson regrets, at this point in time, not being a finalist when Graber bailed after one year? Would he have been mature enough back then to fit in with the "administration" and "leadership" we faced for well over twenty years? Anyone think somebody like Lubick would ever return to Bozo for whatever reason? Would you really want the conference commissioner to return and...you know what he did to our athletic department

Mike Malone (god rest his soul) was from Montana and single-handedly lost us the CNFR. But then again I wisht the Griz could have found someone exactly like Baby Hauck instead of hiring an out of stater like Read.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. If someone wants to come to Montana and raise a better life for themselves and their family and join the community, more power to them. If they want to come and treat it like a resort, we're gonna have some major fighting words.

Krames has done a good job integrating with the community. Compare that to someone like Glenn at Montana, who jumped back to Wyoming in a heartbeat. Likewise, Gamble is far more of a figure on campus than King George at Missoula, who is downright afraid to walk across the Oval.
I don't care where people are from, so much as where they want to go. As long as the coach, AD, and president are committed to doing the best job for Montana State, I'll support them. If another opportunity presents itself at a suitable time I'd hold nothing against them if they decide to move elsewhere.