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Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:30 am
by BornBobcat2000
I didn’t want to cause any panic with the title of this thread, so I figured I would use it as a shoutout to Coach Howe for what he did with our defense this year, and also ask if there’s any heat on him from FBS schools? I would love to have him back for another couple of years before he inevitable moves up if he keeps doing what he’s doing.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:35 am
by wbtfg
BornBobcat2000 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:30 am
I didn’t want to cause any panic with the title of this thread, so I figured I would use it as a shoutout to Coach Howe for what he did with our defense this year, and also ask if there’s any heat on him from FBS schools? I would love to have him back for another couple of years before he inevitable moves up if he keeps doing what he’s doing.
Great dude....great coach. Love listening to him talk.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:40 am
by nanacat
He's excellent and I have enjoyed his interviews as well. A real player's coach!
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:55 am
by BornBobcat2000
wbtfg wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:35 am
BornBobcat2000 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:30 am
I didn’t want to cause any panic with the title of this thread, so I figured I would use it as a shoutout to Coach Howe for what he did with our defense this year, and also ask if there’s any heat on him from FBS schools? I would love to have him back for another couple of years before he inevitable moves up if he keeps doing what he’s doing.
Great dude....great coach. Love listening to him talk.
His interviews are some of my favorite, he sounds like a head coach when he speaks. I hope we hang on to him for a while, because if Vigen ever does leave, he seems like he’s built for a head coaching job.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:22 am
by coloradocat
Colter mentioned on his radio show yesterday that there are rumblings that we might not be done with coaching turnover. I would assume Howe is fielding offers but that doesn't mean he leaves yet.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:35 am
by MSU01
coloradocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:22 am
Colter mentioned on his radio show yesterday that there are rumblings that we might not be done with coaching turnover. I would assume Howe is fielding offers but that doesn't mean he leaves yet.
I'd be pretty shocked if we were done with coaching turnover given recent history. Howe is a heck of a coach and MSU has been fortunate to keep him for as long as they have.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:41 am
by TheJoeGoldstone
I agree with all the above. Adding up all the TIME Howe's defense spent on the field during the championship game against a very stout O line is a head shaker in happy disbelief that we won. If you picture the 2025 Bobcat offense with that TOP . . . we've seen what the score will be. A tip of my natty hat to Coach Howe as he called a very good season as well.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:26 pm
by SLC_Cat
MSU01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:35 am
coloradocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:22 am
Colter mentioned on his radio show yesterday that there are rumblings that we might not be done with coaching turnover. I would assume Howe is fielding offers but that doesn't mean he leaves yet.
I'd be pretty shocked if we were done with coaching turnover given recent history. Howe is a heck of a coach and MSU has been fortunate to keep him for as long as they have.
Yeah today is the last day of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention. The convention is a good place for networking and job placement so you usually see coaches move after this convention. I got to imagine members of the MSU staff are taking plenty of meetings.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:35 pm
by wbtfg
SLC_Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:26 pm
MSU01 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:35 am
coloradocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 11:22 am
Colter mentioned on his radio show yesterday that there are rumblings that we might not be done with coaching turnover. I would assume Howe is fielding offers but that doesn't mean he leaves yet.
I'd be pretty shocked if we were done with coaching turnover given recent history. Howe is a heck of a coach and MSU has been fortunate to keep him for as long as they have.
Yeah today is the last day of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention. The convention is a good place for networking and job placement so you usually see coaches move after this convention. I got to imagine members of the MSU staff are taking plenty of meetings.
No inside information, but I would imagine we see some coaches move. That is something that almost always happens after the Coaches Convention.
Also, we are coming up to the season of NFL coaches being fired and the ripple effect of that. And if a HC leaves, then I think that opens the portal back up for players of that team.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:45 pm
by ADOKmt
I was lucky enough to help out with a few projects where I collaborated with Coach Howe this season. Heck of a person as well as coach, and the few times I saw him interacting with players, it was clear that they love the guy. He is very much like Bobby Daly in that regard. Feels like his defensive players would run through a brick wall for him. If Vigen leaves, I would want Daly and Howe as 1A and 1B, in no particular order, on Costello's candidate list.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:19 pm
by TomCat88
If MSU returns most of its coaches, including the coordinators, it'll be very hard to stop in 2026. It'll be interesting to say the least what MSU looks like with both coordinators returning. When's the last time that happened?
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
by MSU01
TomCat88 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:19 pm
If MSU returns most of its coaches, including the coordinators, it'll be very hard to stop in 2026. It'll be interesting to say the least what MSU looks like with both coordinators returning. When's the last time that happened?
Housewright (recently promoted to OC at Jacksonville State) and Garza were both at MSU for multiple seasons. So 2023 would be the last time MSU retained both coordinators.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
by Common Cat
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:23 pm
by ZebraCat
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Specifically outside pressure. Blitzes from the NB, a Safety or the LB outside the tackle box was really effective.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:32 pm
by wbtfg
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
I think losing caden impacted how aggressive we could get in coverage.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:37 pm
by TomCat88
wbtfg wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:32 pm
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
I think losing caden impacted how aggressive we could get in coverage.
MSU only allowed three TDs on three possessions twice this season. Both times with Dowler out of the game. He probably could've had an INT early in the title game on a pass to the EZ but would've needed to dive and land on his injured shoulder.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:44 pm
by autocat
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Yes, let’s pump the brakes a second, was it 3 drive of at least 8 minutes or more for the birds? Also, did the front 4 get left on the field most of the 2nd half with no rotation? That “bend until your broken” defense has to be re-evaluated. Was the defense put in position to be the most successful, you guys tell me!
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:58 pm
by ZebraCat
autocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:44 pm
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Yes, let’s pump the brakes a second, was it 3 drive of at least 8 minutes or more for the birds? Also, did the front 4 get left on the field most of the 2nd half with no rotation? That “bend until your broken” defense has to be re-evaluated. Was the defense put in position to be the most successful, you guys tell me!
If you're gonna b*tch, at least be right. The front 4 rotated all game. In the 4th quarter, at least one DL subbed off every play that ISU subbed. The D forced several 4th downs in the 2nd half, and ISU made a few great plays on those 4th downs. I don't think anybody will disagree that bend but don't break isn't the best, but it's tough to complain about a D who gave up 28 points in regulation to 3 FCS teams all year. Not to mention it helped us win a national championship. Not sure if you're aware of that.
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:21 pm
by Montanabob
ZebraCat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:58 pm
autocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:44 pm
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Yes, let’s pump the brakes a second, was it 3 drive of at least 8 minutes or more for the birds? Also, did the front 4 get left on the field most of the 2nd half with no rotation? That “bend until your broken” defense has to be re-evaluated. Was the defense put in position to be the most successful, you guys tell me!
If you're gonna b*tch, at least be right. The front 4 rotated all game. In the 4th quarter, at least one DL subbed off every play that ISU subbed. The D forced several 4th downs in the 2nd half, and ISU made a few great plays on those 4th downs. I don't think anybody will disagree that bend but don't break isn't the best, but it's tough to complain about a D who gave up 28 points in regulation to 3 FCS teams all year. Not to mention it helped us win a national championship. Not sure if you're aware of that.
Was it me with bad eyesight or did we stay in the base 4 defense and blitz very little?
Re: Shawn Howe appreciation
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2026 8:38 pm
by Common Cat
Montanabob wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:21 pm
ZebraCat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:58 pm
autocat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:44 pm
Common Cat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:21 pm
Would like to see him dial up more pressure at times. Thought he got too conservative in the Natty. Playing base won both cat griz matchups and kept the Redbirds on the field for long drives.
Yes, let’s pump the brakes a second, was it 3 drive of at least 8 minutes or more for the birds? Also, did the front 4 get left on the field most of the 2nd half with no rotation? That “bend until your broken” defense has to be re-evaluated. Was the defense put in position to be the most successful, you guys tell me!
If you're gonna b*tch, at least be right. The front 4 rotated all game. In the 4th quarter, at least one DL subbed off every play that ISU subbed. The D forced several 4th downs in the 2nd half, and ISU made a few great plays on those 4th downs. I don't think anybody will disagree that bend but don't break isn't the best, but it's tough to complain about a D who gave up 28 points in regulation to 3 FCS teams all year. Not to mention it helped us win a national championship. Not sure if you're aware of that.
Was it me with bad eyesight or did we stay in the base 4 defense and blitz very little?
I think when we did blitz their “meat wall” of an o-line was able to pick it up. We sent pressure with our linebackers. Between their offensive line and how good Rittenhouse was playing it was going to be hard to get him off schedule. I just kept thinking in the second half that we’d get a stop - force a punt, generate a big negative play, get a turnover ect.