Choate to Nevada

[AFCAT]

This sounds familiar.

Here's what we're going to do: We're going to run the damn ball.

I know a lot of people really like Choate and I do, too, although I don't really know him at all. I don't mean this as a knock because I truly believe you need some breaks/luck along the way to having success....He's really led a charmed life as a coach. He got time to rebuild MSU and when I say charmed, I don't mean those first two years, but his last two were really something. The win at UM in 2018 was one play from being a blowout and there were several other plays that UM didn't make that kept MSU in it and then the fumble by UM. The next year MSU gets two easy games (Albany and Austin Peay) to the semifinals in 2019. Both years were close to not even making the playoffs. Then he goes to Texas, and they end up in the finals.

That's a pretty lopsided view of the 2018 game. What's the 1 play you're referring to that would've made it a blowout?
The griz also had their share of luck in that game. I remember an incredible 1 handed catch on their first TD drive that maybe gets caught 1 in 20 times. Also remember a couple 3rd and 17 type plays they converted on the same drive, one on 2 missed tackles and another throwing the ball up into triple coverage.
I would argue that game didn't need to be as close as it was at the end.

And four one score losses during the 5 win season in 2017. If it wasn’t for a couple of mistakes at UND, the Cats win a share of the Big Sky in 2019.

[imacat]

Man, I miss his press conferences

Yes, I particularly liked the skillful way he avoided mentioning Montana State.

[TomCat88]

This sounds familiar.

Here's what we're going to do: We're going to run the damn ball.

I know a lot of people really like Choate and I do, too, although I don't really know him at all. I don't mean this as a knock because I truly believe you need some breaks/luck along the way to having success....He's really led a charmed life as a coach. He got time to rebuild MSU and when I say charmed, I don't mean those first two years, but his last two were really something. The win at UM in 2018 was one play from being a blowout and there were several other plays that UM didn't make that kept MSU in it and then the fumble by UM. The next year MSU gets two easy games (Albany and Austin Peay) to the semifinals in 2019. Both years were close to not even making the playoffs. Then he goes to Texas, and they end up in the finals.

That's a pretty lopsided view of the 2018 game. What's the 1 play you're referring to that would've made it a blowout?
The griz also had their share of luck in that game. I remember an incredible 1 handed catch on their first TD drive that maybe gets caught 1 in 20 times. Also remember a couple 3rd and 17 type plays they converted on the same drive, one on 2 missed tackles and another throwing the ball up into triple coverage.
I would argue that game didn't need to be as close as it was at the end.

Not getting a first down when they had 2nd and 2 before the first half TD. A first down there and it’s in all likelihood 22-0 at half. Then Um gets stop on first drive of second half and proceeds to miss a 40-yard fg that would’ve made it 25-0 with 7:30 to go in third. Then UM gets a 3 n out and can’t convert another 2nd and 2 with 2:30. Get that and it’s 25-0 going into the fourth quarter.

Yes, MSU made the plays there and teams that make plays when plays need to be made win. But I think you can now see what it is that I am saying.

[TomCat88]

I was just told that Choate has moved 9 times in 19 years of coaching.

[Bobcat4Ever]

This sounds familiar.

Here's what we're going to do: We're going to run the damn ball.

I know a lot of people really like Choate and I do, too, although I don't really know him at all. I don't mean this as a knock because I truly believe you need some breaks/luck along the way to having success....He's really led a charmed life as a coach. He got time to rebuild MSU and when I say charmed, I don't mean those first two years, but his last two were really something. The win at UM in 2018 was one play from being a blowout and there were several other plays that UM didn't make that kept MSU in it and then the fumble by UM. The next year MSU gets two easy games (Albany and Austin Peay) to the semifinals in 2019. Both years were close to not even making the playoffs. Then he goes to Texas, and they end up in the finals.

At his level, it is more about connections and networking. He is from the Peterson coaching tree. That goes a long way.

While his win/loss record was clearly evident of a rebuild at MSU, his attitude and charisma were a breath of fresh air, IMO.

He injected some juice into the MSU program that hadn’t been there for a long time. Similar to what Sprinkle did with basketball. Choate did as he said, that he’d leave the program in better shape than when he came. Packed stadiums, returning to playoffs, a nice building and palpable excitement. Just personally, my interest in football went way up when he was hired. I now live in Nevada where the Wolfpack is almost a secret society. I got an email today from a neighbor who isn’t really much of a football guy (and knew nothing of ‘Cat/gris etc. until indoctrinated) asking if I had seen the news about our old/now new football coach. I’ll bet the team gets better, and that I’ll see a piece of Wolfpack gear in the next four years.

[Slapdad]

It was interesting to hear the AD say that they are trying to build an indoor. I was a bit surprised they didn't already have one.

But it is not Bozeman weather. Still in the 60s there now. They average 19 inches of snow a year.

Then why are they trying to build an indoor?

The IPF is needed in summer due to smoke from wildfires more so than for snow in the winter and heat in the summer....the past few years, the Pack had to move camp to Stanford once or twice due to smoke from California fires. Although it does get hot in Reno, it isn't as hot as Vegas. It will also be used by the baseball team, which has a hard time practicing in the late winter and early spring due to the snow.

[Slapdad]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Choate can do in Reno. It has been a rough two years for the Pack.

I'd love to see MSU along with a few other former Big Sky conference mates in the MWC. There's a long history there with some great games.

[91catAlum]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Choate can do in Reno. It has been a rough two years for the Pack.

I'd love to see MSU along with a few other former Big Sky conference mates in the MWC. There's a long history there with some great games.

You guys got a great one in Choate. He will rebuild the culture and inject a ton of enthusiasm into your program.

[PapaG]

Man, I miss his press conferences

Me too! He gives the best press conferences. “Be the most excited team to play on Saturdays!”

I wonder if he could poach Ione from Boise?

He did A LOT to help Kane's career. I have a feeling Kane will be pretty high on his potential DC list.

Would dropping the Co- from his Co-DC title really be worth moving from Boise State to Nevada? With the previous DC being elevated to HC he might actually drop the Co- from his title without changing teams.

I suppose it will depend on if Kane feels that Nevada can be built into the bigger MWC power. Obviously $$ will come into play too.

Does he have more faith in Choate or the new HC at Boise?

Nevada went 2-10 and Boise State won the conference. Boise is a much better situation and much more stable if the compensation, job title, and coaching responsibilities are similar.

[mslacatfan]

Hey choate, Keep yer god damn hands off our MT bobcats.

[Camo_Cat]

Hey choate, Keep yer god damn hands off our MT bobcats.

Exactly! If he wanted to coach these guys, he shoulda stayed at MSU!

[Slapdad]

Hey choate, Keep yer god damn hands off our MT bobcats.

It's hard for me to argue your sentiment there, especially after our previous coach (Norvell) skipped to CSU and took almost every coach and about two dozen players and recruits with him. I don't wish that on any fan base....except the P5 big boys.

[AFCAT]

Hey choate, Keep yer god damn hands off our MT bobcats.

It's hard for me to argue your sentiment there, especially after our previous coach (Norvell) skipped to CSU and took almost every coach and about two dozen players and recruits with him. I don't wish that on any fan base....except the P5 big boys.

Our previous basketball coach did something similar, took the assistants (that makes sense though) and two of the best players and a top recruit.

[Wolfhomie]

Are most of your recruits from the Montana area?

[BobcatDel]

Are most of your recruits from the Montana area?

There’s nothing to see here.

Most of our kids come out of high school at 5’10” and 170 lbs with their gear on. I’ve seen a couple put up a decent 12 sec 100m time though.

And one thing about the Montana kids is absolute lack of a work ethic.

Actually…we usually have somewhere around 4 Montana kids on the roster. And they are kids who can bench 180lbs..oooofta!

[AFCAT]

Are most of your recruits from the Montana area?

Maine, Rhode Island, and West Virginia of all places. There’s only two or three from Montana. Nothing to recruit here, at all.

[Bobcatsinmso]

The top 6 or 8 MT recruits always go to the university of missoula, ( just ask their coach), so that's the top spot to scout....

[catsrback76]

Man, I miss his press conferences

Yes, I particularly liked the skillful way he avoided mentioning Montana State.

Yeah, I picked that up too. I felt like he was not really comfortable with the reporter who continually tried to get him to speak to the “rivalry” issue related to his time with the Cats. I’m sure he was not wanting focus on anything “smaller” from his past as he was glad to talk up Texas but failed to throw any love the Cats way. Not a biggie, just interesting.

[Catsrgrood]

I was just told that Choate has moved 9 times in 19 years of coaching.

And he was in Bozeman for nearly 5 years. So taking that out he’s moved 8 times in 14 years.

Takes a certain type to want a lifestyle like that.

[seataccat]

Man, I miss his press conferences

Yes, I particularly liked the skillful way he avoided mentioning Montana State.

At one point he said he'd worked so hard to get the chance to lead a program, as if he didn't already have the job as leading MSU.