Choate vs Vigen

[BelligerentBobcat]

I'm glad we had Choate....I'm glad we have Vigen. Both guys were/are great for the program and both deserve to be celebrated. We don't have to pit them against each other.

100%

[Hawks86]

This is similar to naming any type of favorite. Nobody is going to change my mind on my favorite all-time NFL RB or MSU QB,etc.
I'm also not going to give full credit on my great new house solely to the concrete contractor.

[catatac]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

Yep, we'll see. I predict we'll see an upward projection over the next 2-3 years culminating then being on top of the conference. Will be interesting to watch.

[seataccat]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

Nevada being at the top of the BSC 40 years ago has no relevance towards what they are now.

The only time in recent history, and in truly being generous with the term recent, that they’ve been at the top of the conference was when Chris Ault was the HC. Again, I like Choate a lot, but he’s no Chris Ault.

[seataccat]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

Nevada being at the top of the BSC 40 years ago has no relevance towards what they are now.

The only time in recent history, and in truly being generous with the term recent, that they’ve been at the top of the conference was when Chris Ault was the HC. Again, I like Choate a lot, but he’s no Chris Ault.

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

[PapaG]

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They have had one season with double-digit wins since moving to 1-A/FBS in 1992. Their most successful coach other than Ault is Jay Norvill, who left Reno after an 8-5 season in a lateral move to Colorado State.

Choate must have been antsy for a head coaching job because this one is a tough rebuild, even more now with the better programs leaving for the Pac-whatever and that TV money drying up.

[Montanabob]

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They have had one season with double-digit wins since moving to 1-A/FBS in 1992. Their most successful coach other than Ault is Jay Norvill, who left Reno after an 8-5 season in a lateral move to Colorado State.

Choate must have been antsy for a head coaching job because this one is a tough rebuild, even more now with the better programs leaving for the Pac-whatever and that TV money drying up.

if i remember, 3 programs left for greener pastures around 92. BSU succeeded and little brother didn't. neither did Nevada reno. and Cal State Northridge just quit football to get out of the FCS BSC.

[catsrback76]

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They have had one season with double-digit wins since moving to 1-A/FBS in 1992. Their most successful coach other than Ault is Jay Norvill, who left Reno after an 8-5 season in a lateral move to Colorado State.

Choate must have been antsy for a head coaching job because this one is a tough rebuild, even more now with the better programs leaving for the Pac-whatever and that TV money drying up.

if i remember, 3 programs left for greener pastures around 92. BSU succeeded and little brother didn't. neither did Nevada reno. and Cal State Northridge just quit football to get out of the FCS BSC.

Fresno State also did as well I believe. And I’d say that on the whole they made the transition pretty well.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

Nevada being at the top of the BSC 40 years ago has no relevance towards what they are now.

The only time in recent history, and in truly being generous with the term recent, that they’ve been at the top of the conference was when Chris Ault was the HC. Again, I like Choate a lot, but he’s no Chris Ault.

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They’ve been at the top of their conference with exactly 1 coach, and even that wasn’t sustained for long. That coach was an offensive pioneer. Recently, as in the past decade or so, Nevada’s best years have been barely eking out a winning record. They’re not a good program and haven’t been for a very long time.

[seataccat]

Vigen > Choate. End of discussion. The collective sigh of relief from MSU Admin when Choate left could be heard across the state.

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

Nevada being at the top of the BSC 40 years ago has no relevance towards what they are now.

The only time in recent history, and in truly being generous with the term recent, that they’ve been at the top of the conference was when Chris Ault was the HC. Again, I like Choate a lot, but he’s no Chris Ault.

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They’ve been at the top of their conference with exactly 1 coach, and even that wasn’t sustained for long. That coach was an offensive pioneer. Recently, as in the past decade or so, Nevada’s best years have been barely eking out a winning record. They’re not a good program and haven’t been for a very long time.

Nevada has a better overall winning record in their program history than MSU does despite playing at a higher division. They won't their conference title three years in a row after moving to FBS. You're a bit like all the excuse makers at UM after Hauck fell on his face at UNLV when they said that nobody could ever win at that program. UNR has a much better history than UNLV and look at where they are now.

[FTG_1984]

Yep, we'll see. I predict we'll see an upward projection over the next 2-3 years culminating then being on top of the conference. Will be interesting to watch.

Agreed. Choate's first season at Nevada was rough, similar to his first season at MSU. It will take some time to rebuild. What was interesting to see last season was Nevada go into a top 10-ranked Boise St stadium, and in typical Choate fashion, almost beat Boise St on their own field. No other team played Boise St as tough in their home last season.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Candidate for 2025 worst take of the year on this board

What part? Vigen has proven to be a much better coach than Choate and there was a good handful of administrative staff / coaches from other sports that were more than happy to see Choate and his authoritarian attitude gone. Have you ever been in his office? It’s now part of the student athlete resource center, walking in there alone will tell you how he saw himself and others.

Choate is an abrasive guy and always had a used car salesman vibe to me. He was a couple plays in Missoula from being an afterthought.

Hmmm, I thought he was a pretty damn good coach. I'd be willing to bet Nevada goes undefeated or close to it one of these years soon.

This is nothing against Choate because I think he’s a good coach and did a phenomenal job here, but Nevada isn’t that kind of program. They’re not that good. If he can get them to even consistently win 7-8 games a year he’ll get hired by a bigger program.

This isn't true at all. Nevada was always at the top of the BSC when they played in it. They consistently won the Big West WAC and whatever conference they were in after moving up. They have a better overall record than MSU despite playing at a higher level. They had some tough years under Tormey but that was more of the exception and not the rule.

Nevada being at the top of the BSC 40 years ago has no relevance towards what they are now.

The only time in recent history, and in truly being generous with the term recent, that they’ve been at the top of the conference was when Chris Ault was the HC. Again, I like Choate a lot, but he’s no Chris Ault.

I certainly never said Jeff Choate was Chis Ault. I said Nevada is not some program that doesn't have a winning culture like you were implying.

They’ve been at the top of their conference with exactly 1 coach, and even that wasn’t sustained for long. That coach was an offensive pioneer. Recently, as in the past decade or so, Nevada’s best years have been barely eking out a winning record. They’re not a good program and haven’t been for a very long time.

Nevada has a better overall winning record in their program history than MSU does despite playing at a higher division. They won't their conference title three years in a row after moving to FBS. You're a bit like all the excuse makers at UM after Hauck fell on his face at UNLV when they said that nobody could ever win at that program. UNR has a much better history than UNLV and look at where they are now.

Again, comparing what happened 20+ years ago just isn’t relevant. MSU would beat Nevada today.

I’m not saying you can’t win at Nevada, I’m saying literally the only time they’ve been at the top of the WAC was when Ault was the coach. Even Jay Norvell, a good coach, topped out at 8 wins. So historically, they aren’t a top team. They don’t have the advantages compared to their peers that MSU does, it’s a silly comparison. If Choate wins 8 games at Nevada that’s him doing one hell of a job and he’ll be gone. But I don’t think that team is winning or competing for a conference title anytime soon. We’ll see though. We can revisit in 3 years.

[Cataholic]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

[tetoncat]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

We will see what the portal brings. I don't think they can move up the rankings with just freshmen.

[Cataholic]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

We will see what the portal brings. I don't think they can move up the rankings with just freshmen.

I was not impressed with their portal additions based on their resume. But Choate seems to find the right guys that flew under the radar at their previous schools. Add in key guys to create his specific culture and they will find success.

[TomCat88]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

That’s impressive. I wasn’t aware of that. Didn’t MSU have a bunch of close losses the first two years under Choate?

[D-Wreck]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

That’s impressive. I wasn’t aware of that. Didn’t MSU have a bunch of close losses the first two years under Choate?

2016
Idaho -3
North Dakota -2
Sac State -3
NAU -6
Weber -18
EWU -24
SUU -17

2017
WSU -31
SDSU -4
Weber -8
EWU -12
Kennesaw -2
NAU -1

[AFCAT]

Nevada lost 6 games last year by less than one score. 4 of those game by 4 or less points. A handful of those losses to ranked teams. I think he has already had an impact in year 1.

That’s impressive. I wasn’t aware of that. Didn’t MSU have a bunch of close losses the first two years under Choate?

2016
Idaho -3
North Dakota -2
Sac State -3
NAU -6
Weber -18
EWU -24
SUU -17

2017
WSU -31
SDSU -4
Weber -8
EWU -12
Kennesaw -2
NAU -1

Man, the Kennesaw and SDSU losses were just maddening. The Cats had the SDSU game won until the penalty on the TD and that fake kick by SDSU, that I swear everyone saw coming, just irks me to this day.

Cats were driving on Kennesaw and Murray threw that pic at the end. Arrrrgh!

[grizzh8r]

I know Choate always worked by the 4-year plan...

Year 1: lose big
Year 2: lose small
Year 3: win small
Year 4: win big

Will be interesting to see if he can do this in the portal era...