Tyler Walker New OC

[TomCat88]

How long until Udy leaves and goes elsewhere?

I thought for sure it would be Udy named OC out of all internal possibilities…

Humbling, isn’t it.

[91catAlum]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

I'm certain that Vigen has given some thought to who his next OC might be, ever since the Housewright incident last Spring. If this is the guy he chose, then I'm confident it's the best thing to do for the program and for the offensive guys already on the team.

If we had just graduated a bunch of seniors then I could see bringing in an experienced outside guy and installing a new offense. Since we have a very talented senior group going into next year, my guess is that Vigen thinks an internal hire is best for the sake of continuity.

[CodyCat]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

So did you say the same thing about Daly? I’m
Guessing not. Probably because Daly is already a Bobcat Legend.

Looking at this through a different lenses, maybe this is what really good and really solid programs look like. Continue to promote within because the position coaches are that good, driven, and want to be here. I was/am pretty pissed at the coaches about last season. But, I still very much trust Vigen.

I really like this hire.

[PapaG]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

[tetoncat]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

[VimSince03]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Getting a guy like Al Johnson who was a RB coach at Wisconsin was an outlier in my opinion because why leave that position unless you're going to be an OC at a lower level...and that's still a maybe. Al wanted to coach Oline and help design a run game. Probably the only reason MSU got him.

Vigen has continued to preach continuity and "a team effort" when it comes to his newly hired DCs and OC as he likes the way his staff works together. Everyone's input is necessary before one coach delivers the calls. We have a great staff that wants nothing but the best for the team. Hopefully that helps guide two new coordinators who have very little experience calling the shots on Saturday (though I'm not sure that part is as big of a deal as it gets made out to be). Daly got a crack against Weber and the results were wonderful. Walker will get his feet wet this spring but biggest focus will be his communication skills not really the play he calls.

[VimSince03]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

Didn't Chuck go directly from Tech to Fresno State then followed on to Washington?

[Long Time Cat]

I like the picK because Vigen likes the pick. I know that sounds oversimplified, but some have suggested that either Johnson or Udy would be their expected picks. Well, Vigen knows all three well and chose Walker. That to me says a lot. I wonder if he talks to the players about any of these decisions, and in this case, Tommy in particular.

Food for thought about hiring experienced coaches. Matt LaFleur was hired as the Packers head coach when he was 39 years old and had never been a head coach anywhere at any level. I would argue that’s worked out pretty well for the Packers. Just one example, but don’t be too quick to condemn based only on experience.

[MSU01]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

One thing for certain is that people here will manage to come up with some sort of knee jerk negative reaction no matter who the hire is, with one exception.

If they internally promote a coach like Walker, he isn't experienced enough.
If they hire a successful coordinator from a lower division, he has never coached in Division 1 and can't recruit at this level.
If they bring in an experienced former D-1 coordinator, he's a washed up retread.

The only thing that won't get criticized is if the hire is a former Bobcat player, even though that on its own doesn't guarantee that they'll work out as a coach here.

[PapaG]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

Didn't Chuck go directly from Tech to Fresno State then followed on to Washington?

He did, and he’s also pushing 50 years-old and has years of head coaching experience to go with a connection back to Sioux Falls with DeBoer along with those two years in Fresno. Seems like a unique situation and one that is somewhat unusual, but seeing his success and close ties to DeBoer and it makes sense.

[nanacat]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

One thing for certain is that people here will manage to come up with some sort of knee jerk negative reaction no matter who the hire is, with one exception.

If they internally promote a coach like Walker, he isn't experienced enough.
If they hire a successful coordinator from a lower division, he has never coached in Division 1 and can't recruit at this level.
If they bring in an experienced former D-1 coordinator, he's a washed up retread.

The only thing that won't get criticized is if the hire is a former Bobcat player, even though that on its own doesn't guarantee that they'll work out as a coach here.

+1!
Good grief guys have a little faith. To think this wasn't already in the works, and a decision Vigen took VERY seriously, is just silly. Several posters have talked of 2024 being THE year, for multiple reasons. You think Vigen and the rest of his staff doesn't know that? Why risk bringing in an outside guy who doesn't know the players, doesn't know the culture of MSU football (including the rivalry), and share the same goals of going to the Natty? Sure guys will all say they want to go there, but Walker HAS BEEN THERE and shares the desire to get back there from experience. He's been a part of the program for 3 years, knows the players, knows what's worked, also what hasn't. I'm excited about both offense and defense coach hires, and think it's going to be a GREAT season!!

[PapaG]

I hope I am way off, but to me this seems like the kind of hire an Idaho State or Northern Colorado would do. We are a top 5 FCS team. We could easily be back in the Semifinals next season. I hope Walker is the real deal and that it feels odd because we know so little about him, but I guess I was expecting someone that has proven they are legit.

With what MSU pays for a coordinator, you’re either getting someone early in their career, or someone at the tail end of their career. Doesn’t seem to be the place for an already-proven and wanted OC to spend his peak years.

Depends what proven means to people. Might be a proven NAIA or D2 coordinator looking for step up. Look at Huskies. Head guy with NAIA ties just 15 years ago. Then to FCS, and FBS. Morrell was HC at Tech in 2020. He went Naua, FCS, NAIA the FBS

One thing for certain is that people here will manage to come up with some sort of knee jerk negative reaction no matter who the hire is, with one exception.

If they internally promote a coach like Walker, he isn't experienced enough.
If they hire a successful coordinator from a lower division, he has never coached in Division 1 and can't recruit at this level.
If they bring in an experienced former D-1 coordinator, he's a washed up retread.

The only thing that won't get criticized is if the hire is a former Bobcat player, even though that on its own doesn't guarantee that they'll work out as a coach here.

+1!
Good grief guys have a little faith. To think this wasn't already in the works, and a decision Vigen took VERY seriously, is just silly. Several posters have talked of 2024 being THE year, for multiple reasons. You think Vigen and the rest of his staff doesn't know that? Why risk bringing in an outside guy who doesn't know the players, doesn't know the culture of MSU football (including the rivalry), and share the same goals of going to the Natty? Sure guys will all say they want to go there, but Walker HAS BEEN THERE and shares the desire to get back there from experience. He's been a part of the program for 3 years, knows the players, knows what's worked, also what hasn't. I'm excited about both offense and defense coach hires, and think it's going to be a GREAT season!!

I’ve only seen the one poster “criticizing” it and even that was tame and he even said he likes Walker, just was hoping for a more experienced candidate. I like the hire, it keeps continuity for the players and staff, deepens coaching roots to MSU for Walker, now let’s go win some a lot of games and a championship.

[4KornerKat]

Wasn't the AFCA convention this week? I believe that is where Vigen picked up Al Johnson last year. I'm wondering if they liked Tyler Walker but wanted to see who else was available at the convention, and had Housewright hold his news until they had the details worked out.

In any case, I know Vigen really likes Tyler Walker, and if we are going to have a consistently successful program, we are going to likely need to expect to see coaches hired away and promoted regularly, I think it's a sign of a healthy program to have position coaches ready to take on larger roles.

[Bocephus]

Continuity is key, Walker was there for all the lessons learned on offense over the past 3 seasons with this personel.

[ilovethecats]

Continuity is key, Walker was there for all the lessons learned on offense over the past 3 seasons with this personel.

Exactly. Don't know what people have against internal hires. I guess I could understand if we were a terrible program. But we're not. We have NC aspirations year in and year out.

Personally, where this program currently sits, I PREFER internal hires. And I think you all will be happy come next season as well.

[TomCat88]

If there was one way tried and true way to hire coaches we’d all know what that is and the coaches would always follow it.

If the offense or defense fails this year it won’t be because Vigen didn’t do his due diligence. He’s the most thorough coach I’ve been around.

[kwcat]

If there was one way tried and true way to hire coaches we’d all know what that is and the coaches would always follow it.

If the offense or defense fails this year it won’t be because Vigen didn’t do his due diligence. He’s the most thorough coach I’ve been around.

Vigen is a good coach. At times this year he needed to stop managing and help out coaching. Tough transition I know. And he’s gonna have to get the big games figured out to add to the consistent base that he has built.

[VimSince03]

If there was one way tried and true way to hire coaches we’d all know what that is and the coaches would always follow it.

If the offense or defense fails this year it won’t be because Vigen didn’t do his due diligence. He’s the most thorough coach I’ve been around.

It took Jeff three years to find the best fit at OC when he started at MSU. The only coach who figured out how to make our offensive personnel the best version of themselves was Matt Miller...who had zero playcalling experience. I still remember his first game against Idaho State. We lost but the offensive looked a little different in alignments/formations as well as personnel. We lost the game but offensively it looked like the version that fit Troy as a QB.

Housewright built an offensive around running the ball in various ways and getting your outside playmakers one-on-one opportunities in the pass game. Here were his final Big Sky ranks (I hate when they list FCS ranks because conferences are so drastically different):

2021:

Points: 5th (28.7/game)
YPG: 5th (402.0/game)
Rushing: 1st (220.9/game - 45 yards better than second)
Passing: 12th (181.1/game)
Passing Efficiency: 2nd (This means we were incredibly productive when we did throw the ball...means you have a good playcaller...and maybe Lance McCutcheon)

2022:

Points: 1st (42.9/game)
YPG: 2nd (494.8/game)
Rushing: 1st (310.8/game)
Passing: 12th (184.0/game - improved by 3 yards!)
Passing Efficiency: 3rd (Again...very effective when we did throw the ball despite the low yardage ranking)

2023:

Points: 1st (39.9/game)
YPG: 1st (473.4/game)
Rushing: 1st (292.4/game)
Passing: 9th (181.0/game - improved the ranking but fell back to 2021 number!)
Passing Efficiency: 1st

What's the takeaway here? Looking at it objectively, its hard to call the Housewright experience anything but a resounding success given he was a first year playcaller in 2021. Again, focus was on running the ball but taking your shot plays through the air when they're available. However, being a fan you micro-analyze every slip up and this year we just had too many in big situations. Hard to have a stat for that but if I go back to every big moment, the results are going to be less than average. Whether it be execution or a poor playcall, it just didn't work this year. Also, we put a lot on Tommy and Sean on the ground despite having a talented backfield. 2022 numbers are so impressive because we missed Tommy for parts of the year, our RB room was decimated, and Lance could bail us out through the air anymore. Sean, Elijah Elliot, Garrett Coon, Willie P, and the Oline were huge for us. Anyway, good luck to Taylor and hopefully he continues to mature. Players loved playing for him but he never quite embraced the MSU community...not that its a requirement to lead an offense.

[kwcat]

If there was one way tried and true way to hire coaches we’d all know what that is and the coaches would always follow it.

If the offense or defense fails this year it won’t be because Vigen didn’t do his due diligence. He’s the most thorough coach I’ve been around.

It took Jeff three years to find the best fit at OC when he started at MSU. The only coach who figured out how to make our offensive personnel the best version of themselves was Matt Miller...who had zero playcalling experience. I still remember his first game against Idaho State. We lost but the offensive looked a little different in alignments/formations as well as personnel. We lost the game but offensively it looked like the version that fit Troy as a QB.

Housewright built an offensive around running the ball in various ways and getting your outside playmakers one-on-one opportunities in the pass game. Here were his final Big Sky ranks (I hate when they list FCS ranks because conferences are so drastically different):

2021:

Points: 5th (28.7/game)
YPG: 5th (402.0/game)
Rushing: 1st (220.9/game - 45 yards better than second)
Passing: 12th (181.1/game)
Passing Efficiency: 2nd (This means we were incredibly productive when we did throw the ball...means you have a good playcaller...and maybe Lance McCutcheon)

2022:

Points: 1st (42.9/game)
YPG: 2nd (494.8/game)
Rushing: 1st (310.8/game)
Passing: 12th (184.0/game - improved by 3 yards!)
Passing Efficiency: 3rd (Again...very effective when we did throw the ball despite the low yardage ranking)

2023:

Points: 1st (39.9/game)
YPG: 1st (473.4/game)
Rushing: 1st (292.4/game)
Passing: 9th (181.0/game - improved the ranking but fell back to 2021 number!)
Passing Efficiency: 1st

What's the takeaway here? Looking at it objectively, its hard to call the Housewright experience anything but a resounding success given he was a first year playcaller in 2021. Again, focus was on running the ball but taking your shot plays through the air when they're available. However, being a fan you micro-analyze every slip up and this year we just had too many in big situations. Hard to have a stat for that but if I go back to every big moment, the results are going to be less than average. Whether it be execution or a poor playcall, it just didn't work this year. Also, we put a lot on Tommy and Sean on the ground despite having a talented backfield. 2022 numbers are so impressive because we missed Tommy for parts of the year, our RB room was decimated, and Lance could bail us out through the air anymore. Sean, Elijah Elliot, Garrett Coon, Willie P, and the Oline were huge for us. Anyway, good luck to Taylor and hopefully he continues to mature. Players loved playing for him but he never quite embraced the MSU community...not that its a requirement to lead an offense.

I have been hard on HW during his stint here. Held my tongue pretty well until his post game interview after the game in Missoula in 2021.
While our numbers have been good the last few years, I attribute that more to some key players than directly to HW. He has been serviceable.
On offense this last season I maintain that four key players (playing behind a great offensive line) were huge reasons for that success...Mellott, Chambers, Pickering, and Snell.(Not discounting the effort of any that played this year) Those four are special and three of them will need to be replaced.
I am curious as to what new and young up comers will step up. We have a great bunch on the offensive side of the ball.
I wish nothing but success for Taylor in his new adventure. Hope things take a turn for the better.
As for TW It is your time to shine!
Go Cats

[4KornerKat]

If there was one way tried and true way to hire coaches we’d all know what that is and the coaches would always follow it.

If the offense or defense fails this year it won’t be because Vigen didn’t do his due diligence. He’s the most thorough coach I’ve been around.

It took Jeff three years to find the best fit at OC when he started at MSU. The only coach who figured out how to make our offensive personnel the best version of themselves was Matt Miller...who had zero playcalling experience. I still remember his first game against Idaho State. We lost but the offensive looked a little different in alignments/formations as well as personnel. We lost the game but offensively it looked like the version that fit Troy as a QB.

Housewright built an offensive around running the ball in various ways and getting your outside playmakers one-on-one opportunities in the pass game. Here were his final Big Sky ranks (I hate when they list FCS ranks because conferences are so drastically different):

2021:

Points: 5th (28.7/game)
YPG: 5th (402.0/game)
Rushing: 1st (220.9/game - 45 yards better than second)
Passing: 12th (181.1/game)
Passing Efficiency: 2nd (This means we were incredibly productive when we did throw the ball...means you have a good playcaller...and maybe Lance McCutcheon)

2022:

Points: 1st (42.9/game)
YPG: 2nd (494.8/game)
Rushing: 1st (310.8/game)
Passing: 12th (184.0/game - improved by 3 yards!)
Passing Efficiency: 3rd (Again...very effective when we did throw the ball despite the low yardage ranking)

2023:

Points: 1st (39.9/game)
YPG: 1st (473.4/game)
Rushing: 1st (292.4/game)
Passing: 9th (181.0/game - improved the ranking but fell back to 2021 number!)
Passing Efficiency: 1st

What's the takeaway here? Looking at it objectively, its hard to call the Housewright experience anything but a resounding success given he was a first year playcaller in 2021. Again, focus was on running the ball but taking your shot plays through the air when they're available. However, being a fan you micro-analyze every slip up and this year we just had too many in big situations. Hard to have a stat for that but if I go back to every big moment, the results are going to be less than average. Whether it be execution or a poor playcall, it just didn't work this year. Also, we put a lot on Tommy and Sean on the ground despite having a talented backfield. 2022 numbers are so impressive because we missed Tommy for parts of the year, our RB room was decimated, and Lance could bail us out through the air anymore. Sean, Elijah Elliot, Garrett Coon, Willie P, and the Oline were huge for us. Anyway, good luck to Taylor and hopefully he continues to mature. Players loved playing for him but he never quite embraced the MSU community...not that its a requirement to lead an offense.

We need a stat for 5-6 minute drives to close out a game.

My takeaway from the "Housewright experience" is that he is a brilliant and creative play designer, who struggled to adjust if the game plan he came up with wasn't working for some reason.

I also think we all get caught up in the numbers and statistical success, and miss the details at times. One of the things I think we all appreciated about the Choate era, that we maybe forget about a little bit, is the ability to be able to get 1 yard in any situation no matter what.

When we had Cramsey as our OC, we put up tons of points and yards, but in close games where we just needed a few first downs to close the game out, we couldn't do it. With Choate (and maybe more so Troy and Isaiah), it seemed like that trended the right direction.

I don't think House was quite to the Cramsey level, but I do think at times (4th quarter of NDSU game as most recent example), it's ok to take 3-4 yards per play and finish with the ball and 0:00 on the clock rather than going for home runs, and he may have tried to overthink things.