Kusek says, "Not so fast you Kramer-Haters".

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:12 am

Joe Kusek: Not so fast, Kramer-bashers
By JOE KUSEK
Of The Gazette Staff

The drums are beating. The wolves are howling. The internet chat rooms are crackling.

With each passing week, the voices get louder.

All want the same thing.

For Montana State to fire Mike Kramer. The huge, ESPN-grabbing win over Colorado is now just a distant memory.

And after dismal home losses to Chadron State, UC-Davis and Eastern Washington, the crescendo of voices to oust Kramer just keeps building.

And it will keep getting louder with each additional loss.

But not so fast Kramer-haters.

Here's some simple math for you:

Three out of four.

Kramer has guided the Bobcats to victories over the University of Montana three of the last four meetings.

Kramer earned his spot in MSU history with the 10-7 win over the Grizzlies in 2002.

That stopped UM's string of 16 consecutive victories.

Kramer and the Bobcats repeated in 2003 and won again last year.

The last MSU head coach to win more than three games against UM? Hall of Famer Sonny Holland, who won six straight, from 1972 to 1977.

But Kramer earned some leeway long before beating the Grizzlies.

When he was hired in the late winter of 1999, he was ordered not only to pump some life back into Bobcat football, but also rejuvenate a fan base that had been slowly drifting away.

So Kramer hit the road and hit it hard.

Almost every single night, the new face of MSU athletics could be found pressing the flesh and answering difficult questions from long-time boosters and casual fans.

Other Bobcat coaches often declined to go on the road. Kramer gladly went.

For him, it was another opportunity to bring his tent-revival show to the masses, another chance to win over some more converts.

Those who attended those meetings came out ready to play for the Bobcats.

Cliff Hysell, who doesn't get the credit he deserves, made MSU football competitive again after the lost Earle Solomonson years.

But Hysell never beat the Grizzlies. And that will forever be his legacy. Which is totally unfair. Hysell came close, but not close enough.

Kramer has beaten UM and taken the Bobcats to the post-season, twice.

He's faithfully pushed a product around the state, trying fervently to get more people to wear blue and gold.

The Bobcats are struggling and it could get a whole lot worse before it gets better this season.

If the downward spiral continues next year, then change might be necessary.

But before calling for change now Bobcat football fans, remember the numbers.

Three out of four.

Joe Kusek can be reached at 657-1393 or jkusek@billingsgazette.com

bobcatgrad2005 · Post by **bobcatgrad2005** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:24 am

I hope the "Kramer-haters" on this board are embarrased to be called out by a MISSOULA newspaperman.

G.W.Bush · Post by **G.W.Bush** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:39 am

bobcatgrad2005 wrote:I hope the "Kramer-haters" on this board are embarrased to be called out by a MISSOULA newspaperman.

Only a Missoula newspaperman would think that beating his hometown team justifies keeping a sub par coach around despite what looks more and more like an embarrassing season...

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:53 am

bobcatgrad2005 wrote:I hope the "Kramer-haters" on this board are embarrased to be called out by a MISSOULA newspaperman.

He's from the Billings Gazette.

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:07 am

If Kusek says he must stay then IMO he must go. Did the Knome take all his talking points from Bobcatnation?

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:09 am

jagur1 wrote:If Kusek says he must stay then IMO he must go. Did the Knome take all his talking points from Bobcatnation?

I doubt that anyone in the state takes what Rodeo Joe says about anything serious. Surprised he didnt get a jab in about MSU not scheduling EMC this year.

Billings Cat · Post by **Billings Cat** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:13 am

jagur1 wrote:If Kusek says he must stay then IMO he must go. Did the Knome take all his talking points from Bobcatnation?

I'll only say this about Kusek (not that he's good, not that he'd bad)...he sure beats the sh-- out of his ex-colleague at the Gazette, Fritz Neighbor. Fritz Neighbor was the worst I've ever seen at the Gazette. He had no passion for anything other than Harlowtown, men's league softball, and anything and everything Missoula. What a dud!

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:32 am

G.W.Bush wrote:
bobcatgrad2005 wrote:I hope the "Kramer-haters" on this board are embarrased to be called out by a MISSOULA newspaperman.
Only a Missoula newspaperman would think that beating his hometown team justifies keeping a sub par coach around despite what looks more and more like an embarrassing season...

Kusek works for the Billings Gazette.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:45 am

Kusek's thoughts reflect mine. Heck, he may have even 'borrowed' an idea or two.

Kramer gets at least through 2007 from me. If this season continues to go south, next year will be the big one for Kramer's future at MSU in my eyes. I won't be commenting any further on Kramer's status for 2007 unless I see something that I can't let pass without saying something in his support.

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:47 am

Billings Cat wrote: He had no passion for anything other than Harlowtown, men's league softball, and anything and everything Missoula. What a dud!

He was in Scobey when Scobey beat Harlo 72-0 in the class "C" playoffs a few years back. He bragged Harlo up big time in the Gazette (rightfully so as Harlo was loaded-but so was Scobey). He was downtown buying beers afterwards--good sport.

Cat Pride, you're giving away your age, "EMC"?

(I went there and it was EMC, too

) You're 100% correct thou, he's a huge MSU-B fan and wants them to play. But I guess both MSU and UM will stick to the Frontier Schools.

Post by **rtb** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:53 am

PapaG wrote:Kusek's thoughts reflect mine. Heck, he may have even 'borrowed' an idea or two.

Kramer gets at least through 2007 from me. If this season continues to go south, next year will be the big one for Kramer's future at MSU in my eyes. I won't be commenting any further on Kramer's status for 2007 unless I see something that I can't let pass without saying something in his support.

Excellent Post, I also think that Kramer deserves to be here through 2007 to see what he can do. Look at the roster of young talent that was brought in this year. If those guys can produce at a high level next year we will be a tough team.

I didn't like the article because all it pointed out was beating the Griz. At the time when we won it was HUGE, but now it isn't that big of deal. We want more than just a token win against UM, we want a fun team to watch and a team that can go to the playoffs and win!

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:55 am

rtb wrote: At the time when we won it was HUGE, but now it isn't that big of deal. We want more than just a token win against UM, we want a fun team to watch and a team that can go to the playoffs and win!

bobcatmaniac · Post by **bobcatmaniac** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:57 am

Agreed. Beating the griz isn't that big of a deal. I, too, would rather go deep into playoff territory.

1BadBobcat · Post by **1BadBobcat** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:02 am

PapaG wrote:Kusek's thoughts reflect mine. Heck, he may have even 'borrowed' an idea or two.

Kramer gets at least through 2007 from me. If this season continues to go south, next year will be the big one for Kramer's future at MSU in my eyes. I won't be commenting any further on Kramer's status for 2007 unless I see something that I can't let pass without saying something in his support.

I kind of feel the same way. In some aspects, this season could have been billed as a rebuilding year, even though we were promised it was not. The loss of a 3 and a half year starting QB, all our wide-outs, an unproven running game (keep in mind that before last year's Cat/Griz game, Groves had yet to get it on track), and the loss of some key defensive stars. Throw in some major injury problems early in the season and what you get is what we have seen so far.

Kramer still has a chance to turn it around, and as Cat fans, we owe it to him and his staff to stand behind them for the remainder of the year and offer all our support. It's the least we can do considering how Kramer has helped rebuild our program and the fact that he is primarily responsible for turning the game day atmosphere into the party it now is (if any of you folks were around during the Solmonson era, we didn't even have a game-day atmosphere outside of severe depression).

Go ahead and talk mid-season about firing they guy and naming candidates. But keep in mind, when you have coaches who are on one-year contracts and a fan base that wants to bash them at the first sign of faltering, your list of candidates that will actually want to come here will dwindle fast. I'm not saying settle for mediocrity - I'm not saying don't stand up and voice your opinion. I know where alot of the anger comes from. I'm one of those fans who suffered right there with the Cats in the late 70's/early '80s/late '80s (do I need to keep going on?). The thought that our team could wind up being that bad again wakes me up in the middle of the night in cold sweats So I know the discontent we all are feeling right now. It sucks. But we're Cat fans and we've been through this all before and we'll come out okay. It sucks to see Cat fans bashing each other on this board because right now, all we've got is each other. Group hug anyone?

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:21 am

bobcatmaniac wrote:Agreed. Beating the griz isn't that big of a deal. I, too, would rather go deep into playoff territory.

Yep, I would trade beating the Griz to get into the playoffs any day. Beating them is fun, but big picture is better. Unfortunately the Big Picture isn't going to happen unless we run the table this year (which means beating the Griz

).

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:15 am

bobcatmaniac wrote:Agreed. Beating the griz isn't that big of a deal. I, too, would rather go deep into playoff territory.

The Griz fans have been making as big a deal about us beating them as we've made about it. I agree the novelty has worn off, Cat fans want more than just beating UM. But if UM fans are going to start talking smack, then we're all within our right to bring up 3 of 4. If they don't want to hear that, then they should shut the hell up.

Go Scats Go · Post by **Go Scats Go** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 10:23 am

crazycat wrote:
bobcatmaniac wrote:Agreed. Beating the griz isn't that big of a deal. I, too, would rather go deep into playoff territory.
The Griz fans have been making as big a deal about us beating them as we've made about it. I agree the novelty has worn off, Cat fans want more than just beating UM. But if UM fans are going to start talking smack, then we're all within our right to bring up 3 of 4. If they don't want to hear that, then they should shut the hell up.

I prefer 17 out of 20.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:07 am

I hate it when people call this a rebuilding year! You shouldn't have rebuilding years after 6 years of recruiting and coaching. Besides, what are you rebuilding? Another 7-5 season. Maybe a .500 record. Come on. What has Kramer done that is so covetable for you fans. Don't tell me that there isn't more than enough adequate replacements that would be interested in this job. Bobcat Stadium is second to only Washington Grizzly Stadium in the Big Sky. You have a large fan base that want to win and would give anything for a winner. Support your team but never settle for mediocrity. I am tired of the "same old Cats" and everybody being okay with that. What do we have to lose by making a change. The media probably won't get the great qoutes and might have to start calling MSU something other than the "same old Cats."

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:09 am

bcats wrote:I hate it when people call this a rebuilding year! You shouldn't have rebuilding years after 6 years of recruiting and coaching. Besides, what are you rebuilding? Another 7-5 season. Maybe a .500 record. Come on. What has Kramer done that is so covetable for you fans. Don't tell me that there isn't more than enough adequate replacements that would be interested in this job. Bobcat Stadium is second to only Washington Grizzly Stadium in the Big Sky. You have a large fan base that want to win and would give anything for a winner. Support your team but never settle for mediocrity. I am tired of the "same old Cats" and everybody being okay with that. What do we have to lose by making a change. The media probably won't get the great qoutes and might have to start calling MSU something other than the "same old Cats."

It's not a rebuilding year, but an acclimation year. New QB, new WR's that coming in didn't have any 1-AA receptions for the current starters etc. It is going to take time to get in synch but should start coming around this week (as it usually has in the past .. even with Lulay at center).

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:34 am

Go Scats Go wrote:
crazycat wrote:
bobcatmaniac wrote:Agreed. Beating the griz isn't that big of a deal. I, too, would rather go deep into playoff territory.
The Griz fans have been making as big a deal about us beating them as we've made about it. I agree the novelty has worn off, Cat fans want more than just beating UM. But if UM fans are going to start talking smack, then we're all within our right to bring up 3 of 4. If they don't want to hear that, then they should shut the hell up.
I prefer 17 out of 20.

Wait. I thought you were all about the playoffs. I thought you weren't dwelling on MSU.