Kusek says, "Not so fast you Kramer-Haters".
Posted: 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
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
) 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. 
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? 
).