Utah State job is open...

[Cat Grad]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

Well reasoned and thought out! Hard to disagree.

Two names from west of the divide come to mind: Mick Dennehey and Joe Glenn. ****** Group of five conference that really doesn't hold a candle to Gonzaga's conference, yet there are those who sacrifice long term gain for immediate gain. A few bucks more in the immediate versus long term just doesn't make sense to me. Wish him well.

[Desert_Bobcat]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

The last 2 head coaches were there for 2 years and are both coaching in larger conferences now. His base salary is almost 5x what it was in Bozo. This is very obviously a position move to jump again in a few years.

Do not discredit the amount of resources Utah State and the Mountain West have compared to BigSky and MSU. Fans come out in droves and consistently fill seats in a venue they do not have to share with tracksters. Recruiting is easier too. Sure you may have the BYU Stormin’ Mormons poach a player or two but it’s so much easier to recruit when your conference consistently gets multiple at-large teams in the tournament.

Facilities are better, uniforms and equipment are better, fan support is better (don’t hate but it’s true), you can pay your staff instead of lose them to Weber. This move was inevitable.
Coach Sprinkle has given Leon Costello a chance to make a home run hire that would have never been possible without Sprink.

Don’t be mad that it’s over, be grateful that it happened

[Desert_Bobcat]

Some of you are crazy. How is Utah State not a better job? Bigger/better conference, more money for facilities, staff, recruiting expenses, more diverse than Bozeman (low bar). It’s easily a better job even when you don’t factor in the money. Add that in, it’s a no brainer.

100% facts. As long as Montana State stays in the BigSky it will never be a destination coaching location like a San Diego State, Gonzaga, or any other big-name mid-major school. You will have to nail young coaching hires every 2-5 years because they will get poached by bigger schools unless you want to hire the lame duck coach like the bear school to the west. To make MSU a more desirable coaching location, major infrastructure improvements need to happen (and in my opinion cutting the cord on UnderArmour).

Hate to admit it, but those are the cards we’ve been dealt

[PapaG]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

Few never said that about the Oregon program. Why make things up?

[technoCat]

I really wish Sprinks well and hope USU tears it up the next couple years but this still sucks really bad. Most success the BB program has had in decades if ever. But if anyone can replace him, I have faith in Costello to find him.

[Hawks86]

On the sunny side of things. Costello is getting a check for $250,000.

[Cat Grad]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

Few never said that about the Oregon program. Why make things up?

Can you not read?

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/0 ... top%20rope.

[Cat Grad]

Don't know why I responded earlier, but within that article is this one:

https://vault.si.com/vault/2012/03/19/b ... he-sleeper

I'm concerned for Sprinkle because what he's doing by going to Utah State reminds me very much of what Monson did to himself and his family. Money isn't everything when weighing your options.

[CatBlitz]

What a huge payday for Sprinkle. Well deserved and this is a huge opportunity for him. USU is no slouch and is in a prime spot for taking the next step.
Disappointing for sure but you can't say no to that kind of money.

Look forward to seeing what we get for applicants.

[PHAT CAT]

Just talked to a good friend of mine who is a Utah State alum and huge basketball follower. He told me that Danny mentioned several times that he had two good players that would follow him. I don't like that part of this whole new transfer portal game. You are seeing it all over, kids are just coming and going as they please. To bad, as the entire recruiting system is going to change. High school recruits will be a thing of the past. Late bloomers or borderline recruits will have to go to smaller schools, develop, and then move up.

I love Danny. Really good guy and coach. If he guts our roster? I'll bad mouth him across the state.

[TCcat 84]

Personally I am so happy for Danny. He came here and did exactly what Bobcat fans wanted him to do. Kudos Kid! We, as Bobcat basketball fans, do not need to hang our heads any more. Danny has proven himself and now on to bigger and better things. He will always be a Bobcat. Now more than ever. I hope players follow him and the new coach at MSU can put his stamp om the program sooner. I love RaeQuan and Great. Perhaps Great was going to leave anyway, but now he leaves to familiar coaching. I wish Coach Sprinkle the best of luck and any one that follows him, ditto. A job well done in Bozeman!

[MSU01]

Personally I am so happy for Danny. He came here and did exactly what Bobcat fans wanted him to do. Kudos Kid! We, as Bobcat basketball fans, do not need to hang our heads any more. Danny has proven himself and now on to bigger and better things. He will always be a Bobcat. Now more than ever. I hope players follow him and the new coach at MSU can put his stamp om the program sooner. I love RaeQuan and Great. Perhaps Great was going to leave anyway, but now he leaves to familiar coaching. I wish Coach Sprinkle the best of luck and any one that follows him, ditto. A job well done in Bozeman!

Do you know something the rest of us don't, or is this just speculation?

[91catAlum]

Not sure if posted yet, but this is per Parker Cotton on Twitter.

Danny Sprinkle has received a 5-year contract at Utah State, with an initial base salary of $900,000 and an annual increase of $25,000, per an open records request.

Sprinkle's base salary with MSU was $185,711.

USU also pays the $250,000 buyout in Sprinkle's MSU contract.

[Camo_Cat]

Just talked to a good friend of mine who is a Utah State alum and huge basketball follower. He told me that Danny mentioned several times that he had two good players that would follow him. I don't like that part of this whole new transfer portal game. You are seeing it all over, kids are just coming and going as they please. To bad, as the entire recruiting system is going to change. High school recruits will be a thing of the past. Late bloomers or borderline recruits will have to go to smaller schools, develop, and then move up.

I love Danny. Really good guy and coach. If he guts our roster? I'll bad mouth him across the state.

This is exactly how I feel. Love Danny and grateful for all he accomplished at MSU as player and coach. Took our team to new highs. I wish him nothing but success at USU - with that team's players. One would think as an alum, he would want to leave the MSU program in good shape to continue his legacy.

If USU is such a great step up, then do it with their current roster and guys you recruit anew. Leave our roster alone. If he takes a bunch of players and coaches with him, then I will have lost all respect for him. I know it happens all the time, but this feels different with Danny being an MSU alum. Let us continue building on what he created.

[MSU01]

I won't be upset at all if Danny takes any or all of his assistants along to USU, because there's no guarantee that whoever MSU's new head coach will be would retain any of them as he builds his staff. Also, Danny's contract at USU gives him a $530K salary pool for his assistants, meaning anyone he brings from MSU will be getting a very substantial and well-deserved pay raise.

As for the players, I'm increasingly of the opinion that we just need to accept the current reality that the transfer portal can hurt you but it can sure also help you. Player movement will happen but every guy who leaves just frees up a spot for someone else who may be as good or better. Perhaps I'm naive, but I feel like Danny has enough integrity and cares enough about MSU that he wasn't already recruiting guys to transfer before he had even taken the new job yet.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

Not sure if posted yet, but this is per Parker Cotton on Twitter.

Danny Sprinkle has received a 5-year contract at Utah State, with an initial base salary of $900,000 and an annual increase of $25,000, per an open records request.

Sprinkle's base salary with MSU was $185,711.

USU also pays the $250,000 buyout in Sprinkle's MSU contract.

$900,000/year versus $185,000 per year, pretty damn easy decision to make. Plus he will be able to afford a house. $185,000 a year might get you a decent 2 bedroom condo in bozeangeles.

[PapaG]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

Few never said that about the Oregon program. Why make things up?

Can you not read?

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/0 ... top%20rope.

I stand corrected. My apologies! Funny that Oregon made a Final Four before Gonzaga and their annual “not good enough” ending of a season. Playing in a crap conference with Portland and Pacific doesn’t prepare them for a 6-game run.

[Cat Grad]

Firstly, congratulations to Sprinkle. What an amazing job he did here to resurrect our program. This hurts no doubt, but in the current position MSU is in, this is a good problem to have.

This really is a BIG accomplishment for Danny. I am trying to remember the last time a Bobcat MBB coach moved up. I guess you might consider Hank Anderson’s move to Northern Arizona as AD?

CONGRATULATIONS Coach. This is well deserved.

Now the ball is in Costello’s court to build on the momentum this program has developed. I trust he will make a great hire.

Coach has to do what is right for him, but honestly a bit disappointing that we couldn't hold on to him for a few years longer. This is not like FCS to FBS where even if the coach was an alum, you'd expect them to move up. USU is certainly a better job than MSU but it's not *that* great of a job. The way you build a power-house in a lower-tier conference like ours is getting a loyal coach (often an alum) who is willing to stick things out longer than strictly in his professional interest to build a powerhouse. Losing Sprinkle after four years doesn't really fit that bill.

But best of luck to Coach Sprinkle who definitely left the program in far better shape than he found it. Hopefully our next hire can continue the momentum.

I don't understand either and really disappointed also. With all the money California has poured into the San Diego State program, the MW is losing their first program to make the final four. That WAC-MW expansion disaster just a few years ago and the lectures the powers that be from the Big East spoke to relative the need for regional conferences speaks loudly to me. UCONN has achieved a bit of stability and I personally don't see that with the pac or MW (new pac t.v. contract notwithstanding in light of the massive cuts Disney is making).

Plus, it appears the top five scorers from this year's Utah State team are headed for the portal. I personally think he's making a huge mistake and committing career suicide. MSU is a much better trajectory due to it's location to all the things now available up the canyon.
MSU is on the rise and Utah State is happy with being somewhat competitive. It's like what Few told the Oregon AD why he's not taking that job: "Oregon's never going to get it done." Neither will Utah State being in that state competing with BYU and Utah for their limited resources.

Few never said that about the Oregon program. Why make things up?

Can you not read?

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/0 ... top%20rope.

I stand corrected. My apologies! Funny that Oregon made a Final Four before Gonzaga and their annual “not good enough” ending of a season. Playing in a crap conference with Portland and Pacific doesn’t prepare them for a 6-game run.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-me ... conference

[CelticCat]

Why can’t we have nice things:

https://www.rrcatcast.com/2023/04/06/da ... -moves-on/

Utah State is a better program than MSU, and it’s not that close. But Utah State is also a stepping stone, if he succeeds there he won’t be there long either IMO.

[Cat Grad]

Why can’t we have nice things:

https://www.rrcatcast.com/2023/04/06/da ... -moves-on/

Utah State is a better program than MSU, and it’s not that close. But Utah State is also a stepping stone, if he succeeds there he won’t be there long either IMO.

https://utahstateaggies.com/facilities

https://msubobcats.com/facilities

I don't see a ski training area at USU nor do I see either of these:

https://bigskyresort.com/mountain-sports

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJ ... e&ie=UTF-8

Correct me if I'm wrong or can't locate it, but has USU ever hosed an NCAA Championship event such as the one MSU was hosting when the entire country was shut down because of Covid?