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http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sports/article_39ed21d0-7313-11e1-a7cc-0019bb2963f4.html
Former Bobcat safety Michael Rider joins Bobby Hauck's staff at UNLV
It’s one of the most iconic images in the last 25 years in the Treasure State’s fiercest football rivalry: Michael Rider leaping, then snaring a game-clinching interception, to seal the rarest and sweetest of victories for the Montana State Bobcats as the Hellgate winds howled past Mount Sentinel and an ocean of Montana Grizzly faithful seemed to have the wind knocked right out of them.
In 2010, Montana State rode tailback Orenzo Davis to a 21-16 lead over rival Montana at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, then Rider sealed the deal by intercepting a Justin Roper pass to give MSU its first win in Missoula since 2002 and just the second ever in Washington-Grizzly.
Nearly two years later, Rider will join forces with a couple of former Grizzlies in Sin City in pursuit of continuing his career in football.
The captain of MSU’s defense in 2010 and a two-time honorable mention All-Big Sky safety will serve as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas next fall.
The former Billings West standout said he initially heard of the position through former West and UM quarterback Andrew Selle along with UNLV graduate assistant and former Montana Griz wide receiver Mike Ferriter. UNLV’s third-year head coach Bobby Hauck was the head man at UM from 2002 until 2009.
“I sent stuff out applying at pretty much all the Mountain West (Conference) schools, but with the Montana connections, I thought UNLV would be a good fit,” Rider said. “I’ve been in contact with Coach Hauck the last couple of weeks and fortunately, something opened up. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Rider, who had 66 tackles in 2010 to go along with his unforgettable pick, will most likely work with the offense or the special teams. It’s still to be determined.
The Chronicle has confirmed former MSU linebacker Clay Bignell has been hired to coach linebackers at Montana Western University. Bignell was a second-team All-Big Sky selection last season after finishing second on the Bobcats with 67 total tackles. Bignell did not return a phone message from the Chronicle by press time. Bignell’s sister, Sammi Bignell, is a sophomore standout for the Western women’s basketball team.
Rider served as an assistant at MSU last fall for the 10-3 Bobcats. Now Rider must prepare himself to live life in the desert, but he said he is looking forward to the move.
“I talked quite a bit with Ferriter — I’m going to be living with him — but he was honest with me and told me I would love it down there,” Rider said. “He said when you live in Vegas, it’s not what you think. It’s not the Strip and the vacations you take to Vegas. It’s a whole different world than visiting the Strip.”
Hauck, who did not return a phone message before deadline, guided the Grizzlies to four straight wins during Rider’s first four years in Bozeman before the coach left to take over the Runnin’ Rebels’ program. Ferriter played a hand in all four of those victories, sometimes going heads up with Rider. But Rider said there’s no bad blood from the past; rather, he is excited to take the next step in his life and career.
“Honestly, it’s interesting, but more than anything, it shows the connection of Montana people,” Rider said. “Montana people in general are good people. I’m just thankful for the opportunity. Coach Hauck and I haven’t really ever met beyond this hiring process, so for him to give me an opportunity, I’m just really appreciative for him and really excited for the opportunity.”
Former Bobcat safety Michael Rider joins Bobby Hauck's staff at UNLV
It’s one of the most iconic images in the last 25 years in the Treasure State’s fiercest football rivalry: Michael Rider leaping, then snaring a game-clinching interception, to seal the rarest and sweetest of victories for the Montana State Bobcats as the Hellgate winds howled past Mount Sentinel and an ocean of Montana Grizzly faithful seemed to have the wind knocked right out of them.
In 2010, Montana State rode tailback Orenzo Davis to a 21-16 lead over rival Montana at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, then Rider sealed the deal by intercepting a Justin Roper pass to give MSU its first win in Missoula since 2002 and just the second ever in Washington-Grizzly.
Nearly two years later, Rider will join forces with a couple of former Grizzlies in Sin City in pursuit of continuing his career in football.
The captain of MSU’s defense in 2010 and a two-time honorable mention All-Big Sky safety will serve as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas next fall.
The former Billings West standout said he initially heard of the position through former West and UM quarterback Andrew Selle along with UNLV graduate assistant and former Montana Griz wide receiver Mike Ferriter. UNLV’s third-year head coach Bobby Hauck was the head man at UM from 2002 until 2009.
“I sent stuff out applying at pretty much all the Mountain West (Conference) schools, but with the Montana connections, I thought UNLV would be a good fit,” Rider said. “I’ve been in contact with Coach Hauck the last couple of weeks and fortunately, something opened up. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Rider, who had 66 tackles in 2010 to go along with his unforgettable pick, will most likely work with the offense or the special teams. It’s still to be determined.
The Chronicle has confirmed former MSU linebacker Clay Bignell has been hired to coach linebackers at Montana Western University. Bignell was a second-team All-Big Sky selection last season after finishing second on the Bobcats with 67 total tackles. Bignell did not return a phone message from the Chronicle by press time. Bignell’s sister, Sammi Bignell, is a sophomore standout for the Western women’s basketball team.
Rider served as an assistant at MSU last fall for the 10-3 Bobcats. Now Rider must prepare himself to live life in the desert, but he said he is looking forward to the move.
“I talked quite a bit with Ferriter — I’m going to be living with him — but he was honest with me and told me I would love it down there,” Rider said. “He said when you live in Vegas, it’s not what you think. It’s not the Strip and the vacations you take to Vegas. It’s a whole different world than visiting the Strip.”
Hauck, who did not return a phone message before deadline, guided the Grizzlies to four straight wins during Rider’s first four years in Bozeman before the coach left to take over the Runnin’ Rebels’ program. Ferriter played a hand in all four of those victories, sometimes going heads up with Rider. But Rider said there’s no bad blood from the past; rather, he is excited to take the next step in his life and career.
“Honestly, it’s interesting, but more than anything, it shows the connection of Montana people,” Rider said. “Montana people in general are good people. I’m just thankful for the opportunity. Coach Hauck and I haven’t really ever met beyond this hiring process, so for him to give me an opportunity, I’m just really appreciative for him and really excited for the opportunity.”
