Griz RTD said:SACCAT66 said:I would disagree here... Vigen knows how important Montana kids are, and that "Winning" (nobody knows who actually wins in recruiting, and lots of times kids that walked on become the ones that kill it) the in-state recruiting battle is key to fan health, and State promotion. Is losing Robertson big? YES, he was a great guy, and everyone loved him. But I don't see the Cats going back to the Solomonson (I believe it was him, but may have been even before him) days where Montana kids are ignored. Hell, even Ash had an issue with that, assuming the kids would just come here, and not offer them anything (Coyle for example)... It is a big loss, but I am happy for Robertson and his future. He is a good friend and man.
I could not disagree more with your assumptions. I consider BJ a friend as well. When Vigen was hired one of the very first things he did was strip BJ of his recruiting coordinator title and reduced him to the special teams coach only. Vigen then brought in a recruiting coordinator that literally has no background in recruiting Montana’s born and bred. What a demoralizing thing for BJ and the recruiting program that he worked tirelessly to build. Every coach in Montana knew BJ and he basically had an open door policy with all of them. If you think Vigen is going to work hard at both retaining and recruiting our Montana boys...I am sorry as this is just not going to happen.
With the above said, I have been concerned about the Griz losing out to some key Billings players. Luckily this year had Junior Bergen switch from the cats to the Griz once Vigen was hired. Capser was legacy and were all over him early. BJ was key to the cats successful recruiting in Billings. Would be nice if the Griz coaching staff pounce on this opportunity...which I am sure they are already doing.
Bobby Daily will take over for Montana recruiting, so still have a young montanan that is very well known. We will have to see how next year's High School seniors go. I am optimistic at this point, but there is worry there as well... I humbly disagree with your take that Vigen won't work hard at recruiting Montana...I hope.