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Van Diest to apply for MSU vacancy
By AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press
HELENA - Mike Van Diest, who led the Carroll College football team to four consecutive NAIA national championships, said Tuesday he is applying for the head coaching job at Montana State.
“I talked to (senior associate athletics director) Dan Davies yesterday,” Van Diest said. “I'm gonna send my stuff in.”
Van Diest, whose teams have posted an 89-18 record over eight seasons, said he doesn't know yet how difficult it might be to step into the job at Montana State, where Mike Kramer was fired last week after a sixth current or former player was arrested on drug charges. A former redshirt football player faces murder and kidnapping charges.
“Looking from the outside in, really, I don't know what problems are internal,” Van Diest said. “I know there are a lot of outstanding people in the Montana State athletic department.”
Van Diest has been an assistant coach at his alma mater, Wyoming, and at Montana, Massachusetts and Northwestern.
He said he doesn't think there's that much of a difference in coaching in the NAIA and the NCAA.
“I expect the same work ethic out of my players at Carroll College as they do at Notre Dame, Florida and Southern Cal,” he said. “It's still about between the white lines. It's about being student-athletes. You're a college football player; this isn't the NFL. This is a great time in their lives and hopefully you can help them enjoy being 18, 19, 20, 21 years old.”
School is out for the summer at Carroll, but Van Diest said he has talked to a couple of players.
“I don't want them to think I'm turning my back on them,” he said, noting that the players he recruited had similar decisions to make coming out of high school.
“I've not pursued any opportunities here in eight years,” Van Diest said, although some had been offered. “It's not like this is a habit of mine, and it's not like it'll be a habit in the future.”
Carroll athletics director Bruce Parker said it would be sad to see Van Diest go, but added: “I want to do what's best for Mike Van Diest. If he wants to look at this, he deserves it.”
Montana State officials have said about two dozen coaches have expressed interest in the head coaching job.
“I'm sure there's a lot of former Bobcat coaches and players who would be great, who have a lot of passion and bleed blue and gold,” Van Diest said.
“It's a wonderful opportunity for somebody.”
By AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press
HELENA - Mike Van Diest, who led the Carroll College football team to four consecutive NAIA national championships, said Tuesday he is applying for the head coaching job at Montana State.
“I talked to (senior associate athletics director) Dan Davies yesterday,” Van Diest said. “I'm gonna send my stuff in.”
Van Diest, whose teams have posted an 89-18 record over eight seasons, said he doesn't know yet how difficult it might be to step into the job at Montana State, where Mike Kramer was fired last week after a sixth current or former player was arrested on drug charges. A former redshirt football player faces murder and kidnapping charges.
“Looking from the outside in, really, I don't know what problems are internal,” Van Diest said. “I know there are a lot of outstanding people in the Montana State athletic department.”
Van Diest has been an assistant coach at his alma mater, Wyoming, and at Montana, Massachusetts and Northwestern.
He said he doesn't think there's that much of a difference in coaching in the NAIA and the NCAA.
“I expect the same work ethic out of my players at Carroll College as they do at Notre Dame, Florida and Southern Cal,” he said. “It's still about between the white lines. It's about being student-athletes. You're a college football player; this isn't the NFL. This is a great time in their lives and hopefully you can help them enjoy being 18, 19, 20, 21 years old.”
School is out for the summer at Carroll, but Van Diest said he has talked to a couple of players.
“I don't want them to think I'm turning my back on them,” he said, noting that the players he recruited had similar decisions to make coming out of high school.
“I've not pursued any opportunities here in eight years,” Van Diest said, although some had been offered. “It's not like this is a habit of mine, and it's not like it'll be a habit in the future.”
Carroll athletics director Bruce Parker said it would be sad to see Van Diest go, but added: “I want to do what's best for Mike Van Diest. If he wants to look at this, he deserves it.”
Montana State officials have said about two dozen coaches have expressed interest in the head coaching job.
“I'm sure there's a lot of former Bobcat coaches and players who would be great, who have a lot of passion and bleed blue and gold,” Van Diest said.
“It's a wonderful opportunity for somebody.”
