Linders, Thielbahr Assume New Roles
2/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Mike Kramer continued to reshape his Montana State football coaching staff on Thursday, moving defensive line coach Jason Linders to linebabckers and tight ends coach Jeremy Thielbahr to defensive line.
The moves result from Rob Christoff's promotion to defensive coordinator. Entering his seventh season with the Bobcats next fall, Christoff maintains control over MSU's linebackers, but Linders assumes control of day-to-day duties.
Kramer boils the moves down to a matter of numbers. "Rob will concentrate on 11 positions now rather than four," he said, "and Jeremy will move from coaching one position to coaching three. Jason has done an excellent job with the defensive line, so this is a good move and an ample reward for jobs well done for all three of these guys."
A 1998 Humboldt State graduate, Linders completed his second season coaching the Bobcat defensive line last fall. He coached either a first- or second-team All-Big Sky player each of his two seasons on the D-line. Linders came to MSU from Millsaps College, where he served as defensive line and strength coach in 2003. Previously he coached at Southern Utah (defensive line, 2002), Nevada (graduate assistant, 2001), and Humboldt State (linebackers and defensive line, 1999-2000). He was a second-team all-conference linebacker at Humboldt in 1996.
"Jason played linebacker and has coached linebackers," Kramer said. "He's extremely qualified to make this move. I feel that his coaching ability will greatly aid Rob Christoff as Rob expands his role."
Thielbahr joined the Bobcat program as tight ends coach in 2004 after a two-year stint as graduate assistant at Washington State, his alma mater. The 2002 WSU graduate worked with Cougar offensive linemen and special teams, coaching in the Rose Bowl and Holiday Bowl. The former Cougar team captain mentored Bobcat tight end Blake Wolf to an All-America senior season in 2004.
"Jeremy is an extremely bright, articulate, enthusiastic coach who has shown that he's ready for more responsibility," Kramer said. "His attitude and aptitude suit him well for this position."
Montana State's defense led the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed in four of the last five years, including an unprecedented three consecutive seasons. Kramer said he remains confident in the ability of his restructured staff to lead the Bobcats' defensive efforts. "I'm excited for these guys handling new assignments to get going and start coaching their kids," said the reigning Big Sky Coach of the Year. "I feel that this group of defensive coaches will allow us to move forward and continue to grow and evolve as an outstanding defense."
The moves result from Rob Christoff's promotion to defensive coordinator. Entering his seventh season with the Bobcats next fall, Christoff maintains control over MSU's linebackers, but Linders assumes control of day-to-day duties.
Kramer boils the moves down to a matter of numbers. "Rob will concentrate on 11 positions now rather than four," he said, "and Jeremy will move from coaching one position to coaching three. Jason has done an excellent job with the defensive line, so this is a good move and an ample reward for jobs well done for all three of these guys."
A 1998 Humboldt State graduate, Linders completed his second season coaching the Bobcat defensive line last fall. He coached either a first- or second-team All-Big Sky player each of his two seasons on the D-line. Linders came to MSU from Millsaps College, where he served as defensive line and strength coach in 2003. Previously he coached at Southern Utah (defensive line, 2002), Nevada (graduate assistant, 2001), and Humboldt State (linebackers and defensive line, 1999-2000). He was a second-team all-conference linebacker at Humboldt in 1996.
"Jason played linebacker and has coached linebackers," Kramer said. "He's extremely qualified to make this move. I feel that his coaching ability will greatly aid Rob Christoff as Rob expands his role."
Thielbahr joined the Bobcat program as tight ends coach in 2004 after a two-year stint as graduate assistant at Washington State, his alma mater. The 2002 WSU graduate worked with Cougar offensive linemen and special teams, coaching in the Rose Bowl and Holiday Bowl. The former Cougar team captain mentored Bobcat tight end Blake Wolf to an All-America senior season in 2004.
"Jeremy is an extremely bright, articulate, enthusiastic coach who has shown that he's ready for more responsibility," Kramer said. "His attitude and aptitude suit him well for this position."
Montana State's defense led the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed in four of the last five years, including an unprecedented three consecutive seasons. Kramer said he remains confident in the ability of his restructured staff to lead the Bobcats' defensive efforts. "I'm excited for these guys handling new assignments to get going and start coaching their kids," said the reigning Big Sky Coach of the Year. "I feel that this group of defensive coaches will allow us to move forward and continue to grow and evolve as an outstanding defense."
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