Ash Adds Three to Bobcat Football Staff
6/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Current MSU assistant coaches E.J. Arnold and Kane Ioane have been retained, and former University of Montana standout Justin Gaines will also join the coaching staff, as well.
Arnold, who will begin his second season at MSU, will serve as tight ends and kickers’ coach, with expanded duties on special teams. Arnold has a strong tie to Montana State. He is the son of former Bobcat head coach Dave Arnold, who guided MSU to the 1984 National Championship.
Prior to Montana State, Arnold served as a defensive graduate assistant for Mike Price at the University of Texas-El Paso. He began his coaching career at Albion, his alma mater, from 2001-03. He worked as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2001, with receivers and tight ends in 2002 and running backs in 2003. Arnold was also special teams coach all three seasons.
“I’ve known E.J. and his family for quite some time and they’re a tremendous family,” Ash said. “His father Dave graduated from Drake and we evaluated E.J. as a possible quarterback candidate coming out of high school.
“E.J. is an outstanding young coach,” Ash added. “He is involved in a lot of aspects of our student-athletes, including community service.”
Ioane will serve as assistant linebackers coach and video coordinator. The Billings native will enter his third season with the Bobcats this fall.
One of the best defensive players in Montana State history, Ioane was the 2003 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he was a two-time All-Big Sky selection. Ioane also guided the Bobcats to consecutive Big Sky titles in 2002 and ’03. He was part and parcel of a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the league for three consecutive seasons. Ioane is a 2005 graduate of MSU.
“I was impressed with everything I heard about Kane (Ioane),” Ash said. “His knowledge of the Bobcat football program, the state of Montana as well as the Big Sky Conference, both as a player and coach, will lend an inside perspective to our defense.”
Justin Gaines, who was a defensive back on Montana’s 1995 National Championship squad, comes to Montana State after a four-year stint at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gaines served as defensive backs coach and academic coordinator with the Mustangs. He will serve as an assistant secondary coach at Montana State.
From 2002-04, he served in the same positions at Texas A&M Commerce, where he coached the No. 1-ranked pass defense in the Lone Star Conference. Gaines also coached at Northern Arizona, running backs, 2001-02; Texas Lutheran, defensive backs, 2000-01; and Florence High School, assistant, 1999-2000.
As a cornerback at UM, Gaines was a first-team All-Big Sky pick and was a second-team All-America as a senior.
“Justin has proven himself as an outstanding recruiter,” Ash said. “He has been in Texas for most of his coaching experience and has done a terrific job. Justin also understands what it takes to be a national champion. He’ll bring a lot to the table, and we’re excited to have him on the staff.”
Ash indicated the Bobcats will announce two more assistant coaches later this week.
Arnold, who will begin his second season at MSU, will serve as tight ends and kickers’ coach, with expanded duties on special teams. Arnold has a strong tie to Montana State. He is the son of former Bobcat head coach Dave Arnold, who guided MSU to the 1984 National Championship.
Prior to Montana State, Arnold served as a defensive graduate assistant for Mike Price at the University of Texas-El Paso. He began his coaching career at Albion, his alma mater, from 2001-03. He worked as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2001, with receivers and tight ends in 2002 and running backs in 2003. Arnold was also special teams coach all three seasons.
“I’ve known E.J. and his family for quite some time and they’re a tremendous family,” Ash said. “His father Dave graduated from Drake and we evaluated E.J. as a possible quarterback candidate coming out of high school.
“E.J. is an outstanding young coach,” Ash added. “He is involved in a lot of aspects of our student-athletes, including community service.”
Ioane will serve as assistant linebackers coach and video coordinator. The Billings native will enter his third season with the Bobcats this fall.
One of the best defensive players in Montana State history, Ioane was the 2003 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he was a two-time All-Big Sky selection. Ioane also guided the Bobcats to consecutive Big Sky titles in 2002 and ’03. He was part and parcel of a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the league for three consecutive seasons. Ioane is a 2005 graduate of MSU.
“I was impressed with everything I heard about Kane (Ioane),” Ash said. “His knowledge of the Bobcat football program, the state of Montana as well as the Big Sky Conference, both as a player and coach, will lend an inside perspective to our defense.”
Justin Gaines, who was a defensive back on Montana’s 1995 National Championship squad, comes to Montana State after a four-year stint at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gaines served as defensive backs coach and academic coordinator with the Mustangs. He will serve as an assistant secondary coach at Montana State.
From 2002-04, he served in the same positions at Texas A&M Commerce, where he coached the No. 1-ranked pass defense in the Lone Star Conference. Gaines also coached at Northern Arizona, running backs, 2001-02; Texas Lutheran, defensive backs, 2000-01; and Florence High School, assistant, 1999-2000.
As a cornerback at UM, Gaines was a first-team All-Big Sky pick and was a second-team All-America as a senior.
“Justin has proven himself as an outstanding recruiter,” Ash said. “He has been in Texas for most of his coaching experience and has done a terrific job. Justin also understands what it takes to be a national champion. He’ll bring a lot to the table, and we’re excited to have him on the staff.”
Ash indicated the Bobcats will announce two more assistant coaches later this week.
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