Trio of Football Assistants Earn Promotions
7/25/2013 10:07:00 AM | Football
Marshall, McEndoo and Von Bergen combine for 20 years at MSU
Montana State opens its 2013 preseason football camp in less than two weeks, and Bobcat coach Rob Ash announced a series of staff promotions and appointments Thursday.
Three long-time and accomplished assistant coaches add titles that more properly reflect their roles in the program, Ash said. Defensive coordinator Jamie Marshall, who took over as secondary coach in the spring, now adds Assistant Head Coach to his dossier. The expanded role includes mostly internal duties, such as roster management and scholarship allocation and NCAA forms and record-keeping.
"The foundation of the success we've achieved here has been the consistently excellent play of our defense," Ash said. "Jamie has done a fabulous job, and the stability he's given this staff and this program are invaluable. Expanding his role is a natural, and I believe that it's important for a coach's title to keep up with his contributions."
Two mainstays on the offensive staff also pick up new titles and responsibilities heading into fall camp. Jason McEndoo, one of the longest-tenured and most successful assistant coaches in MSU and Big Sky Conference history, becomes run game coordinator, while Brian Von Bergen rises to the level of pass-game coordinator. McEndoo enters his 11th season as MSU's offensive line coach, while Von Bergen begins his fifth season as the team's receivers coach.
"With the turnover we've had at offensive coordinator, one of the most important behind-the-scenes characteristics of our offense has been the ability and willingness of our assistant coaches to adapt," Ash said. "(McEndoo) and (Von Bergen) have been stellar in these transitions. Their importance in their area of expertise has made difficult changes go smoothly, and (current offensive coordinator) Tim (Cramsey) is enthusiastic about this, as well."
Ash also made official several non-coaching appointments. Former Bobcat linebacker Clay Bignell, who coached at UM-Western last fall, joins the staff as the team's defensive intern. Former Drake quarterback Mike Piatkowski, who the Bobcats faced twice in his career, is the 2013 offensive intern. Former Idaho State punter David Harrington comes on board as the special teams intern. Former staff intern Nate Parseghian assumes the role of Director of Football Operations, an administrative position that deals with areas such as team travel.
Ash said he is excited about his staff as the team's first practice looms on August 4. "We've had a productive summer and I like the composition of this staff," Ash said of a group featuring three first-year coaches this fall. "Bringing new coaches onto a staff is an opportunity to evaluate and implement new ideas, and we had a good spring and summer. I like the people we have in place on the field, and in the more administrative roles."
