MSU offensive coordinator Tyler Walker arrived at MSU in an off-field role
Photo by: Brian Morse
CATS IN CAMP DAY #5: Familiar Faces Occupy New Roles on Bobcat Coaching Staff
7/31/2024 8:48:00 PM | Football
Cats follow day off with energetic practice on Wednesday
BOZEMAN, Montana – Barely seven months after wrapping up his decorated career as a Bobcat quarterback, Sean Chambers characterizes his new role within the program succinctly.
"It's different," the All-America quarterback-turned-offensive analyst says with a smile. "It's been fun. It's been kind of a whole new challenge, but it's been mostly fun. It's football still, but it's a different way to look at it and prepare for Saturdays."
Chambers is one of seven members of the Bobcat football staff listed in either a quality control (formally graduate assistants) or analyst role. Under new NCAA rules this season, there are no limitations to the number of staff members in on-field coaching roles. The change creates opportunities for young coaches.
Bobcat coach Brent Vigen, who once held a similar position at the onset of his coaching career, said the change has eliminated restrictions thus creating opportunities. "In this world we've been living in for several years an analyst has become part of the coaching staff," he said. "The rule change this summer has created a pathway to allow these individuals to be more impactful, and in particular for us with some young analysts it's providing them opportunities to get some hands-on coaching experience."
Three staff members – special teams quality control Marcus Monaco, offensive quality control Kevin Sheehan and defensive quality control Jake Dusenbury – return from 2023 with expanded roles that allows them to coach during practice. Chambers is one of four analysts in their first season on the staff. Former MSU receiver Cam Gardner and Jesse Moser join Chambers as offensive analysts, while Tommy Dumont is a defensive analyst.
Montana State offensive coordinator Tyler Walker, who arrived on Vigen's initial staff in an off-field role, sees the change as a strong positive. "It only helps the profession, it helps the coaches, it helps them develop quicker," he said. "I think it's a good thing and a lot of young coaches are going to get a lot of experience quicker than normal."
Vigen began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, North Dakota State, in 1998. He said young coaches bring energy to their positions. "You hope their willingness to work and learn is almost infinite," he said. "Guys that are hungry is what you're looking for, guys that have sorted out what they want to do, and you provide that opportunity for them. It is a lot about hard work and being able to prove you can do things. That may sound real simple, but in the grand scheme of things it's complicated."
Chambers said immersion in the details of preparing for practices and games drew him to his new role. "I think it's definitely an attraction," he said. "Some people get deterred by that, but for me it's an attraction. You want to learn, you want to gather as much information as you can to be successful down the road, and that's what this spot is all about, getting into it and learning and paying your dues."
Learning what and how to communicate is an important part of the progression from player to coach. Walker said that for a young coach, acknowledging not having the answer to every question can be difficult.
"It's understanding that just because that's the way you learned something doesn't mean that's the way everybody else will learn," Walker said. "Trying to differentiate your teaching and using your experience (is important), but the big thing for young coaches is making sure they teach and coach what they know. If they don't know it, find the answer. That's the hardest, because you want to have an instant answer for everybody even if you're not 100 percent sure. It's hard not to have all the answers, but that's OK. It takes time."
Chambers said even for a quarterback, moving into a coaching role offers an entirely different perspective. "I knew it was a lot of hard work, but I didn't understand what all went into it. Being on this side of it I understand it a little more, I'm figuring it out as I go. I feel like I see the game in a whole new light now, learning more things that I didn't have to worry about while playing. It's fun, you expand your football knowledge while being in those meetings."
* * * * *
Montana State coach Brent Vigen was pleased with his team's work Wednesday. "There was good energy again," he said. "We had an off day yesterday, so that's what you hope for and expect. We continue to move along with schemes on both sides. Some more situational will begin to apply itself. That started today and will continue as we go through the next days."
The Bobcats' first two games of the season – August 24 at New Mexico and August 31 at Utah Tech – could occur in extreme heat. Vigen said his team's afternoon practices may help acclimate to those conditions. "It was a good day for us to be out here in the warmer temperatures of the afternoon. This will be our last afternoon practice potentially, and we have to take advantage of the heat we're going to get the next couple of days."
Vigen said the Cats continue to make program installing offensive and defensive schemes, while also attacking personnel battles. "We made continued progress (on Wednesday), and I think as we move through this week's three more practices things will continue to sort out – who's our two, who's our three, who's going to be counted on on game day. We continue to take those steps."
#GoCatsGo
"It's different," the All-America quarterback-turned-offensive analyst says with a smile. "It's been fun. It's been kind of a whole new challenge, but it's been mostly fun. It's football still, but it's a different way to look at it and prepare for Saturdays."
Chambers is one of seven members of the Bobcat football staff listed in either a quality control (formally graduate assistants) or analyst role. Under new NCAA rules this season, there are no limitations to the number of staff members in on-field coaching roles. The change creates opportunities for young coaches.
Bobcat coach Brent Vigen, who once held a similar position at the onset of his coaching career, said the change has eliminated restrictions thus creating opportunities. "In this world we've been living in for several years an analyst has become part of the coaching staff," he said. "The rule change this summer has created a pathway to allow these individuals to be more impactful, and in particular for us with some young analysts it's providing them opportunities to get some hands-on coaching experience."
Three staff members – special teams quality control Marcus Monaco, offensive quality control Kevin Sheehan and defensive quality control Jake Dusenbury – return from 2023 with expanded roles that allows them to coach during practice. Chambers is one of four analysts in their first season on the staff. Former MSU receiver Cam Gardner and Jesse Moser join Chambers as offensive analysts, while Tommy Dumont is a defensive analyst.
Montana State offensive coordinator Tyler Walker, who arrived on Vigen's initial staff in an off-field role, sees the change as a strong positive. "It only helps the profession, it helps the coaches, it helps them develop quicker," he said. "I think it's a good thing and a lot of young coaches are going to get a lot of experience quicker than normal."
Vigen began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, North Dakota State, in 1998. He said young coaches bring energy to their positions. "You hope their willingness to work and learn is almost infinite," he said. "Guys that are hungry is what you're looking for, guys that have sorted out what they want to do, and you provide that opportunity for them. It is a lot about hard work and being able to prove you can do things. That may sound real simple, but in the grand scheme of things it's complicated."
Chambers said immersion in the details of preparing for practices and games drew him to his new role. "I think it's definitely an attraction," he said. "Some people get deterred by that, but for me it's an attraction. You want to learn, you want to gather as much information as you can to be successful down the road, and that's what this spot is all about, getting into it and learning and paying your dues."
Learning what and how to communicate is an important part of the progression from player to coach. Walker said that for a young coach, acknowledging not having the answer to every question can be difficult.
"It's understanding that just because that's the way you learned something doesn't mean that's the way everybody else will learn," Walker said. "Trying to differentiate your teaching and using your experience (is important), but the big thing for young coaches is making sure they teach and coach what they know. If they don't know it, find the answer. That's the hardest, because you want to have an instant answer for everybody even if you're not 100 percent sure. It's hard not to have all the answers, but that's OK. It takes time."
Chambers said even for a quarterback, moving into a coaching role offers an entirely different perspective. "I knew it was a lot of hard work, but I didn't understand what all went into it. Being on this side of it I understand it a little more, I'm figuring it out as I go. I feel like I see the game in a whole new light now, learning more things that I didn't have to worry about while playing. It's fun, you expand your football knowledge while being in those meetings."
* * * * *
Montana State coach Brent Vigen was pleased with his team's work Wednesday. "There was good energy again," he said. "We had an off day yesterday, so that's what you hope for and expect. We continue to move along with schemes on both sides. Some more situational will begin to apply itself. That started today and will continue as we go through the next days."
The Bobcats' first two games of the season – August 24 at New Mexico and August 31 at Utah Tech – could occur in extreme heat. Vigen said his team's afternoon practices may help acclimate to those conditions. "It was a good day for us to be out here in the warmer temperatures of the afternoon. This will be our last afternoon practice potentially, and we have to take advantage of the heat we're going to get the next couple of days."
Vigen said the Cats continue to make program installing offensive and defensive schemes, while also attacking personnel battles. "We made continued progress (on Wednesday), and I think as we move through this week's three more practices things will continue to sort out – who's our two, who's our three, who's going to be counted on on game day. We continue to take those steps."
#GoCatsGo
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