Bobcat Recruiting Day Central
An Inside Look at Recruiting from the Bobcat Coaches
NOAH JOSEPH
Noah Joseph may be best known for his work with Montana State’s defensive secondary, helping mold the careers of Bobcat standouts such as Jordan Craney, Michael Rider and Kevin Retoriano. But Joseph’s lasting legacy to the Bobcats may be his work as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
With the February 2 National Letter-of-Intent Day looming, Joseph takes time to look at MSU’s football recruiting process…
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
NJ: “This is the first year since I have been here that they were excited to hear from us (out of state). They were able to follow us on the internet and knew we had a great year. I had kids that wanted to be apart of our program but had to tell them NO.”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
NJ: “Fan support! Sell the game day atmosphere, Sell-outs, Stadium expansion and the fact that we are the only "game" in town. No Pro sports or larger universities. We also sold DeNarius being just a red-shirt freshman.”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
NJ: “On tape - I look for knee bend and explosiveness. If they can do those at their respective position, they have a chance to play. During home visits, how they look and interact with you and their parents. I want someone who can communicate and has respect for authority.”
4. Between the championship, the win over the Grizzlies and the end zone expansion, was recruiting significantly different than recruiting last year?
NJ: “No doubt. In-state the win over Montana was huge. Out of state the championship and end zone expansion was a big seller.”
5. As recruiting coordinator, how many hours of film would you say you watch from the end of the season until signing day?
NJ: “As far as hours, I couldn't put a number on it. I watch film for 4 hours a week during the season - Tuesday and Wednesday nights after d-staff meetings. This is so I can evaluate guys in my area. We have our "board" meeting a few days before Christmas to indentify guys we want to bring onto campus in January. Most of the film we watch on guys at this time are hi-lights. I try and go back through every guy over the Christmas holiday and watch a full game on them. This allows me to get a better feel for their true talent. I would probably even look good on a hi-light film - LOL.”
6. Can you describe briefly the general process a recruit takes from identification through signing?
NJ: “At this level it differs. Most the Montana kids we identify as sophomores or juniors. We try and get them on campus through Junior Days and camps to get to know them and their families better. This gives us a chance to sell Coach Ash and Montana State Football to them. We want them to know it is a total program and not just a football team. Some out-of-state kids we identify in the spring before their junior year. In this case you get an opportunity to get to know them throughout the season. You can knock out all the school, program and personal information on the phone. That way when you show up in December in the house, you can get more in depth with their role and fit for the team. Some out-of-state kids we don't find until December when we are out on the road. This is a tough way to get to know an individual. Instead of getting personal during your first few home visits you are trying to inform them on Montana State, Bozeman and our football program. You also don't know much about them as people.”
7. Everyone talks about the recruits that sign on the first Wednesday in February, but walk-ons have become a huge part of the MSU program. How does the process of bringing walk-ons to MSU differ from February signees?
NJ: “We have tried to make it the same process. Most are Montana kids, so we have been recruiting them from their junior year. We still have them go through our film progression - area coach, position coach, coordinators and finally Coach Ash. It is simply a case of scholarship #'s or a case where we think a recruit might be 3 years from being able to help us on the field. We just don't have the money to put them on aid right away, but believe they have something positive to offer both on the field and in the classroom. As you know, these players come in with a chip on their shoulder and work their butt off to earn playing time and scholarships down the road.”
KANE IOANE
Kane Ioane brings a unique perspective to the Bobcat football program, having played as one of MSU’s best players ever during his career in the early 2000s. The four-time All-America joined the Bobcat coaching staff upon graduation, and has progressively become a mainstay of MSU’s defensive staff. With another national signing day nearly here, Kane Ioane looks at football recruiting at MSU…
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
KI: “Depends upon the individual. There are those that are extremely appreciative and excited, and there are those that have other things going on and may not be as excited. There are those that are very informed and have done a lot of their own research or inquiry into MSU and therefore have formed an opinion on us prior to first contact. There are those that are naïve to the recruiting process altogether and don't know MSU from USC.”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
KI: “The Whole College Football experience! Which encompasses the fan support, media coverage, celebrity status, tradition, rivalry games, great education opportunity and of course winning!”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
KI: “On tape the player has to stand out in at least two or more aspects. Could be size, and speed; could be speed and playmaking ability; could be instincts, physicality and motor; could be athleticism and awareness.
“Home visit-wise, I look for communication skills, and try to get a gauge on whether or not personality wise the prospect would fit in within our team, with our coaching staff, and within the Bozeman community. I also try to observe how they interact with others, and if they come from a good support system or not.”
4. Between the championship, the win over the Grizzlies and the end zone expansion, was recruiting significantly different than recruiting last year?
KI: “Winning championships will always help you recruit! It's a lot easier to get kids to buy in to programs that have proof of success to back them. Within the State it is crucial to win the Cat/Griz game! There's nothing that sells our place better than beating the guys three hours west of us! As far as the stadium expansion, the old saying, "if you build it they will come" also holds true in recruiting, so the stadium expansion has helped as well, but ultimately it starts with winning, ‘if you win they will come’ always holds true!”
JASON MCENDOO
The longest-tenured member of Montana State’s football coaching staff, Jason McEndoo has recruited a number of outstanding Bobcats. The former Pac 10 standout and NFL player takes a look at re-stocking the Bobcat football program.
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
JM: “Winning takes care of a lot of things. Whether it is Montana or out-of-state recruits take notice when you are on top of the conference and they want to be a part of that. We have a lot of momentum going right now and it is great to be able to recruit some of the top high school players out there.”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
JM: “The two biggest selling points for Bobcat football are winning and team chemistry. Winning gets recruits’ attention. Beating Eastern Washington and the Grizzlies makes the recruits take notice. Once the recruits are able to set foot on campus and get to spend time with our players they can sense that we have a tremendous thing going here within our team.”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
JM: “For offensive linemen I look for a guy to be explosive and not on the ground. I want an aggressive player that finishes his plays and looks for work. I want a guy who plays with an attitude and is physical.”
4. Between the championship, the win over the Grizzlies and the end zone expansion, was recruiting significantly different than recruiting last year?
JM: “This year during recruiting you could feel the shift in momentum from west of the continental divide to the east here in Bozeman. Because we are doing things the right way on and off the field, recruits are taking a serious look at what we are doing here in our program and liking what they see. We have always committed ourselves to recruiting Montana kids and now we are able to get some of the best talent in the state to come to Bozeman.”
BRIAN VON BERGEN
An Illinois graduate who spent developed as a coach and recruiter at Miami (Ohio), Brian Von Bergen brings energy and professionalism to the Bobcat program. One of Ben Roethlisberger’s former coaches looks at the recruiting process at Montana State…
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
BVB: “There is legitimate interest. You get fast call backs. There is excitement on the other end.”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
BVB: “Our fan support is outstanding. People care and fill the stadium. It's fun to recruit in a state where the nearest pro teams are in Seattle and Denver.”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
BVB: “Players should stand out on tape. No matter what level of competition, good players are productive, run well and play with good knee bend. It's good to see acceleration and burst, but I really want to evaluate how well a player changes direction.”
4. Between the championship, the win over the Grizzlies and the end zone expansion, was recruiting significantly different than recruiting last year?
BVB: “Beating EWU and UM were the keys to winning the championship and creating momentum. It appears that recruits can see the chemistry, a talented trigger-man and an expectation to go all the way.”
JAMIE MARSHALL
Jamie Marshall has built one of the Big Sky Conference’s top defensive units during his time at Montana State. Marshall played and coached for Rob Ash at Drake, and brings a unique blend of aggressiveness and patience to the defensive side of the ball at MSU.
Marshall looks at the process that brings talent into the Bobcat football program…
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
JM: “They are always happy to hear from us and they have an understanding of what MSU is all about. MSU has a great reputation throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
JM: “The statewide support of the program is by far the biggest selling point.”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
JM: “On the field I want to see great athletic ability tied with a physical presence throughout the game. The recruit has to make plays and show hustle and determination as well. When in the house I want to see how he acts with his family and friends. Does he treat others with respect?”
4. Between the championship, the win over the Grizzlies and the end zone expansion, was recruiting significantly different than recruiting last year?
JM: “We were rewarded for all of our hard work this year more than the other years. I felt we have always worked as hard, if not harder than most of the other programs in the past, yet we would lose a recruit to another program. Our success on the field this past year really paid dividends and gave credibility to our vision, which in turn gave us the edge in the recruiting battles this year.”
BRIAN WRIGHT
Bobcat offensive coordinator Brian Wright arrived after MSU completed the recruiting process for signing day last year, but since his arrival he has put his stamp on the Bobcat program. In addition to mentoring Denarius McGhee and a youthful group of skill players, he molded an offense known for its tempo, aggressiveness and physical nature. After a successful tenure at perennial power Youngstown State, Wright looks at recruiting to MSU…
1. What's the reaction from both in-state and out-of-state kids when they find out you're recruiting for Montana State?
BW: “In out-of-state kids I look to see how excited they are and if they seem to know a lot about us after making the playoffs. With in-state kids, I want to see if they’re excited and if I sense that they think our program is on the rise!”
2. What do you find is the biggest selling point of Bobcat Football with recruits?
BW: “The passion for football that is exemplified by our players, staff, and community.”
3. In evaluating a prospective player, what's the most important thing you look for on tape, and what's the most important thing you look for during an in-home visit?
BW: “Explosiveness and does he respect his mother or guardian.”
