Coaching changes, roster additions part of MSU Bobcat offseason
by Danny Waldo
While students at Montana State head home for the summer break, the Bobcat football team is busy beginning preparations for the upcoming 2019 season, one that is filled with high expectations after MSU’s strong finish to the 2018 season.
Part of the preparation includes adding late additions to the roster, as well as filling coaching positions vacated by staff members moving on for different opportunities. Both have taken place for head coach Jeff Choate recently after the departure of offensive line coach Josh Taufalele, and MSU adding a defensive line transfer from the University of Washington.
Taufalele, who served as the Bobcats’ offensive line coach for two seasons resigned from his position for personal reasons after leading a position group that ranked as one of the best in the Big Sky Conference under his tutelage. MSU’s line ranked seventh in the FCS in rushing in 2017 before dipping to No. 17 in 2018. However, in 2018 MSU rushed for a program best 5.7 yards per carry.
“Josh has been an invaluable member of our staff the last two seasons,” Choate said, “Josh was instrumental in building our program, and integral in our success running the football.”
Choate has replaced Taufalele with former Boise State standout offensive lineman, Nate Potter. Potter earned All-WAC and All-Mountain West honors at BSU before being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After hanging up his cleats after three seasons, Potter returned to his alma mater to beginning his coaching career, beginning as a quality control assistant before transitioning to a graduate assistant position for two seasons. Potter most recently was the offensive line coach for the College of Idaho in 2018.
Choate also added a pair of interns for the upcoming season who both have connections to Choate from their playing days at the University of Washington. Jonathan Amosa, a former walk-on running back for the Huskies, spent the 2018 season at MSU-Northern, while Hayden Schuh, another former Huskie, comes to Bozeman after serving as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of California-Berkeley under former Bobcat assistant Gerald Alexander.
“Jon is a player who I just missed coaching at Washington, he was leaving as I was arriving, but he had a couple of stints in the NFL and has a desire to go into coaching,” Choate said of his new offensive intern. “I’m super excited to be able to hire a young guy with his playing and coaching experience. He works closely with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) so he’ll be a great resource for student-athletes interested in that area, as well.”
“Hayden was an excellent special teams player for us at Washington, one of the smartest players I’ve ever had an opportunity to coach,” Choate said. “He was a former walk-on who became an integral part of our special teams units.”
Choate also tapped into his connections at the University of Washington to grab another grad transfer in defensive lineman Jason Scrempos. After redshirting in 2015, Scrempos played on the UW defensive line in 2016-2018, seeing action in eight games in 2018.
“Jason played on Pac 12 Championship teams at the University of Washington,” Choate said. “We expect him to have an immediate impact for us, and solidify the interior defensive line. He’s 6-6, 300 pounds, and he can play the nose or tackle. Jason played at a high level in high school and is familiar with our system, and he adds immediate pop to our defense. We’re very excited to add Jason to our program.”
Scrempos will have one season of eligibility at MSU.
Danny Waldo is a local freelance writer, covering Montana State Bobcat and Bozeman Hawk athletics. •
