By Danny Waldo
Montana State Bobcat football fans woke up to shocking news recently when they learned that former Montana State defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak had resigned from his position to pursue other professional opportunities. Defensive backs coach Mark Orphey also resigned to take a position at an FBS school as well.
However, while fans were clamoring to understand the confusion surrounding Gregorak’s departure, something head coach Jeff Choate refused to address, another bombshell was dropped when it was announced that former Bobcat great Kane Ioane was returning to MSU to replace Gregorak as the defensive coordinator.
Ioane, a former All-American at Montana State who spent 17 years in Bozeman has a player and assistant, has spent the past two seasons in a quality control position at the University of Washington. Ioane spent one season in a co-defensive coordinator position at MSU prior to Choate’s arrival, but moved to linebacker coach when Choate brought Gregorak on board from rival Montana.
Ioane turned down a similar offer from another Big Sky Conference team to return to Montana State to head up the defense. When asked to explain why Ioane was the best fit to run the Bobcat defense, Choate had this to say:
“All he (focused on) was ball 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for two years at a place where they run the exact system that I want to run, and they’re the best in the country at that particular system.”
“For lack of a better way of putting it, I sent him to finishing school. He worked with (UW assistants) Jimmy Lake and Pete Kwiatkowski and Bob Gregory, and learned this defense inside and out,” Choate said.
“All indications were, when I called over there to people that I know and trust, they said he’s ready. He’s ready to go do this, he’s got a good plan, and so I’m excited to bring him back.”
In other news, Montana State also must fill its linebacker coaching position, and the rumor mill has it that another former Bobcat standout is coming home. Bobby Daly, an assistant coach at the University of Idaho, is expected to be named MSU’s new linebacker coach and return to the place where he starred in the early 2000’s.
Additionally, former starting quarterback Chris Murray is re-enrolled at MSU and is expected to participate in Spring drills, but won’t see many snaps under center.
“He still has some significant academic work to do,” Choate said. “He’s basically a walk-on in our program right now, and I think that speaks volumes about the commitment that he’s making to come back and do his thing. We’re here to support him and help him.”
“Probably won’t get a lot of reps in the spring. Kind of got to see where those grades end up in May. But clearly, if he’s a guy that can get right and take those steps to get reinstated academically and earn his way back, I think that will go a long way towards having some trust with our coaching staff and with his teammates.”
And a last bit of news, five Bobcat players have left the Montana State program. Running back Tyler Natee and linebacker Balue Chapman have both medically retired. Running back Maleek Barkley and linebacker Dante Sparaco have both left MSU, and offensive lineman Jarrod Asche has retired, but will finish out his degree.
