The Montana State football coaches lead the Bobcats through the 2026 college football season. The coaching staff includes head coach Brent Vigen, coordinators, position coaches, the strength and conditioning staff, and football operations personnel.
Montana State has a long coaching history that includes championship-winning coaches and former players who later became leaders in the program.
Brent Vigen: Montana State Football Coaches
Brent Vigen became the Montana State head coach in 2021. He entered the 2026 season with a 61โ12 record through his first five seasons.
Under Vigen, the Bobcats have remained one of the top programs in the Big Sky Conference. His teams won Big Sky titles in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Montana State also reached the national championship game in 2021 and 2024 before winning the 2025 FCS national championship against Illinois State.
Brent Vigen and Montana State Championships
Vigen’s tenure has included several major achievements.
- 2021: Reached the FCS national championship game
- 2022: Won the Big Sky Conference championship
- 2024: Won the Big Sky championship and reached the national title game
- 2025: Won the Big Sky championship and FCS national championship
The 2025 championship was an important milestone for the Bobcats. Montana State defeated Illinois State 35โ34 in overtime to claim the national title.
Montana State Coaching Staff
The Bobcats coaching staff includes coaches responsible for different areas of the team.
The staff structure covers:
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Special teams coordinator
- Offensive line coach
- Tight ends coach
- Running backs coach
- Wide receivers coach
- Defensive line coach
- Linebackers coach
- Corner backs and defensive backs coaches
- Strength and conditioning staff
- Football operations staff
Each coach has a specific role in player development, game preparation, and team performance.
The coaching staff can also change between seasons, so the latest official team staff list should be checked for current positions and responsibilities.
How the Montana State Coaching Staff Works
The head coach oversees the entire football program and works with the coordinators on offensive and defensive plans.
The offensive coordinator helps design the team’s offensive system and game plan. The defensive coordinator works on defensive schemes and preparation for opposing offenses.
Position coaches work directly with players at their assigned positions. They focus on technique, development, firm study, and preparation for upcoming games.
Special teams coaches handle areas such as kickoffs, punts, field goals, and return units.
Former Montana State Head Coaches
Montana State has had several notable head coaches before Brent Vigen.
Jeff Choate
Jeff Choate coached Montana State from 2016 through 2020. He guided the Bobcats before leaving the program to become the head coach at Nevada.
Rob Ash
Rob Ash served as Montana State’s head coach from 2007 through 2015. His tenure included multiple successful seasons in the Big Sky Conference.
Sonny Holland
Sonny Holland is one of the most important figures in Montana State football history. As a coach, he guided the Bobcats to the 1976 Division II national championship.
Holland also had a distinguished career as a Montana State player before becoming a coach.
Montana State Coaches and Program History
The history of Montana State football is closely connected to its coaching staff. Different coaches have led the program through changes in conferences, divisions, and playing styles.
From Sonny Holland’s championship era to the modern FCS period under Brent Vigen, Montana State has continued to build a strong football tradition. See the full national championship history.
The coaching staff also plays an important role in developing players who go on to professional football careers. See the Montana State football players page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Montana State football head coach?
Brent Vigen is the head coach of Montana State football. He became the program’s head coach in 2021.
What is Brent Vigen’s record at Montana State?
Vigen entered the 2026 season with a 61โ12 record through the 2025 season.
How many Big Sky titles has Brent Vigen won?
Vigen’s Montana State team won Big Sky Conference championships in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Who coached Montana State before Brent Vigen?
Jeff Choate was Montana State’s head coach from 2016 through 2020 before moving to Nevada.
Who was the Montana State coach in 1976?
Sonny Holland coached Montana State when the Bobcats won the 1976 Division II national championship.
Who are the Montana State football coordinators?
The coaching staff includes offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators, along with position coaches and support staff. The current official staff directory should be checked for the latest names and roles.
Follow the Bobcats.
The Montana State coaching staff is an important part of the program’s 2026 season. Fans can also follow the Montana State football roster, schedule, scores, players, and championship history for the latest Bobcats information.
Related: Montana State Football Hub ยท Players ยท National Championships
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