School: Idaho State

Former Head Coach: Bill Evans (not renewed 3/13) 

2018-19 record: 11-19 (7-13 Big Sky)

Overall record: 71-141 (7 seasons)

Dirt: I have heard that Fogler Consulting will be running this search. Early names here are College of Southern Idaho head coach Jared Phay and South Alabama assistant Amorrow Morgan. Phay has been at CSI for the past five seasons where he has absolutely killed it. This past season, his Golden Eagles went 24-8, which runs his career mark at CSI to 136-33. Morgan is an Idaho State alum, where he was a three year captain and two-time all Big Sky performer. It sounds like interviews will take place in Minneapolis at the end of this week.

School: Montana State

Former Head Coach: Brian Fish (not renewed 3/17) 

2018-19 record: 15-17 (11-9 Big Sky)

Overall record: 65-92 (5 seasons)

Dirt: Not using a search firm. Internal committee consists of: Camie Bechtold, Senior Associate Athletic Director – Administration, Casey Fox, Senior Associate Athletic Director – External Relations (Chair), Harald Frey, Men’s Basketball – Student-Athlete, George Haynes, Montana State University – Extension Specialist Agriculture & Economics/Faculty Athletics Representative, Terry Leist, Montana State University – Vice President, Administration & Finance, Rainey Peuse, QA Engineer Oracle/Alumni Relations Advisory Board Member/6th Man Club Member, Stu Starner, Advisor to Search Committee – Former Montana State Men’s Basketball Coach/6th Man Club Member.

I have heard that the committee has gone from an initial list of sixty, to eight, and has now narrowed that to four. The final group will be on campus next week. Cal State Fullerton assistant Danny Sprinkle is the presumptive leader here. He is a three-time all Big Sky selection, and a member of the Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame. I’ve also heard that former Utah State head coach (and current Boise State assistant) Tim Duryea is involved.