 |
||||
  
 
 |
New football coach Dennehy a 'great catch' for USU
By Wade Denniston
With a new millennium less than one month away, the Utah State University football team has already made a major change for its future. When the Aggies take the field for their 108th season of action in 2000, a new era will begin as Michael "Mick" Dennehy assumes the role as head coach. The 49-year-old Dennehy will take the place of Dave Arslanian, who was let go Thursday after completing his second season. Despite Arslanian still having two years left on his contract, which the university will reportedly pay, Utah State still felt it was in need of a change after Arslanian had led the Aggies to just seven victories and 15 defeats. "A difficult decision was made this week, no question," USU Athletic Director Rance Pugmire said at Friday's press conference announcing Dennehy's hiring. "We're at a crucial time in our athletics program, and our football program in general, right now. We feel that we need to move forward with an exciting brand of football." It appears that Pugmire found his man in Dennehy. "Montana has had a model program and has dominated its league for years," Pugmire said. "Mick has been at the heart of that success and we are fortunate to attract a coach of his caliber to Utah State University. I remember my many years at (the University of) Idaho watching what seemed to be an unstoppable offense. "As we checked references, it became very clear that not only would this be a great catch for Utah State, but this hire would be a great fit for the community." However, the hiring of Dennehy and firing of Arslanian less than 24 hours apart, comes as a shock to many people, including USU players. "I found out at 11 o'clock last night," sophomore quarterback Jeff Crosbie told The Herald Journal Friday. "It shocked and ticked me off. I had been in talking with coach Thursday afternoon. He had met with the administration and didn't seem worried. His contract was for four years." While Pugmire said the change was made to bring back fans with exciting football, Crosbie saw it another way. "In my opinion, it wasn't so much the fans or boosters, or even the tough schedule," he told The Herald Journal. "The biggest problem was President (George H.) Emert. Look at the Idaho game. He predicts the other team to win. Where is his loyalty? "The guys (on the team) that I have talked to are disappointed." But, if Utah State wants to see more excitement, Dennehy should bring that to the program considering what he accomplished at the University of Montana with its wide-open offense. The Grizzlies were ranked second in Division I-AA in passing offense (370.0 yards per game), total offense (517.4) and scoring offense (46.4) in 1999, Dennehy's fourth season at the UM helm. In his tenure with Montana, Dennehy led the Grizzlies to three Big Sky Conference Championships, with a runner-up finish in 1997. UM advanced to the I-AA playoffs in each of his four years, and finished as the national runner-up in 96. Dennehy, who is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, which is given to the I-AA coach of the year, established a 39-12 record for a 76.5 winning percentage (the best in Montana history for coaches with more than two seasons), including a 27-5 (84.4 percent) conference mark. However, Dennehy doesn't take all the credit for his success. "In a nutshell, I've never won a game since I started coaching," Dennehy said. "We've won a lot of games and that's how it's going to be done here. "The commitment to win that the administration at Utah State has made is something that as a football coach is all you can ask. I am firmly convinced that the commitment is there, and now it is our job to get it done. "I feel that all I know and have discovered in terms of Utah State football is that the program is on the verge. It is going to take a little bit of direction, but if the kids are willing to buy into itand it is not going to happen until they dobut when they do, it is a beautiful thing." But will USU just be a stepping stone for Dennehy, as it was for Charlie Weatherbie and John L. Smith? "Probably the only way that I can answer that is very simply, I had a very good job when this opportunity came along," Dennehy said. "I really didn't pursue this job. "I worked my tail off every day, kept my nose clean, didn't cheat, graduated kids, won some games, and it created an opportunity. "I was very happy for a long time in the last position I was in. My approach to this thing is going to be exactly the same. My whole sole purpose in life right now, aside from being a good husband, is winning football games." The majority of Dennehy's coaching staff will come from Montana, but he will also talk to members from Arslanian's staff. When Dennehy dons the Aggie blue and white for the first time next season, he will be entering his 28th season of coaching, 14th year at the collegiate level. Dennehy will bring to Utah State a potent offensive attack that had UM among the nation's leaders year in and year out. Coming into this season, the Grizzlies had been ranked among the top five in the nation in total offense and passing offense from 1993-98. In 1996, his first year as the head coach of Montana, Dennehy led the team to a school-record 14 wins (8-0 in conference), earning the team a trip to the I-AA championship game (a 49-29 loss to Marshall University). Also in 96, Montana had a school-record nine players named to one of Division I-AA's all-American teams, and a record 19 Grizzlies were named to the all-conference team. Dennehy graduated from Montana in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in education. He went on to earn a master's degree in educational administration from Washington State University in 1977. Dennehy was head coach at Helena (Wash.) High School from 1975-78, head coach at Helena (Mont.) High School from 1979-81, assistant coach at Montana State University from 1980-81, head coach at Campbell County (Gillette, Wyo.) High School from 1982-87 and head coach at Western Montana College, an NAIA school in Dillon, Mont., from 1988-90. Prior to being named the 31st head coach at Montana on April 19, 1996, Dennehy was UM's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1991-95. As a safety on the Grizzlies' football team from 1971-72, Dennehy earned first-team all-Big Sky honors in 72. He is tied for second in single-season Big Sky history with 10 interceptions in 1972, while leading the league that year, as well. Dennehy is tied for ninth in league history with 16 career pickoffs. He and his wife, Sheila, have two sons: Jake, a four-year letterman at safety for Montana from 1994-97 and Mark, a former UM wide receiver from 1996-97.
|
Archived Months:
September
1998 |
||