Article

MSU, Coach Seal the Deal

Jeff Jamrog Signs Four-Year Contract to Lead Football Team

June 18th, 2004
By Jim Rueda
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO Jeff Jamrog was given the seal of approval by Minnesota State University President Richard Davenport and MSU Athletic Director Kevin Buisman Thursday, making him the 13th head football coach in the 82-year history of the program.

Jamrog, 39, replaces Clarence Holley, who resigned two weeks ago after a two-year coaching stint. Buisman's whirlwind search for Holley's successor culminated Thursday afternoon when Jamrog officially signed a four-year contract with Minnesota State.

Considering Jamrog's impressive credentials, Buisman admitted he was leery at first about the seriousness of the coach's candidacy. A starter and letterwinner for the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the mid-1980s, Jamrog has been an assistant coach at South Dakota (1990-93), Nebraska-Omaha (1994-96), New Mexico State (1997-99), the University of Nebraska (2000-2003) and Western Illinois (2004).

"When the job first opened up, (Jamrog) called right away and left me a message that he was interested," Buisman. "I put him on the back burner for a while while I looked at some other candidates but the more we got involved in the process, the more we went back to (Jamrog)."

Buisman said Jamrog said all the right things on the phone, but knows from experience that a face-to-face interview gives a more complete view of the person.

"We sat across from each other, he looked me in the eye, and continued to say all the right things," Buisman said. "He's interested in being here for the long haul to turn this program around. He wants to establish roots in the community, he wants to restore pride in the program among the college and community."

Jamrog, who was let go from Nebraska when the university fired head coach Frank Solich and his staff after a 10-3 season in 2003, is still under contract with the Cornhuskers. He has signed a four-year deal with MSU at about $76,000 per year and Nebraska will pay the remainder of what it owes him through the 2004-2005 season.

"It wasn't the money that drew Jeff here," Buisman said. "He just felt this was an opportunity and a challenge that he needed to accept."

Jamrog coached spring ball as a defensive coordinator and inside linebacker coach at Western Illinois this year but said the MSU job was something that intrigued him right away.

"I've accomplished just about everything you can accomplish as a Division I assistant," he said. "I've been a position coach, I've been a coordinator, I've coached in the NCC, I've coached at the University of Nebraska.

"I asked myself, 'Do I want to continue to be a coordinator in charge of 50 players, or do I want to be a head coach in charge of 90 players?' I want to be the one that's accountable; I want to put my stamp on this program."

Jamrog said he would not have accepted the MSU position unless he was convinced he had the pieces in place that would allow him a chance to be successful.

"I looked at the people first," he said. "From the administrators such as President Davenport and Kevin Buisman, to the people in the community, to fellow coaches in the department, to the student athletes themselves. I was impressed every step of the way."

Jamrog described the MSU facilities as the best in the country at Division II and said they rival many Division I schools. In addition, he sees the recruiting base in Minnesota and surrounding states as fertile ground for MSU.

Jamrog expects to spend the next few weeks house hunting with his wife, Connie, and their three children - Elizabeth (13), Brett (11) and Jared (8) - as well as talking to each of his football players individually. He plans to start assembling a coaching staff as soon as possible.

MSU summer football practice is scheduled to begin Aug. 4. The Mavericks, 0-11 in 2003, open the 2004 season on Thursday, Aug. 26, when they host Bemidji State in a non-conference contest at 6:30 p.m.

 

Pat Christman

Jeff Jamrog (front left) greets members of the Minnesota State University football team Thursday after being named the new head coach of the program. Jamrog replaces Clarence Holley, who resigned earlier this month after two years on the job.