Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a series breaking down the Montana State Bobcats following the third spring under head coach Jeff Choate and his staff. Today’s installment addresses the DeNarius McGhee’s move from coaching quarterbacks to coaching running backs.
FIRST INSTALLMENT: Bobcats still searching for Murray’s main competitor
BOZEMAN — Jeff Choate brought back a legend from the past to help mentor his quarterback of the future, a talented athlete who has already crafted some memorable mythology of his own.
A year after his hiring at his alma mater, former Bobcat quarterback DeNarius McGhee is no longer coaching the position he played. Instead, with the departure of running backs coach Michael Pitre to join Jonathan Smith’s staff at Oregon State, Choate has reassigned McGhee to Pitre’s former position. Montana State’s third–year head coach hired Bob Cole, a veteran of the coaching world, to serve as MSU’s passing coordinator.
“I’m going to tell you, the guy has been awesome,” Choate said of McGhee. “I told him it was going to be the best thing for him. Of course, he was a little apprehensive at first. But he did a coach’s clinic the other day — he’s such a detailed guy and he prepares so well for things — he walked out of there and was like, ‘that was awesome.
“He talked about ball security for about 15 minutes, aiming points on inside zone. You can tell he’s excited and he’s learning, which is what this process is all about.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.