Even though Northern Colorado is picked to finish seventh in the Big Sky Conference this year in a preseason poll of Big Sky coaches, the Bears are earning respect as they enter their fifth year in the league.
During a media conference call Tuesday to kick off preseason practices across the Big Sky, several coaches in the league said they’re impressed with the progress the Bears have made since joining the Big Sky — despite UNC having won three games in the conference in the past four years.
Montana State coach Rob Ash and the Bobcats have had their share of struggles against the Bears in the past four years, a record that includes the Bears’ first Big Sky victory in 2007.
Ash believes UNC coach Scott Downing has built the program the right way through redshirting freshmen and making the Bears a strong team that can carry its weight in the Big Sky.
“He’s built it from the ground up and they are strong, tough and durable,” Ash said.
— at greeleytribune.com.
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Although Robin Pflugrad is in his first season as Montana’s head coach, he was the Grizzlies’ wide receivers coach last year under Bobby Hauck, who left to be the Nevada-Las Vegas head coach.
Pflugrad gave high praise to the Bears’ defense.
“I think they’re vastly improved,” Pflu-grad said. “Their defense was tremendous, especially early on in the game against us. I think their secondary was as good as anybody we saw the entire year, including the (NCAA) playoffs.”
Weber State coach Ron McBride took over the Wildcats’ program in 2005 and built it into a Big Sky champion by 2008. The former Utah coach has been impressed with the Bears’ approach since they joined the Big Sky in 2006 after making the transition from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) level.
“I like the ‘physicalness’ of their football team. I have . . . since Day One,” McBride said. “When you play them, you had better strap them up and you had better bring a physical presence because if you don’t, they are going to kick you around.”
Idaho State coach John Zamberlin has had his share of struggles trying to build the Bengals in his four years with them. Idaho State is the only team to lose twice to the Bears since they joined the Big Sky.
Zamberlin has taken Downing’s approach in trying to rebuild Idaho State. He realizes fans get frustrated because of the losing, but he believes the Bengals and the Bears are rebuilding the right way.
“I think (the fans) have to understand this is a very strong conference and there are teams that have had success year in and year out and that is where we are striving to be,” Zamberlin said. “I think both programs are trying to do it the right way and build for the long term.”
While Downing believes the UNC football program is earning respect throughout the Big Sky, he knows the real respect will come when the Bears start winning more games.
That may be the reason Downing has set a lofty goal for the Bears this season.
“Our goal is to get to a winning record,” Downing said. “I think that would be a really good sign that our program is doing what it is designed to do.”
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