HEAD COACH BOB GREEN

Office Phone: 406.496.4292

bgreen@mtech.edu

The 2009 season will be Bob Green’s 23rd as head football coach of the Montana Tech Orediggers.    Prior to Green’s arrival, Tech’s gridders had struggled through three seasons that had produced only one win over a four-year school.  Since 1987 the Orediggers have enjoyed a level of success unprecedented at Tech.  Green’s tenure has produced consistent winning records and upper level conference finishes.  In the past 22 years, the Oredigger football team has placed first, tied for first, or second in the Frontier Conference 15 times, with an overall record of 128-106-1.  After winning the 1996 Frontier Conference Championship, the Orediggers advanced to the NAIA National Championship game. In 2001, and again in 2004, the Orediggers shared the title as co-champions of the Frontier Conference, sending them to the NAIA National Playoffs. In 2005, the Orediggers again advanced to the NAIA National Championship Playoffs, where they defeated highly ranked Azusa Pacific University.  In addition to his duties as head coach, Green coordinates Tech’s defense and coaches defensive backs.

In describing the football setting at Montana Tech, Green says, “Tech represents a unique academic and football opportunity for a young man.  Our players have access to an excellent education coupled with a successful football experience.  It is a privilege to coach the high caliber people Montana Tech attracts.”

A Nebraska native, Green played defensive back for four years at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where he served as an assistant coach following his senior season.  Prior to taking over the reins at Tech, Green spent five seasons at Northwest Missouri State University, where he coached running backs for two years and defensive coordinator for three.  Coach Green has also led high school programs in Minatare and Broken Bow, Nebraska, sandwiching a short stint at the University of Northern Colorado.  Green is a former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran.  Bob and his wife, Pam, have three grown children - Abby, Katie, and Danny - and three grandchildren.

Oredigger Records under Green

Doug Schleeman

dschleeman@mtech.edu

Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks

Doug Schleeman enters his 12th year on the Oredigger coaching staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. 

Schleeman played collegiately at Peru State College in Nebraska, where he was a four-year letterman and an All-Conference performer at center.  He helped lead his team to the school's first-ever playoff appearance in his senior season.  Following his playing career, Schleeman assisted in coaching Peru's offensive line before making his first move to Montana.  From 199?-199?, he was the head coach at Shields Valley High School in Clyde Park, MT.  In his three years at the helm, the Rebels made two State playoff appearances, and Schleeman served on the Class C All-Star game coaching staff both years.

Following his tenure at Shields, Schleeman returned to the college ranks and to his home state of Nebraska as an assistant at Chadron State College for two years, where he earned his Master's degree in secondary education.  He then took over as head coach at Kemmerer High School in Kemmerer, WY, where he coached until 1998 when he joined the staff at Tech.

Coach Schleeman is a native of Culbertson, NE, and now resides in Butte with his wife, Tara, and their three children: Kenna (4), Kade (3), and newborn son Koda.  Doug also has two older children; Nicole (16), and Drew (14).

Kevin Warner

Defensive Line

2009 will mark the 17th season on the Oredigger coaching staff for defensive line coach Kevin "Punky" Warner.  Warner has done an exceptional job with the defensive front, having mentored 22 different All-Conference players during his tenure, two of which were All-Americans and one who was honored as the Frontier's Defensive Player of the Year (J.J. Perino, 2007).  Punky is a native of Butte, where he played high school football at Butte Central.  Collegiately, he played at Montana State University in Bozeman.  Prior to joining the staff at Tech, Warner was an assistant coach at Butte High for four seasons.

Warner is currently employed as supervisor of security for Community Counseling and Correction Services, Inc.  He and his wife, Ann, reside in Butte with their two sons, Tyler (8) and Keaton (6).

Rich Mayson

rmayson@mtech.edu

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Rich Mayson is the newest member of Montana Tech's coaching staff after he was hired in May of 2009.  Mayson comes to Tech to lead the Diggers' wide receivers and tight ends, while also filling the role of Sports Information Director for the Tech athletic department.  He will also oversee the Tech's video operations.  Mayson comes to Butte from Northwest Missouri State University, where he coached the Bearcats' wide receivers for the past two seasons.

Rich played college football at Truman State University in Missouri from 2002-2006, where he was a three-year starter at wide receiver and tight end.  He was a four-year letterman and a two-year captain for the Bulldogs, also earning Academic All-Conference honors twice.  Following his senior season, Mayson was honored by his coaches with a team leadership award bearing his name, which is awarded annually to a Truman player that shows exceptional leadership. 

Following his playing career, Mayson spent two years at Northwest.  He coached one All-American and two All-Conference players while at Northwest, and the team reached the NCAA Division II national championship game both seasons. 

Mayson is a native of Mexico, Missouri.  He and his wife, Kristin, reside in Butte.

Scott Sampson

Offensive Line

Scott Sampson is a Butte native and Montana Tech alum where he earned a degree in Engineering Science. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Diggers from 1991-94, earning all-conference honors. 

Upon completion of his degree, Scott moved to Midland, TX where he worked as an engineer for nearly three years. Scott returned to Butte in the winter of 1999 to accept an engineering position with MSE-TA.  The 2009 season will be his tenth on the Oredigger coaching staff, all 10 being with the offensive front.  Sampson has mentored two All-Americans as well as 12 players that have received All-Conference honors. 

When Scott is not working or coaching he enjoys the company of his wife, Shannon, who is an Administrative Assistant for the Tech Athletic Department; their daughter Beth (6), and sons Jake (11), Ben (9), and Sam (2).  

Roger Willhite

Running Backs

Roger Willhite begins his 13th season as running backs coach for the Orediggers.  Coach Willhite played on a state championship football team in Thompson Falls, MT in 1974. He then moved on to play football and coach/teach at Western Montana College (now Montana-Western), where, in 1977, the Bulldogs won the Frontier Conference football title with an unblemished record. While an athlete at Western, Willhite finished one season as the number two-ranked punt returner in the nation.

Willhite graduated in 1980 with a double major in History/Social Science and Physical Education (K-12). He has taught and coached in a number of high schools and colleges throughout the state and has 29 years of football experience.  In his time at Tech, he has coached nine All-Conference backs and one All-American in Jay LeProwse (2001).  Outside of his coaching duties, Willhite is a teacher at Butte High School. He and his wife Margie (O’Connor), and children, Connor and Julie, have lived in Butte for thirteen years. When he’s not working or coaching, Willhite enjoys camping, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his family.

Jim Konen

Inside Linebackers

Jim Konen is entering his eighth season as a member of Montana Tech's coaching staff, in charge of the Diggers' inside linebackers.  Konen began coaching in 1977 at Missoula Sentinel High School while attending college and became an assistant coach at Butte Central before becoming the head coach at Butte Central from 1983-1988.  The Butte Central teams made playoffs in 83, 84, and 88.  He then moved to Butte High School and served as an assistant coach until joining the Tech staff in 2002.  While at Butte High, Konen served as defensive coordinator for the undefeated 1991 State Champions and is still coaching basketball at Butte High.  Since he began coaching at Tech, six All-Conference linebackers have been under the tutelage of Konen.  Outside of his coaching duties, Konen is currently teaching Geography at East Middle School and has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Montana. His wife Gina, an IP engineer for 360 Networks, is a Montana Tech graduate with degrees in Science and Technology and Computer Science. Their daughter Brooke graduated from Montana Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering. Their son A.J. is a junior offensive lineman for the Diggers, and their daughter Kallen is a sophomore at Tech.

Bo Bolstad

bbolstad@mtech.edu

Outside Linebackers/ Special Teams

Coach Bo Bolstad is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Orediggers.  He is in charge of Tech's outside linebackers and will coordinate the Special Teams, as well as assisting with Tech’s strength and conditioning program.  Bolstad played safety for the Diggers from 2004-2007, administering punishing hits on special teams during his four years in the program.

Bo graduated from Montana Tech in 2008 with a degree in business information and technology.  He is orignially from Clancy, Montana, and attended Boulder High School.  Bo was a three sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track.  He capped off his high school career by playing in the Montana Class B All-Star Game.  Coach Bolstad and his new wife, Carlye, were married this past July and reside in Butte.  Bo enjoys being outdoors, hiking, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends.

Ray Hibnes

Assistant Offensive Line

Three seasons after completing a career as an outstanding lineman for the Diggers, Ray Hibnes returned to Montana Tech  as an assistant coach in 2008.  This is his second season assisting his former mentor, Scott Sampson, in coaching the offensive line.

Ray graduated from Montana Tech  in 2005 with dual majors in Computer Science and Software Engineering.  He currently lives in Butte but commutes to Helena, where he works four days a week as a systems analyst for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. 

Cal McQueary

Assistant Wide Receivers

After completing his playing career for the Diggers in 2008, Cal McQueary returned in the spring of '09 to coach the position he played.  He continues in that capacity this fall.  As a player in 2008, McQueary hauled in 34 passes and averaged over 10 yards per catch.  He was invited to play in the NAIA All-Star game in Kansas City after his senior season.

Cal, a Butte native and Butte High alum, graduated from Tech in the spring of 2009 with a degree in business information technology.  He lists coaching his younger brother, Clay, as one of his favorite things about coaching.