BUTTE — A roar of applause filled the Copper Lounge on Montana Tech’s campus Wednesday to welcome in the Orediggers' newest head football coach, Kyle Samson.
Samson becomes just the third head coach in the past 33 years to lead the Oredigger program. Following in the big coaching shoes of the legendary Bob Green and Chuck Morrell, who stepped down earlier this month after leading the team for nine seasons, Samson shared to the room his vision for the future of Montana Tech football.
“The two things we’re going to be about and the two things that are going to be our motto here at Montana Tech, is family and (director of athletics Matt Stepan) talked about that, and count on me," Samson said during his introductory press conference.
It was just two years ago Samson was at the helm of the Kalispell Flathead High School football program during its 2017 Class AA state championship-game run. A year later, he was hired by former Tech head coach Chuck Morrell to become the Orediggers' offensive coordinator. Fast forward to Wednesday, and Samson had nothing but appreciation for everyone and everything that has led to this moment.
“I believe the success that we had (at Kalispell Flathead) and the people I had with me allowed me to have this opportunity to be hired by coach Morrell," Samson added. "And I’ll be forever indebted to him for reaching out to me to come work with him at Tech.”
One thing athletic director Matt Stepan made sure to emphasize was that Samson had to earn this promotion. There were no handouts for a job that attracted hundreds of highly qualified applicants. For a job as rewarding as leading the Montana Tech football program, there simply was no alternative.
“This job is worth it. This job is worth turning over every rock, and this job is worth searching every corner," Stepan said. "And I echo what coach Samson has to say, I think it left no doubt. It left no doubt.”
