BUTTE — When the NAIA and the Frontier Conference announced an eight-game football season this year, the reaction from Montana Tech football head coach Kyle Samson was exactly what you would’ve expected.
“That’s my biggest thing, is that I’m excited there’s a schedule and we have a season," said Samson, Tech's first-year head coach. "We’re excited to get going on Aug. 15."
Aug. 15 will be the first day, as mandated by the NAIA, Samson and the rest of his coaching staff will be able to hold an organized practice with his players. But in the meantime Samson has praised his team for leading its own practices and workouts to make sure when the time comes to hit the field, there are no setbacks.
“I think it’s going to pay dividends when you have guys who are taking the initiative this summer to make sure guys are here working out in the mornings," Samson said. "I think it’s going to be really good for our leadership and for our kids to understand what it takes to be a leader every single day.”
Montana Tech’s first game of the season will be Sept. 12 at home against Montana State-Northern. But for right now Samson and his staff are focusing on the tasks that are ahead of them.
“Really, right now it’s day-to-day. We’re just trying to take it one day at a time and getting as prepared as possibly could be knowing it all could change," he said.
Safety for players, staff and the fans are still at the forefront of Montana Tech’s priorities. The administration is currently working on developing a plan that could still allow fans into the confines of Bob Green Field. However, the option to limit attendance is most certainly on the table. That may just be the price to pay to suit up the pads and hit the field this fall.
“I think all of our kids right now would definitely be disappointed that they’re not going to have 10,000 or 5,000 people in the stands," said Samson. "But I think they just want to play.”
