BOZEMAN -- Montana State's football coaching staff has taken another hit.
Kane Ioane, who returned to Bozeman in 2019 as the Bobcats' defensive coordinator, has agreed to become the co-defensive coordinator at Boise State. Multiple sources told MTN Sports that Ioane told his players on Friday and is flying to Boise on Sunday.
MTN Sports' attempts to reach Ioane were unsuccessful.
Ioane is one of the legendary figures in Montana State football history. He played safety for the Bobcats from 2000-03, becoming a four-time All-American. He then joined MSU's coaching staff in 2004 and served in some capacity until 2016 when he joined the staff at the University of Washington. Ioane worked as a defensive analyst with the Huskies before returning to MSU in 2019 to become the Bobcats' defensive coordinator.
Ioane is now set to join Andy Avalos' staff at Boise State and serve as the co-defensive coordinator alongside Spencer Danielson. Avalos was named the Broncos' head coach on Jan. 9.
Ioane's departure comes as his name has circulated as a potential candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy created by Jeff Choate's departure. Choate, who became Montana State's head coach in December of 2015, is joining the staff at Texas.
"I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Jeff Choate for his tremendous work as Montana State University’s head football coach," MSU director of athletics Leon Costello said in a statement released by the university. "His success on the field speaks for itself, but his work in developing young men and creating championship culture also stands out. He has positively impacted so many people, inside the football program and throughout the MSU community, and I’m grateful for his contributions to Bobcat Athletics.
“With the help of our search committee, a national search will begin immediately."
According to a source, Ioane is not expected to be part of that process, though Costello has indicated to those close to the program that retaining MSU's current coaches is a priority.
Under Choate, the Bobcats improved each season, culminating in an 11-4 overall record in 2019, the last season Montana State competed. The Bobcats made the FCS Playoffs in both 2018 and 2019, losing at North Dakota State each season.
