Standout O-lineman returns to Cats - as assistant

After a year unlike any other in Montana State football history, the Bobcats prepare for the 2026 season and their opener at Utah Tech on August 29.

Taking it Indoors

Smoke enveloped the Gallatin Valley on Saturday, moving the Bobcats into the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center. The team’s indoor facility proved a positive setting for a two hour, 15 minute full-pad practice that featured a handful of live segments.

Adding Aigbedion

Former Bobcat offensive lineman Omar Aigbedian, who finished his playing career at Baylor the past two seasons, joined the Bobcat coaching staff this summer.

“Omar had two really good years here,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. “And that provided an opportunity for him to go to back to Texas and play at Baylor, and he had two really good years there.”

Vigen said that as assistant to the offensive line coaches Matt Smith and Jesse Moser, Aigbedion has shown an aptitude for coaching. 

“When (professional playing opportunities) didn’t come about he was a little bit behind the eight ball as far as seeking out a coaching opportunity. I know there was nothing at Baylor available, and he reached out probably back in May. 

“I really appreciated Omar and his efforts and how much he grew in his time with us, and you could tell he was serious about wanting to get into coaching. And he’s been great.”

One Quick Quote

“We leave it up to Sarah (Bowman, MSU’s head athletic trainer for football) and her staff. But it’s great not to have to beg and plead. Whether it’s smoke or rain or snow or whatever, it’s great to have this facility.”

— Brent Vigen on moving Saturday’s practice into the team’s indoor practice building

Coming Up

After taking Sunday off, Montana State returns practice on Monday at 9:25 a.m. on the grass practice fields on Lincoln Street. The team will be in half-pads.

While the most important practice of camp is “Monday, because (it’s the next one) so it’s the most important day,” the week just ahead lays out as pivotal because it culminates with the program’s only true scrimmage of preseason camp, Vigen said.

“Next week’s a little bit more like a game week, I suppose, because we are building to a scrimmage. I think getting a feel for a game day, a game week build, and valuing each day (as) the most important day. Next week is more of that than maybe this week was, and we’re going to be right in the middle of a long fall camp, so show up ready to go every day with the right mindset and get after it.”