Montana State Rodeo Hires New Coach
Montana State University announced it has hired Kyle Whitaker as its new head coach for the Bobcats rodeo team. Whitaker, a former professional tie-down roper, steer wrestler and saddle bronc rider, took over as head coach on Monday, Aug. 23.
Whitaker said he is excited to lead the Bobcats, a team with a rich tradition in the rodeo world.
“It’s always been a college rodeo powerhouse and I have a lot of respect for [the program],” Whitaker said. “I’ve also always loved the [Bozeman] area, so when the job became open, I decided it was the right time to transition from being a rodeo cowboy to training the youth in rodeo to keep the sport healthy.”
A native of Chambers, Neb., Whitaker competed collegiately at the University of Nebraska and put together one of the most acclaimed careers in professional rodeo history.
He won the Linderman Award for excellence in riding and roping events 10 times, breaking the record of four, previously held by his father, Chip. He is the first cowboy to win that award five consecutive years.
The Linderman Award is given annually to the winningest cowboy of the season who earned at least $1,000 in each of three events, including one timed event and one roughstock event. Whitaker first won the award in 1997 and won it most recently in 2018.
He won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo allaround titles in 2002 and 2008 as a tie-down roper, steer wrestler and saddle bronc rider.
This is Whitaker’s first college coaching position. Whitaker said he recognizes he is stepping into a good situation with the MSU team, as most of the team is healthy, loaded with talent and has great success on the national level in recent years.
