Committee interviews second coaching candidate

Montana State University-Northern coaching candidate Tim Moser loves his occupation but says it hasn't done wonders for his looks.

"It's been a great experience but it's probably taken my hair," he laughed.

Moser was the second candidate to interview for the head men's basketball coaching position at Northern and met with about 10 community members at the Student Union Building on Thursday night.

He is the head men's and women's basketball coach and athletic coordinator at Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colo. He has been at the school since 1998 and has compiled a 92-27 record as women's coach and a 79-38 record in his tenure as men's coach.

The position at Northern opened when Brian Harrell resigned April 5 after an audit was conducted on the men's basketball program.

Before taking the post at Otero Junior College, Moser was the assistant men's basketball coach and intramural director at Eastern Wyoming College for three years. He also was a volunteer assistant men's basketball coach at Southern Utah University from 1991 to 1993.

Moser is no stranger to recruiting in-state athletes something that is very important to the Northern athletic programs. For the last three seasons at Otero, Moser said, he has recruited only athletes from Colorado.

"After being here the whole day, I definitely know it's a priority," Moser said about recruiting Montana players. "It all comes down to working hard."

Moser has some Montana contacts. In fact, he coached Bobcat standout Rebecca Alvidrez at Otero before she transfered to MSU-Bozeman. He also is friends with coach Shawn Neary at Miles Community College and coach Don Mast at Dawson Community College.

Moser said his recruiting philosophy revolves around "the three A's" attitude, academics and then ability.

"You have to get the best that fit the three A's," he said.

Added to the three A's, Moser said, is another important element.

"I have to recruit kids I like and they have to like me," he said. "The kids need to know they can come to me for anything. That's what it's all about, building lifelong relationships.

"When I recruit one of those kids, I will be their father."

Moser said he is also a firm believer in the word "team" and in teamwork.

"You don't play for the name on the back of the jersey. You play for the name on the front," he said.

One of the main reasons the job at Northern is attractive, he said, is the chance to be a classroom teacher.

"Sooner or later I want to be in the classroom," he said. "I don't want to coach forever."

Moser said he's dedicated to building a winning program.

"Obviously I want to make this program the best program in the nation," he said. "I just want to be the best coach I can be if I am hired. We might not win at first but we eventually will and eventually I will outrecruit other schools. We're going to win doing the right things."