BOZEMAN — Montana State is set to hire Colorado School of Mines head coach Pete Sterbick as its new offensive coordinator, according to a report from FootballScoop, which MTN Sports confirmed with multiple sources.
No contract has yet been signed, but Mines has announced Sterbick’s resignation Tuesday.
Sterbick may be a familiar name to Treasure State football fans, having spent five years as the offensive coordinator at Montana Tech. He joined the Orediggers in 2014, moving from McPherson College to Butte, where he was head coach and offensive coordinator. During his five seasons on staff, Tech compiled a record of 32-22, posting 10-2 seasons in 2015 and 2016 in which the Diggers won Frontier Conference championships and advanced to the quarters. NAIA National Finals.
At Tech, Sterbick’s offenses broke more than 30 school records and averaged 458.3 yards and 35 points per game between 2015 and 2018. In 2017, Sterbick’s best season as a Tech OC, the Oredigger’s offense led the Frontier in offense per game (43.4). ), total offense per game (543.8) and first downs per game (28.5), and ranking fourth nationally in offensive rating per game and total offense per game and second in first downs per game.
Sterbick left Butte in 2019 to become the offensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Colorado School of Mines. The team rushed for a program-record 3,269 yards and averaged 488.2 yards per game during Sterbick’s first season, and ranked fourth nationally in first downs, 11th in total offense, 13th in rushing offense and 14th in scoring offense.
He continued to lead a powerful offense during the 2021 season, as Mines ranked second nationally in passing efficiency, fourth in turnover margin, and 11th in offense.
But the 2022 season was the banner year for Sterbick. He earned National Coordinator of the Year honors by helping Mines advance to the NCAA DII championship game for the first time in program history. His offense led the nation in scoring (44.6 points per game) and red zone offense (97%). The Orediggers ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense, passing offense, fourth down conversion percentage and turnover margin.
Mines quarterback John Matocha won the Harlon Hill Award, given annually to the DII Player of the Year, while receivers Josh Johnston and Max McLeod each had more than 1,000 receiving yards and running back Michael Zeman exceeded 1,000 yards rushing.
Sterbick was elevated to Mines head coach in 2023 and led the team back to the DII title game. The Orediggers set the program record for wins in a single season (14) and All-Americans (eight), averaging 46.5 points and 508.7 yards per game offensively.
In 2024, Mines had the No. 5 total offense (482.7 yards per game) and No. 12 offense (37.7 points per game) en route to an 8-3 overall record.
Sterbick will replace Tyler Walker, who was Montana State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, but left the program for the same position at Temple.
The Bobcats had the No. 1 offense in the FCS, led by a prolific rushing attack that finished the season with 4,719 yards (294.9 per game). Scottre Humphrey led the team with 1,386 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, Adam Jones added 1,172 yards and 14 touchdowns, and Tommy Mellott finished with 1,050 yards and 15 scores.
MSU went 15-1 in 2024, winning the Big Sky Conference championship and advancing to the FCS national title game, where it lost to North Dakota State 35-32 on January 6.
Montana State begins its 2025 season Aug. 30 at Oregon.