Just how difficult is it to run a FCS athletic department right now? In what ways will the football national championship help Montana State with both fans and corporations? Those that watch Higher Ed Athletics know I think highly of Leon Costello, and this interview will show you why. We talk about fan support and the trickle-down-effect of North Dakota State reclassifying as FBS. Is there pressure for Montana State to follow? We discuss football and basketball scheduling strategies with talk of the CFP and March Madness both likely to expand at some point. Costello's response about football scheduling priorities may surprise you. He shares his thought processes behind hiring and evaluating head coaches and ends the conversation with advice for aspiring ADs that is also helpful for current ADs sitting in the chair.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:40 How difficult is it running a FCS athletic department right now?
• 6:55 What does winning FCS national championship mean for fan support return on investment?
• 12:20 How are companies in Bozeman area responding to success of Montana State?
• 16:30 North Dakota State trickle-down-effect. Pressure to go FBS?
• 23:45 Future scheduling with CFP and March Madness expansion
• 27:45 Head Coach hiring approaches and evaluations
• 37:48 Final advice for aspiring (or current) athletic directors
• 41:45 The cool factor of having Rodeo as a varsity sport

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