Michael David Kramer (born July 25, 1954) is a former American football coach and former player, most recently the head football coach at Idaho State University of the Big Sky Conference. Kramer was previously the head coach at two other schools in the conference: Eastern Washington University (1994–1999) and Montana State University (2000–2006).[1] Kramer has coached teams to four Big Sky championships, one at Eastern Washington (1997), and three at Montana State (2002, 2003, and 2005). Kramer retired from his position at Idaho State on March 30, 2017.[2]

Mike Kramer
Biographical details
Born (1954-07-25) July 25, 1954 (age 70)
Colton, Washington, U.S.
Alma materIdaho, B.S. 1977
Eastern Washington,
M.Ed. 1991
Playing career
1972–1975Idaho
Position(s)Defensive end,
center, guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976Colton (WA) HS (asst.)
1977–1979Helena (MT) HS (asst.)
1980–1982Helena (MT) HS
1983–1984Montana State (DL)
1985–1986Montana State (DC)
1987–1988Tacoma (WA) Stadium HS
1989–1993Eastern Washington (DL)
1994–1999Eastern Washington
2000–2006Montana State
2010Washington State (asst.)
2011–2016Idaho State
Head coaching record
Overall95–125 (college)
Tournaments3–4
(NCAA I-AA/FCS playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 Big Sky (1997, 2002, 2003, 2005)
Awards
4x Big Sky Coach of the Year
(1997, 2002, 2005, 2014)

Playing career

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A native of Colton, Washington, on the Palouse south of Pullman, Kramer graduated from Colton High School in 1972 and played college football at the University of Idaho in nearby Moscow. He was a lineman for the Vandals for four seasons under head coaches Don Robbins and Ed Troxel.[3] He started nine games at defensive end as a true freshman in 1972, and seven on offense at center as a sophomore. During his final two seasons he started at guard for offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson.

Kramer was named most inspirational player (Hec Edmundson award) and the team's outstanding blocker as a senior in 1975.[4][5] He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity,[6] received his bachelor's degree from UI in 1977, and later earned a master's degree from EWU.

Coaching career

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Kramer began coaching in 1976 at his alma mater, Colton High, as an assistant for the 1976 season, then moved to Montana to coach at Helena High School, as an assistant for three years and as head coach for another three. He moved up to the college level at Montana State in 1983, coaching the defensive line under head coach Dave Arnold and the Bobcats won the Big Sky title and the I-AA national championship in 1984. He was the defensive coordinator for the next two seasons, which were much less successful, and Arnold and the staff was fired. Kramer coached in western Washington at Stadium High School in Tacoma for two seasons, then joined the staff at Eastern Washington in 1989 and coached the defensive line for five years. When head coach Dick Zornes retired, Kramer was promoted and led the Eagles for six seasons, through 1999.[7]

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs TSN#
Eastern Washington Eagles (Big Sky Conference) (1994–1999)
1994 Eastern Washington 4–7 2–5 T–6th
1995 Eastern Washington 3–8 1–6 8th
1996 Eastern Washington 6–5 4–4 T–5th
1997 Eastern Washington 12–2 7–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 6
1998 Eastern Washington 5–6 4–4 T–4th
1999 Eastern Washington 7–4 6–2 T–2nd
Eastern Washington: 37–32 24–22
Montana State Bobcats (Big Sky Conference) (2000–2006)
2000 Montana State 0–11 0–8 9th
2001 Montana State 5–6 4–3 4th
2002 Montana State 7–6 5–2 T–1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 19
2003 Montana State 7–6 5–2 T–1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 21
2004 Montana State 6–5 4–3 T–3rd
2005 Montana State 7–4 5–2 T–1st 18
2006 Montana State 8–5 6–2 T–2nd L NCAA Division I Quarterfinal 18
Montana State: 40–43 29–22
Idaho State Bengals (Big Sky Conference) (2011–2016)
2011 Idaho State 2–9 1–7 8th
2012 Idaho State 1–10 0–8 13th
2013 Idaho State 3–9 1–7 T–11th
2014 Idaho State 8–4 6–2 T–2nd
2015 Idaho State 2–9 1–7 T–12th
2016 Idaho State 2–9 1–7 13th
Idaho State: 18–50 10–38
Total: 95–125
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Kramer selected to coach Bengals". Spokesman Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 23, 2010.
  2. ^ "Idaho State coach Mike Kramer retires; Rob Phenicie takes over". ESPN.com. March 30, 2017.
  3. ^ "Vandals can end on happy note". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 20, 1975. p. 46.
  4. ^ "UI award to Kramer". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). December 12, 1975. p. 18.
  5. ^ "Keilty, Comstock receive top Idaho football awards". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). December 3, 1975. p. 4B.
  6. ^ Sahlberg, Bert (October 14, 1995). "Kinship only goes so far". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  7. ^ Sullivan, Tim (October 7, 1994). "Kramer tries to take EWU up a level". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). p. 1C.
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