BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State men's basketball coach Brad Huse
enters the 2008-09 season with a new coaching staff, but not an
inexperienced one.

Huse appointed former MSU assistant Scott Carson to his staff on
Tuesday to fill the position vacated by Ryan Orton, who accepted the top
assistant position at New Mexico Highlands. Carson joins Brian Priebe
and Temesghen Starr to round out the Bobcat staff.
"Coach Carson brings instant stability and experience to our
staff. Scott is highly familiar with both Montana State and the Big Sky
Conference, which alone will make him a valued addition to this program.
I've known Scott for a long time, I've worked with him, and I know he
does a tremendous job working with the players. He's a coach who has
seen and experienced a lot at this level and I know that will benefit
this program."

Carson served on the Bobcat coaching staff from 1994-2006, a
period which saw the Bobcats win 195 games, two Big Sky regular season
titles, and one league tourney championship. MSU posted three 20-win
seasons in that time. Carson and Huse both joined Mick Durham's Bobcat
coaching staff in the summer of 1994. While Huse became head coach at
Jamestown College two years later, Carson remained until 2006.
A former assistant (1982-85) and head coach (1985-89) at Rocky
Mountain College, Carson also served as an assistant coach at Chemeketa
(Ore.) Community College (1988-91) and Central Connecticut University
(1991-94) before arriving at Montana State. He began his coaching career
at his alma mater, Mesa State, upon graduating in 1979.

Orton leaves Montana State after two seasons. "Ryan has a great
opportunity at New Mexico Highlands and I wish him the best," Huse said.
"I'm going to miss Ryan and have a lot of respect for his coaching
ability. Ryan had a lot of responsibilities in our program and he has
always worked hard for our student-athletes, and they will miss him."

The Bobcat coaching staff combines for 52 years of collegiate
coaching experience, including 23 years in the Big Sky Conference. "I'm
thrilled the makeup of our staff," Huse said. "Coach Carson and Coach
Priebe have a great deal of Division I experience, and Coach Starr is a
bright and energetic young coach who has a great future in the
profession."