MSU athletic director Peter Fields said he was only a little surprised when Van Diest told him late Thursday, after a visit to the MSU campus, that he was not interested in the job.
“We still have three very good candidates in the search, and we will select a coach out of the remaining candidates,” Fields told reporters Friday.
Van Diest also told Carroll Athletic Director Bruce Parker late Thursday of his decision.
“The timing as I look at it, at the process over the last three weeks, has really taken a toll on me,” Van Diest told the Helena Independent Record. “The players back here still stood in my mind every day as I thought about this job and this opportunity.”
Parker said he got a call from Van Diest at about midnight Thursday telling him the head coach was sticking with the Saints.
“I didn't get to sleep for a couple of hours after that, I was pretty excited,” Parker said.
MSU is seeking a replacement for Mike Kramer, who was fired May 18 after another of his former players was arrested. Over the past year, five former players and one current player have been arrested on criminal charges, including a murder charge.
Fields would not comment Friday on a statement from Kramer earlier in the week that the former coach wants to be compensated for getting fired from his contract - a dispute that could lead to a lawsuit.
Fields said he is taking a close look at the way student athletes have behaved under the remaining candidates for the job.
Van Diest, 54, was among four finalists for the job.
Others include University of North Dakota head coach Dale Lennon, Larry Kerr of Duke University and Rob Ash of Iowa's Drake University.
Fields said he has not ranked the candidates and said there currently is not a favorite for the post. He said a three-year contract will be offered to the finalist.
Van Diest said he left the interview process impressed with MSU and its football program.
“They're going to have a good coach in place and an excellent staff,” Van Diest said. “If there's a cloud over the program it's just temporary.”
Under Van Diest, the Saints have made the NAIA national tournament seven straight times and won four straight national titles from 2001 to 2005.
Carroll defensive end Phil Lenoue, who will be a senior in the fall, said Friday he was “very happy” Van Diest is staying put.
“It's been a rough time,” he said. “If you have the possibility of losing your coach, it's scary because you really don't know what's going to happen - especially this close to the season.”
Elliott Barnhart, one of four MSU captains for next season, was disappointed when told of the news but said all of the candidates looked good.
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