Mike Kramer
Encyclopedia
Michael David Kramer is an American football
coach and former player. He is currently 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). Kramer has coached teams to four Big Sky championships, one at Eastern Washington (1997), and three at Montana State (2002, 2003, and 2005).
, Kramer graduated from Colton High School in 1972 at age 16 and played college football
at the University of Idaho
. He was a lineman for the Vandals
for four seasons under head coaches Don Robbins and Ed Troxel
. He started nine games at defensive end
as a 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. Kramer received his bachelor's degree from UI in 1977 and later earned a master's degree from EWU.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
of the Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
. Kramer was previously the head coach at two other schools in the conference: Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is an American public, coeducational university located in Cheney, Washington.Founded in 1882, the university is academically divided into four colleges: Arts and Letters; Business and Public Administration; Science, Health and Engineering; and Social & Behavioral...
(1994–1999) and Montana State University
Montana State Bobcats football
The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships...
(2000–2006). Kramer has coached teams to four Big Sky championships, one at Eastern Washington (1997), and three at Montana State (2002, 2003, and 2005).
Playing career
A native of Colton, WashingtonColton, Washington
Colton is a town in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 418 at the 2010 census.- History :Colton was first settled in 1879 by J.A. Cole, and was founded in 1882 by J.B. Stanley. Colton was incorporated in 1890 however it was not recorded until 1893.-Notable natives:*...
, Kramer graduated from Colton High School in 1972 at age 16 and played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
. He was a lineman for the Vandals
Idaho Vandals football
The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I...
for four seasons under head coaches Don Robbins and Ed Troxel
Ed Troxel
-External links:* - Ed Troxel - Idaho - 1974-77...
. He started nine games at defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
as a freshman in 1972, and seven on offense at center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
as a sophomore. During his final two seasons he started at guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
for offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
. Kramer was named most inspirational player (Hec Edmundson
Hec Edmundson
Clarence Sinclair "Hec" Edmundson was a college basketball head coach. A native of Moscow, Idaho, and a 1910 graduate of the University of Idaho, Edmundson coached at his alma mater and the University of Washington , compiling a 508-204 overall record in 29 seasons.Hec Edmundson also coached the...
award) and the team's outstanding blocker as a senior in 1975. Kramer received his bachelor's degree from UI in 1977 and later earned a master's degree from EWU.