When Carroll College Athletic Director Bruce Parker received a phone call from head football coach Mike Van Diest late Thursday night, he had to contain his excitement.

After all, by the time the Saints coach had told Parker he'd withdrawn his name from consideration for Montana State University's top position, it was already past midnight.

"When he called me, I couldn't get back to sleep. I woke my wife up and told her and I wanted to call other people, but by that time it was after midnight on Friday morning," Parker said. "I figured I would wait until I got into work."

Later Friday morning, he knew exactly who to call first.

"I called (Carroll) President Tom Trebon immediately in Washington, D.C., to tell him," Parker said. "He said, 'Please give him a hug for me.' I like Mike a lot but I'll wait for President Trebon to do that."

All across Montana, Carroll football fans have been breathing a sigh of relief since hearing the news. They've been waiting to find out who would replace former MSU head coach Mike Kramer, who was fired nearly a month ago.

Kramer's dismissal came after a former player, Rick Gatewood, was indicted and identified by authorities as the ring leader in a statewide cocaine scandal. It was the sixth arrest made under Kramer's watch involving former student-athletes or coaches and their alleged involvement in either drugs or murder.

The recent trouble didn't stop Van Diest or about 70 other candidates from applying for the job. Van Diest was among four finalists and interviewed Thursday at MSU, speaking before more than 150 people about his football philosophies.

Though the MSU job was tempting, the Saints coach said he had a commitment to Carroll and its student-athletes prompting him to stay.

''The timing as I look at it, at the process over the last three weeks, has really taken a toll on me," Van Diest said. "The players back here still stood in my mind every day as I thought about this job and this opportunity.

"I'm very, very honored to have been a candidate for the position."

Van Diest said through the interview process -- the meetings with coaches, staff and Bobcat fans -- he has become even more impressed with MSU and its football program. He said he has always followed Bobcat football since he was a kid, and coaching for them had been a dream.

"They're going to have a good coach in place and an excellent staff," he said. "If there's a cloud over the program it's just temporary."

Still up for the position is University of North Dakota head coach Dale Lennon, Duke University's Larry Kerr and Rob Ash of Iowa's Drake University.

MSU Athletic Director Peter Fields said he still intends to make a decision over the weekend and announce the pick by Monday or Tuesday.

The coach will be offered a three-year contract.

For Carroll fans, Van Diest's withdrawal means they can focus on retaining the tradition he brought to the school. Under his helm, the Saints have made the NAIA tournament seven times, and won four straight national titles from 2001-05. He has accumulated an 89-18 record and elevated the program to one of the most dominant college football programs in history.

"I'm thrilled that Mike has decided to stay with us," Parker said. "His football accomplishments and what he's done for this program speaks for itself. What's even more impressive to me is what type of person he is, his values and his integrity.

"We win lots of football games at Carroll, but more impressively, we graduate at a nearly 100 percent rate for our student-athletes."

Senior defensive end Phil Lenoue knows firsthand Van Diest's impact.

"Rather than just teaching us to be good football players, he strives to make us better people," Lenoue said. "He's willing to do a lot for us. That's great coming from a coach."

The respect he gains from his players goes beyond loyalty since, Lenoue said, the players backed his decision to join MSU if it was what he truly wanted.

"Obviously we don't want him to go, he's our coach," Lenoue said. "He had a huge opportunity and we were behind him all the way. But because he chose us, we're very happy."

The players and program made the decision easier for Van Diest. The 54-year-old, who was born and raised in East Helena, said as he contemplated the position he couldn't help the gut feeling to stay put.

That's why he chose to rush the announcement to Parker and Fields Thursday night.

"I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable making a decision," Van Diest said. "I thought they deserve more than just being led on."

With Van Diest's future at Carroll clearer, Parker said he is currently working up a deal for a multi-year contract with Van Diest. He did not comment on the possible salary but said the duration could span three to five years.

Until then, Van Diest will be looking forward to next year, a recruiting class expected to be one of the best in Carroll's history and a group of returners that could hopefully bring home another national title.

"Those guys are so important to me. The rest of the coaches, and this campus and community make this experience the best," he said. "I hope to be the best I can be."