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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) Montana State's second-year quarterbacks coach, Jim Svoboda, has been promoted to assistant head Football coach and co-offensive coordinator.

Head coach Rob Ash says the promotion reflects Svoboda's experience and duties in the Bobcat program.

Svoboda joined Ash's staff last summer from UCLA, where he coached from 2004-06, including the last season as the Bruins' offensive coordinator.

He was a finalist for the 2005 Frank Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant football coach.

Svoboda graduated from Iowa's Northwestern College in 1983 and served as assistant coach there the same year. He also has coached at Eastern New Mexico and Northwest Missouri.

In addition, Svoboda was head coach at Nebraska Wesleyan from 1988-93, earning league coach-of-the-year honors three times.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-19-08 1937CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list