LadyGriz Montana State Game Thread

[grizzlygrumpa]

Did he hire Shannon Cates as well? She was the beginning of this problem.

On the contrary firing cate started the dive

 

[right.right.right…]

A mid season firing of Kent Haslam is appropriate.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

On the contrary firing cate started the dive

I think hiring Shannon started the dive, but some poor coaching hires since just made it worse.

 

[Griz til I die]

I think hiring Shannon started the dive, but some poor coaching hires since just made it worse.

Holsinger would’ve been good if he wasn’t crazy

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

 

[gotgame75]

Yeah, he fired her, and she had a winning record when he did. ... I'm starting to think the problem--Stitt, Holingser, Nate--is Haslam except, to his credit, he also hired Travis and Bobby.

I don’t feel quite as lucky to have Bobby as you do. And Travis is a great coach but has gotten stale as well.

This Athletic Dept is in desperate need of change. Not even a debate at this point.

 

[Copper Griz]

On the contrary firing cate started the dive

Cate was terrible. She was the start of the dive. Her record proves it. Wake up.

 

[Griz66]

Nothing to say but this was a total and complete embarrassment. Any decent players will transfer out after this mess.

 

[billingsgriz]

Nothing to say but this was a total and complete embarrassment. Any decent players will transfer out after this mess.

I know it's a different sport, but I was thinking if we had a Peyton Winge or a Michael Wortham on this LG team, they would probably be gone. I guess the good news is we don't. Izzy apparently saw the big crash coming, and she hit the " eject " button last year. !!! But who needs a 6-4 center averaging 15.5 points per game on a 14-5 Cleveland State team anyway ? Or 5 African-American girls on a 15 player roster from places like the Bronx plus a Black assistant female coach ? Not the LG, that's who. !!! I mean, NY City is not in our backyard, and it's not like we could hire a Black woman assistant and recruit regional big cities like Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, SF-Oakland, LA, Phoenix, Denver, etc. Our speed, size and athleticsm are just fine ... or are they ?

 

[right.right.right…]

I have never seen a basketball coach show that level of panic.

 

[Allezchat]

The issue is that Haslam fired Shannon and, in doing so, seemed to forget the history of what made the program successful. Shannon, Petrino, and even Sullivan during last year’s interview process were all dealt poor hands. Hollsinger was an outside hire, and while a change may have been understandable from a historical perspective, when the job opened again and Sullivan was available, Haslam failed to read the room.
Some point to public pressure, but what pressure is there in hiring a former Lady Griz player, the niece of a program legend, and then doubling down on outsiders instead? Sullivan represented a clear bridge between the program’s past and its future, and that opportunity was missed.
Sullivan will be available again, as will Tinkle when another change is made. The question is whether Haslam will finally hire someone who played, coached, and invested years at the university—or chase another “hot name” like Tinkle. Beyond her parents, it’s hard to see a meaningful connection to the program.
Listening to Haslam’s halftime interview—believed to be during the Idaho game—was telling. When he said no one is more passionate about Lady Griz basketball than Harris, it was clear he was defending his hire. At that moment, it confirmed what many already believed: Sullivan was, and still is, the strongest link between the program’s history and its future, and the AD completely mishandled it.
We also heard that when Utah played in Missoula earlier this year, most Lady Griz alumni were sitting behind Utah’s bench. If true, that speaks volumes.

I finally figured it out. The "we" you always speak from. The fact that you're Big Sky fans that never post on other message boards. Never Bobcatnation. Seem to have only a rooting interest in the Lady Griz and always a dislike of Nate. You're lady griz former players. Or one player. I have a suspicion who.


Thats nothing I've heard before. The Lady Griz behind the Utah bench. You would've thought it would've been big rumblings all over griz nation. Someone would've noticed and spoke up. And how dare they. Not support their almamater. Check that, actively cheer against them because they don't like the coach. How childish. And shows why the "we" of the bigskybreakdown shouldn't be choosing the new coach.

The fact you don't want it to be Tinkle. Only a lady griz former player is acceptable? I see you.

I like Nate. As much as I cheer for whoever is playing the griz football team, I want to see the LG do well outside of two games a year. Don't know why psychologically that makes a difference. Someone would have to analyze that.

You are without your primary ballhandler. Who is one of the best in the league. One could make an argument for either Mack or Benthe being the best PG. That makes a difference. Does it mean you win, no, but it makes a closer game.

Its been pointed out that Izzy left. It's talked about current players not wanting Nate supposedly. They didn’t leave. The transfer portal makes it pretty easy to leave. Why didn't they if they dislike Nate so much? It's not hard to leave these days. So this narrative that the current players don't like him makes absolutely no sense.

I don't know if Nate is the answer for you. I think he deserves 3 years. He almost beat the Cats last year in Boise. So he showed he can coach. Would you rather build a team like Idaho. Good team. All transfers. Or would you rather build a team with depth. That takes time and doesnt just happen.

Izzy Zingaro was slow. They didn't start winning last year until they stopped playing her. She fits in whatever offense where she's at plays. I'm guessing its a slow paced bang around under the hoops style that doesn't translate to beating or even playing with the Cats/Idaho/Northern Colorado/Sac State. She would be gassed playing against those teams. She didn't leave because she didn't like Nate. She left because she wasn't going to play. She doesn't translate to the big sky conference.

 

[Allezchat]

Re-warching thay video. Nate had something figured out in the 2nd quarter. Doesn't want to give away secrets because he doesn't want the Cats to fix it for the next time in Missoula. Or Boise.

 

[Allezchat]

Lastly. Avery Waddington needs to take over games with Mack out. Period end of story. She just needs to take charge and score. She didn't even nake it to double figures.

 

[right.right.right…]

Re-warching thay video. Nate had something figured out in the 2nd quarter. Doesn't want to give away secrets because he doesn't want the Cats to fix it for the next time in Missoula. Or Boise.

I like Nate and think he deserves the time to build his team. BUT you can’t coach basketball in a panicked state of mind. The game happens so fast! It’s the hardest game to coach and play imo. He should never let his team see him like that.

 

[MTbest]

Cat's are at the top and they definitely look that way, a fine team with lots of great fundamentals, and highly talented players, fun to watch. No one should be surprised with the score outcome from this game given the LG's obvious weaknesses, many have already pointed out. 4th looked better for the LG, that was good. I can imagine at least the assistants and players are weighing their future plans.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Holsinger would’ve been good if he wasn’t crazy

But crazy isn't a good trait in a hire.

 

[maroonandsilver]

Nate has to be one and done.

Not defending Nate, but I think he would have to be bought out of a 4-year contract (well, 3 after this season). UM recently settled with Shannon and Holsinger for 6-figurs each. And if postings re correct, we can;t hire the new soccer coach they wnat beacause he is asking for more than they offerred?

Nate has to be one and done.

Not defending Nate, but he would have to be bought out of his contract, which I think has 3 more years. This, on top of settlements for Schweyen and Holsinger for 6-figures.

 

[grizpdx406]

Cat's are at the top and they definitely look that way, a fine team with lots of great fundamentals, and highly talented players, fun to watch. No one should be surprised with the score outcome from this game given the LG's obvious weaknesses, many have already pointed out. 4th looked better for the LG, that was good. I can imagine at least the assistants and players are weighing their future plans.

Outside of Waddington, who is going to get an offer to play somewhere equivalent? Even Waddington won’t make out as good as Macey Huard.

 

[BigSkyBreakdown]

I finally figured it out. The "we" you always speak from. The fact that you're Big Sky fans that never post on other message boards. Never Bobcatnation. Seem to have only a rooting interest in the Lady Griz and always a dislike of Nate. You're lady griz former players. Or one player. I have a suspicion who.


Thats nothing I've heard before. The Lady Griz behind the Utah bench. You would've thought it would've been big rumblings all over griz nation. Someone would've noticed and spoke up. And how dare they. Not support their almamater. Check that, actively cheer against them because they don't like the coach. How childish. And shows why the "we" of the bigskybreakdown shouldn't be choosing the new coach.

The fact you don't want it to be Tinkle. Only a lady griz former player is acceptable? I see you.

I like Nate. As much as I cheer for whoever is playing the griz football team, I want to see the LG do well outside of two games a year. Don't know why psychologically that makes a difference. Someone would have to analyze that.

You are without your primary ballhandler. Who is one of the best in the league. One could make an argument for either Mack or Benthe being the best PG. That makes a difference. Does it mean you win, no, but it makes a closer game.

Its been pointed out that Izzy left. It's talked about current players not wanting Nate supposedly. They didn’t leave. The transfer portal makes it pretty easy to leave. Why didn't they if they dislike Nate so much? It's not hard to leave these days. So this narrative that the current players don't like him makes absolutely no sense.

I don't know if Nate is the answer for you. I think he deserves 3 years. He almost beat the Cats last year in Boise. So he showed he can coach. Would you rather build a team like Idaho. Good team. All transfers. Or would you rather build a team with depth. That takes time and doesnt just happen.

Izzy Zingaro was slow. They didn't start winning last year until they stopped playing her. She fits in whatever offense where she's at plays. I'm guessing its a slow paced bang around under the hoops style that doesn't translate to beating or even playing with the Cats/Idaho/Northern Colorado/Sac State. She would be gassed playing against those teams. She didn't leave because she didn't like Nate. She left because she wasn't going to play. She doesn't translate to the big sky conference.

Good work Inspector Clouseau.

We never brought up Izzy and her departure, we supported that she didnt fit Harris style of play.

Another poster brought up Tinkle as a possible candidate. We only expressed our thoughts on the hiring process.

To he honest Campbell was the best candidate for the job the first go around. As for last yrs process Katie Faulkner was the most qualified, but we heard she said no thanks to Haslams inquiry. Therefore our opinions are based on the people involved in the process....Harris and Sullivan. Of the two we believed Sullivan was the better choice. However we conceded that Harris earned the job last yr during the BSC tourney run.

And in today's collegiate climate does it really matter how you build a roster? Hanging banners and graduating players should be the goal as a coach. The glory days of building rosters and watching players over the yrs are pretty much over.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

There were girls on the team that went to Haslam and voiced their concerns about him being the head coach, Haslam didn’t acknowledge. Shouldn’t hire someone based on a lucky run in the Big Sky Tournament. Haslam should have spoke to every single player that was going to be returning to hear their thoughts, not just

Haslam made a terrible call hiring Harris. It was so obvious to anyone close to the program. Jordan Sullivan wanted the job and he passed on her. In fact Harris may been the worst candidate and least qualified hire, and now they are paying for it.

Ya except everybody here was clamoring for him to get the job. There was a lot of public

The issue is that Haslam fired Shannon and, in doing so, seemed to forget the history of what made the program successful. Shannon, Petrino, and even Sullivan during last year’s interview process were all dealt poor hands. Hollsinger was an outside hire, and while a change may have been understandable from a historical perspective, when the job opened again and Sullivan was available, Haslam failed to read the room.
Some point to public pressure, but what pressure is there in hiring a former Lady Griz player, the niece of a program legend, and then doubling down on outsiders instead? Sullivan represented a clear bridge between the program’s past and its future, and that opportunity was missed.
Sullivan will be available again, as will Tinkle when another change is made. The question is whether Haslam will finally hire someone who played, coached, and invested years at the university—or chase another “hot name” like Tinkle. Beyond her parents, it’s hard to see a meaningful connection to the program.
Listening to Haslam’s halftime interview—believed to be during the Idaho game—was telling. When he said no one is more passionate about Lady Griz basketball than Harris, it was clear he was defending his hire. At that moment, it confirmed what many already believed: Sullivan was, and still is, the strongest link between the program’s history and its future, and the AD completely mishandled it.
We also heard that when Utah played in Missoula earlier this year, most Lady Griz alumni were sitting behind Utah’s bench. If

Not defending Nate, but I think he would have to be bought out of a 4-year contract (well, 3 after this season). UM recently settled with Shannon and Holsinger for 6-figurs each. And if postings re correct, we can;t hire the new soccer coach they wnat beacause he is asking for more than they offerred?

Not defending Nate, but he would have to be bought out of his contract, which I think has 3 more years. This, on top of settlements for Schweyen and Holsinger for 6-figures.

Isn’t this an indictment on the AD hiring process plus read they gave Nate 135k/year contract with little/limited experience and it’s showing.

Correct on the soccer, wouldn’t upgrade facilities over an 8 year period and coach left for WSU before Xmas and took half the team with him. Rumor is they had 3 candidates on campus for interviews which ended last week and all 3 turned down the job. If you gave Harris that amount why offer proven soccer coach way less.