LadyGriz LG/Harris Contract

[BigSkyBreakdown]

Haslam is a fucking moron for giving Harris a 3 year contract based on a conference tourney run. The temporary, but unsustainable bump interim coaches often get is well documented.

This team looks absolutely lost out there most nights.

I can’t imagine a new president is going to look at Haslam’s track record from this spring alone (soccer debacle, WBB looking incompetent, and Bobby’s buyout controversy) with much sympathy.

Haslams contract ends in June we heard??? If so things could get interesting in the Athletic Dept.

 

[Grizrunr]

I'm willing to give Harris the 3 years to try to make his mark. Last years team was much more athletic and experienced. I will stick by my previous comments that we need a roster overhaul. We don't have the talent to run the offense he wants to run. The freshman coming in look good. The two Montana kids are solid D1 talent. Fingers crossed Avery and Rae stick around post season, and that we can land some portal gems.

 

[Sport]

Haslams contract ends in June we heard??? If so things could get interesting in the Athletic Dept.

Regardless of Haslams contract, and whether you like him or not, don’t expect anything to happen to his status as the AD. The only one who can fire him now would be the acting president Clay Christensen. Don’t look for that to happen. Then when we get a new president he’s not going to fire Kent until he assess all the departments. And remember, Kent is on the search committee to find a new president.
Our only hope is that Nate somehow can right the ship or the ladies program is doomed to mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

 

[GriznMN]

We are missing leaders on this team and a true leader. Last year, MJ and Dani and TMC were leaders with MJ, at times, putting the team on her back and willing the team to wins. I don't see that kind of leader this year for the LG.


Same can be said for the Men's team.

I can see Jocelyn Land, Draya Wacker, and Rae Ehrman becoming leaders but it's tough as newer players/freshman to be that leader.

 

[Griz66]

I think it is wishful thinking that players like Waddington and Ehrman will not transfer, they are both too good to play on a mediocre team, I hope I am wrong because I want to see the Lady Griz get back to the Selvig days. Plus why would any decent Montana HS player come to the Griz when they could play for a decent team like the Bobkittens?

 

[TrueGriz]

I think it is wishful thinking that players like Waddington and Ehrman will not transfer, they are both too good to play on a mediocre team, I hope I am wrong because I want to see the Lady Griz get back to the Selvig days. Plus why would any decent Montana HS player come to the Griz when they could play for a decent team like the Bobkittens?

They may transfer and I wouldn't be surprised if they do, although hopeful they will stay. But, they know how the season went with a new offensive scheme being put in place with the 5 out offense. Harris was very late to the recruiting part last year and couldn't get the type of players he needs for it. That will likely happen after this season is over.

Personally, I do not think Harris has had any experience with it, although he may be familiar with it. But I was told by someone after the game that Assistant coach Emma List has. She played for Florida Gulf coast who used the offense or something very similar. So, at least we have one coach with experience with it.

As GrizMN stated in prior posts, there needed to be more screens, etc. Heck, I have only seen one screen done and that was thursday when Donarski set up a screen for Waddington, but Waddington didn't take advantage of it. They also have to figure out the rebounding, especially on the offensive side. This is where the loss of Bartsch is huge. I'm hoping Reinker and Kaut will help improve the Lady Griz with rebounding.

It is possible they never had a lot of time last summer and this season to implement some of the offense, but they will this summer. This includes trying to improve offensive rebounding. Offensive rebounding is possibly the biggest reason for the way the season went. If they could have added up to 10 more offensive rebounds on average, I think the Lady Griz would have record greater than .500. Lady Griz have only 150 offensive rebounds this year. Last year they had 286 offensive rebounds and they aren't going to come even close to that this year.

As it stands now, if every player does return, there won't be any additions from the portal unless the coach can handle a roster larger than 17. I do not see him letting any of the starters go to the portal unless it was the players decision. That goes for the top 2 or 3 bench players that played also.

 

[GriznMN]

They may transfer and I wouldn't be surprised if they do, although hopeful they will stay. But, they know how the season went with a new offensive scheme being put in place with the 5 out offense. Harris was very late to the recruiting part last year and couldn't get the type of players he needs for it. That will likely happen after this season is over.

Personally, I do not think Harris has had any experience with it, although he may be familiar with it. But I was told by someone after the game that Assistant coach Emma List has. She played for Florida Gulf coast who used the offense or something very similar. So, at least we have one coach with experience with it.

As GrizMN stated in prior posts, there needed to be more screens, etc. Heck, I have only seen one screen done and that was thursday when Donarski set up a screen for Waddington, but Waddington didn't take advantage of it. They also have to figure out the rebounding, especially on the offensive side. This is where the loss of Bartsch is huge. I'm hoping Reinker and Kaut will help improve the Lady Griz with rebounding.

It is possible they never had a lot of time last summer and this season to implement some of the offense, but they will this summer. This includes trying to improve offensive rebounding. Offensive rebounding is possibly the biggest reason for the way the season went. If they could have added up to 10 more offensive rebounds on average, I think the Lady Griz would have record greater than .500. Lady Griz have only 150 offensive rebounds this year. Last year they had 286 offensive rebounds and they aren't going to come even close to that this year.

As it stands now, if every player does return, there won't be any additions from the portal unless the coach can handle a roster larger than 17. I do not see him letting any of the starters go to the portal unless it was the players decision. That goes for the top 2 or 3 bench players that played also.

And Ava Cossette has just started playing again after suffering an injury and her upside is very high. I like what she has contributed the last two games, even in a limited role.

 

[TrueGriz]

And Ava Cossette has just started playing again after suffering an injury and her upside is very high. I like what she has contributed the last two games, even in a limited role.

Yes forgot about her. 3 more years if she stays.

 

[GrizCC1979]

Coaching aside, I think there is a chemistry/mechanical problem. The team seemed to figure something out in Konig's absence which was lost in reincorporating her. No reflection on Konig, she's great- for some reason it looks like Konig plus 4 instead of 5 cohesive LG since her return.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

Regardless of Haslams contract, and whether you like him or not, don’t expect anything to happen to his status as the AD. The only one who can fire him now would be the acting president Clay Christensen. Don’t look for that to happen. Then when we get a new president he’s not going to fire Kent until he assess all the departments. And remember, Kent is on the search committee to find a new president.
Our only hope is that Nate somehow can right the ship or the ladies program is doomed to mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

It's a easy solution, we have seen it play out at bigger schools this season, football coaches and ADs fired mid season, your biggest donors, fans publicly say we are not giving any more money /supporting the program until the coach/AD is fired.

 

[maroonandsilver]

Haslam let the public and 20 year old girls make the hire. Pondering to the masses. Dude needs fi

I like Nate Harris. Don’t know the man but he seems like a good guy. I feel for him and this years team, BUT being a good guy doesn’t always translate to success. I was wondering what kind of a contract he has with the university? My guess is maybe a single year? Is it tied to any type of performance guarantee? I’d be surprised if it’s any longer.
Do he stay or does he go? At this point I feel he’s not the right person for the lady Griz program. Watching the ladies play has become very painful. I’m sure many of the players feel the same way. Where do we go from here? I think the season is pretty much history so why not terminate his contract early and begin the search for a new coach?
I’d be interested to hear what the fan base feels. Fire away.

One of Coach Harris' early mistakes was his scheduling so many very difficult opponents. It was his first year as coach and had a young, fairly inexperienced roster. One home game in all of December, ONE! All those lop-sided losses certainly did not help team confidence. Schedule some wins or at least games you can be competitive in for God's sake!

 

[MTbest]

Yes. All four.


Lady Griz sign four

Hopefully we gain some depth, bigger taller athletic types?

 

[MTbest]

We are missing leaders on this team and a true leader. Last year, MJ and Dani and TMC were leaders with MJ, at times, putting the team on her back and willing the team to wins. I don't see that kind of leader this year for the LG.


Same can be said for the Men's team.

I can see Jocelyn Land, Draya Wacker, and Rae Ehrman becoming leaders but it's tough as newer players/freshman to be that leader.

I can see Waddington emerging in that active leadership role, liked how she shared her viewpoints, insights and observations in a recent post game interview. Coaches would do well to encourage her to come into the fore.

 

[GallatinGriz03]

Based on this season's results, I can certainly understand the knee jerk reaction to fire Nate Harris until I checked out Tricia Binford's first year with the Cats.

The Cats were 3-23 overall and 2-12 in conference in her first year. They didn't win the conference until 10 years after her first year.

Surely the Griz can give Nate at least three years to see if he's improving. I know he has a couple of stars in the making in the 2026 recruiting class.

2026 recruit Hayden Kaut earned WIAA Athlete of the Week - "Senior Hayden Kaut delivered a milestone week for Napavine, recording a 30-point game against Rainier on Jan. 27 while shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range and adding 7 rebounds, a block, and 2 steals — a performance that pushed her past the 1,800-career-point mark. She followed with 9 points and 16 rebounds in a league-clinching win over Onalaska and capped Senior Night with 24 points, 8 rebounds, a block, and 2 steals against Toledo to secure a perfect league season."

Cat fans might not know or are purposely misremembering, but most were ready to fire Binford after 5 seasons, definitely after 8. First 5 years, went 2-9 against Griz. Best season finish was 18-14. Took another 5 seasons of some heartbreaking losses before she won the BSC. Only broke through after hiring John Freaking Stockton as an Assistant Coach. And now look at them. Perennially in the conference champ hunt, own the Griz, and recruit the best in-state girls every year. Binford runs a great program, consistently the best at MSU. Harris might not get to Binford's level of success. I'm doubting he does, actually because no one beside Selvig can match it over the past 10 years. But this is year one. I know it doesn't look good, but lets hold off on the torches and pitchforks ... at least for another year.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

Cat fans might not know or are purposely misremembering, but most were ready to fire Binford after 5 seasons, definitely after 8. First 5 years, went 2-9 against Griz. Best season finish was 18-14. Took another 5 seasons of some heartbreaking losses before she won the BSC. Only broke through after hiring John Freaking Stockton as an Assistant Coach. And now look at them. Perennially in the conference champ hunt, own the Griz, and recruit the best in-state girls every year. Binford runs a great program, consistently the best at MSU. Harris might not get to Binford's level of success. I'm doubting he does, actually because no one beside Selvig can match it over the past 10 years. But this is year one. I know it doesn't look good, but lets hold off on the torches and pitchforks ... at least for another year.

Agree, it usually takes a coach 2-3 years to bring in their type of players, the portal which is a necessary evil also promotes unrealistic expectations that you can magically find players that gel with each other.

 

[717s7e]

This year's results won't help with next year's recruiting, either high school or the portal. That dampens my enthusiasm for a recovery. Pardon me for being a glass is half empty guy.

 

[TrueGriz]

Cat fans might not know or are purposely misremembering, but most were ready to fire Binford after 5 seasons, definitely after 8. First 5 years, went 2-9 against Griz. Best season finish was 18-14. Took another 5 seasons of some heartbreaking losses before she won the BSC. Only broke through after hiring John Freaking Stockton as an Assistant Coach. And now look at them. Perennially in the conference champ hunt, own the Griz, and recruit the best in-state girls every year. Binford runs a great program, consistently the best at MSU. Harris might not get to Binford's level of success. I'm doubting he does, actually because no one beside Selvig can match it over the past 10 years. But this is year one. I know it doesn't look good, but lets hold off on the torches and pitchforks ... at least for another year.

John Stockton's daughter played for MSU and saw it as a great chance to help coach his daughter.

 

[BigSkyBreakdown]

Portal will be critical. Both in who they bring in and who decides to enter.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

This year's results won't help with next year's recruiting, either high school or the portal. That dampens my enthusiasm for a recovery. Pardon me for being a glass is half empty guy.

It seems UM basketball doesn't recruit Boise, the 6A girls just had there state championships this past weekend, alot of players going D1 and have offers to D1 but not Montana, just curious.

 

[TrueGriz]

It seems UM basketball doesn't recruit Boise, the 6A girls just had there state championships this past weekend, alot of players going D1 and have offers to D1 but not Montana, just curious.

Gabi Harrington was the last player that I know of that came from Boise, ID.