Technically Stephen Cavallo isn't a Montana guy, he's from North Carolina. Yes, he's worked in Montana. I think we need someone who knows how to keep us winning not because they from or worked in Montana. We shouldn't feel burned over Citowicki leaving and shift our mindset to let get a Montana person because they won't leave us.
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Soccer Citowicki leaving for Wazzu?
- Thread starter Griz til I die
- Start date
Talked to a member of the interviewing committee this evening. Don't know the applicants, but 3 interviews are set for next week.So far we've heard three different names tossed around for the head coaching job. Of those three, here's how I'd rank them:
1. Max Weber - Boise State Assistant. Weber is may favorite of the bunch so far. He's been a D1 assistant for the last 10 years at both Boise and Eastern, and both programs have been highly successful with him on staff. He played at Whitman and got his coaching career started at Walla Walla JC, so he definitely has strong ties to the Eastern Washington/Spokane area, along with Southern Idaho. Plus he also has ties to Montana being from Great Falls.
2. Stephen Cavallo - D2 head coach. He's been a head coach at two separate D2 programs including MSUB. Has minimal D1 coaching experience at both Nevada and Denver, but Denver was wildly successful while he was on staff there. He's a Montana guy and I believe has earned a shot at leading a D1 program.
3. Molly Rousse - Former Ole Miss head coach. Was fired at Ole Miss after going winless in SEC play her last two seasons on the job. Before that she was the head coach at Utah Tech and was ok, but nothing special. The only upside I would see to her is she's still relatively young and maybe she could bring some SEC caliber players with her to UM, but man was her time at Ole Miss ugly. This should only be the "if all else fails" option.
Next week? Jesus why don’t they just wait until Summer at this point!Talked to a member of the interviewing committee this evening. Don't know the applicants, but 3 interviews are set for next week.
Next week? Jesus why don’t they just wait until Summer at this point!
Well I heard a candidate was zoomed today so I can't imagine they have picked the 3 candidiates yet but just scheduled to have 3 candidates on campus next would be my guess.Talked to a member of the interviewing committee this evening. Don't know the applicants, but 3 interviews are set for next week.
soccergriz
Well-known member
My only worry about hiring a career assistant is they have a lack of knowledge of rebuilding a program. Chris took over a completely different program when he arrived, he took over a program that was on the rise.
With how Chris gutted the program there really needs to be more of a sense of urgency for this hire. I also wonder if we need to hire a head coach in order to insure a few transfers to fill out the roster quickly. It's either that or be ok with a program reset. I understand taking a couple of players but double digits and the majority of the signed recruiting class wasn't necessary and is now Chris legacy.Next week? Jesus why don’t they just wait until Summer at this point!
With how Chris gutted the program there really needs to be more of a sense of urgency for this hire. I also wonder if we need to hire a head coach in order to insure a few transfers to fill out the roster quickly. It's either that or be ok with a program reset. I understand taking a couple of players but double digits and the majority of the signed recruiting class wasn't necessary and is now Chris legacy
Unfortunately that’s how college sports work. Players aren’t waiting around to see who will be their coach and hoping the new coach likes them or their style of play. I assume every player that is following Chris was recruited by him.
soccergriz
Well-known member
It isn't exactly like that everywhere. Some coaches choose to leave things in a little better place, yes it's a choice.Unfortunately that’s how college sports work. Players aren’t waiting around to see who will be their coach and hoping the new coach likes them or their style of play. I assume every player that is following Chris was recruited by him.
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
It would be a step up in that he would be a head coach in his own right but Boise State being an FBS school has better facilities so would be a step down in that sense. Pay is always different between schools/conferences/divisions. Know D3 asst coaches that make more than D2 Head Coaches. Like that at the D1 level between FCS & FBS schools.Going from Boise State to Montana? That wouldn't be considered a step up, would it? He's probably making more money as an associate HC at Boise than he would as a HC at Montana.
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
Chris is giving these ladies the opportunity to play at a Power 5 school, if they were die hard Griz they would stay regardless of the coach. This conversation would be different had he taken a job at say Air Force because it’s a unique institution but E Washington is another liberal arts college like UM but with more degree programs and more money to invest in their sports.It isn't exactly like that everywhere. Some coaches choose to leave things in a little better place, yes it's a choice.
If UM wants to compete with Power 5 schools they need to invest in their soccer facilities. The field has no lights, the locker room building code violations (facilities store their lawn equipment between the locker rooms and the building isn’t sealed so they both tend to smell of fumes) and have to pay coaches a wage (this is publicly available online to read) that makes them able to afford to live in Missoula.
Chris’s legacy is earning the school so many titles that there isn’t enough space in the hall of fame area for them to show off all their trophies.
Just a side note look at what is currently happening at Iowa State football; they currently only have like 16 kids on their roster for the fall and 44 kids in the portal.
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SidelineCoach
Well-known member
If we want to see the Griz continue being competitive for the Big Sky title we as a community should push Kent / Seth to invest in the ladies. The ladies deserve the same standards of facilities as the Mens sports.
As a community we can’t just sit on our laurels and say this is the Montana Way, if we do the world will continue to pass us by and the Griz soccer team will look like a D3 program.
If I was on the University board I would be looking at ACC / SEC schools seeing what they do to be successful and find ways to adapt that to UM.
Here’s just some observations I’ve noticed that need attention:
1. Locker Room building needs to be brought into the 21st century.
2. Field lights
3. Team Athletic Training Facility at the field
4. Coaches pay
5. Buses for the ladies to use to & from the airport. They currently have to drive themselves to the airport!
6. Dedicated Ops Coach to ensure the ladies are not being left high n dry at the airport like what happened twice this season. Thank goodness one of the dads helped get the girls home when the school failed them.
Instead of attacking Chris, Ash or J let’s as a community come together and demand Kent do the right thing and support UM’s most successful program.
As a community we can’t just sit on our laurels and say this is the Montana Way, if we do the world will continue to pass us by and the Griz soccer team will look like a D3 program.
If I was on the University board I would be looking at ACC / SEC schools seeing what they do to be successful and find ways to adapt that to UM.
Here’s just some observations I’ve noticed that need attention:
1. Locker Room building needs to be brought into the 21st century.
2. Field lights
3. Team Athletic Training Facility at the field
4. Coaches pay
5. Buses for the ladies to use to & from the airport. They currently have to drive themselves to the airport!
6. Dedicated Ops Coach to ensure the ladies are not being left high n dry at the airport like what happened twice this season. Thank goodness one of the dads helped get the girls home when the school failed them.
Instead of attacking Chris, Ash or J let’s as a community come together and demand Kent do the right thing and support UM’s most successful program.
Worst facilities in the conference.If we want to see the Griz continue being competitive for the Big Sky title we as a community should push Kent / Seth to invest in the ladies. The ladies deserve the same standards of facilities as the Mens sports.
As a community we can’t just sit on our laurels and say this is the Montana Way, if we do the world will continue to pass us by and the Griz soccer team will look like a D3 program.
If I was on the University board I would be looking at ACC / SEC schools seeing what they do to be successful and find ways to adapt that to UM.
Here’s just some observations I’ve noticed that need attention:
1. Locker Room building needs to be brought into the 21st century.
2. Field lights
3. Team Athletic Training Facility at the field
4. Coaches pay
5. Buses for the ladies to use to & from the airport. They currently have to drive themselves to the airport!
6. Dedicated Ops Coach to ensure the ladies are not being left high n dry at the airport like what happened twice this season. Thank goodness one of the dads helped get the girls home when the school failed them.
Instead of attacking Chris, Ash or J let’s as a community come together and demand Kent do the right thing and support UM’s most successful program.
Probably can’t afford all those items listed above but come on lights for the field! Every high school has field lights. Our local small town high school has lights on their practice field as well.
I seem to remember that when Wa-Griz hosted the Pearl Jam concert a few years back, they used the proceeds to resurface the field and install a new irrigation system. I also seem to remember they wanted to use some of that money to install lights around the field, but Citowicki instead opted to put that portion of the money towards NIL. Then all of a sudden he started singing a different tune this year and was pounding the drum for lights around the field. Maybe he should’ve taken them up on their offer back at the time!Worst facilities in the conference.
Probably can’t afford all those items listed above but come on lights for the field! Every high school has field lights. Our local small town high school has lights on their practice field as well.
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
I agree that as of right now you’re right the school can’t afford these things, you look at their published budget (NCAA Membership Financial Report System (MFRS) filings) they don’t have a lot of wiggle room for items.Worst facilities in the conference.
Probably can’t afford all those items listed above but come on lights for the field! Every high school has field lights. Our local small town high school has lights on their practice field as well.
However there are ways to begin to fix these issues. Use Georgia Southern University as an example since 25 yrs ago the Griz and Eagles were on par.
1. Need to bring in folks that have high level fundraising expertise.
1a. Shouldn’t be scared to have folks that aren’t Montanans. If they want to be here and contribute to Montana that’s the kind of person we need.
2. Continue expanding fan experience / engagement. You go to an Eagles football game those folks start tailgating on Wednesday before a game. When fans are that engaged more money is spent in the community.
2a. The Griz should be “The” Montana team, if you go to Glasgow, Billings or Dillon the fans should be just as fanatical as if they lived in Missoula.
2b. Have the coaches do a bus tour around the state, this takes about a week but really humanizes them to the community.
3. Leverage relationships - a couple summers ago UM athletics had the opportunity to hire an east coast guy that came from a family that started a multinational business but turned him down because the interviewer didn’t care for him and instead hired the interviewers friend. If the school had hired him he could have tapped into his families business and family connections. Even though this guy was rejected he would still often donate time / items / etc to the UM.
These are just something’s that are within reach and would start us in the direction of moving towards building a better future.
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SidelineCoach
Well-known member
The NIL money comes from a billionaire (Surf) and he’s offered to put in lights but the school has in the past turned down the lights because as they put it they’d have to rent out the field if their are lights.I seem to remember that when Wa-Griz hosted the Pearl Jam concert a few years back, they used the proceeds to resurface the field and install a new irrigation system. I also seem to remember they wanted to use some of that money to install lights around the field, but Citowicki instead opted to put that portion of the money towards NIL. Then all of a sudden he started singing a different tune this year and was pounding the drum for lights around the field. Maybe he should’ve taken them up on their offer back at the time!
Rent it out to what? What does that even mean?The NIL money comes from a billionaire (Surf) and he’s offered to put in lights but the school has in the past turned down the lights because as they put it they’d have to rent out the field if their are lights.
Also, does Surf like Football and wanna help fund the Wa-Griz west side expansion? LolThe NIL money comes from a billionaire (Surf) and he’s offered to put in lights but the school has in the past turned down the lights because as they put it they’d have to rent out the field if their are lights.
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
I’m sorry I don’t know the exact details of the agreement between UM & Missoula but the short details is that UM makes facilities available for rent. For example the UM bubble is for rent, how many D1 schools would allow their new bubble be touched by anyone else that isn’t them.Rent it out to what? What does that even mean?
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
Would recommend looking at the newer families and corporations that own the ranches are the size of a small town.Also, does Surf like Football and wanna help fund the Wa-Griz west side expansion? Lol
EVERBODY rents out their facilities. UM Rents the bubble to help pay it off and pay utilities. They rent the Adams Center for concerts, home shows and high school basketball games. They rent Wa-Griz for high school football and concerts. MSU does the same. MSU has recently rented their new indoor facility for a kid's soccer event. It's called INCOME.I’m sorry I don’t know the exact details of the agreement between UM & Missoula but the short details is that UM makes facilities available for rent. For example the UM bubble is for rent, how many D1 schools would allow their new bubble be touched by anyone else that isn’t them.
There are lots of new upgrades coming to UM. The new Lady Griz locker room should be completed within a week or two (I hope to have a tour next week). The West aux gym is getting a make-over, The East Gym will get a basketball floor (much need with 2 BB teams and Volleyball use especially in the Fall, and will be great for summer camps---this gym was used for indoor football and track practice before the bubble was available) At South campus, additional seating is being added for soccer and new restroom facilities for softball. Rumor is also around that soccer will replace the grass with turf. Not sure about lights.
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
Coming from a FBS school it’s not as usual to see schools rent out their football practice facilities. Understand money is tighter at this level and that makes sense to help offset costs.EVERBODY rents out their facilities. UM Rents the bubble to help pay it off and pay utilities. They rent the Adams Center for concerts, home shows and high school basketball games. They rent Wa-Griz for high school football and concerts. MSU does the same. MSU has recently rented their new indoor facility for a kid's soccer event. It's called INCOME.
There are lots of new upgrades coming to UM. The new Lady Griz locker room should be completed within a week or two (I hope to have a tour next week). The West aux gym is getting a make-over, The East Gym will get a basketball floor (much need with 2 BB teams and Volleyball use especially in the Fall, and will be great for summer camps---this gym was used for indoor football and track practice before the bubble was available) At South campus, additional seating is being added for soccer and new restroom facilities for softball. Rumor is also around that soccer will replace the grass with turf. Not sure about lights.
Adding seating is great but UM needs to invest in its ladies first because if they backslide then the stadium won’t fill up like it did during Oh State or Big Sky Championship.
When you have your tour next week please ask them why a random guy donated 2 new cold plunge tubs and other equipment for the soccer program because he was disgusted to see the ladies having to use a kiddie pool for post game/practice recovery.
We all here want same thing and that’s to see soccer continue to be dominant in the Big Sky and hopefully make a deep ncaa tournament run.
