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Soccer Citowicki leaving for Wazzu?
- Thread starter Griz til I die
- Start date
grizpdx406
Well-known member
100% - hopefully the Boise AHC accepts assuming we offer them first.
GrinningGriz
Member
When Cavallo was at MSUB as head Coach he was never their GK coach. He was the head coach and had an assistant who was GK coach. Doesn’t sound like he’s a “GK Coach,” he’s a coach that has the ability to GK training. GK coaching to many is just another aspect of the game they can coach, J is the most passionate GK coach. Sounds like it’d be a good thing to have a coach who is trained in several aspects of the game and also has had head coaching experience.
I heard many say that GK’s make for really good coaches because they are use to seeing the field in a different way as a player and that translates well on the field. I’m just always standing under a tree off to the side… so can’t say it’s true, but I’ve heard it for 20 years, so guessing there is something to it.
Having an ex-griz would be cool. Inspiring for the girls.
NorcalGrizzly
Well-known member
As a UM fan (by marriage) and father of a ‘27 soccer recruit- I’m following this thread (with some alarm) closely.
One of Coach Cito’s strengths was convincing players with plenty of D1 options & P4 offers that Montana was different, AND the best place to be - winning championships, team/family culture, the community support. We saw that evidence this year when 5-7 players were lost to season-ending injuries & yet they still won and made the NCAA tournament.
Reading this thread and the apparent lack of urgency to hire has opened my eyes that all may not be a bed of roses in Missoula
One of Coach Cito’s strengths was convincing players with plenty of D1 options & P4 offers that Montana was different, AND the best place to be - winning championships, team/family culture, the community support. We saw that evidence this year when 5-7 players were lost to season-ending injuries & yet they still won and made the NCAA tournament.
Reading this thread and the apparent lack of urgency to hire has opened my eyes that all may not be a bed of roses in Missoula
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
HC Lisa (Oyen) Ljubicic - Willamette University
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
His interview was very flat, more preoccupied with selling his brand instead of focusing what he would do to keep the Griz fighting for Big Sky titles.
Think Cavallo might be the best option for the Griz. Compare his records with the other 2 candidates.
MomOfThree
Member
I’ve heard the same. Some players that wanted to stay in Boise (cause who wouldn’t want to live there)… and the player/parent had such a bad experience with Max they wouldn’t stay.
I think the “lack of urgency” is largely clouded by the fact that this occurred over holiday break. Had this happened in May then it would have been different story… (I wouldn’t expect those who apart of this process to skip planned trips etc. it was never realistic they’d be able to get enough players recruited in time for next week, so doing it right rather than rushed makes sense.)
SidelineCoach
Well-known member
When your kid starts doing her paperwork (usually summer time before starting school) make sure she stays on top of it. The compliance staff are usually MIA during the summer.
Superfan987
New member
Maybe it could be good for the griz to have two coaches with GK experience that way if Flynn decides to stay she can have double the help finding her confidence again after not earning the starting spot this season. I also heard that Flynn is demanding higher scholarship and one of the captain titles if she decides to stay in the Fall. Seems a bit extreme for someone who was so ready to leave when Dvorak had won the spot back. The freshman from Florida might have it in her to step up in the Fall, but their best shot is Flynn staying.
soccergriz
Well-known member
If its those three I think the former MSUB coach is the best option, followed by the Boise AC...whoever it is time is of the essence as there needs to be a few players added before school starts this semester if possible.
MomOfThree
Member
I think I’ll defer to the opinions of those who have seen their resumes, talked to them on the phone, and are actually interviewing them.
Hearing that Webbers interview was pretty bland makes me question his fitness for the job! We need someone charismatic who can recruit AND bring in money with donors. That takes authenticity and likability that doesn’t sound like he has.
I’m all for a Griz alum though. Look likes she’s had a good career at different levels with head coaching experience. But then I looked up her teams stats and they haven’t had a winning season, their highest was .475. I get it takes time to turn things around… but that’s after 4 years which is plenty of time to do so imo.
Overall I trust the hiring committee. Griz soccer will be in good hands.
Hearing that Webbers interview was pretty bland makes me question his fitness for the job! We need someone charismatic who can recruit AND bring in money with donors. That takes authenticity and likability that doesn’t sound like he has.
I’m all for a Griz alum though. Look likes she’s had a good career at different levels with head coaching experience. But then I looked up her teams stats and they haven’t had a winning season, their highest was .475. I get it takes time to turn things around… but that’s after 4 years which is plenty of time to do so imo.
Overall I trust the hiring committee. Griz soccer will be in good hands.
grizpdx406
Well-known member
Also very telling that she hasn’t received an offer from anywhere yet worth it to her to take… she was one of the first D1 goalies in the portal and is still in there. Not sure how much leverage she has, especially with the new staff but having a familiar upperclassmen back wouldn’t hurt.
loveGrizSoccer
Member
Believe what you want to hear....but do you actually think this guy would have a "flat" interview?
Do a little research on people before you make ridiculous statements that then influence other people's decisions.
Do a little research on people before you make ridiculous statements that then influence other people's decisions.
NorcalGrizzly
Well-known member
Seems like a lot of schools DID manage to get it done over holiday break - only 6 D1 HC positions still available. The positive is that there was a glut of players in the portal due to coaching changes and roster cuts - so hopefully that will help fill the Spring roster?
MomOfThree
Member
The person who described the interview as essentially underwhelming was actually part of the interview process, so it’s reasonable to give their perspective some credibility.
Trying to influence opinions on a message board full of frustrated fans and parents—especially those whose daughters obviously weren’t invited to follow Chris—isn’t likely to change the outcome in any fashion.
No one is claiming Max lacks energy all the time. A short clip captured while a camera is obviously on doesn’t automatically mean the interview itself was strong. At best, it shows he isn’t always low-key; but interviews aren’t usually conducted with cameras rolling. I’m more inclined to trust firsthand accounts of how the interview actually went than a polished moment shared for social media.
It’s interesting that many other schools managed to complete their hires over the break. That only reinforces long-standing concerns that Griz Soccer doesn’t receive the level of administrative support it should which has been a point coaches and players have been openly raising for years. It wouldn’t be surprising if that environment, not just salary, factored into Chris’s interest in leaving. At this point, it almost feels like winning the conference four straight years still wouldn’t be enough to earn meaningful backing from the administration. Hopefully whoever the new coach is has better luck getting buy in by admin over his or her time in Missoula.
Have been following the board and the Women's soccer program with the change taking place this season and wanted to chime in. I read somewhere that someone thought this message board could influence the hiring decision, if that is the case we have MUCH LARGER PROBLEMS!
Program has been very successful under coach Chris but he has consistently been looking for an exit ramp and step up due to many factors. Some being program support (or lack thereof), and an opportunity in a conference that has a better standing in the Women's soccer world. WSU provides both, but maybe not as far above our conference considering the new Pac12 is really just the MW revised now.
Our options are going to be limited due to the financials, the conference, and the administrative support. Of the 3 finalists, I am sure the all have positives and negatives but the hiring needs to be announced this week so that recruiting and building the program can begin with all of the player exits. I am sure they all can coach, but I think beyond that we need a strong recruiter and someone who can put together a good staff including keeping coach James.
As far as what I can see some positives and negatives for each option;
Willamette HC - Good: experience as a HC at various levels, Alumni, knows Montana Negative: Poor record for teams as HC at all levels, Current in DIII program
UM-SL HC - Good: DII & DIII HC experience, DI Assistant experience, Record in latest DIII program, knows Montana Negative: Only 1 season in current role and already looking to jump, limited D1 experience, DII record poor, Current in DIII program
BSU AHC - long AHC experience in successful DI program, primary recruiter for BSU, loyal to program, knows Montana, Current DI program Negative: No College HC experience in any Division
With Chris leaving and transferring many players with him. Would any of these incoming coaches be trying to bring their players with them and if so, what level players are they?
Program has been very successful under coach Chris but he has consistently been looking for an exit ramp and step up due to many factors. Some being program support (or lack thereof), and an opportunity in a conference that has a better standing in the Women's soccer world. WSU provides both, but maybe not as far above our conference considering the new Pac12 is really just the MW revised now.
Our options are going to be limited due to the financials, the conference, and the administrative support. Of the 3 finalists, I am sure the all have positives and negatives but the hiring needs to be announced this week so that recruiting and building the program can begin with all of the player exits. I am sure they all can coach, but I think beyond that we need a strong recruiter and someone who can put together a good staff including keeping coach James.
As far as what I can see some positives and negatives for each option;
Willamette HC - Good: experience as a HC at various levels, Alumni, knows Montana Negative: Poor record for teams as HC at all levels, Current in DIII program
UM-SL HC - Good: DII & DIII HC experience, DI Assistant experience, Record in latest DIII program, knows Montana Negative: Only 1 season in current role and already looking to jump, limited D1 experience, DII record poor, Current in DIII program
BSU AHC - long AHC experience in successful DI program, primary recruiter for BSU, loyal to program, knows Montana, Current DI program Negative: No College HC experience in any Division
With Chris leaving and transferring many players with him. Would any of these incoming coaches be trying to bring their players with them and if so, what level players are they?
loveGrizSoccer
Member
Been watching this very thread since we lost a great Griz coach to WSU. He led our program through some of the most successful years, and it was amazing being able to sit in the stands and watch it all unfold. Very happy for him, disappointed for us Griz fans, but let's not act as surprised and unprepared as our Griz Athletic Leadership seems to be with losing Coach Citowicki.
As an alum of the program and someone who cares for it deeply and the state of Montana, where I still reside...need to leave this thread with some facts about this conversation.
Facts:
Coach Citowicki left because his salary was doubled and then some to be the next Head Coach at WSU. Contracts are public (look them up- the state of WA will soon release his WSU contract to verify this). and the fact that Griz athletics most successful coaches was not even top 4 in the Big Sky Conference for Head Women's Soccer Coach pay is an indictment on our leadership. He has applied for, interviewed, and chased jobs for the past three hiring cycles in search of more money for his family. Good for him, shame for us. Should have paid him everything and more to keep him- 69k-80k ain’t going to do it Griz Nation.
There are 6 players left on the Griz team. There are only 3 remaining members of the 2026 class. That is not enough players to play a Spring scrimmage, let alone compete for a Big Sky Championship in the Fall and we are hosting the event. The administration didn’t have a plan in place, other than a national search, if/when Chris would leave for a larger conference, let alone to change his family’s financial stability. We are seeing this play out in front of our very eyes with how this “search” is being conducted.
Thank you Chris, for even giving us as long as you did, representing Griz Soccer with integrity, care, and championships.
As an alum of the program and someone who cares for it deeply and the state of Montana, where I still reside...need to leave this thread with some facts about this conversation.
Facts:
Coach Citowicki left because his salary was doubled and then some to be the next Head Coach at WSU. Contracts are public (look them up- the state of WA will soon release his WSU contract to verify this). and the fact that Griz athletics most successful coaches was not even top 4 in the Big Sky Conference for Head Women's Soccer Coach pay is an indictment on our leadership. He has applied for, interviewed, and chased jobs for the past three hiring cycles in search of more money for his family. Good for him, shame for us. Should have paid him everything and more to keep him- 69k-80k ain’t going to do it Griz Nation.
There are 6 players left on the Griz team. There are only 3 remaining members of the 2026 class. That is not enough players to play a Spring scrimmage, let alone compete for a Big Sky Championship in the Fall and we are hosting the event. The administration didn’t have a plan in place, other than a national search, if/when Chris would leave for a larger conference, let alone to change his family’s financial stability. We are seeing this play out in front of our very eyes with how this “search” is being conducted.
Thank you Chris, for even giving us as long as you did, representing Griz Soccer with integrity, care, and championships.
GrizGirl
Member
I wouldn’t imagine any of the options will bring their own players since the two who are HC aren’t D1 level and Max wouldn’t do that to his HC as that would be a big bridge to burn.
I just looked to verify, UMSL is DII not DIII. They made elite 8. That’s honestly pretty impressive.
I asked someone in the know about the interviews thus far about Steven Cavallo jumping ship on a successful program so fast and they basically said UM has been his dream job for years. They even said he named his dog Missoula (can anyone verify that random detail? Lol) They made it sound like he wasn’t initially going to apply because of the timing, but realized that it being his dream job made him need to try because it might not open up for a long time.
With the Willamette record being so poor, it can be concerning, but when you are coaching players who don’t get any financial incentive for being an athlete, your ability to recruit better players might be limited. Perhaps with scholarship money she’d be able to recruit much better. Her being an alum would definitely be a bonus.
I agree it was well known that Chris has been looking for a long time for his next job. I’ve also heard that he’s had offers at bigger schools that he has turned down cause it wasn’t the right fit (not sure if that is soccer wise or for his family). Seeing what he was making per year 8 years in and seeing what the WSU coach was making, he’d be a fool not to go. It’s surprising so many girls are following, but WSU didn’t leave a full roster of uninjured players. So it makes sense he’d offer to bring so many girls he already knows and trusts. I bet he was surprised about how many took him up on the offer.
Anyone privy on how that process is going? Did everyone going end up in Pullman?
