Don Holst

[Sugar Bear 16]

I was just passing though, trying to figure out how the Griz lost to the Cats, and came across this post. I feel like I should shed some insider information. As a person who was in the room for this so called "Bribe", maybe it will help.

For starters it wasn't a bribe. It was a drastic change in thought. Holst was too conservative on offense to run the type of system he was using. He ran a basic motion offense, but would teach his team to pull out and reset with 15 seconds on the shot clock, as the offense reset so would the defense, so instead of pressing the defense for the duration of the shot clock (grinding them until they broke down mentally or physically) we would allow the defense to relax and regroup. Also, since our "Quick Hitters" where basically Horns, Zipper, Single Double, and Pick the Picker (also known as America's Play) we became too one dimensional and easy to scout for D1 programs. To make a long story short, we had a playbook that looked like "Coaching College Basketball for Dummies".

For those that still don't understand how conservative Holst is as a head coach take this example, during one film session prepping for a road game against Gonzaga he stopped the tape 15 to 20 times to point out how fast Gonzaga's opponent shot the ball and how many bad shots they took, which was a little bizarre since we where playing Gonzaga and not Gonzaga's opponent. In case you where wondering that team was Illinois. They where ranked number 1 in the nation at the time. They had 5 guys go to the NBA. This conservative mindset would lead us to some pretty sketchy coaching decisions, like zoning Northern Iowa, a team with 5 dead eye set shooters, but couldn't outrun my high school squad. If you remember we where down 55-15 at the half. I can't forget. Also, he created this ridiculous match-up zone that 5th year seniors didn't fully understand because our starting center didn't have to foot speed to move short corner to short corner.

Basically, he had one of the most talented/ athletic teams in Griz history (Slyder, a healthy Brent Cummings, Dave Bell, Dan Trammel, Scoot). His "Bribe" was just to let all of his athletes know that they could be aggressive without worrying about getting yanked, and talent took over. Also he took Tinkle's advice and benched Sam Riddle. I know he's a Missoula boy, but he was a selfish cancer. There was one person who wasn't celebrating after Dan jumped over his defender to tip dunk the game winner against the Cats, don't believe me check the tape, he didn't move an inch. Scooter also took leadership of that team, changing most of the plays that Holst would call. Being the son of a NAVY Seal, he was composed enough to make rational decisions in pressure moments, like sending Dave Bell off triple screens (a play he designed himself, partially based on a dream he had) when Dave would get hot and isolating Dan Tram in the post when the Cats would try to guard him with some of their less athletic players.

Holst strong suits where in his attention to detail, particularly in film scouting and preparation. He would produce some of the most detailed, organized, and disciplined scouting reports and film sessions I have seen in my career. Where he suffered was in-game decision making and adjustments, particularly in pressure situations. Sadly, basketball in a fluid, fast moving spot, and coaches get paid to make the tough decisions in pressure moments.

Just my thoughts.

Knows first hand and has Holst pegged pretty good and Sam Riddle pegged even better.

 

[Hamilton Grizzly]

Thank you Cali! That was a very informative post. All in all it sounds like Holst may be born to be a great assistant and not a head coach.
P.S.
I miss that MT team with Slider and Trammel, two of the best athletes I've ever seen.

 

[islander]

I was just passing though, trying to figure out how the Griz lost to the Cats, and came across this post. I feel like I should shed some insider information. As a person who was in the room for this so called "Bribe", maybe it will help.

For starters it wasn't a bribe. It was a drastic change in thought. Holst was too conservative on offense to run the type of system he was using. He ran a basic motion offense, but would teach his team to pull out and reset with 15 seconds on the shot clock, as the offense reset so would the defense, so instead of pressing the defense for the duration of the shot clock (grinding them until they broke down mentally or physically) we would allow the defense to relax and regroup. Also, since our "Quick Hitters" where basically Horns, Zipper, Single Double, and Pick the Picker (also known as America's Play) we became too one dimensional and easy to scout for D1 programs. To make a long story short, we had a playbook that looked like "Coaching College Basketball for Dummies".

For those that still don't understand how conservative Holst is as a head coach take this example, during one film session prepping for a road game against Gonzaga he stopped the tape 15 to 20 times to point out how fast Gonzaga's opponent shot the ball and how many bad shots they took, which was a little bizarre since we where playing Gonzaga and not Gonzaga's opponent. In case you where wondering that team was Illinois. They where ranked number 1 in the nation at the time. They had 5 guys go to the NBA. This conservative mindset would lead us to some pretty sketchy coaching decisions, like zoning Northern Iowa, a team with 5 dead eye set shooters, but couldn't outrun my high school squad. If you remember we where down 55-15 at the half. I can't forget. Also, he created this ridiculous match-up zone that 5th year seniors didn't fully understand because our starting center didn't have to foot speed to move short corner to short corner.

Basically, he had one of the most talented/ athletic teams in Griz history (Slyder, a healthy Brent Cummings, Dave Bell, Dan Trammel, Scoot). His "Bribe" was just to let all of his athletes know that they could be aggressive without worrying about getting yanked, and talent took over. Also he took Tinkle's advice and benched Sam Riddle. I know he's a Missoula boy, but he was a selfish cancer. There was one person who wasn't celebrating after Dan jumped over his defender to tip dunk the game winner against the Cats, don't believe me check the tape, he didn't move an inch. Scooter also took leadership of that team, changing most of the plays that Holst would call. Being the son of a NAVY Seal, he was composed enough to make rational decisions in pressure moments, like sending Dave Bell off triple screens (a play he designed himself, partially based on a dream he had) when Dave would get hot and isolating Dan Tram in the post when the Cats would try to guard him with some of their less athletic players.

Holst strong suits where in his attention to detail, particularly in film scouting and preparation. He would produce some of the most detailed, organized, and disciplined scouting reports and film sessions I have seen in my career. Where he suffered was in-game decision making and adjustments, particularly in pressure situations. Sadly, basketball in a fluid, fast moving spot, and coaches get paid to make the tough decisions in pressure moments.

Just my thoughts.

Your post lost much of its credibility when you concluded that, because someone was the son of a Navy Seal, he was composed enough to make rational decisions under pressure. First of all, the father received the training -- not the son. Secondly, that nut job governor from Minnesota was a Navy Seal.

 

[Sugar Bear 16]

Islander you just lost what little credibility you had with that post.

 

[Potomac Griz]

Your post lost much of its credibility when you concluded that, because someone was the son of a Navy Seal, he was composed enough to make rational decisions under pressure. First of all, the father received the training -- not the son. Secondly, that nut job governor from Minnesota was a Navy Seal.

Islander - That's a pretty big stretch there...saying that his post lacks credibility because of one little line that you disagree with and most likely have misunderstood. I took the what CaliGriz55 said as more of a complement to Scooter's ability to run the team, with a hint that maybe his upbringing helped the decision making abilities that he had.

Based on your previous posts islander, we get it, you Really dislike Wayne Tinkle, Joslyn Tinkle, Bobby Hauck, Colin Dow (who you called a fat-ass...would you say that to his face?), and Really like Holst. Do you have anything to contribute to this conversation other than mucking up informative threads, and nitpicking posts by people who know what they are talking about?

Holst does sound like he probably was a good assistant coach, but as someone who has watched Griz BB for about 20 years now, I can pretty confidently say that he was not a very good head coach. As CaliGriz55 pointed out, his offense was incredibly conservative. That game against Northern Iowa was a nightmare too

The team he has his last year here, with the athletes he had, could've been one hell of an exciting offense to watch, had he just let them play and not toss people in the doghouse as soon as they made a mistake. That type of over-coaching was VERY evident when Holst was here, and I'm sure caused more than a couple players to not play up to their potential, or play while very nervous for fear of being benched for a mistake (especially if they weren't from Montana).

Blaine Taylor had the same problem with non-Montana kids (see Israel Evans, Kennyth Henry, etc etc). Taylor though, it appears, has learned from previous mistakes, and become a pretty successful coach at Old Dominion.

 

[Grizbacker1]

The only explanation for a thread this freaking stupid is that the OP is none other than Don Holst. Holst backstabs Tinks each and every chance he gets. Of course he kisses his ass on TV, like he has a choice. Holst couldn't keep two marriages in tact, and his basketball family is no better.

 

[Hamilton Grizzly]

Out of curiosity are you a huge jerk in person or just online?

 

[mtgrizrule]

The only explanation for a thread this freaking stupid is that the OP is none other than Don Holst. Holst backstabs Tinks each and every chance he gets. Of course he kisses his ass on TV, like he has a choice. Holst couldn't keep two marriages in tact, and his basketball family is no better.

A new cast member to add to "As EGRIZ Turns", "Days of Egriz", etc. Let me introduce Grizbacker P. I.
Stay tuned for his next revealing case of "What happened to the GRIZ offense in 08/09?"

 

[mtgrizrule]

Out of curiosity are you a huge jerk in person or just online?

Ohoh, I wish you would not have gone there. We are about to witness classic GB1.

Seriously, he is a good guy, just hard to read sometimes. (GB, I mean that in good way btw.)

 

[Sugar Bear 16]

The only explanation for a thread this freaking stupid is that the OP is none other than Don Holst. Holst backstabs Tinks each and every chance he gets. Of course he kisses his ass on TV, like he has a choice. Holst couldn't keep two marriages in tact, and his basketball family is no better.

A new cast member to add to "As EGRIZ Turns", "Days of Egriz", etc. Let me introduce Grizbacker P. I.
Stay tuned for his next revealing case of "What happened to the GRIZ offense in 08/09?"

I find it very ironic that GB 1 rips on others for taking personal shots at Tinks and others and then goes and takes one at Holst's personal life. Well Holst has been married twice which means he's been with 2 more women than GB 1 ever has been with so, you have to give him props for that. Then again that's no great or uneasy accomplishment when you look at the competition.

 

[Willie]

This thread has gone hopelessly off course. Feel free to start another one with the original topic.

 

[MrTitleist]

And to add to that, SugarBear, you've PMed me in the past complaining about GB1 picking on you.. I suggest you stop what you're doing or I will not step in to defend you.