Pickens

[HookedonGriz]

https://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/jamie-pickens-transfers-from-lady-griz-returning-home-to-carroll-college/article_58f7fc68-8849-5c0b-ab61-921e3f8e6461.html

“I wanted to be a Lady Griz my whole life,” Pickens said. “I had a lot of goals, but after Shannon Schweyen (was not going to return) and girls leaving or wanting to leave, I didn’t think I could be able to obtain those goals. Changes were being made, and at the end of the day, I realized I need to make a change, too. I wanted to go on a new adventure.”

“I felt it all,” Pickens said about her emotions. “I was sad. I was mad. Shannon poured 32 years of heart and soul into that program, and it was hard to see that happen. I have been a close friend with her and her family my entire life. When I pictured Lady Griz basketball, I pictured playing with her as my coach. I didn’t expect it, and it hurt. I didn’t know if I could go back.”

I think what she said above indicates why she is leaving.

Correct. It’s very cut and dry. She was one of the only or very few who came to play for Shannon.

 

[TrueGriz]

The Missoulian article reveals much about coach/player/team disfunction. And in my opinion one revealing thread in Pickens interview is her "friendship", with the coach of whom in her opinion was "wronged" for her dismissal. Interestingly enough, she will be going to Carroll where she will play for her "friends-friend". Pickens also reveals disfunction among individual players, of whom appeared only to be in it for themselves. Other data among many of the threads indicate players wanted to and have left the program because of the coach. Key is the role of the coach and the ultimate responsibility to hold firm professional boundaries with players, not their friend, not being differential in on/off court relationships with players, fair/firm in all aspects of coaching intervention. And most certainly a primary role model for these young adults, UM, supporters and fans. I now think coach removal should have been made much sooner than what has transpired. Hopefully lessons learned!

Based on the article in the missoulian, Pickens came because of her friendship with Shannon, got pissed off by her removal, and now going to Helena because of her friendship with the Helena Coach. After reading that article, it had less to do with playing for the Lady Griz but for the coach.

 

[HoopsHound]

The Missoulian article reveals much about coach/player/team disfunction. And in my opinion one revealing thread in Pickens interview is her "friendship", with the coach of whom in her opinion was "wronged" for her dismissal. Interestingly enough, she will be going to Carroll where she will play for her "friends-friend". Pickens also reveals disfunction among individual players, of whom appeared only to be in it for themselves. Other data among many of the threads indicate players wanted to and have left the program because of the coach. Key is the role of the coach and the ultimate responsibility to hold firm professional boundaries with players, not their friend, not being differential in on/off court relationships with players, fair/firm in all aspects of coaching intervention. And most certainly a primary role model for these young adults, UM, supporters and fans. I now think coach removal should have been made much sooner than what has transpired. Hopefully lessons learned!

This is exactly right from my perspective. A coach with no boundaries between personal and professional is the root of the problem. It didn’t serve any of the players well.

 

[PlayerRep]

It looks like 3 of 4 returning good players wanted Shannon to go. I assume the 3 are staying. One who was leaving came back. One left. I would take those 4 returning over 1 leaving. To me, it was clearly the time to change coaches. It's not possible to build a Big Sky team around one good player and the coach's prone-to-injury daughters. Carroll will be a power.

 

[westsider]

Is Patrino the head coach next year? I heard that some very well known assistant coaches in the region are interested in the position.

 

[PlayerRep]

Is Patrino the head coach next year? I heard that some very well known assistant coaches in the region are interested in the position.

Yes. Interim through the end of next season, I believe was reported by media.

 

[Griz66]

So if Pickens was so supportive of Shannon and she is the reason she came to UM and Shannon thought she was so great why did she only play her an average of 17 minutes per game., Seems a bit strange to me??

 

[grizindabox]

So if Pickens was so supportive of Shannon and she is the reason she came to UM and Shannon thought she was so great why did she only play her an average of 17 minutes per game., Seems a bit strange to me??

Because there relationship wasn't all about basketball.

 

[PlayerRep]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

 

[717s7e]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.

 

[maroonandsilver]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.

It's rumored that Shannon has attempted to convince incoming Lady Griz recruits to de-commit. In fact I heard that also from someone within the athletic department. If so, perhaps she also influenced Pickens in her decision. Shannon is burning the program to the ground on her way out.

 

[Griz1]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.

It's rumored that Shannon has attempted to convince incoming Lady Griz recruits to de-commit. In fact I heard that also from someone within the athletic department. If so, perhaps she also influenced Pickens in her decision. Shannon is burning the program to the ground on her way out.

I know Shannon quite well and I am sure she is not doing this. Rumors are like soft soap 90 percent “lye”. Here is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Montana basketball and she deserves the highest respect and she sure isn’t getting it from this board. We have all stubbed our toe at some point in our lives so who are we to cast stones at anyone. I think it is a disgrace to attack Shannon’s character based on innuendos like this.

I’m sorry for the rant. I strongly feel Shannon deserves better treatment than she has been getting.

 

[717s7e]

[

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.
[/quote]

Hey, my statement was meant in no way to demean Shannon. I have been debating how to contact her and thank her for all she has done. I am simply pointing out that this "at home time" during the virus season could have influenced Pickens to stay in Helena. That all happened after Petrino was named as coach. I don't think my statement was anti-Shannon.

 

[PlayerRep]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.

My kids, who are home now, are glad they aren't stuck in NYC (or some other city for my younger son who is graduating), but they can't wait to get out of our house and Missoula and back to their "real" lives. They aren't homesick, but they are sick of home.

 

[PlayerRep]

I'm fine with what she and any athlete does in this regard, but it strikes me as a bit of cutting off nose to spite one's face. She is Big Sky quality and definitely a few notches above most NAIA players. I'm assuming she got along fine or well with Petrino and the other assistants (assuming they will stay).

What kind of attendance does Carroll and the conference get?

I am assuming that she has been a bit homesick during her first year in college and then got the opportunity to spend much of Spring Semester at home due to the virus and decided to stay at home. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if the virus hadn't come along and she had been in school and interacting with the team and the coaches. But, being off campus back in Helena may have made this an easier decision for her.

It's rumored that Shannon has attempted to convince incoming Lady Griz recruits to de-commit. In fact I heard that also from someone within the athletic department. If so, perhaps she also influenced Pickens in her decision. Shannon is burning the program to the ground on her way out.

I know Shannon quite well and I am sure she is not doing this. Rumors are like soft soap 90 percent “lye”. Here is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of Montana basketball and she deserves the highest respect and she sure isn’t getting it from this board. We have all stubbed our toe at some point in our lives so who are we to cast stones at anyone. I think it is a disgrace to attack Shannon’s character based on innuendos like this.

I’m sorry for the rant. I strongly feel Shannon deserves better treatment than she has been getting.

Because of who she was and what she had done, she was already given a pass for an extra year or two. She didn't get it done, and more and more players were leaving. There was huge dissatisfaction/complaining with her as the coach and coaching, including among many former LG. Yes, I know she has some strong supporters too, including apparently you.

 

[Griz66]

I doubt if homesickness had much if anything to do with her leaving--Missoula is two hours away. She.got pissed when Shannon was not renewed and decided she did not want to be a Lady Griz. Now she has decided to be a big fish in a very tiny pond instead of a very big fish in a very big pond. She will get to play before 400-500 fans instead of 3000-4000. I wish her the best and will always feel she could have been a huge star for the University that she always wanted to play for.

 

[Sugar Bear 16]

A coaching change during a complete rebuild is the worst situation you can ask for. I hope you’re not an AD or maybe you were and got fired for being clueless.

Well guess what? It’s a complete rebuild now. Bad timing to make a coaching change and Haslam clearly didn’t talk to all the players before he made his decision. Losing Pickens now creates a very big hole that has to be filled by an interim HC. Mike will work hard, but right now he’s flying plane that just lost a main engine.

Actually it is the best time to make a coaching change, but it is just too bad that a national search wasn't done.

 

[grizindabox]

A coaching change during a complete rebuild is the worst situation you can ask for. I hope you’re not an AD or maybe you were and got fired for being clueless.

Actually it is the best time to make a coaching change, but it is just too bad that a national search wasn't done.

When a program is a dumpster fire, you hire a new coach and look to rebuild it. Not sure how many college ADs try to rebuild a bad program with the same HC that led them into the dumpster fire.

 

[Mousegriz]

A coaching change during a complete rebuild is the worst situation you can ask for. I hope you’re not an AD or maybe you were and got fired for being clueless.

When a program is a dumpster fire, you hire a new coach and look to rebuild it. Not sure how many college ADs try to rebuild a bad program with the same HC that led them into the dumpster fire.

A national search should have been done before Shannon was hired. Lots of experienced coaches with broader recruiting experience would have been pretty attracted. Did she develop true head coaching "talent" sitting quietly next to Selvig for 20+ years? More to being a head coach than being a "yes" assistant. That question seemed to not matter to anyone at the time. Lady Griz had a program that would have drawn lots of interest. Not sure if they do anymore.

 

[Griz til I die]

When a program is a dumpster fire, you hire a new coach and look to rebuild it. Not sure how many college ADs try to rebuild a bad program with the same HC that led them into the dumpster fire.

A national search should have been done before Shannon was hired. Lots of experienced coaches with broader recruiting experience would have been pretty attracted. Did she develop true head coaching "talent" sitting quietly next to Selvig for 20+ years? More to being a head coach than being a "yes" assistant. That question seemed to not matter to anyone at the time. Lady Griz had a program that would have drawn lots of interest. Not sure if they do anymore.

Ya except the university system was on a hiring freeze. We didn’t have a choice.