Selvig to step down

[Umista]

Sad to see Selvig leave. I know him well and really like the guy.

Shannon is a girl I talked to and I like her as well. I would lean her way and hire her if it was up to me. I think she will recruit farther away and that would be great for the team and put some power into the program. Let's wait and see.

 

[Fat Bruno]

Chauvinistic, I know, but with Shannon we'd have the best looking coach in America. The diversity comments are most interesting and important. With two assistants to hire, it would be an excellent thing not only to seek out an African American but also an American Indian. With our past good luck with Native players and the potential for future ones, this would be a master stroke for Griz athletics. It may be possible, even, to find a good assistant among former players in that regard.

 

[UMGriz75]

Florida U. just named Steve Spurrier "Ambassador for Athletics". How about Rob for the same at UM?

UM needs to do stuff like this. It's a great PR tool, and it makes formerly associated with the programs feel good.

 

[UMGriz75]

I'm extremely grateful for the job Robin did. He built this program from scratch, back when Montana was just beginning to build its reputation for quality athletic programs, both as a football powerhouse, and a men's program that produced not only winning teams highly successful coaches.

All roads lead back to Jud.

 

[citygriz]

I want the best coach to be hired whether it is someone outside or its' Shannon.

But, I have my concerns here.

Robin and the Lady Griz had a lot of loyal fans up to this point. Attendance has been slowing declining over the years but there are a lot of loyal fans out there that still go to the games. My concern is that if they do hire someone that is outside the program, many of these fans will lose their loyalty and stop going to the games. I have this sense that there are a lot of fans out their want UM to hire Shannon Cate because of all the years she put in as assistant coach, even though there is someone that is a better hire than her.
there is already at least one post on this thread that states it would be a travesty if Shannon isn't hired. So, does that mean that poster wants her to be a head coach no matter if there is a better coach with better connections to better players?

Shannon would be the safe hire, which should bring about the smallest amount of change in system and everybody would know what to expect. Samo, Samo. Personally, I do not think Shannon will stick around as long as Robin did. A lot may depend on what her husband does in the future.
the outside hire if he/she is found to be better hire (emphasis on IF), may bring growth to the team or possibly death to the program if new coach doesn't work out.
There are some good coaches out there that are looking to have a chance to coach a team. They need to at least take a look them before they decide to hire Shannon.

You raise valid issues in several areas, TrueGriz. It's likely that Kent Haslam's email is loaded with inquiries from numerous supremely qualified coaches. He most certainly already has a short list of individuals who'll be well qualified to step in and step onto the court ready to roll.

However, this is not a normal hire, simply because the new coach is following a living legend who's done things his way for 38 years! The myriad issues regarding who is the best replacement & how to replace him are gargantuan. Simple logistical things like the size of Selvig's office (it's a matchbox compared to most head coaching offices in University complexes!) will be factors. There are others much more qualified than me to describe the unique character of the UM program (almost all good, but nonetheless unique). So, in some ways, no matter WHO the new coach is, and how long she/he serves, this'll possibly be something akin to an "interim" position.

Sounds odd (and please, don't think I'm casting aspersions here: there are none) I know, but there's the weight of all the things that have to be remodeled and revised, which really, when you get right down to it, probably require the hand of someone familiar with this program who's young and has the ability to make changes that reflect some current trends in women's NCAA Division 1 coaching.

I land on the same territory as you: "Once A Griz, Always a Griz." I believe this position, at this point in time, will be the best fit for someone familiar with this program who's got the vision and energy to make the "necessary" updates as well as to step in and coach a game from the west-sidelines of Dalhberg Arena in approximately 90 days.

For that reason, I believe a primary "qualification" means that person should have a resume of some specific sort with this program. That's why I believe that Shannon Schweyen is the best fit. I've watched her coach on a secondary level (always on the periphery) for years at Dahlberg. The players always respected her as a coach of authority who dealt with strategy, in-game changes, and personnel issues while the head coach dealt with game flow. That's just one observable sign that she has qualifications. I've never observed any Lady Griz practices, but I assume she's got ample experience running practices as well. But as improtant all all that, there's still the program to run, and I believe Shannon also has the experience and vision do to so very capably).

(I do not personally know Shannon, have never conversed with her & thus this is not an "inside" endorsement)

I should have stated that I am leaning toward hiring Shannon for the head coach because of many of the reasons you stated.
I have watched the entire Lady Griz coaching staff play including Annette. Watched the Lady Griz when they only had around 400 fans. I lived in seattle area from 1984 to 1988 and that was during the time when attendance really started to grow.

Robin Selvigs last game was kind of a bummer, but ISUthat is houw 's 7'0" center Steve Hayes scored I believe 30 points to win that one game playoff in 1974. I believe I remember Selvig hustling to get to a loose ball in the final seconds even though it was way too late. I could go check the score but do not have time. Seemed to remember 74 - 72, but could be wrong. Selvig never quit and and that is how he coached.

An issue brought up by some posters, or atleast one in particular:

there are posters who wonder why no black players get recruited. 3 black players played here and none of them were actually recruited. Vicki Austin and Tianna Ware both were referred to Montana by some other coach, and Johnson played here only so Anthony Johnson could play here for the mens team. I always think that if you want diversity on the team, you need diversity on the coaching staff. A black coach would help. Heck, Vicky Austin was still around in 1992 and could have been hired as an assistant back then. Lady Griz will need to hire 1 to 2 new assistants. Hopefully, this can open up different recruiting areas.

I resemble a poster who wonders why Selvig didn't recruit black players, and I too think it would be a splendid idea to have a black assistant. It hasn't escaped my attention that black athletes have, ah, well, how to say this--elevated the game of basketball to a beautiful above-the rim ballet, as opposed to their slow-moving, set-shooting, floor-hugging white forebears.

I know this: Shannon played on the same team with Vicki Austin, a point guard, and was greatly appreciative of her skills. I personally hope Shannon is our next coach. I think she would bring a different look to our recruiting.

 

[lotsa]

Don't over analyze. Robin doesn't have a discriminatory bone in his body. If it's Shannon, and it should be, or someone else they will build their own program and player profiles. This is exactly what Travis is doing.

On the over analyze part--- for now-- thanks to Bo for being one in a million on and off the court. He is a class person and class act that has benefited our overall standing athletically and otherwise.

 

[Ursa Major]

Florida U. just named Steve Spurrier "Ambassador for Athletics". How about Rob for the same at UM?

UM needs to do stuff like this. It's a great PR tool, and it makes formerly associated with the programs feel good.

Hello!! We already have a PR tool!

 

[AZDoc]

Florida U. just named Steve Spurrier "Ambassador for Athletics". How about Rob for the same at UM?

UM needs to do stuff like this. It's a great PR tool, and it makes formerly associated with the programs feel good.

Hello!! We already have a PR tool!

Just wow...POTY

 

[bobaloo]

Very good Ursa: your dry sense of humor leads the field on Egriz. This one may have missed a few.

 

[EverettGriz]

Florida U. just named Steve Spurrier "Ambassador for Athletics". How about Rob for the same at UM?

UM needs to do stuff like this. It's a great PR tool, and it makes formerly associated with the programs feel good.

Hello!! We already have a PR tool!

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That is FANTASTIC!!

 

[putter]

My only question is does Shannon have the connections for recruiting? Will her assistants? I think we have already seen what connection do for recruiting with Travis and the talent he is bringing to Missoula. It was obvious over the last few years that the Lady Griz were falling behind the talent curve a little and the next coach needs to take a step up the next rung of that ladder. Haslam has shown he will hire the best person (Stitt) over person with ties to the program. Will be interesting to see what happens

 

[maroonandsilver]

Shannon already is heavily involved in recruiting. She was on a recruiting trip to California last week when Selvig made his announcement. I have heard from a source close to the program that she has already formed her staff should she be hired, and one of those proposed staffers is name that will get your attention, with ties to big-time western women's programs.

 

[larry2hersheywilliam]

The obvious problem with the Lady Griz in recent years has been the lack of strong recruiting. Given the program's reputation, the quality of the University, the coaching, and the fan support, we have dropped below what we used to have in the days when we had Nevada and Boise in the conference.

It was pointed out by a previous post that "Shannon is already heavily involved in the recruiting" (I would hope so - she is the #1 assistant) and I appreciate the fact that Shannon is in California but would she be there if her daughters weren't playing down there at the same time? We don't want to move from one head coach who didn't like the recruiting part of the job to another with the same approach.

I have no doubt that Shannon will become the head coach and I understand that with her husband coaching the track team and having two teen daughters, it will be difficult for her to be on the road recruiting. That is why she needs the kind of support staff that Travis has. It is helpful that Annette has retired and Trish has moved on. That means that Shannon can be the head person and delegate most of the recruiting to the people who can get on the road and hustle as have the men's assistants.

I don't know what role Sonya Rogers Stokken has played as the newest assistant coach - I liked her "in your face" attitude as a player. It certainly will be interesting to see how Shannon handles the staff issue (yes, I am assuming that Shannon will get the job).

 

[citygriz]

The obvious problem with the Lady Griz in recent years has been the lack of strong recruiting. Given the program's reputation, the quality of the University, the coaching, and the fan support, we have dropped below what we used to have in the days when we had Nevada and Boise in the conference.

It was pointed out by a previous post that "Shannon is already heavily involved in the recruiting" (I would hope so - she is the #1 assistant) and I appreciate the fact that Shannon is in California but would she be there if her daughters weren't playing down there at the same time? We don't want to move from one head coach who didn't like the recruiting part of the job to another with the same approach.

I have no doubt that Shannon will become the head coach and I understand that with her husband coaching the track team and having two teen daughters, it will be difficult for her to be on the road recruiting. That is why she needs the kind of support staff that Travis has. It is helpful that Annette has retired and Trish has moved on. That means that Shannon can be the head person and delegate most of the recruiting to the people who can get on the road and hustle as have the men's assistants.

I don't know what role Sonya Rogers Stokken has played as the newest assistant coach - I liked her "in your face" attitude as a player. It certainly will be interesting to see how Shannon handles the staff issue (yes, I am assuming that Shannon will get the job).

Let's hope Shannon can recruit her own household.

 

[Copper Griz]

Ego may be the greatest impediment for any head coach. Let's hope the next coach can keep theirs in check.

 

[marooncoloredglasses]

Actually Shannon and Bryan have three daughters:Jodyn(11th)Shelby(10th) and Sheridan(9th).

 

[Zirg]

The obvious problem with the Lady Griz in recent years has been the lack of strong recruiting. Given the program's reputation, the quality of the University, the coaching, and the fan support, we have dropped below what we used to have in the days when we had Nevada and Boise in the conference.

It was pointed out by a previous post that "Shannon is already heavily involved in the recruiting" (I would hope so - she is the #1 assistant) and I appreciate the fact that Shannon is in California but would she be there if her daughters weren't playing down there at the same time? We don't want to move from one head coach who didn't like the recruiting part of the job to another with the same approach.

I have no doubt that Shannon will become the head coach and I understand that with her husband coaching the track team and having two teen daughters, it will be difficult for her to be on the road recruiting. That is why she needs the kind of support staff that Travis has. It is helpful that Annette has retired and Trish has moved on. That means that Shannon can be the head person and delegate most of the recruiting to the people who can get on the road and hustle as have the men's assistants.

I don't know what role Sonya Rogers Stokken has played as the newest assistant coach - I liked her "in your face" attitude as a player. It certainly will be interesting to see how Shannon handles the staff issue (yes, I am assuming that Shannon will get the job).

Let's hope Shannon can recruit her own household.

Tinkle couldn't and nobody held that against him.

 

[Zirg]

Shannon is the biggest "no-brainer" hire in the history of Griz Athletics. Whoever the new coach is will have their own personality, but Shannon would make for as smooth a transition as possible. If anything, Shannon might be able to take recruiting to the next level. I remember Robin talking years ago about trying to recruit big-time recruits like Lisa Leslie,specifically. He said "none of them ever call me back". As great a coach as Robin was, he was, IMO, not a great recruiter. He'd get the states best talent. and find girls he knew he could work with, but he really never landed an out-of-state coup. He was amazing at turning his players into a disciplined machine, and truly was a great "coach", but I think Shannon could possible take it to higher levels recruiting-wise. Robin was/is a small-town hick and could only relate to certain recruits. I don't think that ever changed.

 

[UMGriz75]

Robin was/is a small-town hick and could only relate to certain recruits. I don't think that ever changed.

Well, I'd probably care to phrase it as "small town boy makes good."

Robin's biggest deficiency, which I always thought kind of odd since he played under one of the best at it, was his lack of "salesmanship." I think there was a level of personal shyness that translated into the lack of a willingness or ability to "sell," both himself and the program. At that level, there just wasn't a lot of personality there. He wore one hat, that of coach, and he wore it well, but a successful coach usually wears several hats. It's a tribute to Robin that he did as well as he did just being the "coach."

He was such a distinctive contrast to "Jud," and it was kind of remarkable that he didn't really pick up any of that. Just personality types, and hard to fix.

Shannon's Dad was quite outgoing, and she seems to have picked up a good deal of that; outside of coaching per se, I'd expect her to be a more effective head recruiter.

 

[Mousegriz]

So any official word on the "Search"? I haven't seen any. If Shannon is the only choice then why not choose her and get ready for the team arriving back in town in the next 4 or 5 weeks?