Sprinkle to U of San Diego?

[Zirg]

Is San Diego the only school in the WCC with a football team at all anymore? At one time St. Mary's-CA was arguably the most dominant football program in California and the west coast. I think WWII ended that. Gonzaga also once had a big-time football program.

 

[Zirg]

You don't suppose Sprinkle is really their sixth choice, do you? Naw! :lol:

In other news, Travis was spotted at the Final 4 convention interviewing for the job at Flathead Valley CC.

Phil Jackson almost became the FVCC coach at one time before he got big. I'm not gonna go into the details why he didn't take the job, but it's a fairly well-known story. PM me if you wanna hear it.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Is San Diego the only school in the WCC with a football team at all anymore? At one time St. Mary's-CA was arguably the most dominant football program in California and the west coast. I think WWII ended that. Gonzaga also once had a big-time football program.

Yes ... essentially.

BYU is a member right now, and they sponsor football as an Independent. Of course, they're headed for the Big-12 (in most sports).

WW-II also killed the Gonzaga football program.

 

[maroonandsilver]

From Bobcat Nation: Looks like SDU is leaning towards Justin Hutson of Fresno State. He is now available, with Fresno out of their tournament. Hutson's wife is women's coach at San Diego State.

 

[maroonandsilver]

Sprinkle just signed a 4-year extension to remain at MSU.

 

[Griz til I die]

Talk about a disastrous coaching search at USD. I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but man it hasn't been good. They take anymore time and they're gonna end up with no one.

 

[ilovethecats]

Talk about a disastrous coaching search at USD. I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but man it hasn't been good. They take anymore time and they're gonna end up with no one.

I mean, they got Steve Lavin. Guy was atop of the coaching world at one time. Does he still have it in him? Time will tell.

Who knows if he wasn't on the radar the whole time? I just don't think fans know about this process unless you're in the room conducting the interviews. Not saying you GTID, but I think some fans believe if a new coach isn't hired in a day or two the school isn't getting who they wanted. There is so much involved.

On paper looks like a great hire to me.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Talk about a disastrous coaching search at USD. I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but man it hasn't been good. They take anymore time and they're gonna end up with no one.

I mean, they got Steve Lavin. Guy was atop of the coaching world at one time. Does he still have it in him? Time will tell.

Who knows if he wasn't on the radar the whole time? I just don't think fans know about this process unless you're in the room conducting the interviews. Not saying you GTID, but I think some fans believe if a new coach isn't hired in a day or two the school isn't getting who they wanted. There is so much involved.

On paper looks like a great hire to me.

Apparently, he was.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...ve-lavin-hired-san-diego-men-basketball-coach

Athletic director Bill McGillis said Lavin had been a candidate since the beginning of the monthlong search process.

 

[Griz til I die]

Talk about a disastrous coaching search at USD. I'm not sure what exactly the problem is, but man it hasn't been good. They take anymore time and they're gonna end up with no one.

I mean, they got Steve Lavin. Guy was atop of the coaching world at one time. Does he still have it in him? Time will tell.

Who knows if he wasn't on the radar the whole time? I just don't think fans know about this process unless you're in the room conducting the interviews. Not saying you GTID, but I think some fans believe if a new coach isn't hired in a day or two the school isn't getting who they wanted. There is so much involved.

On paper looks like a great hire to me.

Oh I agree, it's a great hire. I never knew he was in the mix or was even interested. You have to wonder when he started to become interested though because there's no way he was in the conversation since day 1. I just think it should never take a month and a half to conduct a coaching search as usually it means you're doing something wrong. However, they were patient and it paid off. Lavin's a very good coach and will be successful, maybe not right away, but he will be successful.

 

[3-7-77]

I just think it should never take a month and a half to conduct a coaching search as usually it means you're doing something wrong.

Whomever was in charge of the search is no Leon Costello. They only got to three. :roll:
I got a laugh out of his bio.
"In his SIXTH year as Montana State’s Director of Athletics, Leon Costello has led..." :lol:

 

[citygriz]

So happy that Sprinkle is staying in Bozeman. This will only enhance our rivalry and stamp the Big Sky as a great conference for up-and-coming young coaches.

I would love for one school--hopefully us but either Weber or Montana State or Eastern Washington--to make some noise on the national level. Wins at the Big Dance come with bucks and prestige for any conference, and that's what we critically need--otherwise "Big Sky Power" rings hollow.

But I have to confess. Given what Holsinger is doing my attention has been shifting back to the Lady Griz, after years of not giving a damn. I'm betting they get back to the Big Dance ahead of the men.

 

[mthoopsfan]

So happy that Sprinkle is staying in Bozeman. This will only enhance our rivalry and stamp the Big Sky as a great conference for up-and-coming young coaches.

I would love for one school--hopefully us but either Weber or Montana State or Eastern Washington--to make some noise on the national level. Wins at the Big Dance come with bucks and prestige for any conference, and that's what we critically need--otherwise "Big Sky Power" rings hollow.

But I have to confess. Given what Holsinger is doing my attention has been shifting back to the Lady Griz, after years of not giving a damn. I'm betting they get back to the Big Dance ahead of the men.

What has Holsinger done? One and done in the tourney. Won 3 more conference games, but lost the same amount of games as the prior year. The difference was finishing 3-1 at end of conference, instead of 0-3. Some improvement there. Two of his three recruits did nothing this year, and one is now in the portal. The third wasn't a big contributor either. 4 players with top 6 minutes are seniors, but I saw that at least one may have another year. Holsinger's first year of recruiting was pretty weak. He needs to do much better. Travis is a 10 times better coach than Holsinger.

 

[Mousegriz]

I think Holsinger's 2nd year recruits will prove to be some good players. No Mombergs in the bunch......but hopefully somewhere close to her in athleticism and skill level.

 

[CopperGold14]

So happy that Sprinkle is staying in Bozeman. This will only enhance our rivalry and stamp the Big Sky as a great conference for up-and-coming young coaches.

I would love for one school--hopefully us but either Weber or Montana State or Eastern Washington--to make some noise on the national level. Wins at the Big Dance come with bucks and prestige for any conference, and that's what we critically need--otherwise "Big Sky Power" rings hollow.

But I have to confess. Given what Holsinger is doing my attention has been shifting back to the Lady Griz, after years of not giving a damn. I'm betting they get back to the Big Dance ahead of the men.

What has Holsinger done? One and done in the tourney. Won 3 more conference games, but lost the same amount of games as the prior year. The difference was finishing 3-1 at end of conference, instead of 0-3. Some improvement there. Two of his three recruits did nothing this year, and one is now in the portal. The third wasn't a big contributor either. 4 players with top 6 minutes are seniors, but I saw that at least one may have another year. Holsinger's first year of recruiting was pretty weak. He needs to do much better. Travis is a 10 times better coach than Holsinger.

He's got 5 years to see what he can build, give it time.

 

[citygriz]

So happy that Sprinkle is staying in Bozeman. This will only enhance our rivalry and stamp the Big Sky as a great conference for up-and-coming young coaches.

I would love for one school--hopefully us but either Weber or Montana State or Eastern Washington--to make some noise on the national level. Wins at the Big Dance come with bucks and prestige for any conference, and that's what we critically need--otherwise "Big Sky Power" rings hollow.

But I have to confess. Given what Holsinger is doing my attention has been shifting back to the Lady Griz, after years of not giving a damn. I'm betting they get back to the Big Dance ahead of the men.

What has Holsinger done? One and done in the tourney. Won 3 more conference games, but lost the same amount of games as the prior year. The difference was finishing 3-1 at end of conference, instead of 0-3. Some improvement there. Two of his three recruits did nothing this year, and one is now in the portal. The third wasn't a big contributor either. 4 players with top 6 minutes are seniors, but I saw that at least one may have another year. Holsinger's first year of recruiting was pretty weak. He needs to do much better. Travis is a 10 times better coach than Holsinger.

Here's what I like about Holsinger.

--His incoming recruiting class, including a Top 100 recruit from out of state. I'm thinking Jamie Pickens might have been a top 100 recruit but really, how often does Montana get this caliber of player on either the men's or women's side? You can't ever judge a coach until he has his players in place--and late recruits the first year are not a good indication of a coach's recruiting ability.
--His hires. I think brining in Joslyn Tinkle was special. Nate Harris was a good addition too. And he kept Jordan Sullivan. (I WAS sorry to see Nate Covill leave. I think his daughter is going to be a very good player.)
--Team chemistry. Very good from what I can sense. I know Polymeni is in the portal but I don't see that as a reflection of any overall disgruntlement on the part of the team. Could be that with the talent coming in, she didn't see a future here.
--His coaching. All the pre-season talk was bout his recruiting and most statements from him were coach-speak platitudinal. Not many specific questions about his coaching philosophy but after watching several games, I can see he's not only committed to defense but that he runs a good motion offense as well. I saw movement off the ball and cuts to the basket, things I did not see on the men's side (where I continue to argue for an offensive coordinator, such as we had the first year or two with Ken Bone.)

 

[mthoopsfan]

What has Holsinger done? One and done in the tourney. Won 3 more conference games, but lost the same amount of games as the prior year. The difference was finishing 3-1 at end of conference, instead of 0-3. Some improvement there. Two of his three recruits did nothing this year, and one is now in the portal. The third wasn't a big contributor either. 4 players with top 6 minutes are seniors, but I saw that at least one may have another year. Holsinger's first year of recruiting was pretty weak. He needs to do much better. Travis is a 10 times better coach than Holsinger.

Here's what I like about Holsinger.

--His incoming recruiting class, including a Top 100 recruit from out of state. I'm thinking Jamie Pickens might have been a top 100 recruit but really, how often does Montana get this caliber of player on either the men's or women's side? You can't ever judge a coach until he has his players in place--and late recruits the first year are not a good indication of a coach's recruiting ability.
--His hires. I think brining in Joslyn Tinkle was special. Nate Harris was a good addition too. And he kept Jordan Sullivan. (I WAS sorry to see Nate Covill leave. I think his daughter is going to be a very good player.)
--Team chemistry. Very good from what I can sense. I know Polymeni is in the portal but I don't see that as a reflection of any overall disgruntlement on the part of the team. Could be that with the talent coming in, she didn't see a future here.
--His coaching. All the pre-season talk was bout his recruiting and most statements from him were coach-speak platitudinal. Not many specific questions about his coaching philosophy but after watching several games, I can see he's not only committed to defense but that he runs a good motion offense as well. I saw movement off the ball and cuts to the basket, things I did not see on the men's side (where I continue to argue for an offensive coordinator, such as we had the first year or two with Ken Bone.)

I'm fine with what you said. However, my frequent comment is what has he done so far, with recruits we've seen and on the court. He was touted by some of some as great and magical recruiter and big time coach, who would show big improvement immediately. Sorry, but he hasn't lived up to that hype at all. Note that I said early on that he would probably do fairly well. Again, my biggest gripe was that he fired 6 players immediately, indicating that he would bring in some immediate contributors. He didn't bring in any big contributor. His move to fire 6 was virtually unprecedented, and it now looks like it wasn't even close to being necessary to get rid of that many. Yes, some; but not 6. It looks like he probably missed on 1 of his 3. He was smart enough to let Fatkin back on the team. Yes, his asst coaches look good. The asst coaches were good before he came. Had his team not done better right at the end of conference (as opposed to the 0-3 the prior year), the conference and tourney record would have been exactly the same, or worse.

I understand being hopeful and positive with a coach. I'm often that way. But the number of posters/fans gushing over the new coach last year, rubbed me the wrong way, as did firing 6 players he hadn't seen play (and some he hadn't even met) was not my view of how sport should be at UM or the UM level. UM is just not a win at all cost place. No matter what some may say, it was unprecedented (as far as I can tell) to fire 6 schollie players in week one, and it's been shown that that many didn't have to be moved along. In my view, UM got virtually nothing in return for getting rid of that many players. For that move alone, the new coach has shown me that he's not my kind of guy. I just can't respect the guy. I've heard a few other things too.

 

[Mousegriz]

Nice to see those 2 true frosh get lots of time and experience this year. Both will prove to be better players than any that Player Rep says got "fired". Never heard of a college player getting "fired" before. Are there some wrongful termination lawsuits planned?

 

[mthoopsfan]

The 2 true frosh were recruited by Schweyen and Petrino. The 6 who were fired had nothing to do with the 2 very good frosh.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I think Holsinger's 2nd year recruits will prove to be some good players. No Mombergs in the bunch......but hopefully somewhere close to her in athleticism and skill level.

So, are you prejudiced against Native Americans too? What is your problem with Momberg? UM has had a great tradition of Native American women, as well as a few men. The best D-I tradition in the country. I am proud of my heritage. I am proud I'm in the MT American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, along with some great NA athletes and former Griz. I was hoping Momberg would be the next in a long line of good NA players for the LG. I was hoping she'd get a better chance. I know and like her family. I root for NA athletes in general and the Montanans especially. I think it's cool that Lady Cats have a good NA player, and that the famous Stanford coach knew of Kola Bad Bear and talked to her after the NCAA game. I like the Cat men's player, Battle, and follow him. I like following Rayquan Evans of Billings, and Florida St. I like following the guys who played recently at Arlee. Many of them have had a much tougher life and fewer advantages than most of you, yet they are succeeding. I wonder if Holsinger has now ended the LG path for Native American women. I don't think Indian Country is going to look favorably on Holsinger. I assume NA women will gravitate to MSU now. For someone who had a kid sit on the bench of a non-D-I school, which is what you either posted on the board or told me, I'm surprised that you keep dissing Momberg about playing NAIA. I assume your son played NAIA too.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I think Holsinger's 2nd year recruits will prove to be some good players. No Mombergs in the bunch......but hopefully somewhere close to her in athleticism and skill level.

So, are you prejudiced against Native Americans too? What is your problem with Momberg? UM has had a great tradition of Native American women, as well as a few men. The best D-I tradition in the country. I am proud of my heritage. I am proud I'm in the MT American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, along with some great NA athletes and former Griz. I was hoping Momberg would be the next in a long line of good NA players for the LG. I was hoping she'd get a better chance. I know and like her family. I root for NA athletes in general and the Montanans especially. I think it's cool that Lady Cats have a good NA player, and that the famous Stanford coach knew of Kola Bad Bear and talked to her after the NCAA game. I like the Cat men's player, Battle, and follow him. I like following Rayquan Evans of Billings, and Florida St. I like following the guys who played recently at Arlee. Many of them have had a much tougher life and fewer advantages than most of you, yet they are succeeding. I wonder if Holsinger has now ended the LG path for Native American women. I don't think Indian Country is going to look favorably on Holsinger. I assume NA women will gravitate to MSU now. For someone who had a kid sit on the bench of a non-D-I school, which is what you either posted on the board or told me, I'm surprised that you keep dissing Momberg about playing NAIA. I assume your son played NAIA too.

Another thing or two. Robin Selvig's long tradition of bringing Native Americans to the LG, recruiting, teaching and nurturing, and resulting in lifelong friendships, earned him an induction into the Montana American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. I believe he's the only non-Native in the Hall of Fame. Also, the documentary, the House that Rob Built, has good coverage of the NA players on the LG. I fear that tradition may have moved from UM to MSU in the last year or so. The trashing of Momberg by HHH and Mouse, and others, probably hasn't helped either. I would now recommend, if asked, that a NA woman look at MSU.