I just don't know. I know that Holsinger made a point of making in roads w/ Missoula coaches knowing that it was going to be a tough road to travel. But agreed on the optics..none of it has been trending in the right way for two to three years now...Just horrible optics to not even offer. What in the world are the men’s and women’s teams doing with local recruiting?
I'm not all knowing and seeing, I know that it is a disappointment to some, but I suspect there are several things at play here:
1. Holsinger isn't giving default offers to all talented Montana girls. That was a tradition that ultimately led to the down fall of the program late in Robin's tenure and throughout the Schweyen tenure. I support this move, especially when regionally Montana girls hoops is still pretty dang good, but not as good as it was comparatively even 20 years ago.
2. There are some hard feelings. In some cases a lot of hard feelings. This isn't directed at the McElmurray's or anyone else, but rather coaching circles at lower levels. I don't know how many are left, but the well was poisoned long before Holsinger got the job. Was a really weird vibe for a while in terms of how youth coaches and parents saw the LG program. Not a lot of positivity, and how certain coaches handled these interactions didn't help foster the type of long term relationships between the athletic department, coaches and parents. I know that when Holsinger got the job, there were some really miffed parents and coaches in the community. While I don't know that Holsinger has hurt his cause, but I don't think his recruiting philosophy helps perceptively.
3. Culture change. I think this is really likely THE issue. Missoula isn't a company town anymore where kids feel beholden or their families to take less to attend the UM and play sports there. This was a significant issue all the way back into the 90's, but coaches really didn't have to work all that hard to get players to suit up for the Griz. They do now and it is a good thing to be honest. I think it does suck that Missoula girls will have key roles in at three BSC teams while there won't be a single one here, but it does speak to a longer term issue that I don't think is going to be fixed over night which is if Missoula is going to continue to generate D1 talent (which it will) how can the program and U alter its perception in the community.