"So why all the social media angst over new Montana Lady Griz basketball coach Brian Holsinger’s decision to trim the five (a sixth left on her own), notably four Montanans?
It’s bad enough that Holsinger is an outsider at a school renowned for its legacy hires in the revenue triumvirate of football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball (his two years as Montana Tech head coach notwithstanding). To understand how reaching beyond the branches of the Griz coaching tree has resonated with the fickle faithful, see Bob Stitt, football, and Pat Kennedy, men’s basketball.
In choosing Holsinger, UM Athletic Director Kent Haslam invited the instant ire of the fan base’s provincial sector by passing on interim coach Michael Petrino, yet another sprig on the coaching tree.
What seems a heartless business decision by Holsinger has driven that point home with painful clarity.
Sure, the optics are awful. Holsinger will have an even shorter leash than fellow outsiders Kennedy and Stitt, if that’s possible. Some boos and empty seats at Dahlberg Arena come November won’t be a shock because those offended most are also those who’ve been most loyal."
https://missoulian.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/jeff-welsch-emotional-reaction-to-lady-griz-shakeup-reflects-abrupt-end-of-an-era-formula/article_6e584507-b9e7-5a63-a1ae-e6a1a886a471.html
It’s bad enough that Holsinger is an outsider at a school renowned for its legacy hires in the revenue triumvirate of football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball (his two years as Montana Tech head coach notwithstanding). To understand how reaching beyond the branches of the Griz coaching tree has resonated with the fickle faithful, see Bob Stitt, football, and Pat Kennedy, men’s basketball.
In choosing Holsinger, UM Athletic Director Kent Haslam invited the instant ire of the fan base’s provincial sector by passing on interim coach Michael Petrino, yet another sprig on the coaching tree.
What seems a heartless business decision by Holsinger has driven that point home with painful clarity.
Sure, the optics are awful. Holsinger will have an even shorter leash than fellow outsiders Kennedy and Stitt, if that’s possible. Some boos and empty seats at Dahlberg Arena come November won’t be a shock because those offended most are also those who’ve been most loyal."
https://missoulian.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/jeff-welsch-emotional-reaction-to-lady-griz-shakeup-reflects-abrupt-end-of-an-era-formula/article_6e584507-b9e7-5a63-a1ae-e6a1a886a471.html