22 episodes
Griz Greats: The Coaching Tree ESPN Missoula
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- Sports
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5.0 • 21 Ratings
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Griz Greats: The Coaching Tree brought to you by Blackfoot Communications, Berkshire Hathaway, and Stockman's Bar is an interview series hosted by Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez from ESPN Missoula. University of Montana basketball has an illustrious reputation for producing some of the best college basketball coaches that the game has ever seen, and it can be traced back to legendary Michigan State head men's basketball coach Jud Heathcote, who got his first college head coaching job at the University of Montana. The coaches that have followed him have gone on to make their own significant marks in college basketball at places like Stanford, Old Dominion, and Utah to name a few. Ryan and Colter sat down with every Montana head men's basketball coach who followed Jud Heathcote to talk about what makes Montana basketball and Missoula special. Bonus episodes include interviews with some former Montana basketball players and other significant influences on the program.
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Montana Head Coach 1976-1978 Jim Brandenburg
Jim Brandenburg was an assistant coach under Lou Rocheleau and Jud Heathcote at the University of Montana from 1970-1976 before taking over the head coaching job in Missoula. He stayed at the helm for two seasons before departing for the University of Wyoming in Laramie. ESPN Missoula's Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez talked with Coach Brandenburg about his basketball journey from his playing days at Colorado State to his final head coaching job at San Diego State University.
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Bonus: Eric Hays + Ben DeMers
Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez sat down with former Montana Grizzlies Eric Hays and Ben DeMers, who both played under Jud Heathcote and Jim Brandenburg at the University of Montana, to get a player's perspective on what it was like to play for both men.
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Montana Head Coach 1978-1986 Mike Montgomery
Mike Montgomery was an assistant under Jim Brandenburg for two seasons before taking over as the head man in Missoula. Montgomery coached the Griz for eight seasons before leaving for Stanford University in the Pac-10 at the time. ESPN Missoula's Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez spoke with Montgomery about his time in Montana, what it's like to go to a Final Four, how Robin Selvig got hired, and more.
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Bonus: Scott Zanon
Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez caught up with former Montana Grizzly Scott Zanon, who played basketball for the Grizzlies under Mike Montgomery and Stew Morrill.
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Montana Head Coach 1986-1991 Stew Morrill
Stew Morrill was an assistant under Mike Montgomery for eight seasons in Missoula before becoming the head coach after Montgomery left for Stanford. Morrill was the head coach for five seasons before departing for Fort Collins, CO and Colorado State University. ESPN Missoula's Ryan Tootell and Colter Nuanez spoke with Morrill about his time in Missoula, his own coaching tree, and how he became so successful at Utah State.
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Bonus: Weber State Head Coach Randy Rahe
Ryan Tootell talks with Weber State head Randy Rahe to talk about his time as an assistant under former Montana head coach Stew Morrill.
Customer Reviews
Best work yet from Tootel & Nuanez
The Griz coaching tree is arguably the best lineage of coaches in college basketball history. It’s about time these coaches have been covered in long form...no better duo to put together the story than Colter and Ryan.
Colter and Ryan top themselves again!
These guys really have a knack for taking on projects that the Montana (UM and State of) sports fan is interested in. What they are capturing and documenting in the sports world of our state is special and truly appreciated. This is just the latest example. I just listened to the first episode and what an awesome job. They really do a great job of expanding our knowledge and historical context as Griz/ Montana sports fans and ultimately grow our fandom of this community we love! Especially for those of us who are tracking from long ways away from MT. Thanks Colter and Ryan (and team) for everything you’re doing!