Grizzlies tab Shannon Schweyen as women’s basketball coach

MISSOULA, Mont. – Shannon Schweyen has been promoted to head coach of the Montana women’s basketball team that she played on and has helped coach for the past 24 seasons.

Athletic director Kent Haslam says Schweyen accepted the job Saturday and signed a three-year contract Monday. She takes over the program that Robin Selvig coached to 865 wins over 38 seasons.

Schweyen, who played as Shannon Cate from 1988-1992, was a two-time Big Sky Conference MVP. She said Wednesday that she feels fortunate to carry on the tradition Selvig established, including recruiting in-state players and focusing on defense.

Haslam says Schweyen wasn’t hired out of loyalty, but that she shared her vision for the program and earned the opportunity to coach the Lady Griz. Montana has two open assistant coaching positions.