Brian Holsinger officially resigned as the head coach of the Montana women’s basketball team on Monday.
The University of Montana sent out the following statement:
“Brian Holsinger resigned today as head coach of the University of Montana women’s basketball program. Nate Harris will continue to lead the team as interim head coach through the remainder of this season, after which a search will be conducted for a permanent head coach.”
Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to Skyline Sports on January 15 that Holsinger, Montana’s fourth-year women’s basketball coach, had been put on administrative leave. According to multiple sources, the leave stems from an internal altercation that remains under investigation from the university.
The University of Montana put out the following statement when Holsinger’s absence was first reported:
“Brian Holsinger, head women’s basketball coach, is taking personal time off. In the interim, associate head coach Nate Harris will direct the program.”
Harris has served as the acting head coach for the Lady Griz since Holsinger was put on leave.
Leading up to Holsinger being put on leave, Montana had lost seven of eight games, including three straight, and sat at 1-3 in Big Sky Conference play. Over the last month under Harris’s direction, Montana has a 5-3 record. Two of the losses are to the two top teams in the league, including a 67-66 home loss to Montana State. The Bobcats are currently 12-0 in league play and riding a 15-game winning streak overall.
The resignation ends Holsinger’s four-season tenure at UM. Holsinger was introduced as head coach at Montana on April 13, 2021. He signed a four-year contract on April 12, a deal that was set to expire this year on June 30. According to University of Montana Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz, Holsinger signed a 4-year contract extension prior to the season.
Monday, Skyline Sports was provided a Memorandum of Agreement between Holsinger and UM. The MOU terminated Holsinger’s previous contract and outlined the details of the separation. The MOU essentially replaces the contract Holsinger signed last off-season.
Per the MOU, Holsinger is set to be paid $115,250 as a buyout. The MOU serves as Holsinger’s official resignation and UM’s acceptance of that resignation.
Also included in the agreement is a line stating, “Employee (Holsinger) agrees that all grievances, claims, and causes of action that he has or may have against Employer or its employees, with respect to his employment, are satisfied, discharged and fully settled. Employee agrees to not institute any suit, action or proceeding against the Employer, in their official or individual capacities, for any claim with respect to his employment, including any claim for breach of contract or tort, wrongful discharge, illegal discrimination in employment, violation of statute or Constitution, wage and hour laws, the alleged commission or any tort, including, but not limited to: any intentional tort, personal injury, negligence, fraud, misrepresentation, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, conspiracy, and defamation.
“The Employer likewise agrees to not institute any suit, action or proceeding against the Employee for any claim with respect to his employment and agrees that any claims it may have against the Employee, to the date or this Agreement, are satisfied, discharged and settled.”
Montana athletic director Kent Haslam, Holsinger and his attorney, Shane Coleman, all signed the MOU.
The Lady Griz struggled over the six weeks leading up to Holsinger being put on leave, losing seven of eight games. UM started 1-3 in Big Sky Conference play, including getting swept on the road at Northern Arizona (65-46) and at Northern Colorado (57-49). Montana was 5-10 overall.
Last season, Holsinger led Montana to its first 20-win season since longtime head coach Robin Selvig retired in 2016. Last year’s Lady Griz won 23 games, including their first victory at the Big Sky Tournament for the first time since 2018. UM finished third in the league standings and won a game in the WNIT by beating Boise State before bowing out in the second round against North Dakota State.
Holsinger has an overall record of 61-47, including 36-24 in Big Sky Conference games.
