Brian Marso named assistant men's basketball coach
5/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Brian Marso (Pronounced: Mar-Soe) has been named an assistant men's basketball coach at The University of Montana, announced third-year Griz head coach Larry Krystkowiak.
Last season Brian was the head coach at Garden City Community College in Kansas where he compiled a 17-13 record. His Garden City CC team was ranked fifth in the country in the preseason by Street & Smith magazine, and he signed two pre-season All-Americans.
In the 2004-05 season he served as the head coach at Colby Community College in Kansas and has a record of 16-15.
Prior to those two junior college head coaching positions he served a one-year (2003-04) stint as an assistant coach at The University of Montana, working with former Griz mentor Pat Kennedy.
Marso, 32, had unprecedented success as the head basketball coach at Sheridan College Generals in Wyoming and was the head coach there from 1999-2003, compiling a record of 116-17 (a winning percentage of .872). His final season in 2000-03, the Generals went 30-2 and were ranked ninth in the nation. His four-year record in conference games was 32-2. His overall head coaching record is 177-53.
"I think Brian's experience as a head coach for a number of years is a big factor, and he's experienced in a lot of different areas," Krystkowiak said. "Really, he's a former Griz, and I don't know if he got a fair shake in that regard. He knows what this place is about, and he really compliments our staff. He's been through a lot of recruiting battles which will be a plus in that area.
"If it was a draft, Brian would be the best overall player," Krystkowiak said. "He does a lot of things very well. He's a tireless worker, and he understands the game real well. He has experience in working with perimeter players, point guards to be specific. He is an extremely likable guy, too."
When he was the head coach at Sheridan College, his teams' records and national rankings were: 30-2, ninth; 29-7, 17th; 27-6, 20th; and 30-2, ninth. He was selected the Region IX men's Coach of the Year following the 2003 and 2000 seasons and was nominated in 2001. He was tabbed the conference Coach of the Year in 1999,
2000, and 2003.
Prior to coaching the men's team at Sheridan, Marso was the head coach of the women's team there in 1998-99, and his squad went 28-10, was the Region IX champion, advanced to the national finals, and he was chosen District IX Coach of the Year.
From 1996-98 he served as an assistant men's hoop coach and fund-raising and academic coordinator for the Generals.
He coached six All-Americans during his five-year stint as a head men's and women's coach. One of the All-Americans Marso coached at Sheridan College was former Griz forward and team MVP (2005) Kamarr Davis.
"I am excited for the opportunity to return to the University of Montana," Marso said. "The men's basketball program at Montana is highly respected in the country, and it is an honor for me to be a part of that program. Go Griz!"
Marso earned his bachelor of science degree at the University of Mary in 1996. A native of Gillette, Wyoming, last summer Brian married the former Marni Shute of Riverton, Wyoming.
Last season Brian was the head coach at Garden City Community College in Kansas where he compiled a 17-13 record. His Garden City CC team was ranked fifth in the country in the preseason by Street & Smith magazine, and he signed two pre-season All-Americans.
In the 2004-05 season he served as the head coach at Colby Community College in Kansas and has a record of 16-15.
Prior to those two junior college head coaching positions he served a one-year (2003-04) stint as an assistant coach at The University of Montana, working with former Griz mentor Pat Kennedy.
Marso, 32, had unprecedented success as the head basketball coach at Sheridan College Generals in Wyoming and was the head coach there from 1999-2003, compiling a record of 116-17 (a winning percentage of .872). His final season in 2000-03, the Generals went 30-2 and were ranked ninth in the nation. His four-year record in conference games was 32-2. His overall head coaching record is 177-53.
"I think Brian's experience as a head coach for a number of years is a big factor, and he's experienced in a lot of different areas," Krystkowiak said. "Really, he's a former Griz, and I don't know if he got a fair shake in that regard. He knows what this place is about, and he really compliments our staff. He's been through a lot of recruiting battles which will be a plus in that area.
"If it was a draft, Brian would be the best overall player," Krystkowiak said. "He does a lot of things very well. He's a tireless worker, and he understands the game real well. He has experience in working with perimeter players, point guards to be specific. He is an extremely likable guy, too."
When he was the head coach at Sheridan College, his teams' records and national rankings were: 30-2, ninth; 29-7, 17th; 27-6, 20th; and 30-2, ninth. He was selected the Region IX men's Coach of the Year following the 2003 and 2000 seasons and was nominated in 2001. He was tabbed the conference Coach of the Year in 1999,
2000, and 2003.
Prior to coaching the men's team at Sheridan, Marso was the head coach of the women's team there in 1998-99, and his squad went 28-10, was the Region IX champion, advanced to the national finals, and he was chosen District IX Coach of the Year.
From 1996-98 he served as an assistant men's hoop coach and fund-raising and academic coordinator for the Generals.
He coached six All-Americans during his five-year stint as a head men's and women's coach. One of the All-Americans Marso coached at Sheridan College was former Griz forward and team MVP (2005) Kamarr Davis.
"I am excited for the opportunity to return to the University of Montana," Marso said. "The men's basketball program at Montana is highly respected in the country, and it is an honor for me to be a part of that program. Go Griz!"
Marso earned his bachelor of science degree at the University of Mary in 1996. A native of Gillette, Wyoming, last summer Brian married the former Marni Shute of Riverton, Wyoming.
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