Lady Griz assistant Sullivan leaving for Utah position

Jordan Sullivan, a Montana Lady Griz standout who spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach in the program, is leaving for a similar job at the University of Utah, UM announced Thursday.

Sullivan’s ties to Montana date to before she suited up for a then-record 129 games for the Lady Griz from 2011-14: She’s the niece of legendary former coach Robin Selvig.

“I’m so grateful to have gotten to work at this amazing place and be surrounded by supportive people,” Sullivan said in a release from UM. “That makes it hard to leave.

“From the players to the staff to the department to the community, how do you not feel sadness to leave such an amazing place like Montana? Those feelings mean it was really awesome to be here.”

A second-team all-Big Sky pick in 2014 after averaging 11.6 points a game, Sullivan played professionally in Europe for two seasons before joining Shannon Schweyen’s coaching staff.

Keeping Sullivan on the Lady Griz coaching staff was head coach Brian Holsinger’s first move after he was hired in April 2021.

“Jordan is a special individual, someone who is hard working and has the highest character,” said Holsinger, who guided the Lady Griz to a 19-11 mark in his first season. “We adore Jordan and wish her nothing but the best.

“Her contributions to this program, first as a player and then as a coach, cannot be overstated. She will forever be a Lady Griz.”

“To see where coaching is going to take me and what I want out of this career, I had to take a look at an opportunity like this,” said Sullivan.

“I’ve had multiple experiences and each one added to me becoming the coach I am,” Holsinger noted. “My job as a head coach is to encourage and to teach and to help my assistants in their careers.”