Brian and Shannon Schweyen’s story is similar to many other Montana couples: they knew each other as kids, went their separate ways as college students with big dreams, with fate eventually bringing them together down the road.
They’re perhaps more recognizable than other Montana marriages: both Brian and Shannon were All-American athletes, Brian as a Big Sky Conference pole vault and high jump champion at Montana State University and Shannon as arguably the most recognizable Lady Griz basketball player in University of Montana history.
2020, though, with all its twists and turns, led to a giant pivot for the Schweyen duo: their coaching careers at UM ended, ushering in a new season for the couple.
“We sit at home at night, look at each other, and say, ‘Can you believe the two of us 50-somethings are starting over?’” Shannon said. “That has been almost comical to us.”
When Shannon’s contract as head coach of the Lady Griz basketball team was not renewed in April of 2020, the news made waves across Missoula. Four months later, Brian resigned from his position as head coach of the UM track and field team.
“We both had a huge outpouring of support, of people begging us to stay,” Shannon said. “We really had no inclination to leave when the community supported us like they did. Most people are here because they love Missoula.”
The Schweyens certainly love Missoula. They raised their three daughters here. They built a community of friends they couldn’t bear to leave.
So, like many others in a time of world-wide pandemic, they made changes. Shannon began a career in real estate at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. Brian took an offer from First Interstate Bank in commercial banking. Both Schweyens said their jobs, while on one hand are completely different from coaching college athletes, on the other, hone their abilities to build relationships.
“I’m very excited about the opportunities in front of us in this town,” Brian said. “I’m a competitive person. Shannon and I both are. The new challenges are exciting.”
Shannon agreed.
“I always kind of had an interest in real estate. I thought if I ever got out of coaching, it would be a great chance to help a family find a home,” she said. “It’s an exciting time to be in real estate. You’ve got to be on it and you’ve got to be ready.”
After spending the better part of three decades working in the same building, career shifts come with a learning curve but both Brian and Shannon said their work as a team will continue.
“It was unique, coaching together,” Shannon said. “We bounced a lot of ideas off each other as coaches. We shared the good times and the bad times. We were both in the same job for a long period of time and that’s rare. We do feel incredibly lucky.”
Brian agreed. “Working together as a team became normal. We had three kids in diapers. Shannon would be gone for three to four days every other week. People would ask, ‘How do you do it?’ It just became normal,” he explained. “We both really loved our jobs. Moving on, it isn’t any different.”
While the worlds of real estate and commercial banking have nothing to do with the intricacies of athletic movements, the Schweyens said the challenge of new careers provides an opportunity to excel at something new.
“When you’re faced with adversity, you have to attack it head on,” Shannon explained. “Accept that there are things you don’t know and surround yourself with people who will help you.”
Brian said he applies the same advice he gave to his athletes.
“As a coach, you learn a lot of skills to teach young minds to deal with situations that come about,” he explained, “Every day that you don’t take as an opportunity to better yourself is a day you don’t get back. And those days add up.”
Shannon and Brian both spoke fondly of the student athletes who filled their lives for so many years—they see many former players on a regular basis. And while it’s obvious they both loved coaching, it’s equally obvious that they relish the opportunities for new beginnings.
“I believe in Brian as a person. I have confidence in him being successful,” Shannon said. “As corny as it sounds, we have each other.”
Brian offered advice for other couples, whether they work together or not.
“You’re a team. Everyone has a role and everyone has to support the other’s role,” he said. “When people fall into trouble is when they think they’re doing more. But each role is vitally important.”
Rolling with the punches is a skill we’ve all learned in the past year. Brian and Shannon know they aren’t the only ones to face major transitions in 2020.
“We have to embrace change before we can become successful,” Brian said. “The second you embrace that change and take the first steps, you’re on your way. A lot of people don’t like change. But it’s necessary.”