The Sicatoka

Today? Easy. When it starts to come down from the lofty heights? ...

My "Dance Fever" references are a microcosm of what's wrong right now. As fans, how do we Care when we don't see Commitment. <- "Dance Fever"; missed alignments and assignments; missed tackles; no push from the offensive line. When you don't see Commitment from the players how do you Trust them or the coaches? It's a complete breakdown of Trust, Commitment, and Care.

So Pat Williams had Commitment, it just wasn't working for him. He made the Commitment. People whoTrusted that he was doing the best he could at school Cared about him enough to figure out what's wrong. Sounds like Pat was in a solid program. "Dance Fever" guys need not apply.

Not putting in the effort fails the Commitment criteria. If that makes me narrow minded, ... good. WIN. What's important now. When in school, school. When in class, class. When in study hall, study. When on football field, football.

I was fortunate enough to hear Lou Holtz when he was in Grand "Junction" this week. (Yes, Holtz messed that up in his intro. ) Here's his message: 1. Trust - do you trust me; do I trust you. 2. Commitment - are you committed; are you doing everything you can to pull in the same direction with me 3. Care - do you care about me; Holtz phrased it as "love" more than once, as in "brotherly love". Trust. Commitment. Care. And you have to create and build on them in that order. Would I trust a teammate auditioning for "Dance Fever" on the sidelines when I'm on the field busting my hump for the same team? Surely there's no commitment from the "Denny Terrio" wannabe. Frankly, I would soon not give a rip about that guy. Right there is epic fail of all three (trust, commitment, care). That's a team breaker according to Holtz. Holtz's other message? WIN. Wait ... WIN as in ... W.I.N. ... What's Important Now. Auditioning for "Dance Fever" on the sidelines. That's no way to WIN. Dance moves are not ... what's important now. Lou Holtz for UND Football coach. Or at least get me a guy who can start putting UND on that path. </rant>

Your first statement is not accurate. He's there as a guest of the team and at UND's discretion, not his. The other statement is hugely accurate. But, as I've said, teams reflect their coaches.

Why is the LCB put on the slot on the far side on a 3rd and 5? I could see moving the LCB across the field on 3rd and 15, but at 3rd and 5 you should be playing something close to a base defense. A TO should have been called by the sideline ... by the coach. That's another "What's he doing?" moment, kind of like going for it on 4th down in Greeley to end last season.

I know some will hate on me for saying this, but, with a bye week this week, letting Mussman go on Monday would let the coaching search start now. (Name Kotelnicki the interim.)

Defense? I'm in favor of UND acquiring one. That was the question, right? UM's first TD: We put the LCB on the slot on the right side of the D. UM saw that, motioned a back to prove it was man, and then threw to a back being "covered" by an ILB. That's on the coaches for calling a defense that'll leave hanging an ILB out to dry like that.

It will help lure in a decent replacement coach and it will help that coach recruit.

Teams reflect their coaches.

Mike Mannausau is looking pretty smart right now.

Sure. Which sports do we cut? And remember to stay in Title XI compliance when you select.

DU sponsors women's gymnastics and skiing to comply with Federal law called Title IX.

Don't blame the hockey program for that.

I'm not defending Hakstol. I've said to others that I'm worried he is our Doug Woog. I'm saying the immediate problem is the football program.

When football is losing national semis I will start worrying about the hockey staff. Until then, football needs an overhaul, and I'd start tomorrow if I had that power.

No, we'd lose in the national semis or title game.

Will UND have an interim head coach on Monday?

When he was at U of Sioux Falls I argued for Kalen DeBoer. I'm not sure I'd still do that, but I would consider him. Interesting thought: Muss hired two very young coordinators. Yes, timing played into that, but by having young coordinators Muss has a built in layer of safety. Fire Muss midseason and who do you name as interim?

We get this. ESPN GameDay goes to NDSU next week. Welcome to the bottom.

Someone, please, try to explain this one away.

3000 posts? Mmm ... OK ....

We'll know the precise minute that "Redskins" has become a net negative for the franchise and the NFL. That will be the precise minute that the moniker will change. (Note: I said the same about "Sioux".)

Wasn't there a minor league baseball team in Bismarck called the Dakota Rattlers?