AJS

All signs are really pointing to Travis Johansen being the guy. The hype train is picking up steam, seems to be if not everyone’s first choice at the very least someone everyone likes the idea of. Are we ready to have @The Sicatoka contact Chaves and tell him Siouxsports.com has endorsed Travis Johansen for the next head coach? @UND-FB-FAN @Oxbow6

Let’s will Travis Johansen into existence. Seems like the home run pick. Someone whose goal is to build and move up.

I would hope so. The last 10 years is so incredibly underwhelming. He’s the one that brings the least amount of enthusiasm when I think of him as the next coach.

> 50 Imo, it has to be someone where this won’t be their last job. I can be easily convinced though. If the spin is, “young” 58 and checks every box, not only from a coaching side, but also charismatic, etc. Going up against the SU’s, the new coach needs to be dynamic. Is Hoffner?

I would do Hoffner before Baldwin, but that’s it. What are we doing here. They aren’t going to hire someone who is 58 years old. Young and hungry.

Closing now on the 4th. Think Chaves has his guy.

@UND-FB-FAN is Baldwin known as a great recruiter? I could be placing way too much emphasis on age tied to the qualities I'm hoping to see (Charismatic, Confident, Swagger). I'm just trying to keep an open mind to all.

Is it too simple to just say recruiting, recruiting, recruiting? Is what is not working currently a scheme issue or a talent issue, or both?

Here's what I truly believe. When it comes to the following factors, campus, facilities, city (campus lifestyle), opportunities (FCOA, NIL, ect). There is nothing where UND lacks compared to the other "peer" schools. Phase II being completed shortly will close the gab completely facilities wise. Very simply put, starting now, there's no reason that the right hire couldn't make UND, "the spot to be". I wrote about this last night. Swagger, confidence are two of the main traits I'm looking for. Recruiting / Recruiting / Recruiting. I have no doubt, a new, younger voice with those traits and the new facilities can cause a recruiting boom. Confidence. I looked at too many situations last year, where I'm convinced if you had someone leading the team that had those traits, things would have gone differently. It was so clearly mental, it was crazy. This is a different era. If Freuchte or Schmidt are open to really evaluating the defensive side of the ball. Blowing it up. Then that means so much more than their ties to Bubba. Let's get excited.

Agreed. Here’s my thing, the only name that was mentioned in Miller’s article that I would be genuinely excited for is Johanes. The others to varying degrees I have reservations about. Ideally, Johanes is hired and keeps Freuchte as OC. I would be fine with Schmidt x Freuchte. Outside of that? Think I’d actually be most excited for Freuchte as HC. I absolutely would rather have Freuchte > Baldwin. I’m starting to like the sound of it. Young and hungry.

Except you know with 100% certainty Bubba will not be on the coaching staff next year. Having him act as head coach like they said originally made no sense. This actually does.

Agreed. The interim tag made sense to me given there’s two gigantic dates looming. I’ll also assume the new HC would want some carryover from the old staff. Fruechte would appear to be best bet. He’s one I’d hope they keep him on as OC. Johanes x Freuchte Schmidt x Freuchte Hope it’s the first, but happy with either.

I’m in.

How’s Schmidt as a recruiter? Still would prefer a Johanes as HC with Fruechte as OC, but warming up to Schmidt with Fruechte. Imo, what’s been missing is swagger, a confidence with the program. I’m more excited with the thought of those combos than I would be with Baldwin.

How is this Baldwin? Johansen is the perfect fit. I want them to swing. Emphasizing what you wrote.