AJS

I want to look at this from a different point of view than I have been. Playing a bit of devil's advocate, what I'm asking is does Chaves have plausible deniability up until this upcoming offseason? It was a very unpopular extension, but simplifying of course, his case to Armacost or any booster would be, we were coming off two straight playoff appearances and Bubba feels they can take the next step by fixing X & Y. @Cratter did a good job explaining that point of view last night. Now, the red flags started instantly after the extension. Losing two long term Asst. Coaches to "like" schools. Key pieces entering the portal after spring ball. We've all witnessed what's transpired this year. Which brings us up until this point. I don't believe there's anyone who believes in the trajectory of this program anymore. If Bubba is not bought out, Chaves is knowingly heading to the worst off-season this program has seen as far the transfer portal. He knows Bubba will burn this program to the ground and he's letting him. There's no spin, no plausible deniability for Chaves anymore. He's the only person that can stop it.

What's the most frustrating part is all the heavy lifting is done. Elite campus and facilities. They have done such an incredible job in so many areas (including Alston, FCOA, although not directly tied to the University, 1883 collective). Great alumni / fan support. There is no reason all sports shouldn't be thriving. Instead, they are either the joke of the Dakota's (i.e. Football) or incredibly mediocre for the $ spent (i.e. hockey). All falls on Coaching. When you lay it all out, it's so sad. They'll continue to be mediocre until they invest in coaching salaries or in hockey's case, dump Berry.

One thing we can all agree on, UND’s campus is top tier and in a few short months, their facilities will match. It really is sad, what should be the biggest momentum boost to the football program is being anchored down by Bubba. Who thinks this will be the worst off-season to the portal yet? Giving the excitement of the new facilities, you’d think it’d be the opposite. It should be the opposite. Loss by loss. Nap by nap. Bubba is burning it to the ground.

I’m guessing it’ll be considerably worse. Which isn’t a surprise since it’s apparent to everyone that this program is heading off a cliff. How frustrating it’ll be for 360 and Tom Miller who will write how it’s part of being in the FCS. Clearly ignoring how the other Dakota / Montana schools will only lose a few key players.

In a way this feels a bit surreal. Everyone outside of Chaves and Bubba had the script written after this last extension. Unless stopped, Bubba will burn this program to the ground. This upcoming offseason will be 2x worse than last. Next year worse than this year. It’s so crazy that Chaves is going to let this happen.

This being University of North Dakota athletics, I fully realize a coaching change after this year is highly unlikely. Where I’m holding onto hope for a change, is the direction of this program is now “unspinable”. It’s a feeling that has never been this clear. Agree or disagree (most disagreed), but even this most recent extension, you could spin it as, well, they’ve made the playoffs X years in a row. Just need to fix Y to take the next step. It’s the final minute of the first half in three of the last four games. It’s every time they step on the road. Coaching staff has completely failed. It’s broken and it will not be fixed while Bubba is still the coach. They will not make the playoffs moving forward, while Bubba is still the coach. The other Dakota schools and the Montanas will lose a guy or two to the portal (except for SDSU), but will largely keep their key players. It’s why the are Top 10 teams. Last year, UND for the first time lost more than usual. That was a big sign. This year I’m guessing will be worse. There’s no way to spin this anymore. Maybe UND athletics will take a step forward and finally realize the only thing missing is Coaching.

I agree, in theory with this post. Division 1 Football Coach however is not your ordinary job. Let’s change, “love for UND” to “think about your legacy”. Would he really want to be a pariah at a place I do believe he loves? The way I see it, he leaves after this year, he could still salvage his legacy. If he truly burns it down on the way out, which if he’s not already he most certainly will if he stays longer. He’ll end up as one of the most hated coaches in UND history. One step further. Your post works perfectly for someone like Chaves. It’s different for someone like Bubba or on the hockey side Berry.

Mark is a good guy who cares about the University. Bubba?

I’m fully in the open it up to a national search. Anyone who has coached w/ Bubba previously need not apply. This program needs a COMPLETELY fresh start.

Nap by nap. Loss by loss. One more. Believe!

USD runs away with this one in the second half. No coming back from the last drive in the first half. Different coaching staff, might be a different story. Nap by nap. Loss by loss. Fire Bubba.

I feel so bad for the players. These coaches absolutely suck.

This program needs a hard reset. What we witnessed would not happen anywhere else. Time and time again.

Beyond a joke.

Does he have any FCS or higher offers currently? I don’t think he does.

*5* I still believe. Lose the last five, including two blowouts at home to the SD schools. That will do it.

Based on the past, one or two will flip before signing day. Those recruits have always "upgraded". Honestly, not sure if many others would. You would think so, but also, is there room at "like" places? I don't think anyone would decommit to downgrade the school. I think there's a fairly united front on this. The only thing that matters for this program is Bubba is no longer the coach. Anything residual (players leaving via portal, decommitting) is fine. Ideally, Bubba will step into another role within the athletic department after this year and the talent will stay. Note: I do realize how gross this really is. Hate that it had to come to this. Equal blame on Chaves as well as Bubba.

The other Dakota schools are too far ahead of UND. USD is finally breaking away from mediocrity this year (building on one successful year w/ another). No worries this weekend. USD rolls. Loss by loss. Nap by nap.

Pre-portal, I might have a different opinion. Even with all the injuries, they can fill out a line-up sheet. Everyone is contributing. What I don't want to see is two defenseman who are expecting to play, sitting up in the stands as healthy scratches (along with the 9D). I would always choose the potential for being short of players > talent sitting in the stands. IMO, it goes so much further than the player leaving via portal after the year, I think it poisons the locker room that year as well.

I could be misremembering, but has this really been an issue recently? This is completely different than losing someone right before the NCAA's (i.e. Pyke last year). I'm a broken record, but keep it at 8, always. Moving forward though, I'd look at having that 15F being able to play D if needed.

Always like the matchups more against teams that have talent, play exciting styles of hockey (MN, DU, BU, ect). UND seems to fair better against those teams. It's the teams that are loaded with 21-year-old FR and play a garbage style (ex: Bemidji / Mankato) that I worry about. Think they split, which would be a fine result.

@Longtime fan @UND-FB-FAN what direction do you want them to go? National search? Danny? Freuchte? I’m being hopeful and let’s say it happens after this year, if that makes a difference.

Each week that passes, I’m more on board with bringing him back. Here’s what I believe. UND has a top notch campus, starting this January top notch facilities to match. There is absolutely no reason they shouldn’t be a premier FCS program. They need a leader that exudes confidence. That’s young. That has swagger. Everything Bubba is not. Fire Bubba, hire Danny quickly. The excitement around the program would be like something we’ve never seen. True momentum.

I’m back. Five losses in a row will do it. Two left! Believe!! Bubba’s gone or bust!

Bubba’s message.