AJS

My fear and the most likely outcome of the extension is coming true. Bubba will burn this program to the ground. The only person that can stop it now is Chaves. Will two more loses be enough? Starting to get really nervous.

Fair point. What could this group be without the biggest zero of all time as head coach? Only way to save the program. Fire Bubba immediately following the season, hire Danny. Really analyze the roster.

As long as Bubba is coaching, it doesn’t matter. I do agree though, I wouldn’t blame anyone for bailing. Has to be tough having the least charismatic head coach in sports history.

This result will help shape the path moving forward. The only thing that matters for this program is that Bubba is no longer leading the program. This feels different. Two left and he’s gone. Believe!

Simon is so bad

Romfo shouldn’t take another snap today.

If this athletic department cannot come up with $750k, then there are much bigger issues than just terrible coaching which plague most programs.

Nice throw Simon!

100%

It’ll take 5. Two to go!!!

Big picture. Loss by loss. Bubba will be gone after this year. Believe!

I went from worried to a bit relieved about the F pipeline for next year, current recruits. You're going to want a few spots open given the CHL news.

It’s not my opinion, it’s what has been reported. The conference feels there is value being in the central time zone.

They want the central time zone for their FB only addition.

One last thought. The old saying of athletics are the 'front porch of the university'. Could being a fully FBS athletic department help enrollment if they succeed moving up? Retroactively hurting UND. Things I hope are being thought of if UND and co push NDSU to an all or nothing type of decision.

Catching up on some other posts. Do you think NDSU moving up solo to Mountain West for all-sports would be more / less beneficial than FB only? Expense wise, of course it would be harder, but they would also completely separate themselves from the other Dakota schools athletically. High risk / high reward type of scenario. I could see that doing more harm than good for UND. Otherwise, it's a situation where they have a good FB program, but otherwise on par. Chaves better be on the phone with both SD schools and making sure they are aligned in this.

Let's look at this from a realist standpoint. Here are the three things I believe to be true. This really started taking shape when the Pac-2 merged with the four Mountain West teams. NDSU was at the top of the FCS to FBS realignment list "Travel" partner if needed would be SDSU UND not on anyone conferences radar I felt and still feel that there would be some sort of trickle-down effect where NDSU would get the nod from some conference and before today, was convinced it would be also with SDSU. Before today, also assumed all-sports invite. That would be the nightmare scenario for UND and would damage the athletic program immensely. Losing both NDSU and SDSU for all-sports. If we listed all the scenarios and gave them probabilities heading into today. I'd take NDSU moving to MW (FB only), because it could be so, so much worse. Keep the Summit League intact, keep SDSU aligned with yourself. Important note: If this happens, I also want to see some anger. Some real questions as to why UND is where they are right now. Left behind.

Does anyone think "the picture" is going to play a role in who the head coach is next year? I still firmly believe that if they lose their next 3 games, then Bubba's gone. One could argue this is the most important three game stretch in the D-1 era. This program needs new leadership. The last two games could not have emphasized that more. If it happened this year, I wanted them to get Danny originally. "The picture" sort of cemented that. Who can blame him for leaving? 3 more.

You have to believe! I do! 5 in a row will do it. 1 loss at a time.

Lose your last 5 and Bubba is gone! 3 left! The program needs this. One loss at a time. We just have to believe.

15F / 8D / 3G. Any more in this day and age, does way more harm than potential good.

Being a realist with the Bubba situation (we all know he's the issue, but he's not going anywhere), what's the best we can hope for? (1) Simon and the offense continue to excel. Simon is coming off a performance where he was excellent. (2) Individual growth defensively. There needs to be a handful of players that you feel good about in future seasons. Must win for the program. They need to win this one, win one against the SD schools and then put it all on the line the last game of the season. They aren't going anywhere this season, clearly with the defense. When I say what's the best we can hope for? It's feeling good about this team offensively going into the offseason, have a handful of guys defensively you can build around. Unfortunately for Joel, he will be the scape goat (better than nothing, starting with a new DC). Defensive rebuild. To do that, this team needs to win the portal. Sell enough hope that next year could be different. They cannot afford another bad portal year like last.

With these new developments (at least for me), think we’re stuck. Clearly, there would always be a tipping point, but not sure even Bubba would be able to reach that low. Let’s play hypothetical’s. He loses out this year. Would that do it? @UND-FB-FAN , @CMSioux I think it would. Unlikely of course as based on past results, getting to 6 would be enough. Just needs one more. My new outlook is hope for the best. 7 wins this year, enough to sell another year to the team ( i.e transfer portal for key players). Key for me is putting Associate Head Coach title on Fruechte after this year.

So you’re saying the reason Bubba keeps getting extensions is there’s big $ boosters pumping money into the program to keep him? I had just assumed Chaves was incredibly lazy and loved mediocrity. Very happy with this new development.

Depends on when. IF they finish with 6 wins or less this year, then I do think it happens after this year. Go with Freund and keep all offensive personnel. If they get to 7 (with or without making playoffs) or more, then put the associate head coach tag on Fruechte and hope next year is Bubba’s last and then hand it over to Fruechte.