[Who would UND hire?]

14 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

Johansen was 61-11 at Grand View (NAIA). 

I thought Woodley was the HC but I could be wrong. 

[Who would UND hire?]

2 hours ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Beau Baldwin and Eric Schmidt have to both be considered, but I would give the edge to Baldwin given his success as FCS head coach. Schmidt has never been a head coach collegiately and his time as UND defensive coordinator was not that great - no playoff wins. His short time as DC at San Diego State has not been going well.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Baldwin

Another perhaps overly simplistic method that would have barriers, but could produce high quality candidates, would be to look at recent Division II champions:

Tony Annese - Ferris State https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Annese

Todd Hoffner is intriguing although no championship 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Hoffner

Toldeo DC based on his time at Mount Union

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Kehres

Travis Johansen is gaining steam on here and I think he’s a fine candidate
https://goyotes.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/travis-johansen/1537

Lastly, there is Scott Wooster.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Wooster
 

All in all, I can guarantee at least one of the above will apply and be interested. I would not look towards Danny Freund, Isaac Fruechte, Jake Landry, or even Luke Schleusner, I’m afraid, as they do not have head coaching experience, FBS experience, or signifiant success as a coordinator.
 

Badly need to get some outside experiences into the UND fb program. 

I don’t believe Johansen has HC experience either,  but I would still look at him.  I would also look at Schmidt and Schleusner regardless of no HC experience either. All 3 of these guys are Coordinators with an upward trajectory. Candidates who have had success as a head coach and D1 coaching experience as a coordinator would have an advantage over guys who have never been a HC. 
 

A couple of thoughts:  I don’t care if they have a UND connection or not. I want the best available of the applicants to become the next HC. The guy (Gene Murphy) who turned our struggling program around in 2 years (albeit a long time ago) was a former player and long time asst with no HC experience. Roger Thomas had UND connections and turned the program around,  but it took longer.  Having UND connections can’t be a requirement nor should it disqualify anyone.

 

[2024 UND Football]

On 11/27/2024 at 3:50 PM, Shawn-O said:

Which Northern Sun teams? 
Coaches put this kid in a position to fail, what a disgrace.  

He was also put in a position to succeed. Had Feeney or Kaminski been the QB, they would have been in a position to fail which includes the opportunity to succeed. No different for Romfo.  


 

[Who would UND hire?]

7 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

For those who think the AD must already have a candidate or 2 in mind before making the move with Bubba, we thought the same when Muss was fired. Instead we had a month plus embarrassment of a process only for Bubba to apply after the initial job posting period had finished. 

I have no idea if Chaves have potential candidates in mind. It’s a good idea to be aware who is out there and may be available. There may be opportunities to establish relationships ahead of time and they can network with friends at all levels.  Coaches do the same in keeping guys in mind for assistant positions in case someone leaves the staff. 

[Who would UND hire?]

1 hour ago, Dustin said:

In these situations, does a new HC keep someone (perhaps multiple someones) from a current staff to maintain some continuity with the team and committed recruits?

Frequently does but not always. New coaches bring in their guys and one maybe 2 of the remaining positions may be given to present staff member. Up to new HC. 

[Who would UND hire?]

9 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

We will agree to disagree. DeBoer’s success speaks for itself, at numerous stops, many sans Schmidt. 
Being a head coach at a FCS program like UND (considering the opportunity for success and the facilities) is comparable to being a coordinator at a lower-tier Mountain West program. 
Schmidt was a position coach and special teams coach at Fresno State and Washington. He has not had success at the FBS as a defensive coordinator. He has never been a collegiate head coach.

I really think we should not immediately (again) jump to a former UND guy especially based on the lack of high level success as a coordinator or head coach … it’s Bubba all over again otherwise.

Points well taken. He hasn’t really had enough time as SDSU to judge his DC results yet. He isn’t similar to Bubba as far as personality nor (do I believe) ability).  
Please understand, I’m not saying he would be the best choice, I’m saying he is worth consideration. 

[Who would UND hire?]

43 minutes ago, MNHawk said:

He hasn’t done anything good since 2016. Wasn’t a very good OC at Cal or ASU. Struggled as a HC at Cal Poly. No thanks. 

Won 5 or 6 Big Sky Championships and a National Championship at Eastern Washington. Prior to that led Central Washington to a 10-3 record and quarter finals of D2 playoffs. Turning Cal Poly around would be a tall task for many. 
Certainly has necessary experience as HC at FCS and OC ( didn’t have success) at FBS level and pro experience in CFL. I don’t know if he would apply but I wouldn’t be surprised if Chaves would reach out. 
He is another guy I believe would warrant consideration. (Might have recruiting contacts in Canada).

[Who would UND hire?]

2 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

The point I made earlier is Schmidt didn’t have pepsin’s success here (UND) as defensive coordinator, and his success as Fresno State and Washington was on the coattails of DeBoer. 

Not sure what that means, but in doesn’t  diminish his contributions to DeBoer’s successes.  
There is a reason DeBoer brought him along to Washington. He obviously valued his contributions.
I believe he wanted to accelerate his career opportunities so took the DC opportunity at SDSU. I’m not sure he will take an FCS HC rebuilding opportunity for less money.  He might. Others here that know him better think he might. 
 

[Who would UND hire?]

8 minutes ago, Cratter said:

Pay Brent Vigen whatever he wants.

I believe he wants and will have FBS offers. 

[Who would UND hire?]

28 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Tim Tibesar is same as Eric Schmidt. Various roles, some FBS, but minimal to no success in those roles.

Schmidt has had success as an assistant with Fresno and Washington. Let’s see how SDSU goes over next couple years as DC. 
Tibesar has extensive experience at D1 FBS DC  and as NFL position coach. He is a very smart guy, very well spoken. No HC experience. 

Both viable candidates worth considering. Let’s see if they apply and if either does who else applies. 

It would be a mistake not to consider either of them if they apply.  You interview best candidates whoever they are and hire best candidate to move the program to top of FCS football. 
 

We don’t even know who will apply yet. 

[Who would UND hire?]

28 minutes ago, Cratter said:

A real leader doesn't wait for applicants to role in, he goes out and gets his guy.

Agree.  AD should always have a list of potential replacements for all of his head coaches. 
 

[Who would UND hire?]

4 minutes ago, Cratter said:

We know it'll be a former UND guy.....cause that's how UND roles....so which one is the only question.

I guess it's Schmidts job to lose?

How do you know that? I’m not sure the job has even been posted and Schmidt hasn’t applied yet. 

[Who would UND hire?]

1 hour ago, Sioux>Bison said:

UND ties won’t take us to the next level. Can we even afford Eric? He’s got to make way over $500k

I believe he took a pay cut to go from Washington to SDSU. I think he was at $575,000 at Washington in 2023 and SDSU gave him $400,000 plus but I’m not positive. 
I wouldn’t eliminate a candidate based on whether or not they have a UND.
You need a proven leader, proven recruiter, with the ability to interact with University officials, boosters, other fans, media, alumni and most importantly players. He should have a proven track record of success at the D1 level (FCS or FBS) or very successful D2 head coaching record with some D1 experience. 
I don’t care whether or not they have played or coached at UND but it would be a mistake to not give those candidates fair and equal consideration. 

[Who would UND hire?]

33 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Doubtful on buyout, transition to different position likely facilities a transitioned salary over x number of years. 

 

37 minutes ago, 90siouxfan said:

Did the 750k buyout happen or some other shenanigan?

No “shenanigans “.

[Who would UND hire?]

10 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

once again...how much money do have to play with to get a "national" candidate while bubba gets 400k to cold call alumni

Over $300,000 annually plus bonus incentives. 

[Who would UND hire?]

3 hours ago, shep said:

Me either. I get that a coach of any kind should have some knowledge about who to hire, but that's crazy that he may have had the most power at that time.

He didn’t. 

[Transfer Portal 2023]

8 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

Shoulda had him at nose.

I think not moving guys to different positions has been a mistake we have been making for a long time. TE’s has been one that I’ve complained about before. First of all most TE’s played both ways in HS. Although it seemed like we threw more to them this year, they are underutilized in the passing game. 
Some years we’ve signed 4-5 TE’s. If they aren’t getting on the field as TE’s try them at LB or DE. 

We lose some guys who want to move up but I bet we lose more cuz they don’t get on the field even in games after outcome is decided. 

[2025 UND football]

15 hours ago, gfhockey said:

I admire his loyalty, but how does a special teams coach stay special teams coach at one FCS University for 12 years?

They usually aren’t a hot commodity at this level. The hope is that they get moved up within the staff they are on which provides the opportunities for upward mobility. If the HC moves to the FBS level they hope to go along for increased exposure to other jobs or even a promotion. 
Kostich is liked by the players, the other coaches and reportedly is a good recruiter. 

[Who would UND hire?]

1 hour ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

It costs a lot to remove him as head coach because of an incredibly questionable and suspect extension, which hasn’t been explained. There are corruption and/or lack of accountability concerns still present, undoubtedly, based on this extension and also now with there being no removal of the head coach (despite a 5-7 season, 5-game losing streak, and only 1 playoff victory over 11 seasons).
 

The extension was completely unwarranted and it raises signifiant questions. Being afraid to ask such questions is a poor quality, in my opinion, regardless of previous track record. 

You are correct in that it would cost a lot to buy out the contract. I would agree the extension was unwarranted. I believe the majority of folks on this forum agree. Everyone knows about the  FB team’s struggles. (I think you have made your opinion clear multiple times over multiple years by what you repeatedly post). 

Where did you get the idea people are afraid to ask questions?  
You lose credibility when you repeat your unfounded accusations of corruption.  If there is corruption don’t you have an obligation to expose it so it can be fixed?  Extending a coaches contract may prove to be a mistake but it isn’t corrupt. (This is exactly the kind of accusations that hurt DeBoer’s chance to be hired as the head coach years ago).  
 

 

[Who would UND hire?]

7 hours ago, Irish said:

In my opinion this is partially true - In my opinion the GOBC is not an organized entity with meetings etc. - more of a loose group of Bubba's and his brother's contemporaries and family - many older athletes who played with his brother and some older businessmen who were big Sioux boosters pushed for his hire and whose opinion at the time had influence with the Athletic Department.  I was personally lobbied a couple of times by some I knew whose pitch was "he bleeds Sioux Green".  How he keeps his job is a mystery known only the Chaves - whose tenure is a disaster.  Not naming names as what they did was their right to do and totally within bounds and was nothing sinister.   However the results speak for themselves and it looks like they are very reluctant to call for his firing. 

I think your summary regarding the initial hiring is spot on. I’m not sure about the “many” older guys but I wouldn’t know. I was never lobbied nor asked my opinion.  It ls pretty normal for people to lobby for the hiring of a friend or family member.

For whatever reason Bubba was extended. I think that surprised a lot of people but at this time it is what it is. I can’t speak for others but although his supporters may not be demanding he be fired, quite a few wish he would step down. If it wouldn’t cost so much, I think more people would be more vocal. 

[Who would UND hire?]

20 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

The accusations are ambiguous for good reason. Concrete proof would have led to action already. But, as predicted, you yield to absolutely no possibility of corruption, and shield with belittlement. It’s ironically a microcosm of the culture that UND athletics is beginning to foster all too well, I’m afraid. There will be no success until the issues are cleared. 

Maybe your “expectations “ are too low if you don’t think those issues (unbeknownst to others) can’t be “cleared”.  
If you somehow feel “belittled” I will let others respond to your posts. 

[Who would UND hire?]

I was stating evidence as to positive changes under Armacost with regards to his support for athletics. The  facilities and resources are there for the program to be successful. The coaches and players need to make that happen. I’ve said before I didn’t support the extension and I didn’t support the initial hire. I support the program and the University. There is nothing I can do about the present coaching dilemma including trying to explain or justify the extension. 
 

The accusation of endorsements, senility and corruption are serious. If you have proof, PM me.  I will be happy to go with you to the president so you may enlighten him. Otherwise please don’t do that kind of crap. 
 

 

[Who would UND hire?]

32 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

We’ll see if the facilities win the games. Didn’t happen in 2024, that’s for d*mn sure. Coaches and players (student-athletes) are more important in my opinion. Also, fans won’t show up to the Alerus Center or travel to the away games because there are nice facilities on campus, but rather will do so because THE TEAM is doing well and making supporters proud. 

My prediction for 2025 is a 6-6 season and again no playoffs. Diehard supporters will hope for the best, but expect the worst given reality of the situation. The expectations are too low. Just want to make the playoffs are the expectations I guess (per Bubba in press conference today) with no championships, and it shows. Expectations and mindset go a long way, and Bubba Schweigert has voided the program and University of potential greatness. 

No one said facilities win games. I responded to  a question about Armacost supporting athletics. The University Admin/Alumni/Fans/Supporters have provided the facilities and resources to be a successful FB program.  
 

I know what Bubba said at the press conference but I’ve never heard the president, nor the AD vocalizing limiting our expectations to making the playoffs. We can talk about expectations all we want but until we improve recruiting, retention, and performance on the field, we will struggle to meet even limited expectations. 
 

I’m not sure anyone can predict next years chances until we know for sure who will be coaching, who we lose or gain in the portal, and what happens to our committed recruits regardless of who the head coach is. 
 

[Who would UND hire?]

2 minutes ago, Irish said:

Ok, we'll go with that - I was going to correct my post to say no changes in results but that wouldn't be true either - results are getting worse.  If Hockey Bubs can't parlay our hockey facilities into Frozen 4 teams I don't think Football Bubba will improve his program one bit.  It's all about the product on the field or in the rink.

Fans frustrations can change shift to shift, period to period and game to game. Our facilities are as good as it gets but no longer the advantage we had 20yrs ago.
I’m not so sure we won’t be pretty tough by playoffs. Let’s get everyone back before giving up. They’ve shown flashes of promise especially game 1 against BU. As usual, goaltending must improve and be consistent. However, Just my gut feeling. More than other sports, I dont think the best team always wins. 
 

FB is different. There are a million obstacles to overcome to fix this now.  We can’t afford another season like this and I fear portal losses and decommitments are threatening to put us further behind. 


 

[Who would UND hire?]

2 hours ago, Irish said:

And yet here we are with no changes in sight.

Actually there have been lots of changes. The campaign to raise $500 million has significant funds earmarked for athletics. Facilities have significant additions and improvements. That was one of the challenges we had when he arrived.