iramurphy

National title will be our “signature win” when we get that done. Win over top 20 FBS team would do it. Win over another FCS team that is defending champ would mean we are back where we should be. No big argument against those who disagree, just my opinion on where we need to be.

No, only a step in the right direction. We haven’t had a “signature win” yet.

I guess I was referring to the bid which came into play after the Idaho State fiasco and the “egg we laid” at EW. I was also referring to us as fans and supporters, and yes of course we would be in a better position had we won the ISU game.

You are correct. As you probably know the entire staff evaluates prospects and give input. I’m not sure how we have gotten off track recruiting better punters and kickers but there are camps these guys should be going too in the summer. Few colleges have kicking/punting coaches. Fewer high schools do. Frankly, few NFL teams do. It does highlight the importance of special teams. One specialist that has been good is the long snapper.

I probably have watched a hell of a lot more punting and kicking than you have and interacted with kickers and punters at not just little league but high school, college and nfl. Maybe your experience is more extensive than mine, but I never said the punter and kicker are “pretty good”. I said average but my point was somehow with less than stellar punting and kicking, the coach has done pretty well with KO and punt coverage. Although our punter’s average isn’t good his net average is at least average, maybe a little better. Our kicker doesn’t have a big leg but the other team doesn’t often start beyond the 25 after a kickoff. I don’t know where you think you start after a touchback. Therefore someone has our special teams kids playing pretty well with who we have at punter and kicker. “Olden days”??? I haven’t gained my experience playing Madden FB and watching ESPN. You guys who think the answer is to fire everyone when things aren’t going well are full of crap. If you want someone fired start writing checks but $5000 or $10,000 won’t cut it. Until we have resources to do things faster, we are going to have to be patient. Guys like Kostich need to be supported and develop. He has the potential to be an excellent coach. He has done a good job this year. You haven’t got a clue and frankly some of our “olden times” teams were pretty good.

No he isn’t. Overall Special teams have been pretty good this year. Good KO coverage, punt coverage with less than average kicker/punter. 2 big punt blocks for TD. He is well liked and a good recruiter. Has bright upside.

I think we were there. I and others told them I would give what they asked. I don’t know what are bid was. I’m not sure we should rely on FB alumni. I would hope GF Chamber of commerce and other FB fans would also be in.

We guessed wrong. Not sure how much we missed by but Chaves and staff contacted a number of people to get support. He has a pretty good idea of what it normally takes. I would guess we were close. HPC 2 will be a lot faster if new President recognizes athletics as a very high priority.

Yeah I figured that out after posting. I’m not sure how some people think the answer is to fire everyone. Pretty shallow thinking. What is the thought process that leads some to post all the critical negative crap when we just made the playoffs. People should be figuring out how to tell Grandma thanks for the turkey but I have to leave now to get to Louisiana for the game.

Baloney. Chaves put together a very competitive bid. A number of individual Alumni had pledged to augment what UND could do. Had our fans and community kept attendance at 9500 to 10,000 UND might have offered more. Biggest failure has been UND students failure to get behind the team and be part of the success. During the week Chaves and Alumni staff travel the region working to increase support for the program, UND athletics and the University. Cheap shots from people who have no idea what these guys are doing every day get a bit old. Maybe you should have given an extra $10,000. I would bet we were only short $5000.

It ain’t what is Bubba made of, its what are these players made of. TV guys showed us no respect. At some point these guys need to play a consistent 60 min game with no mental errors to the best of their ability.

Doubt it. Frankly “looking ahead” is more of a fan and media issue. Once the puck drops players play.

Game was over. Was that their regular kicker? If not it makes more sense. I thought it was something for the kicker. Didn’t make any difference.

My only point is these guys are committed to the program. I don’t believe their commitment is an issue.

Questioning play calling, game management, progress, recruiting etc I understand. We aren’t winning enough and program doesn’t seem to be improving fast enough for many. If you question commitment to the program you lose credibility with me. That certainly isn’t an issue with this staff. These guys are working their tails off. They care about each other, our players, the program and the University. There is no lack of effort or energy on the part of this staff.

Had we beaten Weber we would be in but any loss instead of a win puts us on the bubble.

It did. Any loss kept us from 8 wins. Obviously, hurts more to lose to mediocre teams but had we beaten another FCS team we would have been in with 8 wins. Frankly we were not much better than average so I’ve never understood the whining. I believe your point is valid. If we win the games we should win we are in and the NDSU game doesn’t keep us out. Same thing this year: we beat another FCS team instead of losing to NDSU we would be 7-3 right now. The losses to ISU and EW are keeping us out

Faison made the decision with Bubba’s input. I opposed it because we weren’t ready for NDSU and I would not have agreed to 2 away games. I agree it cost us a playoff shot the first year and could be a major factor this year.

He didn’t get a chance to warm up. Came in cold.

Never. UND will always recruit the best kids available. Most NHL teams still feel their draft picks get excellent coaching and continue their development while at UND. Most of these players have stayed at least 2-3 years with the approval of the NHL team that drafted them. Very few have left after one year.

That is a good question but I don’t believe my opinion will change anything. Having said that it will depend on what happens between now and when Bubba’s contract expires. In the meantime, we need the resources for better facilities, salaries etc. If we as fans and supporters aren’t going to do get HPCII built we are at a disadvantage when we recruit against a number of other schools. If we don’t increase funding for salaries, we get a different pool of applicants. (Rudolph). Making the playoffs this year isn’t a dealbreaker for me. Getting better and building on that so we can attain and ultimately sustain that success takes a lot more time than I would like. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with your opinion or others. If I am going to give a lot more money it will be with those goals in mind not to buy out a coaches contract. Therefore I feel obligated to support what they are trying to do in the meantime. I also think Bubba is allowing his coordinators to call their plays and make decisions. That is how it should be.

We can fuss all we want about coaching decisions. There isn’t going to be a coaching change. Those of you who want a change don’t seem willing to write a 6 figure check, which wouldn’t cover the entire cost of a change. I believe Chaves is more focused on increasing resources available for coaching salaries, resources and facilities. With that in mind, it seems to me discussing staff change is a moot point. Doesn’t really matter what I think.

Perfect pass, he quit running or it would have been 6

Hakstol was an outstanding coach. Made playoffs virtually every year and frequently made frozen four. I never spoke with anyone, who had a clear understanding of coaching and winning at this level, who failed to understand that fact. The players I spoke with had the same opinion. This of course is a FB post. It makes no difference how I feel, but I don’t believe we will see a coaching change this year especially if we win the last two games. The only way I see a coaching change would be a unified player revolt against the present staff.

Lots of opportunities to use those big screens to improve game day experience, but advertising is money.