iramurphy

I think you miss my point. I said “if” you want one of their guys. I don’t, but for an old guy he has a pretty good resume. How many of his QB’s are in the NFL? His QB this year is a pretty good freshman. I don’t care how old he is as long as he can coach. One of our problems we have had at UND is we seem to have such a narrow focus. Too many people don’t look beyond the handful of coaches we have read about. To turn this thing around will take someone with a dynamic magnetic personality who can recruit not only players, but convince a staff of assistant coaches to come here to win championships. He will need to sell fans and boosters on his plan for success so they are all in. As important will be his ability to convince the new President and our alumni association staff of the importance of their support and active participation in the process.

He knows what works for them. 1yr as OC isn’t enough to bring him here until he can get a different job. His loyalty to everything yellow and green isn’t going to change. I doubt he would want the job. If you want one of their guys Hedberg might be a better choice. He has HC experience and is familiar with community, state and region. I would hope we would have options that we aren’t familiar with. Chaves has experience hiring and should understand what a successful program needs.

I would agree except I think Sanford built the new facility. The Fargo football only is not accurate. UND is certainly hockey heavy but not hockey only. I believe both of those opinions are flawed. I would hope the decision makers at UND don’t lose focus ( like we tend to do as fans). There is no reason to speculate about the OC, DC, STC, SC until we solve the leadership issue at the top. The University President and the Alumni Board of directors must believe in the opportunities intercollegiate athletics provide to UND. Whomever is going to be the new President, should require the support of the SBHE to include solving our athletic department challenges as one of the top priorities. They also need a commitment from the Alumni Association to make providing the necessary resources necessary to be successful. That will require thinking outside the box. Phase 2 of the HPC needs a focus on the Sports Med research opportunities that can make the project more attractive for grants and donations. There is medical research that can incorporate participation from the medical school, graduate programs, business, engineering, marketing and entrepreneurship. That is what a University is for. The AD needs to make clear to the President what resources he/she needs to be successful. I don’t care where the next coach comes from but hire someone who is a proven recruiter with the ability to motivate others to excel. That isn’t just his players and staff but also fans, and the UND alumni and community to such that they want to be part of the solution and subsequent success. If we are going to hold others accountable, we need to have a clear plan and expectations at every level from the President, to the support staff to the fans and beyond. If you don’t believe we can do this we can’t. Because most of us aren’t making the decisions, it makes it more difficult. If any of you didn’t take the opportunity to provide input as to what we need in the next President, then you have failed to help UND get to where we all want be. You can still do so by writing letters to the selection committee. You also need to demand better of our elected officials. Burgum is an anti-UND guy. He would like us to be a glorified on-line University with most on campus students having to go to Fargo. Let him and other elected officials know that is unacceptable. We have a lot of work to do.

He is/was and they are related. Its natural he will support this staff. It won’t make a difference as far as the decision to make a change.

I don’t think there is any reason to bring him in to this. He is an alumnus and booster with no more or less influence than other boosters. That is how it should be.

Not sure that is called for. Lowell doesn’t make the decisions. I’m sure he wants what’s best for the program. It’s natural for him, just like a lot of others, to believe these guys can be successful.

No. One of the biggest disappointments In Bubba tenure. No excuse for this debacle. Can’t spin it any other way.

We lost our edge in the early 1980’s recruiting players that looked good on paper. Why does anyone care if these guys are 6’2” or 5’11”? It doesn’t matter as long as they can play.

In fairness to all of the coaching staff I’m not sure we know who made the decisions at different points in the game. The head coach is ultimately responsible. The process of decision making starts over the winter and into spring ball and then fall pre-season etc. The entire coaching staff meets regularly to develop an overall philosophy based on personnel and then a strategy for each game. Obviously different for each game/opponent. Game film is broken down and studied by coaches and players and how we decide to attack each opponent is formed with input from everyone including players. Offensive play calling is usually the Off Coordinator with constant input from Off assistants and the QB. Same on Defense but head coach has veto power. QB has ultimate veto power with audibles. In the coaching box there is constant communication with other coaches including those on the other side of the ball. Often there is debate during the week before the game but also during the game as to offensive plays and defensive schemes. A good head coach will usually take responsibility for whatever his staff and players do even if he let them make the call or develop the game plan because ultimately he is responsible. To single out just one coach for what we don’t like is a bit simplistic in my mind. I’m not defending nor criticizing overall performance at this time but blame and credit go to the entire staff and team when warranted. Just my opinion.

No.

But when we can’t flip the field with our punting especially against a team that has proven they can move the ball, that can create momentum for the other team. I don’t think we were ever in a position to go conservative until the last possession at the end of the game.

Good points. Don’t forget, that series started with a false start penalty on a wide receiver. I think we were going to pass on 1st down. Those first 2 runs got us 31 yds. I didn’t like last run but I assume they were hoping Cam could make a big play with his speed. Again penalty makes a difference. The 2 series I didn’t like was QB keeper on 4th and short and the 3 run series before missed FG.

I don’t think so. He played and they threw to him at least 3 times.

Thompson had another 194 yds on 16 carries and 1 td. Max Gunderson was 6-8 for 97 yds and 1 TD. Max was one of recruits at UND game Sat. He is getting a lot of attention from SDSU and multiple D2 schools. I would project him as a LB, TE, DE or maybe SS. I would let him start college at QB if he prefers. Tough to evaluate as QB because DL doesn’t throw much.

You make a valid point. I think it went something like this: 1st series: pass 21 yds. Called back lineman downfield. Pass 9yds. Run 1 yd. pass 10 yds. (1st Dn). Run (Cam) -1. Pass Inc. Sack. Punt. Pass/Run 5/2. 2nd Series: (after turnover). Run 5yds. Run 8 yds. (td). 3rd series: Pass 6 yds. Pass 2 yds. QB run 6 yds. (1st Dn). Run 2yds. Pass 5yds. Pass to Boltmann Inc. Punt 4th Series: Run no gain. Pass 5 yds. Pass Int. 5th series: Run no gain. Run 2 yds. Run. NG. Missed FG. (This is the 3 run series most of us were frustrated with) 6th Series: Run 1yd. Pass 9 yds (holding penalty). Run 1yd. Pass. Inc. punt 7th series: Pass 4 yds. Pass Inc. Pass Inc punt Last series: Pass 5 yds. Pass 16 yds.(1st Dn). Pass 7 yds. Pass 4yds. (1st Dn). Pass Inc. 46 yd FG. Im not commenting on Bubba’s style one way or the other, but these are the second half plays. 3 key penalties and a terrible Interception slowed us down. Other than the 3 runs before the missed FG, I don’t see us going into a shell. Pretty good mix of run pass. If we clean up those unforced errors, I don’t think this game is close. We need to get better but there were a lot of positives.

On the other hand he did sign as an NFL free agent and made Washington’s practice squad.

The assumption that anyone who believes in what our coaching staff is trying to do “loves being average “ is ridiculous. A person’s opinion about a coach or program has nothing to do with ones personal ambitions and accomplishments. It’s another fans opinion. The fact that someone agrees with the Cal Davis coach that our kids were well prepared and well coached Saturday has nothing to do with what they are satisfied with. It doesn’t even mean they want Bubba as head coach. Why don’t you knock off the baloney. I would love to see the long list of the accomplishments of some of you experts. We are all just fans and your opinion is no more or less valid than anyone else’s until you start the rhetoric about people being satisfied with mediocrity etc. Then for many it isn’t as valid. The coaching staff we have and the players we have are just that. A lot of people didn’t like parts of the game or play calling and may be as critical as you are of Bubba. Most however, can do so without the unwarranted insinuations about others personal characteristics. Your criticism of coaching decisions is reasonable but you should be able to do so without the other bull$%!#.

Players are listening to our coaches. A player getting frustrated is different. I believe he heard his coach loud and clear. I don’t think he liked the three straight handoffs in the 4th quarter either. If he wasn’t listening to the coach he could have changed the plays in the huddle.

On the other hand, the Cal Davis coach was impressed with the UND coaching. Anyone who believes this was never a coach nor a team player. That attitude should get you benched at the HS or college level and likely cut or traded at the pro level. “Players weren’t having it” is baloney. Players were paying attention to coaches during timeouts and on sideline. If our program were to ever fall to a level where that attitude is tolerated we should drop the program.

Offensively we played well. We averaged over 5yds per carry. JJ seemed to pick his spots to be patient and find the seem and otherwise power for 1-3 yds. He also did a nice job of pass protection. Ket has a good game. He got to his reads quicker and he and RBs did great with their play fakes which gained some time for our receivers. He put the ball in some tight spots and scrambled out of trouble a number of times for some nice gains. He made a big mistake on the int. Weak pass needs to be out of bounds. It’s obvious why he started. Receivers only dropped 1 that I can recall. They did a nice job. One false start. Penalties hurt us more than play calling in second half. Lineman downfield and holding by WR stopped 2 nice drives. Look at play by play in second half and we were still doing run pass mix similar to first half. We overcame a number of penalties on our successful drives. They stopped us in second half. I didn’t like QB carry on 4th and short. JJ was picking up 1-3 yds when it looked like he didn’t have running room. Big mistake in 4th quarter to run straight ahead 3 times then try field goal. Defense did decent against run. Pass dec challenged by All American QB. He stuck ball into tight spots with decent coverage a number of times. Problems were no pressure on QB and missed assignments leaving receivers wide open too often. They dropped 4-5 balls by wide open receivers. They catch those, it may have been different. Special team problems continue with poor punting and inconsistent kicking. KO coverage, punt coverage, and no punt blocks all decent. Our KO return was decent. We didn’t have much opportunity to return punts. (They averaged 53 yds per punt). Exciting, entertaining game against ranked opponent with an All American QB is a good day. Hundreds of empty seats above concourse level between the 30’s. Considering the weather, student attendance fair. The kids who came and stayed for second half stayed in game. Ket and oline play like this, we clean up penalties and missed assignments this team can win any remaining games on the schedule.

All I can comment on was my game experience there. I would guess there are games they also leave at halftime. They didn’t seem to leave the Michigan game at halftime and they didn’t leave early when I attended a couple of years ago.

NDSU has a great tailgating turnout. Best overall experience for me is Camp Randall for a Badger game. Their “tailgating” experience starts over a mile from the stadium in all directions with homes and apartments along the way with gamesband barbecuing in virtually every yard and parking area. The students are in one end zone and they stay for the game. The band is a big part of the atmosphere. Multiple ingame traditions, the most recognized is the “Jump Around” between 3rd and 4th quarters. The Bucky Badger Song, and the Budweiser song sung by all fans including students. After every TD fans rock to “Hot time in Old Town Tonight” then On Wisconsin after the XP. Alma Mater after game and everyone knows the words. Halftime show by band is big part of the atmosphere. Pregame experience at Army-Navy game is a pageant that should be on every college FB fans bucket list. Post game singing of both schools Alma Mater as The Corps of Cadets or Brigade of Midshipmen respectfully standby is very moving. I have heard the Notre Dame experience is worth the trip and there are others. UND should send a team to multiple locations to see the possibilities.

I think your frustration is shared. Very few of us are able to give much more now, if any. Those of you who have kids or those of us who have grandkids and limited resources aren’t going to give UND an extra $500, $5000 etc when we might help a kid or grandkid or maybe have a building project at our church or businesses expansion etc. Make an appointment with whomever you want to communicate to and they will know who you are. Get a group of like minded fans and pledge to pool resources. 10 or 20 fans who don’t feel listened to can throw together $100-$500 per person and ask to meet with decision makers twice per year. Once to present a check and once to hear from the AD on how those resources are being used. $1000-5000 per year is usually welcomed. Having said that, you don’t need to give money to speak with University officials. You sound like a smart enough person to have ideas to share and a passion and interest in UND athletics that is important. Over 20 years ago I convinced Rob Bollinger to start a UND golf outing in our town. I believe it has raised around $200,000 since inception. UND officials no longer remember that but most important is the support for UND and bringing UND alumni and fans together. I certainly couldn’t have donated that kind of money but many golfers who have been attending this and similar events can now afford to give $1000 or more per year. We can talk to local students about attending UND or donate to our local high school scholarship programs for graduating seniors. My wife and I offer a scholarship to a graduating senior who attends UND majoring in Engineering. We can’t be involved in recruiting athletes but getting athletes classmates to UND occasionally helps a recruit make up their mind. The little things are important but one thing is for sure, if you don’t persist in your efforts then we all lose.

They aren’t going to put any discussion about staff changes in an email nor on paper nor should they. Discussion about an employee’s performance/job security is protected information. Be the first in line to make an appointment with the approach that you want to know how to help and then take the opportunity to share your frustration. Figure out how to be part of the solution. I knew Rudolph was out of his league the first year he was here. I expressed my opinion to Bubba. He listened, but didn’t seem to agree. If enough people express willingness to help solve our issues and take the opportunity to express our frustrations, the are much more likely to pay attention. When I spoke with Bubba, not that many people had turned on Rudolph yet.

That blueprint worked for them. UND FB fan hits the nail on the head. It takes a University President who recognizes the value of intercollegiate athletics to the University experience for students (getting more difficult each year to maintain their interest) and the importance of the exposure what the University does for area and regional businesses and organizations. It’s a great marketing tool to attract prospective students, attract collaborative interactions with businesses, companies and organizations both regionally and nationally and studies show success athletically leads to increases in donations. UND does not have the advantage of the size of Fargo Moorhead. So much of their “blueprint “ is dependent on support from many non NDSU alumni. Sanford Health has been a difference maker for NDSU as well as SDSU, USD, Augustana, Bemidji State etc. UND turned down the first $10 million offer and subsequently the millions that followed elsewhere. We need to review their blueprint but it will require leadership and our own blueprint that works for us.