GRAND FORKS - University of North Dakota freshman running back Otis Weah is off of the football team and his return to the roster is unknown.
The former Moorhead Spud has been ruled academically ineligible according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Weah's status at the university is in doubt because of his academic standing.
Weah had a tremendous spring for the Fighting Hawks and was being looked at as a potential feature back for UND for this upcoming season.. He played in four games in 2018, carrying the ball five times for 28 yards and scoring one touchdown. The four games was the maximum for a player to play in to maintain a redshirt and have four years of eligibility.
I don't disagree with your statement but they weren't talking about BB culture as it relates to fan interest nationally, they were talking about what it takes to win in BB at UND. That includes recruiting kids whose parents will drive by many other Summit League schools to get to Grand Forks or the kid from a warm climate who has never been to ND. It includes scheduling, playing an entertaining/exciting type of ball, being involved and respected within the community, etc.
Telephone interviews are taking place - it is going to be a tough decision for Chaves. Lots of great candidates.
Chaves continues to impress me - he recently spent some time with Gunther and on the phone with Glas trying to learn more about the UND BB culture and what type of coach is needed to get the program back where it was.
The Jacks picked up a good transfer today... https://www.omaha.com/neprepzone/recruiting/boys-basketball/winnebago-grad-david-wingett-transfers-to-south-dakota-state-from/article_cdfc8382-81af-5596-a0a6-57287441cd42.html
Two more:
WR Spencer Spaude, 6'5", 205, 4.8, Mankato (West), MN
DE Cade McDonald, 6'7", 240, Hudson (Hudson), WI (2 Star - 247) Has offers from USD & IL St
And two more:
Ath Josh Dunham, 6'4", 220, Lloydminster (Lloydminster), ALB Has offers from FL Atlantic, IL St, Kansas & MS St
RB Isaiah Smith, 5'11", 190, St. Louis Park (Benilde-St. Margarets), MN Has DII offer
Two new offers:
WR Tate Oglesby, 6'1", 165, 45, Maryville (Maryville), MO
DE Ben Belken, 6'3", 205, Eldridge (North Scott), IA Has offers from WIU, SDSU & UNI
I would think that Grabowski is mostly likely to stay. However, if the new coach wants to continue to have a foreign connection, Mihailovic may be retained.
That said, if the new coach doesn't have any UND ties, I wouldn't be surprised to see him bring in an all-new staff.
UND's Elite camps this summer are on June 20 and July 20. We may or may not get any commitments after the first camp (kids are still looking) but we usually see a handful of commitments right after the July camp.
I absolutely agree that the BB budget needs to be increased and that our assistants have been under paid but please consider the other reasons an assistant may choose to leave for another job!!!
IMHO, there are only 3-4 players from next year's likely roster that we can't afford to lose! Obviously, we can't lose 5-6 players or we would have a real numbers issue.