UND92,96

I look at this situation somewhat similarly to what we saw after RT took the UND a.d. job in 1999. You had the in-house candidate (offensive coordinator Randy Hedberg), and the popular ex-defensive coordinator (Lennon). Now, we have the in-house candidate (Mussman), and potentially the popular ex-defensive coordinator (Tim Tibesar). I'd like to see history repeat itself with this hire. I believe this is too important of a decision not to open things up to outside candidates. Yes, that may have an adverse effect on this year's recruiting class, but that's a small price to pay in the long run. I mean no disrespect to Mussman, but he's apparently been trying for several years to land a head coaching job, and he's not been able to do so. If that's true, it concerns me.

Per today's Herald, Kyle Cavil has committed to UND. Also, the Haugeberg commitment is confirmed. [url="http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=62097

I think some legitimate questions can be asked about Ralston's ability to work well with people and make good decisions. Her supposed expertise is volleyball, and how has that hire worked out so far? I believe she was also responsible for a very poor finalist for the men's basketball job (the fired Eastern Illinois assistant who was coaching in high school when he applied for the UND job).

I've heard the same. No offense to Mussman, but I think it would be a big mistake not to talk to Tibesar. He seems like the ideal candidate.

I really liked what Bledsoe showed late last year. He was hurt to start the season, which I think has really affected him. Anyway, it's true that the Sioux haven't proven anything yet, but by the same token, they haven't proven they can't contend for a playoff spot, either.

Let's say for the sake of argument that Mussman does go with Lennon to SIU, along with Bubba. Let's also assume Tibesar says thanks, but no thanks. Then where does UND look? Tesch? Sawyer from Winona? Some recently-fired I-A coordinator who has had success in the past, a la what NDSU did when they hired Bohl?

I wonder what a coordinator at Southern Illinois will make? In the neighborhood of $100k?

I'm listening to KNOX right now, and thank God we're getting advice from the infamous "Gary the Bison fan". What a tool.

If I understood Brekke correctly, "internal candidates" will start being interviewed early next week.

That seems to have been all-but-confirmed with the statement in Wayne Nelson's Herald article today to the effect that multiple sources have said that Lennon's replacement would be hired from within.

It's all relative. Southern Illinois is a good job, but it certainly takes a backseat to multiple other schools in Illinois. I just didn't see this coming at all. I don't think many did outside of the Lennon household.

I believe he was making just over $100,000 at UND, so his salary is nearly doubling. That's pretty substantial.

Frankly, with the goings-on in the football program, I've lost most of my interest in arguing about the state of the men's basketball program, but a couple of points: 1. I don't know how you can say UND has "questionable shooters" when they're shooting 51% from the field, and 40% from behind the 3-point line; 2. I don't believe UND has a short bench. Bledsoe and Koenig are among the leading scorers on the team, plus Harrison, who has a lot ability (although he hasn't produced like I thought he would) and a nice role player in Porter. I agree that the post defense will likely be the team's achilles heel, but aside from USD and perhaps Mankato so long as Santos is in the game, I don't know that there are too many teams in the NCC in a position to really exploit that weakness.

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Bubba is the defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois next year.

I suspect we'll find out pretty soon.

I suspect Harmeson will be largely responsible for hiring the new coach. I tend to think Mussman is probably going to get the job because he's been assistant head coach for a few years, and it would provide for some continuity. The wild card is Tibesar. He'd be taking a paycut, but he'd have better job security and with a young child, it may be attractive to get out of the high pressure, big business world of I-A major conference football. Also, his brother is on the team right now for whatever that's worth. I definitely think Harmeson should be on the phone with him today to gauge whether he would have any interest.

Mussman? Bubba? RT? Tibesar? (a longshot) Who are some other obvious candidates?

I'm speechless. I absolutely never expected Lennon to leave for another FCS job. I guess there was more to his flirtation with the Montana State job than just a strained relationship with Buning. Now I'm not sure there's any realistic alternative but to promote Mussman. If not, we could be looking at having to hire an entirely new staff.

Can we at least wait until UND has played some NCC games before we proclaim them no better than a fourth-place NSIC team? You can't just look at one game in isolation--in this case the UND vs. Northern game--and draw definitive conclusions about how good or bad teams are. I think Jones more or less has the UND program on the right track. I would have liked to have added a bit more immediate help in the off-season, but in general the team has been playing pretty well since the awful 0-3 start. I have no problem criticizing the scheduling, but I think you're off-base if you think the team is under-achieving right now. BTW, excuse me if I'm not super impressed with Southwest. They won at home vs. Augie and a suddenly struggling SCSU team (who lost by nearly 30 at Mary), and won on the road vs. a pretty bad UMD squad. I think UND can and will do the same. As for Northern, I will give them credit for having won at Augie and at Southwest. Of course, they also got smoked by 27 on their home court by Winona, so who knows how good they really are? Not sure how you can "guarantee" that they're better than last year at this point. That seems as premature as saying UND is no better than a fourth-place NSIC team.

Someone on the northdakotapreps board is reporting that 6'3", 293 pound Minot offensive lineman Mitch Haugeberg has committed to UND.

UND can't compete with Northern? Since when? The Sioux are 6-4 vs. Northern since 1998, and obviously that time period hasn't exactly been the glory days of UND men's basketball. UND nearly beat Northern last year in GF (lost by four in OT), and I doubt Northern is that much better this year than they were last year. Northern also very nearly lost at home to Jamestown, who definitely isn't that good. I think it was probably a fluke that Northern struggled to beat Jamestown and Black Hills, and I think it was a fluke that they beat UND by as much as they did. And Concordia-St. Paul? Please. They lost to UMC at home, and are just 1-3 vs. the NCC. I'm not sure why you think UND is so bad. Winona is better, but IMO UND, Northern and Southwest State are all pretty comparable.

It's kind of interesting that Montana State's leading scorer is a transfer from Lake Region--Rebecca Mercer. I recall thinking a couple of years ago that UND should have recruited her, but I have no idea whether or not they did.

I understand your frustration with regard to the home schedule. It's been bad. But at least UND is beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Obviously that hasn't always happened over the past several years. As for how UND would do in the NSIC, I'd say probably second or third. I think the Northern game was a bit of an aberration for a couple of reasons. One, it was on the road shortly after a long and difficult trip to Colorado. Two, the new offensive scheme simply wasn't being run very well at that point. I think UND would beat Northern if the two teams played now at the Betty, but I guess it's a moot point. In terms of athleticism, UND is probably as good or better than anybody in the NCC or NSIC. It's the lack of size and interior scoring that will likely prevent them from reaching the post season.

UND has apparently offered running back Bradie Ewing from Richland Center (WI): link. I'd be very happy if UND gets either Ewing or Mitch Sutton, as both appear to be very good running backs.

Do you really think Lennon hasn't had multiple opportunities to move on since 2001? Remember Montana State last spring (for example)?