UND92,96

I was kind of expecting that Craig Smith might get the vacant Bemidji State job, but apparently not: link. Of course, I have no idea whether he even applied.

Here's a very interesting column on the problems with the UNO athletic department, with some pointed criticism of the school's administration.

What's wrong with this schedule? Where do I begin? First, whereas last year we had 11 home non-conference games, this year we have six. Second, whereas last year we played a couple of decent (certainly not great, but decent) RMAC teams at home, this year we play none. Plus, we made a trip to Metro State last year, but don't receive a return trip from them this year. What's up with that? And when four of the six home non-conference games are against current or recently departed DAC teams, are we as fans supposed to be happy with that? Finally, while UND men's basketball has seriously underachieved for years, it's not "horrible." Anybody with any knowledge of history knows what this program has achieved in the long term, and knows what its potential is. UND football was also way down in the 80's, but that didn't last, did it? I don't believe it's asking too much to be playing several upper division NSIC and RMAC teams every year, with roughly half being at home and half on the road. Keep the NAIA opponents to a minimum. And NEVER agree to play a dII team on the road without the guarantee of a home game the following season, e.g. Metro State.

Are we getting bumped from KFYR in favor of Mary? link.

Does anybody know whether Thomas Dryburgh is still coming to UND next year? Any word on other possible additions prior to next season?

Travis Brewster has resigned to take a job at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He's playing in Europe.

That's about as poor of a home non-conference schedule as I can recall. I had thought Metro State owed us a return trip since we played there last year?

Any word on Rion Rayfield and whether he may still come to UND?

So does this mean that there's a decent chance Bledsoe could actually be ready to go for next year, or is Jones just engaging in wishful thinking?:

I believe it closed somewhere around 1994. I know it was still open during the 1993-94 school year, but I don't believe it was open the following school year.

Per today's Herald, Jones is retaining Chris Johnson as one of his assistant coaches.

Herald article on the Jones hire. He stated one or two players could be added--I suspect possible transfers from one of the Iowa dI schools--and that Toronto could be a future recruiting territory for UND. Not a bad idea, IMO.

I'm willing to give Jones a chance. My big concern was the apparent demotion, but supposedly there is more to that story which mitigates things somewhat. If Mac and Jake vouch for him, then that's enough for me to give him a fair shot to prove himself. I'm not a big Alford fan as a coach, although I liked him a lot as a player, so the fact that Jones was an assistant (apparently a ways down the totem pole) on Alford's staff is not, in and of itself, all that impressive to me, but Jones is the new coach and deserves the support of the fans. It will be interesting to watch what happens with the Bemidji State opening. I have a feeling one of the coaches not selected for an interview at UND could get that job (Smith? Olson? Irwin?), which will make our games with them the next few years quite intriguing.

I wanted Smith, but would have been satisfied with anybody who has been a successful head coach at any level of college basketball, or a highly-regarded assistant from a good dI or dII program. For that reason, I am not opposed to Brown, but would have big problems with a Weemer or Jones hire. Most of the people I've spoken with feel the same.

I don't think any fans will direct their displeasure at the new coach. I can't say the same for Mr. Buning, however. If you hire a popular choice and it doesn't work out, then the a.d. shouldn't be and probably wouldn't be blamed. If you go against the wishes of most fans and alums in your hire and it doesn't work out, you've got big problems.

An Army man not taking a call from Robert Montgomery Knight, who got his coaching start at none other than West Point? But hey, who cares what the General has to say when you have Betty Ralston around to give advice? I don't think Knight has his Masters, either, so that could have played a role in not taking his call.

Unless somebody else gets selected for an interview, it appears a trend in hiring head coaches for major sports at UND will be broken. I believe you have to go back at least 36 years (Dave Gunther?) since a head coach with no real connection to the immediate area was hired in football, basketball or hockey. One could argue that there were a couple in women's basketball prior to Roebuck, but that wasn't a major sport here until he built it into one.

This quote was briefly discussed earlier today, but I'm surprised it hasn't drawn more discussion: Unbelievable.

Conducting a national search--good; Offering job and then retracting said offer to Herbst--bad; Strictly interpreting one of the "preferred" criteria so as to all but eliminate any candidate with strong local ties--bad; Choosing to interview a candidate who was apparently unable to find a collegiate coaching job last year, and who has a history of being a part of losing programs--bad; Choosing to interview a candidate who was recently demoted--bad. My expectations were to hire somebody who has either proven to be a successful college head coach (at any level), OR somebody who was an assistant at a highly successful program (preferably dI but can accept Brown because of Winona's recent success).

That's been attempted. Hence, the statement in today's Herald article by Wayne Nelson about the controversy of the process. I'm sure you read Buning's response.

Weemer's credentials consist of seven years as an assistant at Eastern Illinois, during which time they had a losing record for five of those seasons. Last year he was the head coach of a 13-15 high school team. I find it outrageous that somebody with those credentials could possibly be our next head coach.

If Buning meant exactly what he said, that's an insult to the vast majority of fans and alums who clearly disapprove of the candidates who were selected for an interview. What an embarrassment this process has been. I do want to give credit to Wayne Nelson for continually bringing up the support Craig Smith has in his articles. link. By essentially labeling Smith's backers as "not looking at the best interests of the university, the players and the future players we want here," Buning is coming across as either very arrogant, or very ignorant (or both).

With nearly 300 votes so far, 65% have chosen "someone else."

I agree 100%. If I were Buning, I'd politely tell Betty Ralston that her services are no longer required on this committee, and replace her with Steve Brekke and Dale Lennon. I trust those guys to not steer us wrong.