UND92,96

I don't believe Steve Hallstrom has the greatest track record as a prognosticator, but he's predicting Kupchella is going to elect to remain division II. link.

I think his chances are pretty decent, but I certainly don't pretend to know what Buning is looking for. Of all the applicants, I think Smith would be the most popular choice, but it's hard to say whether that will have any effect on Buning's decision making. If the decision were made strictly on who has the best resume or who has a lot of division I experience, then he won't get the job. But he does have a lot of intangibles going for him, and a strong local connection that has worked quite well in the past (Lennon, Hakstol, Roebuck, Gino, RT, Blais, etc.)

Sweeney also reported on the WDAZ sports that Smith has applied.

I'd prefer somebody young and enthusiastic, and who is familiar with what it's like to live in the Dakota's, Minnesota, or a similiar upper midwest state. Just as it would be tempting for a young coach to want to move onto a bigger program, it would be tempting for a coach of any age unfamiliar with our climate to want to move south or west at the first opportunity if he doesn't completely understand what it's like to live in this part of the country.

Herald article on eight more applications received. Gillespie bio. Of course we don't know who else might apply prior to May 10, but considering the applicants so far, would Smith be considered a strong candidate if he applies? Personally, I still think he would be.

I'm not sure there's any specific last day to apply, but if screening will start May 10, and Buning wants a coach hired by May 20, I'm thinking anybody serious about wanting the job better have his application in by early next week, unless Buning backs off his comments about wanting a coach hired by the 20th. I agree that at this point, there's no compelling reason to have a coach hired by May 20.

Herald article on more applicants. Moorhead's Stu Engen is the first local college coach to apply. Jaskulski bio. I kind of expect the next coach to be a little younger, but with his experience I think he'd probably warrant an interview.

I am not a I-AA football expert, but Jacksonville State plays in the Ohio Valley Conference, which is one of eight I-AA football conferences that receive an autobid. Are you positive they're non-scholarship? I don't believe they are.

Both the games I mentioned involved teams which were in the playoffs in their respective divisions the year the game was played. Whether Montana State and/or Jacksonville State are considered prominent or elite is in the eye of the beholder, but clearly they were good I-AA teams during the year they lost to good dII teams.

Central Washington over Montana State in 2002, and North Alabama over Jacksonville State in 2003.

If that's the case, then of the current applicants, I'd say only Johnson and Grant would warrant interviews.

Herald article on the applicants so far. It's interesting that besides Herbst, none of the coaches whose names have been thrown around both here and in the media (Smith, Olson, Burkett, Billeter) have applied yet. Grant bio; Jones bio; Johnson bio; Kelso bio. Kelso lost his job when Kansas State made a coaching change. McCormick resigned under pressure at Arkansas Tech after this past season. Of the applicants so far, I'd say Johnson would be my top choice. He has a 106-40 record (.726) at Fort Hays, including 27-4 this past year. Of the dI assistants, it looks like Grant has the best resume. I do tend to still lean towards Craig Smith, if he applies. I wonder if any of the candidates applied due to Buning having contacted them?

Or the Peaceful Gardeners. We could "cultivate" a rivalry with the UC-Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.

McFeely [url="http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=125501

I did read the article, and yes, it is quite ironic!

I knew a school was under no obligation to release a kid from an LOI, but I thought it was newsworthy due to the fact that Rayfield's father was quoted in the Herald article as saying UND would release his son. Where he got that idea, I don't know.

Apparently UND hasn't granted Rion Rayfield a release from his letter of intent after all. Thanks to wcbsas for finding this article: link

I agree. I think it's common knowledge that Smith won't be at Mayville State much longer, as he's clearly destined for bigger things. Without knowing who else is interested in the UND job, I can't say whether or not Smith should be considered a leading candidate, but on the surface it sure seems like he should get strong consideration. And that's why I am so perplexed if Buning hasn't contacted him already. One thing is certain--Smith doesn't shy away from a challenge. He would not have taken the Mayville position as his first head coaching job if he didn't have a lot of confidence in himself. If one believes the numbers reported to the federal government, Mayville State's total men's basketball budget is less than $45,000, so to win at such a small school in such a small town with such a small budget is incredible.

If it's true that Buning hasn't been in contact with probably the most popular local candidate (at least according to the Herald poll), I find it puzzling, and a bit unsettling. If I were the a.d., I'd have been in contact with Smith and at least a few other candidates immediately upon hearing the news of Rich Glas's resignation, if not sooner. Unless Buning really wants to hire Herbst but didn't think it politically wise to do so without at least going through the motions of a national search, I can't see the logic of not yet having contacted Smith, among others.

Another article referencing Mr. Morrison: link.

I doubt it's true, unless the Mesa State game is off (which wouldn't be a bad thing, IMO).

The job is now posted. I'm curious as to what sort of salary is contemplated, but unfortunately it only indicates that salary will be "commensurate with experience."

For whatever it's worth, with 612 votes, the results of the poll are: 54% Craig Smith 25% somebody else 15% Randall Herbst 6% Terry Olson Also, here's a brief Kevin Fee article on the expected level of interest in the job, and some of the potential candidates.

Somebody started a poll on the Herald site about who the next coach should be. link. Craig Smith is the current leader.

It's very interesting that in one sense, this Glas situation is unsatisfactory to everyone who has any interest in UND men's basketball--those who are staunch Rich Glas backers, and those who want him out. Those who back Rich 100% evidently feel he's being forced out and has no choice but to take another job, and those who want him gone don't appreciate how long it's taking to announce that he's leaving so that the search for a new coach officially begin. I happened to catch part of the Swygman and Hennessy show this morning, and although I didn't hear all of it, it seemed pretty clear that they were of the opinion that Rich didn't deserve the heat he'd been getting from fans in recent years. In so many words, it was equated to the situations of Gino and Gunther. I believe Tim said something to the effect that "this institution will chew you up and spit you out." But is UND any different from other schools that have a passionate fan base? I don't believe so. The bottom line is that if you're a coach, you know that you need to win, or eventually you'll be fired/forced out. And the higher the expectations are--based upon resources and past success--the more you need to win. Rich simply hasn't won enough the past 11 years. Certainly there have been some circumstances beyond his control, but neither can he be considered blameless for all the embarrassing losses to schools like UMC, Minot State, etc., and late-season collapses. This move is good for all involved. I just wish it wouldn't have taken roughly three weeks between the time the rumor first surfaced to the time when Rich announces he's leaving.