UND92,96

If true, I am extremely disappointed. I had considered it a virtual sure thing that Smith would not only get a phone interview, but would be one of the finalists. I'm guessing the finalists will probably end up being Johnson, Jaskulski, Fuller and possibly Gillespie. Unless Rico or Herbst get consideration, I doubt anybody with ties to the area will be among the finalists. When's the last time that happened for a high-profile UND athletic department job? I find it a bit ironic that if this "rule" were in place 20 years ago, Roebuck (who is on the search committee) would not have gotten his current job. It would be very interesting to know whether he agreed with Buning and Ralston on requiring five years of NCAA experience.

Herald article on the screening process to pare down the list of applicants. Both Terry Olson and Craig Irwin have applied. It's surprising how few current dII head coaches ended up applying.

I agree that this was very unprofessional. I had refrained from publicly commenting on this rumor until now because I wasn't positive that it was true. I am extremely opposed to Herbst getting the job, but I don't believe anybody should be treated in that manner. I hope somebody at the Herald has the guts to ask Buning to comment on this matter.

Five more applicants, including Rico Burkett and Mark Graupe. Fuller bio.

UND to play exhibition games vs. Indiana and Purdue next year. link.

Anything's possible, but whether Smith would be willing to be an assistant at anyplace other than a tournament-eligible dI school is questionable. What I'd love to see is Smith as head coach and Terry Olson as his primary assistant, but I realize the chances of that happening are probably slim. Olson is more experienced, and seems to be a good recruiter.

I agree. I think his only chance was to have been promoted without a national search.

And he was also sure that the transfer from Colorado State wouldn't have to sit out a year if she transferred to NDSU.

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