UND92,96

Thanks, I needed that.

Sorry to bring up ancient history, but is this the same "points system" that resulted in Steve Weemer, who was the coach of a poor high school program at the time and is now out of coaching altogether, being one of four finalists to replace Rich Glas as basketball coach several years ago?

According to my 2013 directory of lawyers and judges from the State Board of Law Examiners, she is licensed. Not that it makes me any more comfortable with her advising Faison, if that indeed is the case.

Is Faison getting his legal advice from Julie Evans? This is getting quite frustrating. I had believed that 30 days was pretty much the absolute maximum this process would take, and even that is far too long compared to virtually any other state.

So of the 11 coaches originally listed by SFI as possible candidates, the only two who actually applied were Bubba and Pflugrad. I wonder how many others had informal discussions with Faison and decided not to apply...or maybe still will?

Buning.

Hiring a prominent athletic department position from West Point worked out so well the last time...

I don't believe that's an entirely accurate portrayal of the situation, but I guess we'll see what Faison thinks. Based exclusively on merit, Pflugrad clearly warrants an interview. If he doesn't get one, I don't think we will need to speculate too much as to the reason. That's not to say it's necessarily fair. There's just a good chance things will go down that way.

Yup, if Pflu is out, I don't see how Bleil can be seriously considered, either.

How did he end up in the midwest anyway? I believe he's from Connecticut or someplace, but has spent a long time in Minnesota and the Dakota's.

Kill made playoffs his last five years there. Made semi's his final season. He's a hero there. Crazy how much better Lennon did as a dII coach than Kill, though.

Unfortunately, coaching is very much a "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately?" profession. I still think Lennon is a great coach. I just don't think that was the right situation for him. It seemed like a good move at that time, though.

The problem is that he took over when the program was a perennial playoff contender. They just finished their fourth straight non-playoff season, and they have gone 5-6, 4-7, 6-5 and 7-5 since they last made the playoffs. Throw in how much he's making, and their fan base is decidedly unhappy. The "Fire Dale Lennon--2013 version" thread is at 65 pages so far on their message board.

Here is one of the new applicants: http://coachingroots.com/football/coaches/mike-cummings

Not that it necessarily impacts the UND situation, but it sounds like there could be another prominent FCS opening soon. EIU coach Dino Babers is being mentioned as a strong candidate for the Eastern Michigan job. John Wristen, who has been mentioned as a potential UND candidate in the past, was also linked to the EMU job.

I would have no problem with somebody new, but the problem is who? Pflu is the most qualified, but chances are very good Faison passes due to his real or perceived baggage. So then who is left? Marshall? Montana St. has been kind of an under-achieving program IMO, and failed to make the playoffs despite a lofty ranking most of the season. Most of the rest of the legit applicants are essentially journeymen. The only other candidate so far who might be intriguing is the guy from Florida Atlantic by way of UNI. I don't know enough about him to say whether he's the next-best after Pflu or not. I'm still hoping for Caruso or some other late applicant.

It's hard to say. Nielson is a very good coach, but on the other hand he was basically coaching Bubba's players. Would Bubba have done as well? Impossible to know, but I suspect he'd have won at least one title.

This is neither here nor there, but I can't help but wonder whether those guys ever expected to still be at SIU six years later? I always figured that job was viewed as a stepping stone for Lennon, and by extension his staff. In retrospect, I wonder if Bubba wishes he'd have stayed at UMD and quite possibly have gotten a couple of national championships of his own?

That is DeBoer. I'm actually surprised he hasn't applied yet. I think he may need to go the dII or dIII route if he wants to be a head coach again in the near future.

That's a good question. It would not surprise me if we don't officially hear a list of finalists like we always have in the old days. It seems almost demeaning to parade a candidate around to public meet-and-greet's and the like. That's not how it's done most places, and I hope we don't see it done here again. With that said, I think it's safe to say there will be leaks, and we'll probably hear who is actually interviewing on campus whether it's officially announced or not.

Latest from SFI: http://siouxfb.areavoices.com

I recall this being an issue during the search for a university president, as well. I really hope it changes in the near future, but am not particularly optimistic.

FCS Albany is paying their new coach $230k. I realize the cost of living is much higher in NY, but that seems like a lot for a program like that.

Depending on who else applies by tomorrow afternoon, I suspect Bill Bleil may get a serious look, as well. He's not my favorite candidate, but he is associate head coach for a Big 12 team, albeit not a strong one.

He has a lot of experience, but with a 2-22 career record as a head coach, it would be tough to get too excited about the prospect of him turning things around at UND: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Ianello