UND92,96

Sorry to keep harping on attendance, but I think history has shown that at UND, once the coach of a revenue-producing sport loses a decent percentage of the fanbase, i.e. they stop attending games, he is let go shortly thereafter. It's happened before in hockey, basketball and football. Homecoming attendance has fallen roughly 33% since 2009, and is down to levels we have not seen (outside of an occasional bad weather game at Memorial) in many, many years. And there's little question that the last two home games will be the smallest crowds of the year, so the per-game attendance average will almost certainly be down from last year, notwithstanding the fact that this is probably the best home schedule we have ever seen. A coach somehow recovering from a situation like this may not be unprecedented, but it would be extremely rare.

I posted in this thread a month ago that homecoming attendance was going to be in the 7000's, and sadly I was correct. It's quickly getting to the point financially where Faison's hand will be forced. I shudder to even think about what will happen to season ticket sales next year if nothing changes.

Yes.

For what it's worth, I have read contracts for FBS coaches, and generally speaking the buyout isn't due in one lump sum. Rather, the terminated coach would continue to receive his monthly salary, but the salary of his next job would be deducted every month from the buyout. In other words, if Muss receives roughly $10,000 per month now, and his next job paid him say $5,000 per month, UND is only on the hook for $5,000 per month until probably June of 2015. It's still a fair amount, but it's also extended over time and relatively painless all things considered. I have certainly not seen Muss's contract, so I can't say with any degree of certainty that the above would apply to him, but my guess is that it does.

According to the UND bball prospectus, Stefan is seeking a waiver to play this year: https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf9/2545962.pdf?ATCLID=209274748&SPSID=58563&SPID=6388&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=13500

Just throwing this name out there: http://www.huskers.c...4&Q_SEASON=2013 Was once an assistant at New Mexico St., so I'm sure he and Faison know each other. Also was an assistant at St. Cloud St. from 1989 to 1994, so he's quite aware of what the UND program is capable of.

I don't care if the next UND coach necessarily has previous ties to UND, but I do hope he has ties to the traditional UND recruiting areas. I still think that might be part of the issue Lennon and company have had at SIU.

UND is ranked last in the Big Sky, and 87th overall, in the first GPI: http://www.collegesp...-With-NDSU-at-1

Tonight was the first volleyball match I've ever attended. I will definitely come back. It was a fun evening, and I was very impressed with the play of UND.

Muss is currently 29-29 in his career as head coach. You have to go back to the 1940's for the last time a UND head coach ended his tenure with a sub-.500 record.

Are there any recent examples of FCS schools firing coaches during the season, at least for reasons other than off-the-field scandals? Clearly it happens at the FBS level, but I honestly don't know how rare it is at lower levels.

I am going to disagree. After the EWU game at the latest.

This almost has to be the explanation--Faison doesn't think there are any viable options for interim coach. I still wouldn't bet on Muss coaching all 11 games this season, though. A loss to ISU, particularly if it's not even close, may be the last straw. And if not, a mostly empty Alerus for homecoming probably would be.

Greg Lotysz for interim head coach. He would command respect in the locker room.

I recall when Lennon's name was floated by some as a potential replacement for Babich.

I'll take your word for it, as I haven't researched their job histories. I do agree with your point about getting back to a power running offense and great run defense as the focal points of the program.

I'd be a little hesitant about hiring a coordinator coming off a two or three year stretch with exceptional talent, unless there's a track record of great success even with lesser talent. Case in point--let's not forget that Muss seemed like a lot better offensive coordinator than he ever was before when he was coming off two years of Dressler and Chappell.

On the other hand, the life of an NFL coach is not easy, and the job security is non-existent. Plus, never underestimate the fact that his wife is a GF native. I'm not sure this is necessarily as far-fetched as some may believe.

When I wrote this, I honestly never even considered the possibility of losing at Idaho St. on the week between MSU and EWU. If that happens--and let's face it, it very well could--things could end up being even worse than I feared attendance-wise.

Bump.

Maybe his dad could take a sabbatical from BSU and accept the interim job?

I'm guessing it's in the $225k range on paper. However, the contract probably has a clause whereby that amount is reduced by the amount he receives for his next coaching job, so it could end up being quite a bit less, particularly if he catches on as a dI assistant somewhere.

Probably the Johnny Bailey Texas A & I game of 1986, or an NDSU game of the same era.

UND gave up 65 at Stephen F. Austin in 2009.

He should be on the short list, along with Hazelton and a few others. I also think Faison has to at least give Tibesar a call.