jdub27

Pretty sure the state changed the rules on what has to be released for that. Maybe finalists only or something? Even then, a decision will be made before any FOIA request is fulfilled. Because he's a professional and handling things in the right way. And people notice that. Here is his quote on it:

I wouldn't put that as anywhere near a guarantee. And as much as I like the current OC, I want the new HC to build his own staff.

Must be targeting a lower level if he's going to play 2 more years. If he dropped to a part-time student this semester, it wouldn't count against his D2 eligibility clock.

I'd be curious on what the criteria looks like this time vs. last time. The minimum requirements are all pretty standard outside of the 8 year requirement. Preferred requirements don't mean a whole lot, but it does make it easier to weed out applicants.

No argument on what he accomplished at EWU. It is the last statement (along with lack of ties to this region) that has me concerned. I would assume that his connection to the AD is the only reason he's being mentioned as a candidate (which is a fair reason he is being included). Fair to say something similar about Schmidt, his connection to UND is likely the only reason he would even consider it. Still think his time away, a very successful run under DeBoer, is a huge positive.

And what connections does have to recruiting the Midwest where all those lineman are? Hasn't Vigen just brought a MVFC flavor to Montana State instead of trying to adjust to the Big Sky?

This is the way. This isn't going to be an internal hire of someone on staff. And whoever it is, is likely bringing in pretty much a whole new staff.

Seems like someone who learned with him/under him for 8 years and would likely get his endorsement should at least be considered. He did but wanted to call plays. My question on him is how has he been at Bemidji since 2000? What ability/connections would he have to fill out a staff? I don't know what their roster looks like but what does his recruiting experience look like. Definitely an intriguing name and every candidate is going to have some questions on their resume, those are just the ones that stick out to me.

I think he's an option. I also think by naming an interim, this is going to drag out longer than any of us want and they don't know who the guy is yet. I am hoping I'm wrong and it moves fast regardless of who it is. But I'm concerned the longer it takes, the more damage is done.

I guess you got it all figured out. Might as well announce it tomorrow.

So you're choices are someone who's in their 50's, his best years were a decade ago and has struggled since or someone who has been at the same place since before any current players were even born (2000, which is honestly unreal in a multiple of ways). Again, both are worth consideration but they sure aren't hitting your self imposed criteria of up and comers or someone who is moving up the ranks quickly and would look to do the same at UND.

Not even close to accurate. If Schmidt didn't have connections to UND and there was an opportunity to look at someone with P5 coordinator experience from a team that was in the semis for the CFP, turned down going to the SEC in order to further their career and now are looking for a HC job, I would hope that is someone that would be a serious candidate.

I'd argue the connections to put together a young and hungry staff pretty significant in favor of Schmidt but whatever. Having people at UW and Alabama to reach out to is a few steps above Cal and ASU. As for his time at Cal, bad offenses (that he oversaw) were all of that: In Baldwin's second season at Cal, the Bears’ offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams. As the offensive coordinator for California, the Bears finished the 2017, 2018, and 2019 football seasons with the 11th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Yards Per Game. During those same seasons, the Bears finished with the 10th, 12th, and 12th ranked offenses respectively out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 Conference in Total Points Per Game under Baldwin's offensive leadership. Again, he's a viable candidate. But his recent track record isn't very good and he's approaching the tail end of his career (so not looking for a stepping stone like people are clamoring for). Definitely not a slam dunk.

He's a viable candidate, but Baldwin has been in the downslide since he left EWU. His offenses at Cal and ASU were atrocious and his stint at Cal Poly was a dumpster fire. He is 52 and definitely not on a current upswing. Not saying with the right resources he couldn't be successful again, but he's almost a decade away from the last time he was actually successful. If he's interested, he'll get a look because of his connection to the AD.

That's a fine opinion to have because neither of ours matey a whole lot in the grand scheme of this. I think his connections, ambition and success outweigh that. It isn't everything but being able to fill out a staff with quality coaches who have had success at a high level is important to success. It also won't be the only box that needs to be checked. I assume you mean head coach at the college level, which is a fair ask, but right out of college, he was a high school head coach for a few years. Decades ago and a different level, so doesn't mean much and doesn't change make him any more or less qualified, just a footnote on his past.

Schmidt has been gone long enough and developed enough connections at the highest level with his stops that I think there would be less UND ties to his staff than one would think. If they are going to move quickly (as they should), curious how that time line would effect some of the names thrown out here.

It's pretty easy to tell.

One voice on the hiring committee.

Who said the head coach didn't have any responsibility? It's his program. But you avoided the answer on why a coordinator has none and if the unit they are responsible for is under performing to the degree they were, they are somehow a scapegoat.

Regardless of what happens with the HC, in what world is the head of this year's defense a scapegoat? Or the old OC? No responsibility for those positions?

He wasn't fired. And I have a tough time buying the REA and an almost brand new turf field is worse than the local high schools but I digress on that I guess. Some of the other coaches would be in the same position if their contracts were up as well. Volleyball inherited a mess and the coach is still on his first contract trying to fix it.

Going to be the wild west in the portal with all the FBS kids that will likely be forced into it with the roster caps. Hopefully kids are getting sound advice before making decisions, whatever they choose.

Take the info however you want but: Nielsen obviously turned it around the last 2 years, but previously, he has had a 4 game losing streak (to end a season), 5 of 6 to end a season, two 3 game losing streaks in one season, lost 3 in a row to end the covid season before finishing 1-3 and then went 3-8 before having very solid showings the last 2 years. Stig's first 10-15 or so seasons at SDSU wer very average (and looks very familiar). Expectations were likely different for SDSU at the time during D2, transition and early D1 days.

Payton comes in as a gadget player and rarely throws the ball. He's a huge contributor because he's a really good athlete and makes a difference with his legs.

Softball was also playing out of Apollo with literally nothing for facilities until this year. Expectations of that program will be different going forward. Soccer plays out of the REA and the entire field was renovated in 2018.