jdub27

I think this is even a stretch that the coaches would go this far to guarantee a kid, particularly someone this young, that they would be coming in a set year. More likely is he thought he was ready, the staff said we think you need another year (like almost all other kids) and he/his family didn't like the answer.

Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm. Best of luck to him.

Get a core group that is fully bought in and hope the rest will follow.

UND will now have 2 of the 3 finalists for the head coaching job on staff for next season. I think it is a solid hire with good connections. He spent last two years at Minot, so a bit of an upgrade for him. He had spent the prior 4 seasons at UW-GB.

Eh, that press conference continues to reach new levels of infamy. Pretty sure it was the annual schedule release press conference for multiple teams and it was unknown if NDSU was going to be on it. It was not a press conference held specifically to state UND was not playing NDSU. I won't pretend that RT didn't get some enjoyment out of that part of that and hindsight, the news probably should have been leaked prior to it, but what it actually was and what it has become over the years are two different things.

So is making up your own "facts" to try to make some point.

His declaration allows him to get his name out there, do some workouts and get a pre-draft "grade" that will give him an idea of where he might get drafted. He can then choose to stay in the draft or withdraw and return to college at that point.

More of this please!

Other than Rebraca, who went to Iowa and was a completely separate incident, how exactly has that worked out for the players that have transferred? A cursory glance says less minutes and less production on teams that haven't been much more successful.

Didn't put up huge numbers at NAU this past season but could be solid role player next year. Had solid numbers at Northern State the previous 3 seasons.

Ideally they would have scheduled the game two weeks earlier when they have an open date. Maybe the logistics didn't work but they had a chance to fix it when the first game that was scheduled for October 30 against Dixie State was canceled. Would have been nice if they could have used that as a chance to fix the date.

I think he's proven that. At least to a point. Probably took some reaches in a few spots due to unplanned openings and JuCo's are always a roll of the dice. But back to back FPOY is pretty decent (though it'd be nice if all the playing time wasn't out of necessity). And absolutely no one, including the staff or AD is saying that it is OK. But a new coach isn't going to change it. So let's work with the really good coach we have to solve the problems. Now, I don't know what the answer is, but he/we need to find a way to retain the talent he is recruiting. In the two high profile cases, it wasn't lack of playing time. In fact, it was probably too much playing time that was the undoing. Again, one was a player who felt like he should have been somewhere else in the first place and someone got in his ear that he could. 8th in the CAA doesn't sound super exciting but to each their own. The other was talked into coming home, likely to play with his brother, to a team that didn't believe in him a year ago. Try before you buy for them I guess. Yes, other coaches are facing similar issues and it isn't likely to get a ton better. But it is easier to retain when you're winning. Though look 70 miles south and see a few pretty interesting departures. Or players that were "done" but actually were just "done at NDSU". I do think you need some sort of leader on the team that holds everything together. Not easy to find, but a guy like Q seems to fit that mold. I think there's someone coming in next season that has that extra attachment to UND and might be able to carry that torch. Or maybe it is just wishful thinking on my part.

I honestly don't see how a new coach immediately changes the transfer portal problem, which is literally the root of what is causing the issues right now. I believe that Sather has the backing he needs from the AD to continue his process (and I fully agree with it). He is an excellent coach and can build a program. I really don't know how you prevent outside people getting in the ear's of the players you are using to build the program (looking specifically at Ihenacho and Bruns). I'm not sure anyone has the answer right now either. Similar things are happening at all the Dakota schools, the problem is UND is just at a bad spot in the cyclical nature of things right now and its becoming tougher to dig out of that hole. One player felt he should have had bigger and better offers. UND invested a lot of time getting the person eligible at the D1 level. They were rewarded by him bolting to "something bigger and better" the first chance they had. Another was completely ignored by their local schools. UND gave them the playing time immediately to show how they were mistaken. It was used against them and that player was talked into coming to play back home. I don't necessarily think that changes with a new coach. What are they going to offer? It isn't more playing time or a bigger role. Those players already had all of that.

Looking back, it might be possible that Learfield doesn't assist UND in TV broadcasting, they just assist with the radio side of things and marketing. I can't find anything on the contract between UND and Learfield. The press release with UND extending their relationship with Midco also doesn't reference Learfield at any point, however the radio broadcast side of things did. The relationship UND has with Learfield is a little bit goofy due to UND not having full advertising rights nor ownership in the majority of the buildings the compete in.

Not sure if this was posted prior but it appears UND has signed a home/home with Idaho for 2027/28. https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/general-counsel/contracts/football/2022-409-university-of-north-dakota.pdf

But wouldn't Learfield be the one who handles all of this instead of UND? I don't recall how long UND's contract with them goes but I assume this is a big part of what they are being paid for.

Most RFP's are sent out directly to those who someone is seeking a proposal to. If one wanted to get their hands on it, FOIA would be the ticket. But I would be surprised if they put the actual RFP out for public consumption. Unless of course you're just talking the basic info that is up for bid similar to what was in McFeely's article. In that case, probably looked at as a minimal concern to put the info out there until (if?) any change is made.

More so because of NDSU handles the free Covid year. Nelson, Skunberg and McKinney will be true juniors next season (have played and used two years of eligibility) but NDSU chooses to subtract their free Covid year on the roster. They are still shaping up to be a pretty young team depending on what they bring in to replace the losses though.

Sounds like Holm will be participating at the UofM pro day today.

Probably pretty split. Cook started 32 games and played 26 minutes/night. I doubt they were expecting him to leave. MHH played almost every game and would have easily saw 20+ minutes/night next season. Don't think that was in the plans either. Guy and Haman likely weren't going to see the floor much, though Guy did average 12 minutes/game and there isn't exactly a go-to point guard on the roster. Griesel is interesting. I think it was obvious that he didn't plan on another year in Fargo, but the assumption was he was headed to German to start his pro career. Sounds like he hasn't actually shut the door on playing another college year but made it clear it won't be for NDSU if he does. Maybe looking to play back home for Nebraska or Creighton?

100% a requirement of the talent. They tried fixing it by allowing up to 4 at a time. Some of the adjustments they made from Luke Combs/Eric Church worked. Some didn't.

I agree with almost everything you said and I'm not saying it is or isn't the case, but just my thoughts on it from conversations I've had.

If I had to guess, it is being put aside so if/when UND takes it over in 2030 there are actually funds available to take care of upkeep. NDUS has a pretty good track record of running up deferred maintenance.

No different than any other venue in the area. Fargodome has similar problems for concerts and NDSU football with not getting people in quick enough. They wanted to open the doors up earlier and weren't allowed to.

You'd think there would still be plenty of minutes for him. UND isn't exactly bursting at the seams with post players.