jdub27

Don't have a great answer for a handful of reasons. I think in Fargo, they just willed it into existence and hoped it would work out. Not uncommon for them and usually works out, though they are finally starting to see some effects of that with budget issues. Whether there is any real consequence to it is another story. Not sure how they were able to sell it in Brookings.

Biggest in the Dakota's....

Agree with the first part. The second part, UND didn't have its finances in a position it was feasible. And they were still not great when the move was made years later, which attributed to some initial struggles. At this point, at least in the last few decades, I am not sure UND has been in a strong financial position. Things are sitting very nice, went through all the pain a few years back. Not having to ask the state for 7-8 figure bailouts just for operations is a good spot to be in.

Last year UND lost plenty of talent to higher level schools. This year, it appears UND has been able to retain most of who they wanted to (1883 Collective is playing a nice part in that). Every program is going to lose players to lower level schools. Kids want playing time and realize they aren't getting it at the level they are at. Not sure at what point it becomes painfully obvious that on the field success doesn't even crack the top 5 of what is being looked at for FCS to FBS move-ups. The reality is what it is though. A larger shift that seems inevitable (even though people have been saying that for years now), will likely create an opportunity for the 4 Dakota schools. You can almost predict what the viewership for a game will be based on what channel, timeslot and other viewing competition is on at the same time. Number for the FCS championship game were great. But that's literally because it got a prime time slot, on the mothership, against no other viewing competition (finally away from the NFL playoffs). This year the Celebration Bowl has 2.1M total/2.6M peak vs. 2.4M total/3.1M peak for the FCS Championship. Last year the Celebration Bowl went against NFL games and drew 1.51M. 2022, no viewing competition and it drew 2.4M/3M, the same as this years FCS Championship game. You can look at bowl games and see the same trend. It is what it is. As for MWC: There aren't much for schools that are going to add more to the pie than they would take from it. Until someone can show that they are going to bring significant dollars to the media contract, the MWC may be done (for the near future). They now stretch across 4 time zones, which is great for their media partners.

They've managed to hold enough back to keep things going. Nowhere near what Rodgers did to SDSU this year. Bohl tried on the coaching staff front, but couldn't get Klieman. And the portal wasn't a thing back then. Klieman took a little and still does, but left quite a bit behind. Entz went off by himself and didn't comeback a year later when he got a new HC job.

If you think this is rock bottom, you have a short memory. The program was in significantly worse shape before Bubba took over.

The other option (other than doing nothing) was to make it so the practice court under the bleachers was no longer usable. Until UND/REA decides to build a practice facility (fingers crossed, someday), things aren't going to be perfect on gameday if you still want functionality for practice and every day use.

Ohio Valley, Horizon or Summit have all been specifically mentioned with Horizon the favorite of those. Not sure if MVC or anyone others are being looked at.

I was talking about ideas from the HC. On the recruiting side, as much as I didn't care for Bohl, even turning Wyoming into an average program is a huge accomplishment given how hard it is to recruit there. Hopefully some of those ideas come with Haug (though he won't be the recruiting coordinator).

Recruiting coordinator will be a big add to the staff that previously wasn't a full time position. Being able to bring ideas on how to do things from a top program in country should pay some dividends.

It's actually a pretty tame summarization. UND using his voiceover prediction for the highlights of the ndsu game last year might be one of the funnier things I've ever seen. Up there with the salty tears that came after.

There will be someone, but not him.

You'll have to excuse someone who's used to following a program who ignores state hiring guidelines, wings it and then (unfortunately correctly) assumes no one will ask any questions.

Directly from their beat writer.

Ooof. SDSU could be in a bad spot depending on who on staff and the roster goes with Rogers. Having Washington State recruit the MVFC footprint won't help things either. Does Stig come back for a year to try to salvage what he built and Rogers guts in two short years? While it is obviously real nice while it lasts, things can be undone in a real hurry in the current environment. Things can change fast (in a good or bad way).

Nice to keep a local kid around. He's been a solid transfer from day 1.

Not so fast.....looks like Pennington is back in the portal already. Sounds like Bouman is coming back. Meanwhile at UND.....

5 days after an athlete's season is done I believe.

Captain McNeil is locked in.

Wait, no DC....?

The rest of the staff.

Big week and still time to end the year even stronger! Get a few more onboard in the next week. Big things happening...

No argument. Darnold had outplayed his contact. Bad situation with dead cap money this year. But being able to build a team around a rookie (or very cheap) QB contract is a huge advantage. Problem is other guys will need to get paid as well. Something has to give somewhere.

Possible fallout from Jayden Denegal from UMichigan transferring in with 2 years of eligibility left? Not sure what their depth chart looks like with all the movement going on. Like seeing upgrades in competition at key spots! One more WR and a few on the D-side to keep it going!

Happily wrong on this one if it is accurate and he's the guy. Heard a few other names floated, but like I said, new HC has a good idea on how he would be for a fit.