jdub27

Significantly different than forcing a change or doing something Bubba was against. Of course it was discussed with Chaves, no one has claimed anything different and I don't think a coach is going to let people go without discussing it with his boss. But there was no ultimatum or taking the choice out of the head coach's hand and forcing him into something. Hell, the offense was actually running pretty well through the Sac St game and then cracks started to appear against Weber, who is a good defensive team. Despite some issues, not sure how anyone could have really argued for a change until after Idaho at the earliest and that was when they were shorthanded and still on a path to the playoffs. For the record, I fully support the changes made and were the exact ones I predicted when the season ended.

Yeah, this narrative isn't accurate. The call was Bubba's, the AD isn't micromanaging the staff of his head coaches, he's letting them own their decisions.

I don't disagree but since you want to get into detail about the game situation, then you need to take into account the odds off UND actually converting those 2 yards with how the game had been going to that point and how the defense had been playing. The O-line was being pushed backwards the whole game and the QB/RB were being met by multiple defenders in the backfield pretty much every snap. I'm not saying I agree with the decision to punt (I would have used whatever 2 point conversion play they probably had in their back pocket) but I also see why the coach had zero confidence in actually converting on it and opted to punt considering NAU had 1 first down in their last 8 possessions.

Right or wrong, when you feel like your defense has a better chance of scoring than your offense, sometimes it is OK to punt. That issue has hopefully been addressed. UND attempted 14 4th down conversions this year, I'm thinking the conversion rate of 36% is why he opted to punt more than some care for.

Yes. Bubba said the OC will have considerable input on the hiring of OL (and presumably now the WR coach). Will be interesting to see what names come up.

3 years experience coaching WR's and currently on staff at D1 Robert Morris. Not unrealistic at this point...

Or they can use their redshirt year to sit out if they want to transfer. Double edge sword.

Quickly has become one of my favorite sports to watch in person. Non-stop action. Helps that we've been above average for the most part.

Looking at that honestly and given the estimated salary, which on that list do you think is actually realistic? If you can get an FBS position coach, they will have to come from a G5 school and that's a stretch. Experience in play calling will likely be questionable but still might see one or two. Unlikely to pull an FCS coordinator. Position coach is more likely here and will be a chunk of the pool Might be able to find some DII coaches that are making less and willing to move up. Getting some young DII coordinators is probably the sweet spot and very plausible. Just want to set some realistic expectations on what the candidate pool might look like. I could be completely wrong, but that's how I see it. Doesn't mean there won't be good candidates, just means it might not be the pool some expect.

It's a tough to sell WR recruits on playing for a run-first offense? Wanzek was a diamond in the rough and I'm pretty confident Maag was an absolute steal is and is going to be an absolute monster the next few years, you know, assuming they can get him the ball.

Exactly. He has 3 years left on his contract, which means he probably 2 years to show some tangible, consistent success or he's out of a job. I don't think he's taking this hire lightly.

I voted and paid for a Wellness Center that I have never stepped foot in. Everyone was aware of the cost and build out time but there was support because it was a betterment for future UND students. No different than this project.

How about 2001-2006, which is how long he was OC there? Bubba specifically cited how tough his offenses were to play against for one of the reasons he was hired. Again, it didn't translate for whatever reason, but it was the experienced, outside blood that you seem to be pushing for. Didn't have D-1 experience, but unless you're looking to move a position coach from a D1 school to your OC, it probably isn't going to happen (and there is a candidate that fits that bill already on staff). Regardless, I'm starting to get the the feeling that you aren't going to be happy regardless of who gets the position.

Disagree. He was a successful OC at St. Cloud and in fact that was part of what led Bubba to selecting him (it didn't translate, no need to hash that out). He was average as a head coach but came with 20+ years experience as a HC and OC. So he had experience, success calling plays and was new blood. Sounds like he'd check off a lot of boxes that people are clamoring for. Which makes my point that these "requirements" people are throwing out are pointless, there is going to be examples of success and failure with every requirement. Find the best person for the job, even if that means an internal promotion.

Embarrassing that some of those people are allegedly UND students or alumni.

Rudolph was new blood. Bringing someone from the outside just because they are from the outside doesn't guarantee anything.

I'm sure meeting and then marrying a native Grand Forks girl along with coaching at your alma mater plays a part in having a bit more patience than one would normally have.

Probably fair to point out that the OC who was just let go had a history of success in his stint as OC at a D-II school as well and that it doesn't mean it will translate.

I'd be fine with that. Young, energetic, open to new concepts and not stuck in a certain way. Also understands the QB position very well.

11-20 for 179 and 2 TD is the best performance you have seen in the last 4 years? Come on...... I get you're a big AZ fan by all your posts and you apparently have some sort of grudge against the staff (maybe just a coincidence to the first part) but not even close. I actually think AZ (or Boltman) probably could have provided a spark in the last game as he has a tendency to take chances and what they were doing wasn't working but then again, when you have 3-4 defenders in your face before you've even completed your drop-back or hand-off, it doesn't really matter who's under center. And just because the recently removed OC said the QB's were neck and neck doesn't mean all coaches felt the same way or that it was anything more than coach-speak.

True, but it saves you $150-200K in a future year not having to pay a guarantee. Just seems like a complete waste of an opportunity to get a W and a future home game with the extra game. My thoughts on an OVC or Southland team is that it should be a win yet still a bit better than a non-scholly.

Chaves stated on his podcast that they are leaning towards staying at 11 games for next year. My opinion: Terrible idea. There is 6 home games so schedule the away portion of a home and home with someone like a Southland, OVC or even a Big Sky team that isn't on the schedule. Gets you a good shot at a win and gets a decent team to the Alerus in a future year. 7-5 looks better than 6-5.

The athletic department is in the middle of trying to raise $30+ million. They aren't going to drop over $400k to buy out a coach 2 years early regardless of what ultimatum random fans make. I also don't see a regression coming but that's just me.

Agree 100%. Maybe it is a fine line, but "not having the stones" to go for it is not the same thing as not having faith in your offense to convert. If you've lost that much faith in your offense, the changes today are no surprise at all.