UND-FB-FAN

I mentioned him earlier on. He’s a position coach in the CFL (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Baldwin). Have to imagine he’s at least contacted and wouldn’t be surprised if he applies. I’d be seriously intrigued, as he is a former FCS national champion coach.

No question UND needs to properly fund the program, but the way all things sit right now, UND head coaching job is actually comparable to San Diego State defensive coordinator job. Both (Schmidt and Tibesar) are well spoken with extensive experience but both without particular success as head coach or coordinator. I would be hesitant to strongly consider either …

Tim Tibesar is same as Eric Schmidt. Various roles, some FBS, but minimal to no success in those roles.

Going 3-8 at San Diego State won’t get you to the pinnacle of college coaching, either. With all due respect, though, since I am very confident Schmidt will apply, I don’t think he should meet preferred criteria. He hasn’t been a college head coach (therefore not with successful head coach experience) and he hasn’t been a successful coordinator. His time at UND as defensive coordinator was without a playoff win, thus, the same as Bubba. And his time at Washington and Fresno State should rightfully be overshadowed by DeBoer’s capabilities in my opinion. There hopefully will be better candidates.

and I’ll happily donate to make it more if necessary… Let’s get the right guy we can all be proud of. Someone who views UND as an opportunity and not the final destination, but also has the track record as successful head coach or successful FCS coordinator to realistically take UND to the next level.

That’s Div. I college football. Start selling insurance otherwise if you DON’T like it. I know that sounds cutthroat but it’s reality. No one forces you to coach college football. With that said I wish Coach Fruechte and Coach Olson the best; they’re good guys, but again, this is about coaching football, not being simply a nice guy. Think Bubba … simply being nice doesn’t win football games.

UND would have still choked it away in the playoffs. Defense was still awful. Let’s not pretend the Bubba tenure (2014-2024) or the 2024 team was something it wasn’t. It wasn’t just one play. I strongly DON’T believe in that. It was time for a change, and I’m thankful on Thanksgiving weekend that UND football gets the opportunity to revitalize the program with Bubba’s presumed willingness.

Doubtful on buyout, transition to different position likely facilities a transitioned salary over x number of years.

California income taxes and lack of job security, plus the ND/MN home area factors, all make Schmidt a guaranteed applicant. With all that said, we need to learn from 2013, albeit many will think of that hire as successful even though UND missed on the current Alabama head coach…. I really think UND needs to look past Eric Schmidt, Freund, Fruechte, and even Luke Schleusner. Get someone who has been successful as head coach previously, or knows championship culture currently within the FCS. I like the idea of a very good D2 head coach or a coordinator from a perennially top 10 FCS program (Luke S. and maybe Freund are actually the closest to this …)

Eric Schmidt will apply. It’s guaranteed based the on opportunity to be a head coach (which Schmidt has never been within the collegiate ranks) and the excellent opportunities ahead for UND with the new facilities. Also, there is no guaranteed job security at San Diego State (and income taxes in California vs North Dakota are major components ). With all that said, I honestly think UND should strongly look elsewhere first for the same reasons why Schmidt will apply: Schmidt has never been head coach within the collegiate ranks. Plus his defenses didn’t elevate UND football to anything special when he was DC with Bubba. I’d love new blood, with minimal to no UND ties, with prior excellence as a head coach (lower level okay), and most importantly, the energy and foresight to excel at UND so he can move on to the FBS. As has previously been said on here, anyone thinking of UND as their dream job (like Bubba and also possibly Schmidt or Freund) and not a stepping stone should not be strongly considered.

Schmidt is probably the only one with heavy UND ties that I’d be okay with for this reason, but I still think others with successful head coaching experience at lower levels and the desire to move up to FBS in the future (think the DeBoer type) should be heavily heavily considered first. May have to kindly say no to Freund, Fruechte, and Luke Schleusner.

Bingo

Most important question to ask: Which candidate that applies will have the most potential to end up as head coach in the FBS? That’s most important criteria, because it means they’re dang good and full of energy and inspiration to take that next step …

CORRUPTION! At UND that usually starts and ends with hockey …

We’ll see, but we have a chance now … very important that Chaves listens to all stakeholders held in high regard when deciding the next head coach, but not be influenced by connections (we need to learn from 2013 process) … The early favorite in my opinion (hope perhaps I’m wrong) is Eric Schmidt coming back from San Diego State to be the head coach. Likely discussions were already had … but again depends on who applies but this is usually already headed a certain direction by the time it is made official (which is now / today)

@gfhockey is officially the biggest jobbing robbing son of a gun on here

Wow! What an immediately energizing decision / announcement! Let’s go! Let’s get to work on a new hire (and most importantly the right hire) and get this thing rolling! Go Hawks!

Wow. Right on cue. Let the actual dominoes fall now … We back!

I addressed it. Please see above. Thanks. We’re definitely at the point (and arguably were years ago) where I’ll believe UND wants its football program to be great only when an actual change in leadership happens. ADDENDUM: it’s happened, scratch my previous comment. Let’s get this going now, Go Hawks!

Another slight by McFeely, implying it doesn’t take much (1 playoff win for example) to meet UND football hall of fame criteria. Bubba’s division II accomplishments as coach would be factored in. To be honest, though, the division I era of UND football has been pretty darn average as a whole …

Wow- too much connection with your buddy Bubba to see anything objectively … again. The argument is that head coach Bubba Schweigert lacks the respect and capability needed to recruit and develop top-tier talent for a championship-caliber football program. Despite various coordinators over the past 11 seasons, the consistent lack of success points to the head coach as the primary issue. The message from Bubba is now ineffective, and yet the head coach was extended and still here, leading to the conclusion that the UND football program is not serious about competing at a high level. Schweigert's leadership and stamina is inadequate, suggesting he has not evolved as a coach and has actually regressed over time. Ultimately, need a change in leadership to revitalize the program.

Disappointing but not surprising if true. Typical scapegoat staff firings will likely occur on defensive staff I’m sure, just like they occurred offensively in the past (2018), but nothing overall will change if Bubba stays. The lack of leadership intangibles and internal expectations with Bubba will stay the same if he remains, and given the horrible track record of UND athletics, I’m sure mediocrity will remain. When the UND “brain trust” continues to not use their brain (i.e., not make competent decisions), then bad things happen, as we’ve seen time and time again of late for UND.

That’s fine, although Danny has always been good. Get the best candidate, and in all honestly, an outside candidate with minimal to no UND exposure and high potential looking to elevate eventually into FBS would be the best. Fruechte would be the only internal candidate I’d consider, but again, external candidate with bright future is ideal.

It’s about him saving face. He otherwise is going to turn his current history with UND into an ugly ending if he sticks this out. He will create internal enemies if he tries another season as head coach with UND, and I can’t imagine he nor UND wants that. It is time; this is an issue of himself vs the entire program (which includes alumni and fans). Back in late 2013 during Bubba’s introductory HC press conference, he stated it was always about the betterment of the team (program), not the individual. Let’s see if he actually meant that or not …

No question the athletics department and the individual programs are largely a mess, starting with the complete lack of competitive success, but now other complaints are mounting as well.