UND-FB-FAN

Whether I “hate” or “love” UND hockey is irrelevant to this FCS football discussion. You are ignoring all the detailed differences if you think success is the only component that justifies comparability. Completely different sport is the biggest issue. Also, national championships is just another way to say success. And soccer is not the most popular NCAA sport. Not even close. That would be football then basketball. I too can’t wait for UND to play NDSU every season in football. Been a long time coming. And I get how at first (instinctually as you put it) it seems comparing UND hockey to NDSU football is reasonable, but it isn’t when you can compare UND football to NDSU football instead.

No and No, but you still may be ignorant. Facts: UND and NDSU football not only are both FCS football programs but they are soon to be in the same conference. Thus, of course they are comparable. You haven’t detailed a single reason why UND football can’t be compared to NDSU football. Furthermore, you haven’t detailed why UND hockey is more comparable to NDSU football other than they are the most successful programs for their respective institutions. That being the only similar metric does not create translatability. They are different sports; of which, the NCAA classification system is completely different for both. Bottomline: unless you can prove how comparing an NCAA hockey program to an FCS football program makes more sense than comparing two FCS football programs head-to-head, keep UND hockey out of this football discussion. You can go to the hockey thread if you wish to expand.

There’s no question that UND coaching salaries - along with HPC phase II - remain the biggest issues facing UND football. The salaries (if you then correlate the caliber of coaches with that) are just not where they need to be relative to our expectations on here. The current state of the program is fine for a perennial 6-5 team though. A lot riding on the cost-saving promotion of Freund to OC. I obviously hope it works out big time and he turns out to be a great OC.

Who cares about Hakstol, Berry, NCAA hockey, hockey-obsessed UND-ignorant Las Vegas-based donors, etc. in the context of this discussion?? UND hockey has no place in this current discussion. FCS Football and NCAA hockey are really becoming (and I guess always have been) apples to oranges comparisons. We all know which is more popular (hint: which sport is more popular). Although I love UND dearly, I hate the comparisons between FCS Football and NCAA hockey. For one, they always end with UND’s fans looking beyond stupid. It is what it is. You’ll only hear “JV football” and “big boy real DI like UND hockey” come from the mouths of jealous, ignorant UND hockey fans. No one else. Face it folks, NDSU’s FCS football success has earned them more popularity than UND men’s ice hockey ever could. Going to Vegas or NYC once every few seasons for a bought destination game (not earned) doesn’t justify that either. I just hope UND’s football program can start reaching the postseason for a start ... And who is Boyle? You mean Craig Bohl? I doubt there will be an argument this time around. I’m just hoping South Dakota State pulls the upset, although that too is doubtful.

I agree. The Herald shouldn't touch this story until the positions are officially filled. The media focus should be on who Bubba and Freund actually choose to hire, not merely those considered (i.e., the entire applicant pool).

Yeah, he wasn’t anything special at NDSU.

You bring up good points. Mertens wasn’t very good his senior season, though, in 2009. In fact, NDSU only went 3-8 that season. Everything fell into place when QB Jensen started playing for NDSU during the 2010 season. Their foundation was built that 2010 season. They’ve been rolling ever since. Some of the Twin Cities kids that definitely should’ve been at the University of Minnesota and not NDSU (blame Brewster) included CB Marcus Williams, OL Billy Turner, RB John Crockett, WR Zach Vraa (unbelievably Minnesota’s Mr. Football in 2009 and Brewster passed), and LB Grant Olson. A lot of talent in that intial group. John Crockett was a bit different of a situation: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thedickinsonpress.com/sports/1817997-bison-rb-john-crockett-ready-prove-himself-after-2-years-academic-setbacks%3famp

This is all correct. Spot on. NDSU’s 2009 and 2010 recruiting classes (many out of Twin Cities) really got the ball rolling for NDSU. Damn

Nothing to do with Nickel Trophy, but doubtful. That being said, I certainly will be cheering on South Dakota State.

Fairly good idea. Not sure much better is out there.

Absolutely. If possible, justifies UND pumping more $$$ into their football program. Once again, enjoy the day of football everyone.

Wow. ESPN FCS Football > NCAA hockey That is all. Enjoy the day of football, folks.

Unique but very interesting situation. If Klieman ends up being the guy for K State, I wonder what kind of impact that would have on NDSU football. Bohl being hired by Wyoming certainly didn’t adversely affect NDSU.

Plenty of ability on the 2018 team, which is partly what makes the 6-5 record so disappointing. Past All-Conference Performers: RB John Santiago CB Deion Harris NG Tank Harris OLB Tanner Palmborg Players certainly capable this season: RB Brady Oliveira DE Mason Bennett ILB Donnell Rodgers ILB Noah Larson (Jerry Rice award finalist) CB Evan Holm

No doubt winning influences the media and other voters for all-conference honors. It’s sort of a catch 22. Have a winning season, get all-conference selections. Have all-conference selections, get winning seasons. I guess we all would like more of both: winning seasons and all-conference performers. Remember individual stats also play big role, which can be real good despite not many wins. Lastly, as Mike Ditka said, “players win the games, but coaches can lose them.” (Random bit on how good players can still end up on losing teams that are misdirected).

Sure, that’s obvious. Evaluating the kids in-pads in-person is obviously the best way, minus actual game play. But I agree that the other best routes, as @UND Fan said, are based on high school honors (all-conference, all-state, etc.) and competing offers. The high school’s honors takes into account ON THE FIELD accomplishment and judging by coaches who saw the recruit in person. The competing offers make sense in that the recruit’s ability and potential is being confirmed by other institutions. There are always exceptions to these rules, which some will always bring up, but you can’t build a winning program using only under the radar recruits. Sure, you will find some, but if only 10% of your recruiting classes turn out to be high level contributors, then your teams will be average to below average. They by definition will not be above average because they are composed of below average contributors. Look at UND’s recruiting classes under Bubba - the percentage of the players in those classes turning into high level performers (i.e.all-conference players) is far, far too low. This will need to improve going forward or else UND will continue to struggle. As much weight as we often put into coaching (which is important no doubt), we need to remember the majority of the weight has and always will be in player ability- which starts with recruiting. Sure, it’s fun to see which recruits turn into good players once they’re committed and on campus for fall camp. Key point: **BUT as your post alluded to, if UND is always relying on surprises out of their classes, then UND is already behind their competition. They need more recognized recruits out of high school relative to what they’re currently getting. **

When UND MBB and FB finally do turn the corner, UND’s popularity will skyrocket. Right now, the casual fans have been and are flocking to NDSU. The casual fans of ND and the region have greater affinity for football and basketball, anyway. Hockey is a niche sports whose fans are already in support of UND. It’s the “other fans” who UND is desperately losing during these lean years relative to NDSU.

Pretty neat that UND men’s basketball gets to continue to compile losing seasons, huh? But of course, those pesky contract terms and “logic” always seems to get in the way. No way around that, right?

Apathy ... not good. UND men’s basketball could have used new leadership years ago. With Chaves, hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

It’s a real bad one if it is.

It’s always something on here. Glad we are all so friendly. I would’ve been critiqued either way. Go UND Fighting Hawks

You’ve got to be kidding me? That’s what you took away from the comment? Damn ... here this is for you: https://www.dummies.com/sports/football/football-for-dummies-usa-edition-cheat-sheet/ Now I’ll briefly explain; the previous passing concepts weren’t obviously good enough. In 2018, Ketteringham averaged 1 interception per game and only threw at a 55% completion percentage. Simply getting the ball to McKinney certainly could’ve been a superior option. Rudolph apparently didn’t get that, he’s fired per Bubba. Freund said he wants to get the ball to the best guys quickly, not with “too long to develop” plays. Apparently that combination of logic didn’t sink in when you saw the opportunity for a one-liner. Ridiculous.

Those Ketteringham incomplete passes and interceptions were often unnecessary and could’ve been replaced by screens and jet sweeps to McKinney. Just saying. Also, over-running the ball with Santiago and Oliveira on obvious running downs isn’t justified if the defense is completely sold.

If the RB is very talented, recruit and sign him. This coaching staff better not get too caught up in need and positions. Recruit the best players. More talent, the better.

Well, in that scenario, UND would have had their first DI FCS playoff win. That definitely would be a positive in recruiting and would help the program grow. Rather, we all know what happened and has been happening.