UND-FB-FAN

There are only two games remaining for UND, including today’s game.

What is a nickel? What is 2 man under? What is cover 4? What is tailback slip screen? What is play-action to tight end? What is slot bubble screen? What is deep double move? What is punt max protection? What is this thing you call a place kicker?

Who are the salty mikes? Even with the issues ongoing, UND should win this game. UND has the better players. Unfortunately, I think the lack of a quality crowd/atmosphere and coming off a horrible loss puts UND behind the eight ball. The coaches need to get the guys ready to go - not much confidence in that. UND 35 Portland State 31

You are right; they absolutely deserve our thanks.

Need Portland State to provide the energy then, with a few turnovers right off the bat.

This team is what it is. I love the seniors and all the student-athletes; however, the coaches have shown what they are and this team is capped at what they can do as a result. That is what is disappointing. There’s no aggression or active innovation going on at all by the coaches. All three phases need a shot of new life.

What is the deal there? There has to be some mistake with shipping or something. Nice white uniforms for home and Kelly green for away. Not hard to figure out, Adidas.

Understood. In general, in the context of this discussion, less weight towards UND connections and local ties and more weight towards previous success.

As Ira mentioned, familiarity and ties should be a factor, just not the most important factor nor the deciding factor. I’m not sure anyone can prove that such ties have not been used as the deciding factor in the past at UND, however. My initial post simply warned of this and asked for an emphasis on a fair evaluation process.

Good point. If Wanzek hadn’t been injured, he likely would’ve been the one throwing it instead. At least that’s a strong possibility.

Wow. Nonsense? Really? As far as stirring the pot goes, you need to look in the mirror.

Rather than critical thinking, perhaps we should be speaking about comprehensive reading for you. I didn’t say Bubba definitively got the job due to his connections to UND, but rather that it was suspicious and thus a possibility considering past hiring practices at UND. Furthermore, you haven’t ruled that out. Also, I never questioned Bubba’s passion. Rather, you claiming his passion is great is actually an implied argument for that being the de facto tie breaker. We have differing opinions, but you certainly aren’t adding any facts to this whole tie-breaker discussion and are actually expanding it. You're apparently one of those folks that I predicted would be offended by claiming the hiring process relied too much on local ties. You also have an affinity for unnecessary argument. Have a good day.

The pass defense hasn’t been a strength of UND’s defense at all while Bubba has been head coach starting in 2014. Even in 2016 it was poor but the turnovers (interceptions) certainly helped offset that. Minus 2017, the run defense has been quite good, though.

So, you’re guessing? Don't be too critical of those also using critical thought then. The points brought up are fair. You may not agree with them but you have nothing to refute them. UND and local connections need to be weighed appropriately during hiring processes for important positions.

Settle down, now. It was well publicized that DoBoer and Schweigert were the two finalists. As such, obviously some within the department (not the majority) felt DoBoer was the top candidate. http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/football/2204936-und-football-head-coach-pool-down-two From there, I clearly stated that it was suspicious the tie-breaker was the UND connection for Schweigert. If you have a better answer or actually know why Schweigert was the one hired, please let us know. If you are just questioning me to start unnecessary arguments and drama, then I don’t want any part in it. See the entirety of my previous posts to see why this is a discussion related to the FUTURE of UND football.

Sure, but don't lose sight of the point I'm trying to make. If it comes down to two candidates for a position, one local and the other non-local but better qualified or with more potential, take the one with better credentials. The local and/or UND connections need to be better weighed than perhaps done in the past. That is my point, pure and simple. If the best guy also happens to be local, great -- that's a win/win. Many felt back in 2013 that DoBoer was the better head coaching candidate; however, Schweigert got the job. It is quite suspicious that the tie breaker was simply the UND/more local connections.

But a local (ND/MN) connection (which I would argue is perhaps even worse than over-favoring a UND connection) has been, particularly with Rudolph and Kostich. Those two haven't worked out.

I understand, but the Bubba versus Kalen DoBoer finalist conversation is well known and is partly what my argument is based on. With that said, my argument applies for other head coaches at UND, both past and present, as well. The head coach then chooses his coordinators/assistants with perhaps a local flavor to it. Schmidt obviously has direct UND connections. Rudolph indirect in that he faced Bubba's defenses while at St. Cloud. Kostich came with recommendation from Jerry Kill, as I understand it.

But will doing that actually lead to consistent winning? I would say no. But I do think you bring up a very good point. Trying to get around the coaching salary issues for non-hockey sports has certainly led to problems, especially during the DI era. Whether right or wrong, it is partly why the Kennedy vs Kris Engelstad McGarry topic became quite heated, particularly among those who recognize and are familiar with the coaching salary gap at UND.

I agree with what you're saying; however, let us now consider how connections to UND have clouded the judgement of many past hiring processes. Just because Bubba - or anyone for that matter - has past ties to UND, that should not mean qualified candidates for coaching should be denied. Now, the Bubba versus Kalen DoBoer ship has certainly sailed; however, in regards to coordinators, if there are any candidates out there who are qualified and capable but have no previous ties to UND, they should still be contacted, interviewed, and strongly considered. UND football needs to expand its sights if it wants to improve. In my estimation, the level of commitment to those with past ties has historically been excessive. You can certainly disagree, as I feel many with ties themselves will, but I just feel this needs to be an emphasized point as new coaches are potentially considered moving forward.

Jump from DIII to DI is risky. He definitely has been successful, though.

You know, it may just be possible to hire good DI coaches that did not previously play or coach at UND. It's about the right fit at the right time for both sides. UND football has been missing the "it" factor ever since going Division I. The "it" factor is the mindset and ability to actually compete for championships, both conference and national. You have to be able to consistently make the postseason first before you can compete for championships, and that is where the program is constantly getting hung up. I want new blood that will take the program to a level that the previous coaches, most of whom we have absolutely no personal problems with, have been unable to reach.

Both. There is a deficit of situational play-calling. Case in point would be the offense called at the end of Idaho game or looking back when UND was up 24-7 against Richmond in the 2016 playoffs but blew the lead with pathetic play-calling. There is a deficit in scheme with both personnel groupings and utilization of personnel. The personnel groupings are horrible. There is no reason, when Santiago, Oliveira, and Johannesson were all healthy, why Santiago couldn't have sometimes played in the slot. Or Johannesson could've played some FB. Or have faster receivers like Adeoti, McKinney, and Griebel all be on the feild at the same time for a few plays to stretch the defense. Motion Santiago out wide and throw a deep ball to him. Etc. Etc. Etc. Lastly, the complete lack of a running back screen game and a TE play-action passing game is pathetic. As a run first team, you absolutely need to have a screen game and a play-action game to your tight ends. So, in summary, there are problems in both play calling and scheme.

... or just 3 DL with 8 to clean everything else up. You can spin it anyway you want. Comes down to execution and in-game adjustments based on what opposing offense is doing.

Understand where you're coming from, but there are major issues on offense and defense, also. Needs to address those too.