UND-FB-FAN

Perhaps true, but I sure hope the supporters of UND can look past homegrown leadership, just like the nickname, and actually focus on the program and student-athletes. I'd hate for there to be a deficiency just because some can't look past their personal egos. Those realities are ultimately harsh and damning to UND athletics. Only the elevation of MM will lead to optimism(?) - very narrow focus that is appalling. I know plenty with deep pockets that stopped writing checks because of the lack of humility and gratitude within the department with Faison. The small communities of this state oftentimes have more money than the large ones (reality of agriculture and oil); if leadership can't figure that out here in the state of North Dakota, than the University of North Dakota will always be fighting a uphill battle against NDSU. Faison was "too good" for the state of North Dakota, and especially the small communities within it and Minnesota.

I usually just write it to UND football in hopes it gets to the right place; have never followed it up to see if it actually gets there. Hope Faison's department wasn't run that low. As for EWU and Chaves, I think it's best to embrace this as positive for UND and not try to find negativities. Chaves will bring experience and ideas from a successful FCS football program - that should be a positive. HPC phase II will positively affect UND football more than any other program, bar none.

He'll get a look because of the Wentz legacy. That's it. Bit scant to be playing off someone else's reputation.

I'll tell you what's comical: you coming on a UND site continually trying to convince us that NDSU football is the second coming. Don't be that sensitive. Easton Stick is ehh. When the bizons crash, don't hit your head too hard falling off the wagon -

MM has been here all along; not sure why people think bumping him to AD would suddenly increase fundraising for football and basketball ... He's well formed and in touch with the UND culture; that is, appease the UND hockey only crowd before all else - I understand this is a controversial topic and many get quite sensitive with it (it is what it is at UND crowd vs. priorities can and should change crowd), but I think it's worth considering with a open mind.

Not sure this is on Chaves, at least not completely. Cheney, Wash. is a small community that competes against many DI regional institutions; it is very difficult to do what they have done for the past 10 years athletically. The budget crisis is a university issue, not solely an athletic department issue; however, the athletic department would need to change in order to address this university fiscal issue. At UND, we should all be familiar with such situations and know how tough it is to come out looking good to everyone. Chaves will hang his hat on successful FCS football and basketball while maintaining hockey; those are my views for UND going forward too so I endorse that. Lastly, Chaves' #1 project will be HPC phase II and we should all support him to get that done ASAP.

Some folks around UND are blindly attached to the UND athletics' employees already within the department, despite mediocracy. This sense of loyalty is actually a dangerous game. It keeps UND from expanding and pushing the limits. I understand that these long-time "UNDers" are friends and great people, but UND athletics ultimately needs to be based on results/success and not subjective emotions. Glad to have Bill Chaves, who has a record of success elsewhere, onboard at UND.

Stick is average at best. Thank NDSU's defense and running game and JMU having a bad day in the red zone for NDSU's 6th FCS title, certainly not Easton Stick. Move along now, Rancher.

Great game. Good job by Geno and the squad - keep it going. Likely way more excitement than ice stick will produce tonight.

Welcome to THE University of North Dakota, Mr. Chaves and family; rev UND athletics up and produce some championships! Go UND Fighting Hawks!

< pin drops > < room silent in amazement >

You can't work directly with everybody. History is most important, including history that you don't directly witness. Chaves wins with history. Potential only takes you so far.

Q: What's better than a national AD of the year award? A: two

Man crush is a bit much, I think. His "having done this before and currently doing this" is certainly a plus. I think Chaves' values and individual thinking is well demonstrated and impressive in that video I posted. Most importantly, though, is that he is the only standing athletic director of the finalists and he has done very well at that position. Furthermore, he's familiar and apparently good at running a department at the FCS level. He's a two-time national athletic director of the year honors recipient. The other candidates just don't compare. I think Mannausau could keep UND at the status quo, but what has he done that suggests he could elevate football and basketball? I don't think he could meet lofty expectations (nor set high expectations beyond hockey only) and Chaves could do that purely through experience. Chaves also has the outside connections that "a UND guy" wouldn't consider or consult towards.

This guy is really quite impressive. Appears to bring so many qualities to the table (if not just energy and critical thought) that the UND AD chair has been missing the past 10 years:

Something to consider: Have any of the current candidates had the media of their current university cover the possibility of that candidate leaving? I know Chaves' candidacy has been covered: https://www.google.com/amp/www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/jan/04/eastern-washington-ad-bill-chaves-a-finalist-at-no/%3famp-content=amp This certainly doesn't mean everything, but it may be interpreted as EWU appreciates the work he does and his leaving would be a big deal for that school. I suppose one could also interpret it as Chaves is the only current AD of the bunch. With that said, I think he would be a very good fit for UND athletics, specifically addressing the major national sports (football, basketball) that best fit the vision of President Kennedy.

Donors

Yes, the teams with the best lines are typically very, very good. With that said, there are some above average teams with subpar line play. Not every school is going to recruit and develop a superior offensive line. In fact, UND is facing an uphill battle themselves with every in-state offensive lineman wanting to go to NDSU. Just look at all the North Dakota natives - some that even played 9-man - on NDSU's roster. UND may be forced to play contemporary college offensive football due to this shortage of quality offensive linemen. That is, focus on skill position players in space. Yet, it appears Bubba and Rudolph want to keep banging their head against a brick wall. The line just isn't going to improve overnight.

I'd blame the major issues of 2017 UND football on scheme (25%) per your point and on recruiting/depth (50%). I'll give injuries 25% of the blame. What do two of those points have in common? Coaches.

These are all thoughts I can't really argue with. All in all, I think many big-time boosters have formulated the same opinion, unfortunately.

Did those things happen because of Faison or despite of him? Be honest with yourself. Faison was in charge of the department for basically the entire DI era. Many of those accomplishments you mentioned were de facto changes based purely on the reclassification from DII to DI. Also, I think Prior and Bubba are in two different tiers of coaching. Bubba is 24-22 at UND (.52) whereas Prior is 103-40 (.72). Again, though, it seems some are merely satisfied with just winning more than you lose here at UND.

I sure hope something like that isn't in Mannasaus character, because then we shouldn't want him in charge to begin with. I highly doubt Mike would do something like that to sabotage UND athletics. I just think UND needs some new blood with some new ideas. Mannassau has also never held an athletic director assistant position before. Continually promoting from within is not always a good idea, particularly when there are complaints about the current department. Chaves has ideas from a different department that was successful under his leadership. He knows FCS football and DI basketball at the level UND plays at. He would potentially be a great addition to UND athletics that could possibly help move UND football and basketball forward. All in all, we need someone with a vision for UND to be great. In all honestly, Faison was satisfied with the status quo which was UND hockey championships and mediocre football and basketball.

Chaves needs to be the front runner. There's potential with Mannausau and Porter, but Chaves has already been running a successful DI athletic department at the top. Favorite has to be Chaves.

That's done quite a bit around these parts, especially for non-hockey sports. Lower Expectations U, Grand Forks, ND I'm quite apathetic at this point. Shame it has to come to this. Holding out slight hope due to the new AD.

Key word is seemingly. Just like last season was "seemingly" a guaranteed playoff season. UND needs to get more talented across the board and never get complacent with the ability of the current roster, especially coming off a mere 3 win season. Now, in regards to the Iowa State player, his history definitely does raise some red flags that should be considered. Moving forward, though, UND does need to consider more "select" FBS transfers for pure talent.