UND-FB-FAN

Barring spring ball and fall camp injuries, that should be the case. The offensive line will be better this season relative to last season, really no matter what. A year training with the mindset of being a physical smash mouth team should help get the hogs ready for a physical, grind it out offensive year. Expect a lot of Arrington, Olivera, and Norberg right up the gut taking it right at the defense.

The depth at the LB position is more established than DB, particularly safety. I could see Javen Butler playing either OLB or safety, but because of the safety depth situation and Butler's familiarity with the defense relative to transfer safeties Arnell and Johnson, Butler may get a shot at safety again.

He'll definitely get a look. His height might hurt him a bit though. Produce on the field in 2015 and NFL scouts will find him, at least for an undrafted walk-on type opportunity. Regardless of next level opportunities, I expect Ratelle to definitely be the leader of a good UND defense in 2015.

I'll bite. If you are a member of the athletic department, you epitomize one of the major issues with UND athletics and its expectations. You say that you disregard outside opinion, well, that outside opinion is the opinion of the people who pay for tickets and generate revenue for the athletic department. To disregard the opinion of paying fans and alumni is quite ignorant and misguided. Lastly, the Big Sky Conference is a pedestrian league filled with below average teams. The teams that consistently compete for conference crowns and NCAA tournament appearances (Montana and Weber State) have had their way with UND MBB, so perhaps you should analyze that before seeing 12-8 and immediately thinking everything is okay. Lastly, only looking at conference competition is narrow-minded; NDSU, SDSU and USD (former NCC and now Summit league teams) are all teams that UND should use as a standard. 2 of those 3 have made NCAA tournament appearances and, collectively, they have a winning record against UND. So, *IF* you are a member of the UND athletic department, you should realize your assessment criteria is in desperate need of revisment.

NDSU is dancing, while UND doesn't even get to participate in their conference tournament. That's the reality. UND basketball is still performing like a DII squad; the people in the UND athletic department should perhaps do something about this rather then sitting back and "hoping" for the best. Perhaps an intervention is necessary? UND went 12-8 in the BSC for two seasons; during those seasons, over 75% of the conference had losing records (aka the conference was horrible). The good teams (Montana and Weber State) embarrassed UND most of the times they played. It's a real tricky business sticking up for Brian Jones because of his first two BSC seasons; can you say anomaly?

If done right, any football game should outdraw a hockey game. With that said, the facilities for hockey (REA) and the nature of the football game (inter-squad scrimmage) will definitely lead to a much larger crowd for the preseason hockey game. However, the marketing and administrative backing for football and basketball is way less than it should be. The administration doesn't put in the effort necessary for UND MBB to be successful at the DI level. I'm more optimistic regarding football just because of Bubba and his staff along with the HPC coming on line; all good things for football. Still, football marketing needs to improve.

Well, for starters the scrimmage (often times termed Spring Football Game) will be taking place outdoors in Memorial Stadium this season. If the weather is poor, which it easily could be in late April, the attendance will be horrid. In all honestly, only the die-hard UND football fans - like myself- will enjoy the 2015 UND spring football scrimmage. I can't imagine the UND athletic department will be marketing it much: they'll be too busy planning for 2015-2016 men's hockey already.

Well, unlike some of this forum, I believe what gfhockey has to say most times. Not good if there is more behavioral issues with the football team. The team doesn't have the depth to afford such trouble.

I am in full agreement with this opinion, as I myself am both a hockey and football season ticket holder. The explicit difference in support between hockey and football/basketball is downright idiotic.

Wouldn't be the case if Jones would grow up and accept the Adidas contract...

Don't be so harsh; in Faison's ripe age he tends to forget from time to time that UND has football and basketball programs. Gotta love Faison and his new found college hockey specialities....

Did you say development? Don't bet on that with Jones around. What you see is what you'll get out of the players next season. That's why I agree that the new players (Seales and Crandall) will have to make the entire difference. UND MBB is in a bad spot with Jones as HC.

NDSU is absolutely a standard that UND supporters should be able to justifiably use. The similarities far outnumber the differences. So, why has NDSU athletics been far more successful than UND over the past 10 years or so? It all starts at the top in the respective athletic departments. NDSU possess ambition, desire, and a commitment to excellence in terms of both wins and alumni support/donations. UND athletics use to embody this in entirety, but not anymore apparently. Allowing Jones to continue coaching at UND tells me the administration has no ambitions or high expectations for the MBB program, or any program that isn't men's hockey for that matter. If winning occurs at UND, it occurs despite the athletic administration.

Look at the facts; the objective reflections of Jones' tenure that is free of bias and subjectivity. You'll see a losing record this season and throughout his UND coaching tenure. That's troubling.

Again, spot on. The lack of guts by Faison may hurt UND MBB long term. I hope the players exceed expectations next season, but I don't think the team will be much more than 0.500. Then what? Will the team improve down the road. Jones hasn't shown the ability to provide that. Mediocrity is unfortunately okay by the UND athletic department....

Ditto. Not making the move to remove Jones puts UND in at least another season of losing basketball, if not more. UND won't be winning the BSC tournament anytime soon; just don't see next years team or the one after that - with Hooker as a senior - being able to go over 0.500.

Your minority opinion is not easily supported, for good reason. I have no problem agreeing with others if they align with my own opinions. Lastly, the random titles are a bit unnecessary.

Half of the young players you just mentioned are not even playing. Rather, a number of DI/JUCO transfers and a 6th year senior got a bunch of playing time. Hard to characterize that as a rebuilding season with a bunch of young players right out of HS.

Absolutely. To Jones, this was not a rebuilding season, that is until they started losing. ArtVandalay is doing the same thing; claiming a "free" season is a nice way to justify keeping a poor coach.

In case anyone is getting impatient for spring ball or obviously the start of the 2015 season, here's highlights from 2014's season closing victory at Northern Colorado: Post-Signing Day 2015

So our three fastest players are two linebackers and one safety.... Our defense has the potential to be special this season.

Mussman firing was made public on a Monday, so if you don't hear anything by Monday night, it's safe to say Faison has granted Jones another season.

A simple overview of recent comments will show where the deviation from topic originated. I comment regarding the title of this thread. The "other" comments on the exact opposite.

You hold superficial grudges I see; does that help you in your career field?

Don't be mistaken, proper respectful emails to Mr. Kelley and Mr. Faison will be factored into the decision. Make sure the emails are well thought out and they aren't composed simply because this site encourages it; have a sincere belief that coach Jones needs to be replaced.