UND-FB-FAN

You’re right, we’ll never know what would’ve happened if DeBoer was hired by UND in 2014, but hard to imagine Eastern Michigan in 2014 was a significantly better position than HC at UND. He still made his way to big time as an undefeated coach for Washington despite going to Eastern Michigan (1-7 in the MAC in 2014) … he’s an absolute program-builder. Point is, shoot for the stars. Go for a program-building superstar who wants to be a FBS head coach in 5-10 years.

at this point just win … then we can talk about looking pretty

you’re not privy

I don’t think this fan forum is used to make any decisions, so let’s move on from that silly theory right now. This fan forum, however, can be used to sample and discuss the opinion and perspective of alumni and fans who really care. Perhaps some even speak with dollars, i don’t know, based on anonymity. But again, this is all just discussion amongst people who care and follow UND athletics very closely; much closer than your “average” fan.

The trends of the program are well-established at this point.

These two points are not clear-cut or inarguably. But it’s been expanded on ad nauseam, so I think it’s not worth getting into too much again. I will just say having fans who want UND to do better than they’ve been doing is important, but simply just attending games won’t be sufficient to help the program by itself. Donations ($) will help, along with a proactive, aggressive athletic department. What is the current overall philosophy of fans and the athletic department? That will extrapolate towards success or lack thereof on the football field.

Since apparently no one is happy (or content?), what will be done to incite change? Extend the status quo? Pretty sure anyone from any background can tell you that is not the solution, but yet what was done in 2021? What will be done in 2023? I suspect the “easy button” (i.e., the inexpensive option) was engaged back in 2021/2022, but that can’t be done the second time around for Chaves.

I think 3-4 or 4-3 is fine. Defense did fine yesterday. Offense scored 0 points, and was the problem. But no question defense has been the issue several other times this season. It’s not base alignment (4-3 or 3-4) that’s the issue in my opinion, but more so coaching of fundamentalism. Missed tackles, too many yards on long-distance downs, which are typically favorable (2nd and long, 3rd and long, etc), mistimed penalties (PI, roughing the passer) on critical downs, etc.

Without disclosing too much, up to this point, he’s chosen to not address it (one way or the other). This dates back to 2018. That’s fine, probably not something to comment on. I’m certainly not single-handedly providing any buyout, so again, that is fair.

Honestly, with the current facilities, and soon to come online future facilities, and if the salaries can be improved slightly, UND football would be a very attractive job. This is true even for coaches with no ties to UND previously.

No question. Honestly, can’t put any weight towards UND ties, with 2013 being the prime example of why.

Sure, but what does UND have to do to get to #1? How long must we wait? What concrete changes must be made so that UND can realistically reach #1 status? Trajectory over the past decade has not been getting to #1, but rather plateauing as top 25 program.

Yes. I don’t know any details of the contract, as far as options for buyout or void years. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/und-signs-football-coach-bubba-schweigert-to-two-year-extension-through-2025#:~:text=GRAND FORKS — UND football coach,Chaves said in a statement.

Great names, but UND has only won one national championship ever. There has been, and will continue to be, opportunities for greater success. Need to always pursue greater excellence and not become complacent (which is where I think the program and department currently is). UND ties certainly should not be a prerequisite or preferred criteria in hiring process; it limits the ability to find (and ultimately hire) the best candidate in moving UND football forward to unprecedented success. Again, see and learn from 2013 process.

You’re probably correct, but it’s unfortunate. Again, big picture-wise, this program has regressed some since NDSU win. Chaves and boosters better realize that; unlikely UND even beats NDSU if they play again this season, or next season when UND plays in FargoDome.

I agree. I’ll always support this program, staff and student-athletes. I hope this team still wins several more games this season, but we also have to be realistic with the big picture. Hopefully Chaves is being realistic and considering the big picture, too.

Should’ve ran the ball more, then … Sunday morning quarterbacking is what it is, but still worth considering.

I agree. And based on the potential pool of candidates, that easily could be someone with no UND ties. The top DII head coaches potentially interested have no UND ties.

The sample size at this point is beyond sufficient. 4 years is considered sufficient by most ADs around the country. Unfortunately, at UND, we wait a decade-plus, I guess. UND is not getting to the next level (better than 7-4 program) with Bubba. Period.

That’s how I interpreted it. So, apparently officials are the reason UND offense shut down? Honestly, this makes Bubba and Freund look worse. Even more reason UND should have been running the ball more …..

A major concern is that last time a hiring decision for UND football head coach occurred (2013), the final decision came down to a candidate with UND ties (Bubba) vs candidate without UND ties (DeBoer), and the decision made - in hindsight - was undoubtedly the wrong one. No question on the salary pool though; in order to make competitive offers, need to have a salary pool that competes with UND’s primary competitor institutions: NDSU and SDSU. Have to compete both on and off the field.

Postgame video. Next step for progression seems obvious, but there’s still at least one game this season, basically a playoff game.

Yep. Status quo. No more progression; is Chaves content? Probably.

Status quo … Albert Einstein has been credited with a quote regarding this.