UND-FB-FAN

Because of how important the timing is due to recruiting, my gut tells me the new coach will be hired by the end of this week. Hope it's Pflugrad.

If you have good players, the scheme isn't as crucial as you would think. With that being said, it still is important. If Pflugrad is hired, I'm quite sure he'd be able to assemble an experienced staff. Subsequently, the spread option and 4-3 system that likely would be installed easily has the potential to get the job done. The most important thing is whether or not the new coach can recruit the talent. I'm certain Pflugrad could do that and then some. We'd see heckuva lot better players on campus over the next few years...and they'd be better disciplined/motivated.

Pretty sure SFI was only speculating there would be an applicant with close UND ties because were only a day out from the deadline. Still could get a name tomorrow I suppose.

New Mexico's former DC Mills (who just was fired because New Mexico's defense was horrible this year) and Cal Poly's OC and former Mankato coach are the three who applied today. They don't interest me or convince me at all. As each day passes, I become more sold on Robin Pflugrad. Just hire the man come the end of the week! Pflugrad will get this program where we want it to be: a national title contender!!

Mad? You can't expect coaches to stay forever, especially if they're successful at the FCS level. That's the reality of playing FCS football. If you're successful, you'll lose your coach due to the bigger dollars that exist elsewhere. I really doubt the next coach of NDSU will be comparable to Bohl. UND starts the process of closing the gap with NDSU next season.

What about Pflugrad puts his character in question? That whole situation in Montana ended in Pflugrad being scapegoated. I don't see how there would be a disaster of any sort at UND if Pflugrad was hired. In the end, all these top 3 and top 5 lists are irrelevant I guess. They all consist of local and familiar names, but this is a national search that very well could take Faison to someone we're not familiar with. As long as he's experienced and a leader, I'm sure he'll be a good fit.

All I am asking is that in choosing the next coach, we look at only the most obvious qualifications as objectively as possible. Ability to recruit Ability to assemble experienced staff DI FBS coaching experience NFL experience When voiding out name-recognition, Bollinger doesn't match up with most candidates. He hasn't had to recruit for very long at the collegiate level. Both Robin Pflugrad and Glenn Caruso have. Bollinger has never had to assemble a staff. Both Pflugrad and Caruso have. Bollinger has 2 years of DI FBS coaching experience, Caruso has none, and Pflugrad has 14 years of FBS experience (Arizona State, Washington State, Oregon). Bollinger has NFL playing experience, but no coaching experience. Caruso and Pflugrad also have no NFL coaching experience. When adding all that up, what do you get. 1) Pflugrad 2) Caruso .... ?)Bollinger It's basic application review in correlation with the job requirements and preferences.

Anyone who claims Bollinger is too young just doesn't understand? That rubs me the wrong way. I'm not looking exclusively at age, but coaching experience. There's obviously an emotional connection to Bollinger with those who so desperately support him. He has three years of total coaching experience, with only two of those being collegiate experience. Pitt has gone 12-13 in the two seasons Bollinger has been there; I guess that's really successful to some.

http://www.gowyo.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120813aaa.html I just had an opportunity to watch Craig Bohl's press conference from down in Laramie. All I have to say is I have endless respect for the man. Anyone who claims he is "phony" does not understand character and integrity and I'm glad they aren't the ones hiring our next football coach. It's quite obvious he has all kinds of respect for his players and the decision to move on was not easy for him. I don't like NDSU athletics, for obvious reasons, but I love great football coaches, and Craig Bohl is definitely one of them. Let's now hope Faison can find the right guy who not only demands respect from his players and is a proven DI winner like Bohl, but that also cares about his players tremendously. I think Pflugrad fits that bill given how he stood up for his players and essentially sacrificed his job for them. Of course, there are others. Caruso also comes to mind.

NDSU's transition was more successful than UND's; I hope that's not what we're arguing. UND had Mussman led teams whereas NDSU's team were actually led by a competent coach in Bohl. UND's teams were average at best during the transition, and they only got worse once getting into the Big Sky.

Caruso have any connections that would allow him to hire an experienced DI staff? I personally don't think so. Pflugrad, and even Bollinger, would though. In my opinion: 1a) Pflugrad 2a) Bollinger Still holding out that Faison comes through with a slam-dunk, surprise hire from an FBS team.

True but still somewhat similar in terms of the situation. Nevertheless I trust that this guy can recruit.

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/article_6ef65e62-111f-11df-bb3c-001cc4c03286.html Article on Pflugrad's first recruiting class at Montana. He had only about a month to recruit as head coach, so it would be a similar timeline to what he would have if hired by UND.

College football is cyclical. NDSU was never going to be the 'top dog' forever. UND football was never going to be the 'bad team' forever. Things are turning around as we speak. If Bohl, Klieman, and Vigen all leave during the same offseason that UND hires (hopefully) Pflugrad, UND will have already made huge strides in catching up to NDSU.

Yeah it is. Vigen has almost a decade of D1 experience and even more as a coach. He has way more coaching experience than Bollinger. I didn't know Bollinger had relatives on this forum; so much for objective analysis.

Supposedly, Bohl hadn't even notified Gene Taylor as of this afternoon.

All players are surprised. NDSU faithful don't believe it - they believe CBS source is mistaken. However, Bohl not commenting when asked directly by McFeely is quite telling. Anyway you look at it, this is good for UND and bad for NDSU. NDSU being in the middle of a playoff run makes this especially troubling for NDSU.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaaf/writer/bruce-feldman/24368098/wyoming-lands-bohl-as-new-head-coach Money talks. Like I said earlier, it's very possible both UND and NDSU would have new coaches in 2014. That now will be the case. The turning of the tides begins now. Pflugrad to UND still? maybe?

Can this team win on the road? Ridiculous

Coastal Carolina looks good. Have to see how the 2nd half goes; Griz probably have one more run in them. Hopefully Furman knocks down the giant.

Pflugrad will do what's needed to win the Big Sky. That always needs to be goal #1. Support for Pflugrad !

Don't overthink this. The two teams are 70 miles apart with two passionate fan bases. Historically, the games between these two have been exceptional in terms of atmosphere. It should be played EVERY YEAR. The different conference crap is just that, crap. Florida State - Florida Iowa - Iowa State Utah - Utah State Georgia - Georgia Tech Colorado - Colorado State The list goes on and on. The reason this game is not going on is entirely because of Gene Taylor and NDSU. Any NDSU fan that denies that is delusional. I agree NDSU has everything to lose and UND everything to gain in this game, but just admit NDSU acknowledges that and won't sign a contract to play. The game should be played annually. Get over all the background crap and get it done.!

The lack of DI experience for Caruso is a concern. I'd take Pflugrad over Caruso.

But not Pflugrad? That was my point. I too am confident Faison will hire a proven leader, but it likely won't be Pflugrad. Hope I'm wrong.

No. His experience and leadership makes him ONLY head coach material. I've definitely jumped on his band wagon.