UND-FB-FAN

Couldn't agree more. He's personally my favorite candidate that has applied so far and I think Faison should seriously think about hiring him. Unfortunately, I think "the incident " will keep Faison away.

It's not even the end of the academic year. If the student-athletes are focused on their education, they should at least wait until May. Also, they would then have an opportunity to participate in spring ball with the new coaching staff. It's the most logical approach in my opinion; however, I can understand how some kids don't think things through all the way and don't come to such a conclusion. With that said, even if the kids are from Arizona or California, why should they decide on transferring before the academic year is over. They easily could get more opportunities with the new coaching staff (e.g. PJ Sparks).

Very true; I suppose there are much worse decisions they could be making. Nevertheless, in my opinion, I feel if they were committed and hopeful of the situation they would've at least stayed through spring ball.

You would take a guy who's never been a head coach over a guy who has been a head coach, won the Big Sky conference, and held several FBS jobs including recruiting coordinator at Arizona State? Pflugrad doesn't have baggage, he was just scapegoated by Montana. I don't think Pflugrad will be hired due to the incident that happened in Missoula, but there's no question he's the best candidate to have applied so far. Of course, that could change as we get closer to the deadline.

But why not wait to see who is hired?! The fact they aren't is incredibly short-sighted, and quite frankly, idiotic.

The fact that some of the players are leaving before the new coach is even hired is quite alarming. Those players are fine to leave in my opinion, because apparently they aren't bought into the program very well.

Easier said than done. Controlling the line of scrimmage can happen through many schemes. NDSU doesn't have some secret formula that everyone should have to follow. Vigen can shove that up his a** for all I care.

Apparently if you aren't from this region there is now way you can recruit it..... Pflugrad was recruiting coordinator at Arizona State and he compiled good classes while at Montana. He would do a heckuva better job than Mussman did, I can assure that. Heck, he'd be way better than Bollinger. I really don't like the thought of a young inexperienced Bollinger getting the job. Way too much potential for him being the same thing as Mussman.

Pflugrad's offenses are balanced. You could even argue they have the potential to be run heavy. Oregon's offense, despite being up-tempo, leans heavily on the run. Same goes for Montana when Pflugrad was there. No-huddle spread option offenses are a numbers game. They are basically the ole' veer option offense but simply run out of the shotgun and at a faster pace. Sam Houston runs a similar thing and they've been to the last two national championships, despite having the Ag school win.

Offense was a up-tempo spread option offense (see Oregon's current offense - Pflugrad was WR coach when Chip Kelly was offensive coordinator) ; would fit Joe Mollberg and Kenny Golladay very well. Defense would be dependent on defensive coordinator hired but likely would be 4-3 pressure defense.

Sounds like he's really respected by the Griz faithful. In contrast, Montana State fans think Jamie Marshall is a joke. I would have to now say Pflugrad is the new #1 candidate on the list. Of course, I haven't looked at the updated list which the Herald will post later tonight.

Next year won't be worse If the right head coach and coaching staff is hired. Still plenty of talent on this team, along with JUCO players to sign and FBS players that want to transfer down themselves.

Forcing the new coach to inherit two assistant coaches from the previous regime is less than preferable. I don't agree with that. I'm also not worried about recruiting because the new coach will have over a month to accumulate recruits.

This year's recruiting class is essentially irrelevant because we are in the process of doing something way more important. The new head coach has the potential to reboot this program to a playoff level for years to come. Sacrificing one recruiting class for a quality head coach hire only makes sense.

At first glance, looks like a really good candidate.

It's quite simple; I'm disappointed with how this team has played the last two games. Blowout to Cal Poly and a sizable loss to Oregon. Not good enough, especially against Cal Poly. Need to beat Pacific to try salvage this weekend. Just need better team basketball, particularly on defense.

Typical post from a NDSUA&AS associate. Apparently they really have a solid system down there when it comes to educating about appropriateness. A largely unnecessary post like this only continues to discredit the dwindling credibility of the Fargo "school".

We all know NDSU and the supporting Fargo community are text-book bush-leaguers. They will continue to come up with "crap" until we shut them up on the field or with W-L records. Of course, they are quite good at coming up with excuses too...

I ultimately have all the faith in Faison. Whoever he hires will be a qualified leader and a good recruiter. His decades of DI experience will come in handy here.

What you just mentioned is really not significant. First off, the playing experience does NOTHING for his coaching credentials. He has less than two years FBS experience, that's the only way to put it. Also, the top assistant in the ACC thing was apart of a subjective article done on ESPN. I wouldn't read too much into that. I agree that Bollinger is nothing more than a familiar name that we are hoping will give UND a hometown discount. He shouldn't be a top candidate. I would even argue Montana State's Jamie Marshall is a better candidate. I wouldn't be entirely opposed to Bollinger but there are better candidates in my opinion. I don't believe anyone when they say he couldn't be a bust; he absolutely could be a bust because he has no college head coaching experience!!

That is a very short-sighted, homer-type statement. Why would NDSU's 3-year title run be any different than Appalachian State's title run from 2005 to 2007. In fact, the similarities are quite astounding. Appalachian State won the FCS title in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and their third consecutive championship season included a big win to start the year against Michigan. Sound familiar (NDSU vs. Kansas State to start this season)? I think historic trends in sports, particularly college football, are important to follow, because we all know it is cyclical. After this season, NDSU will arguably graduate it's most important senior class ever. After that, what's in store? After Appalachian State's run, they continued to have success, but it slowly declined (2008: 11-3; 2009: 11-3; 2010: 10-3; 2011: 8-4; 2012: 8-4; this season: 4-8). When I look at that recent trend, I honestly feel NDSU will still be good after this season, but they won't be nearly as good as they have been. We can over-emphasize coaching, atmosphere, facilities, location, etc. all we want, but when it comes down to it, its all about the players. NDSU has a great class of senior players right now, and after this season, they will be gone and NDSU will miss them. Also after this season, the door will certainly be open for UND to catch up to NDSU within a 3 to 5 year window. I'm confident UND will obtain a great asset in the new head coach and will steadily improve. On the other hand, NDSU has no where else to go but down. UND will be in "NDSU's league" within the next few years. And when that happens, the bandwagon fans can stay over in Fargo with the cows.

I know this is getting to be quite redundant and a bit unnecessary, but I just couldn't help but post this bio. http://www.msusparta...sel_282841.html LB coach and special teams coordinator for Michigan State, a program that I have absolutely loved of late - they run the ball and play physical defense. Also, Mr. Tressel was born in St. Paul and his uncle is Jim Tressel, former Ohio State head coach. He also was graduate assistant at South Dakota from 1996 to 1997, so he definitely has heard of North Dakota football. Although the chance this particular individual is hired is very very slim, I think individuals like this exemplify the type of quality FBS position coaches that are out there and may be looking for an FCS head coaching job. I think there is a very good chance Faison uses his DI connections to hire an FBS position coach with quality experience and leadership/recruiting skills.

I personally like what they did with the Big Sky logos on the wall. I feel a video board under the scoreboards would be nice, but a video screen attached to the front of the scorers table would also be modern. Would it ever be possible to have a score board/video boards hang over center court like in the Ralph? I'd imagine that would be an expensive investment.

Great win by the better team tonight. UND definitely has the potential to win the Big Sky this season and go dancing. Ultimately it depends on how they perform against Weber State and Montana. Brian Jones deserves a lot of credit for the team he has put together. Not only does this team have both senior and youthful talent, along with talented upcoming recruits, but they also are playing a real impressive brand of team basketball. Congrats UND on the awesome victory and keep up the good work!!

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