UND-FB-FAN

I respectfully disagree about the attendance issue via scheduling. Although scheduling was a problem during the transition, attendance was somewhat revived at the beginning of this season. The SDSU and Montana games were well attended (over 10,000 and almost 10,000, respectively) and I truthfully believe the attendance would've remained in that area, if not increased, had the team competed and/or won. Losing, especially through home blowouts, is hard to watch and it causes an attendance hit. If UND wins and competes for/in the playoffs, UND football attendance will be around 11,000. This year's early attendance numbers indicate that.

Comes down to whether or not you think 6 years is a large enough sample size. If you do, then your view is likely that Mussman has to go. He has a losing record, no signature wins against top 10 programs, and several bad loses (Sioux Falls, Idaho, Montana schools, etc.). If you honestly expected UND to struggle through the transition and the first couple years of conference play, regardless of the head coach, then I commend you on your accurate predications and I believe you likely want to wait and see how Mussman does next season. Regardless of your views, the attendance and season record indicate this is a low point for UND football. What needs to be done will obviously be decided Faison and not us. With that said, we can voice our opinions. Recruits do look at this site, but ultimately winning is more of a priority to any recruit than fan forum content. As far as attendance goes, consistently having 11,000 should be the goal. It is practical and still provides a quality atmosphere. To achieve this, however, UND at the very least needs to be competitive against conference opponents at home. Losing by over 30 points to the same opponents you're going to see year after year is unacceptable and will always deter attendance.

An 160 spot differential? That's not right. Thankfully this will be settled on the court.

Have you ever heard of commercial aviation, agricultural aviation, or air traffic control? The Air Force and Naval Academies train pilots for the military, not civilian-based aviation positions. The fact that you just stated UND gets military "left-overs" is absolutely appalling, largely due to the incompetence of it.

UND attempting to make Mussman work may actually be one of the top reasons NDSU is doing as good as they are. NDSU simply took over control of the state once Mussman got control of UND's once competitive football program.

I think we need new leadership, but I don't think this program should be set back at all if the right guy is hired. If a good coach is acquired, then it better not take him 3 years to get a winning record, or else Faison hired the wrong guy.

Spot-on, honest post that I agree 100% with. Everything I've heard perfectly lines up with what you said.

I fully expect Kuksa and Reyes to be our starting safeties next season. Unless we end up with new leadership and they fall in love with Javen Butler and get him in the lineup. I mean, it's tough not to because he just looks like a DI football player.

Well, quite fittingly, from a couple players.

I do respect that you have a different opinion on this situation than other supporters that post on this board. Diversity eventually promotes productivity. Serious Question: I believe you would agree that this year's team is not very good and hasn't lived up to the expectations of the conference (picked 7th by coaching poll) and the University support system. So, with that said, what is the source of the current problem? I'm just curious and also interested in hearing your response.

Mussman is notorious for his arrogance, particularly towards the players.

I will be honestly surprised if the team plays with passion today; expect another lethargic attitude by the team. As far as I can tell, the players have given up on this season and the coaches. Portland State 38 UND 14

Good luck with that Johnny boy

Mussman has lost his team. Once that happens, nothing good can come from a season. There's still 4 games left on the season, but I'd be really surprised if the team went 2-2 or better. It's on Faison to make a move at the end of the season. The players aren't stupid; they've read this forum and seen how the supporters are reacting by not showing for games and saying negative remarks. Ultimately, the players realize the current negativity surrounding the coaching staff so I really doubt we see 100% effort and enthusiasm from all the players for the rest of the season.

UND's team this year will be a lot better than the team last year, especially the team we put on the floor against NDSU last year. Huff will be playing but we also have way more front court depth. Not to mention it's at the Betty this year and not the Fdome. I'm very excited for the NDSU game - it's great that it's early in the season too! Definitely going with a UND victory. This is our dancing year!!

That's true, but wins are all that matter. If we pay a coach $50,000 but consistently win 7 to 8 games a year with a Big Sky schedule, then pay is irrelevant. Hire a good FCS coordinator/FBS position coach at around $200,000 and there should be no issue.

Losing to Sioux Falls in 2009 was horrible, and then going 3-8 the next season should've been the final straw. Mussman should've never gotten an opportunity to go 8-3 in 2011 and get an extension after. He hasn't proved anything in my opinion. Absolutely nothing. Only moral victories of Mussmans tenure (38 pts to Texas Tech, close games vs Northern Illinois and Fresno State) are the highlight. After 5 years, that doesn't cut it anymore.

This is a fan forum; it allows individuals interested in UND athletics (and other non-athletic, and even non-UND, topics) to communicate their thoughts and feelings amongst each other. If the fanbase and alumni base are unhappy with leadership in the football program, there's no reason they can't voice their opinion on this fan forum. I'm not saying it's going to lead to actualization by Faison or be beneficial to the program in any way, but there's still no reason such frustration can't be vented on a FAN FORUM! It's better than doing it at the actual events!!

There are many instances in college football where bad teams make coaching changes and the very next year the team improves by a few wins. It's all about culture change, which includes discipline and motivation.

You can't hire a new coach in the next 2 weeks. You have to wait for the regular season to be over so interviews can be conducted. As much as I want a new staff hired and put in place, there's really nothing gained by firing Mussman now, other than just sending a message and maybe re-energizing the players for the final 4 of this season. I expect Mussman to be relieved of his duties the Monday after the season (November 18) and a new coach subsequently hired within the next few weeks after that. You don't want to jump at a replacement too quickly, also. Have to go though the process correctly to find the right guy.

A lot of factors at play here but obviously the penalties and turnovers are the biggest. UND has a young quarterback with all the potential in the world but he's just not playing smart football. He single-handedly accounts for at least one interception each game. The other interceptions are a result of the pressure he's under. UND doesn't have a running game, which is so important for a young quarterback that hasn't seen all of the coverages a starting Big Sky quarterback is going to see. If Brock Jensen at NDSU was asked to throw the ball 40 times a game with no running game during his freshman season, you'd probably see similar results. What UND is capable of doing right now just doesn't fit well with a freshman quarterback. And, on top of poor quarterback and O-line play, UND has no Big Sky-caliber running backs. Consistently playing Jake Miller and Jer Garmin will not work. They are both sub 180 lbs and they can't break tackles to produce on their own. They need great blocking ahead of them and this offensive line is not giving them that. Bottom line, I think this offense, and ultimately the entire team, has packed it in for the season. Mussman has lost his group and they are now a unmotivated bunch that don't care anymore. A team that doesn't play with passion is a team that doesn't win many games. We'll see more of what we saw yesterday throughout the coming weeks.

Hey when you guys choke in the playoffs just remember you heard it here first. That's all.

Well, I didnt got too excited after last weeks teaser game vs EWU (unlike some unrealistic, delusional posters on this forum) and today the team proved to me that I was right. This team is lost because the leaders, the coaches, are lost. With Mussman, this program is in over its head trying to compete in the Big Sky. Can't produce when the coaching staff is a bunch of DII assistants.

Amen

Is it ironic that on the same day Mussman is making an effort to not have his job, Bubba is making a pitch to take his job?