UND-FB-FAN

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.

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.