UND-FB-FAN

No, you missed by point. I am not criticizing a group based on a physical attribute, rather referring to that group using that term. The reason they are being criticized is completely independent of their physical attributes. I was not the first one on this forum to use that term, by the way, I just carried it forward.

Gonna be tough. Nebraska has a sizeable NIL package as well; actually, one of the best in the country.

Once again, assumptions of my personal accomplishments and resume are the focus of your post. I’m unaware of what I’m unaware, apparently. Unknown unknowns. Okay, Donald Rumsfeld. Ridiculous. I’m not going there… again. This isn’t about me or any individual person, other than maybe those employed by UND. Furthermore, there are several issues, and conservatism and stagnancy is part of it. Using the term “gray hairs”, which I just carried forward on this forum, apparently upset you. Don’t excessively focus on that. No individual (other than maybe coaches) is being singled out (or at least I’m not doing that, you are though). This is an overall group/institution issue, and there’s no easy fixes given the hole, but ultimately there are fixes.

There’s always exceptions, but as a whole, the “gray hairs” aren’t doing enough. So, yes, fair criticism is warranted. By fair, I mean UND’s lack of compete ascension is certainly not entirely due to the gray hairs. There’s internal misdirection to thank for some of the issues.

True, but pathetic. UND extended him after a losing season!?! Ridiculous. Did Engelstad-McGary recommend that extension?

Don’t want to start a hockey vs football argument, but with UND’s finite amount of resources, UND football is certainly limited by the degree of allocation towards hockey. Just the way it is. There isn’t enough money, time, and staff for UND (apparently) to market and build both programs to the top tier. It’s beyond disappointing, but the last 15 years definitely demonstrate it.

A higher paying job in Colorado? Kennedy was definitely on the right track by identifying and trying to rectify the corrupt Engelstad-UND agreement, but in the end just too much corruption (and crying wolf by Engelstad-McGary) to stick with that fiasco.

I think the gray hairs deserve their fair share of criticism. Everything is interconnected. Their conservatism and “stagnant” thinking as @UND08states is not a good thing. Constantly comparing them to the student body isn’t going to produce any accomplishments for UND.

Yeah, but not many midmajor programs roll with hockey as their core program. Maybe 5 to 10 programs across the nation, tops. And many do not even sponsor football. Bottom line, I think the hockey core program model is damaging for football and basketball and doesn’t have a good track record. Furthermore, UND isn’t bucking that trend.

Since moving up to DI in 2007, I’d argue that UND athletics as a whole has become less relevant, as opposed to more relevant. That’s partly because of NDSU and SDSU’s success, and shifts in local media coverage, but also because UND leadership and boosters are satisfied with the status quo. Going DI in 2007 didn’t change much, if anything, for hockey. But it also hasn’t led to major accomplishments for other sports… which is beyond disappointing. UND needs to invest more. I’m happy with the improvements coming in terms of facilities, namely Pollard Athletic Center phase II and Memorial Village. But overall, despite the patience and realism talks we often get by the elder statesmen on here, the rate of successful change for non-hockey sports at UND is occurring at way too slow of a rate. NDSU and SDSU continue to ascend while UND stays put. Hopefully UND makes some progress on the field/court over the next few years, or else I fear long-term discrepancies could develop. I think it is fair to be cautiously optimistic, because NDSU as a whole is facing some issues right now, but UND can’t get any more complacent than they’ve been for the past 15+ years. In fact, they may need to stick their neck out just a bit more … just a wee bit. A big power/financial move that needs to happen in the future, whether that’s in 5 years or 15, is getting more television contract money. That would require UND to merge with an FBS conference, or create their own. Most realistic would be a Mountain West merger with some MVFC and Big Sky Conference teams, but that’s still a long shot.

There’s no figurative hole. Yes, I hope NDSU loses, but not putting any money on it. NDSU’s system has proven to work in FCS playoffs - time and time again.

Matter of perception. My “garbage” is often the painful truth, that no one wants to admit or fathom. We’ll agree to disagree. Alternatively, I don’t see you bringing anything fruitful to the discussion.

Correct. Often won and lost at the line of scrimmage, of which I know you’re a subscriber.

Run the ball well and pick off the NDSU quarterback. I agree - that’s a winning formula.

We should ask South Dakota State; they’re on to something.

Who the puck are you? (See what I did there?). Im going with your brain is frozen from watching too much hockey, obviously.

I agree UND will have better facilities and that should definitely help. If that doesn’t help, then you definitely need to find someone with more youthful energy and insight to sell the vision. For now, it’s Bubba’s job description, so hence go forth and see what can be done.

No and No. But he *should* be able to recruit better players.

Spot on. You have to put yourself (or at least try put yourself) in these kids’ shoes. When they walk into the weight room, training rooms, meeting rooms, etc. at UND, it’s not good enough. Not at the level of NDSU, Montana, or South Dakota State, that’s for sure. They want bright shiny and new; at this juncture, that’s not UND. Good news is there is a plan in place to address this, fortunately. But it also highlights why UND football’s issues the past decade plus as a DI school have certainly included inability to recruit (in addition to some other issues). On this fan forum, every commit is hyped up to be the next Barry Sanders, but if you take your UND glasses off, most are D2 level recruits. Need to elevate that for UND to take the next step.

That won’t be the case in a couple years. Furthermore, it *CAN’T* be the case in a couple years. But I agree, at this juncture, the actual student-athlete experience is adversely affected by the outdated facilities. What fans see (Alerus Center on Gameday, Fitz Pollard athletic center for spring ball) is quite nice for FCS, but the other facilities (and where the work is actually done) beyond that (weight room, sports medicine/training room, meeting rooms, coaches offices, nutrition space/cafeteria) are still D2 level. This will be elevated with phase 2 project completion, and it is desperately needed to elevate recruiting.

Yeah… already plenty of those on roster. Will they replace Trey Patrick with an actual DI recruit? Recruiting to Grand Forks ain’t easy, but c’mon …

When UND (and whoever the coaching staff is at that time) beats NDSU, that is going to lead to a *LOT*. The regional implications are huge. Right now, despite what some think, there are very few recruits that will choose UND head to head over NDSU unless there are other stipulations. UND beating division I NDSU is still a major objective that hasn’t been accomplished. The 2022 game showed UND has a ways to go yet. The 2021 game was an opportunity, but shows UND still can’t get out of their own way in big games.

You’re clueless. UND still should’ve hosted a playoff game. Screw NDSU and their AD Larsen

No

Absolutely. Montana State and South Dakota State are the two programs most deserving to be in the championship in Frisco, not NDSU. How many loses does NDSU, Montana State, and SDSU have at this point? After you analyze that, you’ll see NDSU should’ve been the 4th seed … but since they’ve won 1000 FCS championships, they got preferential treatment. NDSU AD Larsen screwed UND all while elevating NDSU. Brutal. Corruption leads to more corruption. F*ck NDSU.