fightingsioux4life

And what is that supposed to mean?

I say we should wait until the end of this week and see what happens. If there isn't a new coach announced before Christmas, then I will start to worry. Until then, I am comfortable trusting Faison with the details. He has done a solid job up to this point; no reason to think that will change.

1000% correct. You simply cannot slash and burn your way into prosperity. You have to spend money to buy whiskey. I hope those are the principles Faison has in mind as he conducts this coaching search.

In that case, let's load up the non-conference slate with a bunch of NAIA schools from North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, etc. Seriously, I think we should set D-II programs as the absolute floor when deciding how many "soft" opponents to schedule prior to the start of the conference schedule. NAIA schools should be banned. Permanently. We are not a "transition" program anymore.

Generally, those two things go together. A perennial 9-2, 10-1 program will generally make more money than a perennial 2-9, 1-10 program. And that is why the coaching search at UND is so important.

Well, I wasn't one of those and I was very down when Blais left for the Blue Jackets. When I saw the headline in the GF Heraldo that morning, I realized that an era (a GOLDEN era) in Sioux hockey was over.

I don't think Saban will go anywhere anytime soon. They locked him up for the rest of his coaching career. I don't see him going to the NFL (the track record for college coaches at the next level is generally poor) and he has led the Tide to three national titles. That should buy him all the breathing space he needs to finish out his contract and retire on top of his game.

Not many because Blais had 2 NCAA titles (1997, 2000) and arguably saved the program from long-term ruin when he took it over in 1994. That buys you some serious breathing space.

No, you didn't offend me. Five years ago, I might have been offended. Now, at 39 years old (and a mature mind, CMSioux), I have grown a thicker skin and I don't take things quite as personally as I used to. But the very notion that the braintrust of UND doesn't care about being #1 in the nation in our signature sport (hockey) and has allowed our #2 sport to decay to the point it hasn't been at since 1986 (football) does offend me. That is what set me off, not you personally. I am sorry it came off like that. For the record, I am not calling for Hakstol's head. But I do think it is fair and appropriate to question our lack of ability to get over the hump in March and April. And I don't think Hakstol will be pushed out. When he leaves, it will be because an NHL team offered him a lot of money to serve as an assistant and we won't be able or willing to match it. I do hope Hakstol gets us over the hump before he leaves; I just have some serious doubts it will happen.

Really Mr. Rogers? This isn't about me? You are right, this isn't about me. It's about ALL OF US. ALL OF US that contribute our time, money, energy and passion to this program (and all our other programs; check out the FB coaching search thread for evidence of this). ALL OF US that bleed Green and White and are still mourning the loss of the Fighting Sioux name and logo. ALL OF US that will stand with the school and the teams win, lose or draw. And if the Athletic Department doesn't think winning NCAA titles is important to the hockey (and FB) programs, then they are doing a disservice to all the stakeholders (including everyone on this forum) of UND athletics. So you are right, it isn't just about me. But know this; I and many others will continue to speak our peace about our programs and the institution whether you like it or not. THAT is a tough truth for YOU to accept. I hope that little nugget of truth doesn't burst YOUR bubble. And since you are playing Mr. Rogers, why don't you go over to the FB coaching discussion thread and tell everyone that is concerned about the search and how it is being conducted that it isn't "all about them" and that "it isn't always what we want". But if you get your butt chewed over it, please don't let it burst your bubble.

But we get to keep more of the gate and that is what really matters according to some people.

Don't jump off the ship; that doesn't solve anything. Let's wait and see what Faison comes up with.

You are right, I would hold it up as an example of our continued failings in March and April. I just wish we would get off the schnide and start collecting NCAA title trophies instead of bridesmaid dresses. I get so sick and tired of hearing about Boston College this and Boston College that. That attention used to be focused on UND. That is what I want us to get back to. End Rant.

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Really? The fans don't have to "get used to" anything. If we backslide into being a perennial .500 program, the Athletic Department and REA will have to "get used to" not having home sellouts anymore. We've won four in a row, but I am still not sold on this team being a factor in the playoffs this year or next. And please, everyone, enough references to Jerry "Freaking" York! I do not care what Jerry York and his program are or aren't doing; I care about THIS program. Period.

I remember that series. The tie was on Friday night and we won on Saturday night.

I think that was early in the 1997-98 season on the road in Colorado Springs; where freshman Karl Goehring had his coming out party. I believe we won and tied that weekend.

But Lennon has tried to win with the same basic philosophy and it isn't working very well down there. If the Bison had a good (but not great) defense, they wouldn't be close to the team they are right now.

That example keeps being brought up, but everyone ignores the fact that they do have a functioning passing game. Brock Jensen is not a great QB, but is a consistently solid QB; you know what you're getting from him every week. He keeps the defenses honest so that the running game can work and (with a few exceptions the past couple of years) makes good decisions with the ball. With a great defense like they have now (which they won't always have), that is enough to win. At Southern Illinois however, it hasn't worked as well for Lennon and company. Dominant defenses like NDSU's are not all that common; they come around only so often. If we are going to count on having a defense like that, we'll have a lot of lean years.

As nostalgic and sentimental I am about the Thomas-Lennon era of the 1990's through the mid-2000's, the game has changed. You must have some sort of deep passing game to loosen up defenses enough to be able to establish a legitimate running game. Defenses are more athletic and nimble than they used to be, so you must have balance and enough tools in the toolbox for any situation that comes up. The offenses we had in the early to mid 1990's would be toast in today's game. I think the spread option would work great for us.

Well said GoGriz. I just hope Faison looks at it the same way.

But Hakstol says we should have shootouts because fans in Montreal, Quebec like them. Seriously though, I agree with you on shootouts. I think 4X4 for 10 minutes would eliminate a lot of ties. And I think the skill players would love the chance to show off their talent.

Use next time and I think people will get it.

I agree with this.

I have said before the NDSU win over the Badgers in Madison was a signature win for them. But beating the Irish just isn't quite at the same level.