Dustin

Caruso is a name that was been mentioned quite a bit at one time, but I don't know if anyone's said it since Bubba's announcement until now.

I am definitely high on him too. How does he stack up against the preferred qualifications?

No idea if we're doing this correct. Been a lot of Fruechte OC talk on here, so it seems most are comfortable with that. After all, there must be a reason why first-year Fruechte was chosen interim instead of more seasoned staff members. I also think it's plausible that the new HC maintains at least one existing staff member for player and recruiting continuity, and Fruechte seems most likely. Really what I was after is who people want leading the defensive side, which (ironically) has been biggest disappointment for many many years.

Let's put some (likely) assumptions together: The new HC will be a current D2 HC (Bolte is my preferred at this point). The OC will be Fruechte. Who's the DC? Special Teams?

That's why he initially hired Rudy

Brent Bolte is intriguing me more and more. He would know what it's like to recruit players to a hockey oriented school against more football-minded rivals further south. Worst record as a HC is 7-4. Comes from primarily defensive side of the ball (played and coached linebackers (my favorite player position, BTW), was co-DC and DC before HC).

Baldwin is not currently an NCAA head coach, correct? Seems more like a posting meant for Brent Bolte.

This is the main driver for me why Schmidt should be approached very cautiously, perhaps not at all. Nothing about his defensive credentials (other than when he was a player) say "I can make UND a defensive juggernaut again." If we go with a UND guy (which, again, should be approached cautiously), I am more comfortable with the pre/post Rudy offensive side of things, and let that guy bring in the best defensive guy he can.

Say it is Fruechte - he hits quite a few of the criteria that keeps getting mentioned: young (33), no long standing ties to UND (been a coordinator one season), would have connections to several places and varying levels (D2, FCS, FBS, and NFL) , all while knowing the traditional recruiting footprint. Not saying he’s my guy, but it doesn’t rub me the wrong way.

Yes!

In these situations, does a new HC keep someone (perhaps multiple someones) from a current staff to maintain some continuity with the team and committed recruits?

Amen to that. I’d hire him just on those credentials.

Why would Roehl be motivated to beat his alma mater?

Had to make up a position to save everybody’s face.

Agree. I don’t get the appeal of him as a candidate. I was floored when he moved up considering his less than stellar defenses here.

IIRC, Darrell passed away a couple/few years ago.

I'm holding out hope for Tupac.

The guys with the USD and SDSU connections intrigue me the most. They would know and share the frustrations of trying to beat NDSU. Eric and Luke have connections to some of the darkest days of UND football, so I am a little leery with those two.

Assuming for both ways. Keeping the guys you want, and bringing the guys you want.

If those two games had gone our way, the belief of the team may have been enough to get at least one more.

That would be some turn of events.

To be fair, he had no say in their recruitment, so he was just playing the cards dealt. Maybe none of them fit his vision for a QB. Not saying Freuchte should be the next HC, just that I am going to hold judgement until he gets his guy in the system.

I certainly was last year. He may be even more valuable now after some time at SDSU.

Of anyone on the current staff, he would be the one. Least amount of time in the program and the freshest look of outside ideas. How many UND coaches have ever had FBS and NFL experience?

It shouldn't. I hope they win for the sake of the seniors, and all players, and really, even Bubba. But Bubba shouldn't be coaching for his job this Saturday. He should be coaching the last game of his career regardless.