Dustin

How realistic is it to have a revamped FCS selection format by 2023? Is there enough of a stink being made about '22 that off-season coaches meetings, etc. will spur change? Seeding 16 teams seems like the obvious solution. Talking expectations for UND in '23: Offense - find a suitable replacement for Hoosman (maybe that's Smith, maybe not), continue to gel as O line, Tommy takes off a couple more times per game when that's what defense gives you, continue to score 30+ Defense - make the first tackle, bolster up the roster with some transfers, implement some sort of new wrinkle in the 3-4 to better fit the scheme to actual players, reduced points allowed (preferably under 20, but that might be such a big step in one year), force more turnovers Special Teams - improved kick coverage, improved place kicking, continue blocking punts Season goals - beat NDSU at home, no bad losses (for the record, I don't believe we had any in '22, but I know that could be debated), quarterfinal appearance at the very least (quarterfinal win preferred, that would put us past anywhere we've previously been)

Was there a reported bid that was higher from anyone else? Montana?

How much of our defensive problems can be attributed to missing the first tackle?

Me either. That’s why I was surprised someone even mentioned him.

If he’s interested, count me interested.

I know his name comes up. Since he is currently an FCS OC, is he better than the FCS OC that UND currently has on staff?

Not trying to scapegoat UND's failure to win on Saturday on the NCAA, but the process was especially bad this year. I think 16 teams need to be seeded and get to host. The at-large selections (17-24) can be sent to their nearest 9-16 seeded team (if regionalization is still a priority) for the first round. Top 8 teams still get a bye.

Doesn't Schmidt make big $$ at Washington?

BINGO! Implement that. Even if you have to fudge a little by telling the players "This defense is designed to stop the NDSU offense" like Dale Lennon told his defensive players 30 years ago. Make the players believe.

Haha, trying to do this while attending a work meeting. Point is, we were a lot more depleted than I was remembering throughout the season.

There actually were a number of big names missing from the defense from '21 to '22: Holm (grad/retired), Fort (on roster, but injured), Nelson (transfer), Canady (grad/retired), Seguin, Pierre, and Lickfeldt (Can't remember the various scenarios with those last 3 guys). So maybe I've overreacted on calling for a new DC. Still need something big to happen on defense. It'd be nice if it were to happen under Tommy's offense.

That could be.

Not sure about others, but I was surprised that Schmidt had such an opportunity. I never thought his defenses were anything special, either. After Holinka became DC, I thought the defense was actually better. Until this year. Maybe my memory is not serving me correctly.

I must have a short memory - was last year's defense great? As Frasier Crane would say, I'm listening...

New DC. Even if someone is promoted internally. Need to send a message that defense was the letdown of the team. Hit the transfer portal hard in a hopefully one-time effort to shore up the defense for next season. Hit the recruiting trail hard for better defensive players. It’d be a real shame next year if we have one of the best (if not best) QBs in program history but can’t give him a worthwhile defense when he’s not on the field.

Who is the best defensive assistant under Holinka? When Rudy was let go he was replaced by one of his assistants and things have improved. Maybe that’s a strategy that can be replicated.

Don’t follow FB statistics as a general rule, but that aside I realize the overwhelming answer is no. I’d like to see one of the XDSU’s defensive assistants as DC in Grand Forks. Don’t follow their programs so I don’t know names, but those two were the top defenses we played.

While I think that would be a mistake, I don’t doubt that this is correct.

If there isn’t, then I am going to start questioning Bubba.

I am equally ok with this approach. I think we have enough of a good thing going that some personnel stability from one HC to the next is good.

Haha. That would be an interesting strategy.

I can accept a clunker half/game if it’s the exception rather than the rule. Defense was consistently missing tackles and giving up chunk yards all season. I never had confidence to expect a 3 and out from the D.

Feel free to change to a new thread if you feel this is off topic ( or should be its own topic), but who would be in the running for a DC?

Fair enough. Still weird.

This year’s defense. I thought our offense was decent enough last year. Freund improved upon it this year. Holinka’s defense regressed by a lot.