2020-21 Football Season

[siouxfan512]

33 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

UND picked 7th in the preseason poll.  Put it on the bulletin board.

Big opportunity in the first few weeks to get wins over team picked ahead of us, especially at home.

No surprise we are picked low in the first year of the conference, with several new key pieces. That being said, we could absolutely surprise some people this year; doesn't mean we will, but there is definitely some talent there.

[Teeder11]

36 minutes ago, UNDBIZ said:

UND picked 7th in the preseason poll.  Put it on the bulletin board.

I like that spot. Not a target. Poised to surprise. Now, we've got to execute.

[siouxfan512]

Have they updated weights on the UND website yet? I assume not, because there were some guys, specifically on the O and D line that had added more weight.

[MoSiouxFan]

1 hour ago, Teeder11 said:

I like that spot. Not a target. Poised to surprise. Now, we've got to execute.

Have you been able to make any practices yet?

[Teeder11]

6 minutes ago, MoSiouxFan said:

Have you been able to make any practices yet?

I have not. No time during the weekdays for me. I usually take vacation time the first couple weeks of "Fall Camp" in August to make it work for me. 

[The Sicatoka]

Imagine "no HPC" and the forecast for this weekend. 

[sioux24/7]

Just from reading Tom Miller’s daily camp updates it really seems like Bo Belquist makes a lot of plays. Interested to see if they can get him involved with the WR depth. 

[Ozzie82]

On 1/27/2021 at 7:19 PM, SIOUXFAN97 said:

other than placekicking and punting???? not much left after those two very important pieces of the special teams puzzle.

At the risk of sounding like I'm related to Kostich (I'm not), I did some further research on his responsibilities as special teams coordinator. Since the other big complaint about the special teams was that the kicking game has left a lot to be desired in recent years, I wanted to find out exactly what special teams coaches do. Are college special teams coaches supposed to be experts on kicking and punting techniques, especially since it seems that special teams appears to be a gateway job when moving up levels (D2 head coach becomes a ST coordinator at a Power 5 school)?

 

I reached out to an acquaintance of mine, who has coached in the MAC, FCS, and D2, and is currently the head coach at at D3 school in Ohio. I asked him if special teams coaches are supposed to be well versed in kicking and punting techniques; his reply: "No. (the position) has much more to do with the mechanics and execution of the units outside of the specialists themselves. 

Specialists today are birds of a feather who train and work in their own circles and really work on perfecting there craft in the offseason and really work to maintain consistency during. 

Many places like Ohio State will have consultants or advisers that are specialists guys to help coach through but no... the coordinator is going to have everything to do with typically everyone else but those specialists unless it is in regard to what they want them to specifically execute."

 

This makes sense to me. I think the kicking issues are more of a recruiting issue. I don't know if Kostich is primarily responsible for recruiting kickers and punters (it would make sense if he was and would be open to praise or blame if so), but it seems that if a kicker is struggling is has less to do with coaching and more to do with the player.

[nodak651]

24 minutes ago, Ozzie82 said:

At the risk of sounding like I'm related to Kostich (I'm not), I did some further research on his responsibilities as special teams coordinator. Since the other big complaint about the special teams was that the kicking game has left a lot to be desired in recent years, I wanted to find out exactly what special teams coaches do. Are college special teams coaches supposed to be experts on kicking and punting techniques, especially since it seems that special teams appears to be a gateway job when moving up levels (D2 head coach becomes a ST coordinator at a Power 5 school)?

 

I reached out to an acquaintance of mine, who has coached in the MAC, FCS, and D2, and is currently the head coach at at D3 school in Ohio. I asked him if special teams coaches are supposed to be well versed in kicking and punting techniques; his reply: "No. (the position) has much more to do with the mechanics and execution of the units outside of the specialists themselves. 

Specialists today are birds of a feather who train and work in their own circles and really work on perfecting there craft in the offseason and really work to maintain consistency during. 

Many places like Ohio State will have consultants or advisers that are specialists guys to help coach through but no... the coordinator is going to have everything to do with typically everyone else but those specialists unless it is in regard to what they want them to specifically execute."

 

This makes sense to me. I think the kicking issues are more of a recruiting issue. I don't know if Kostich is primarily responsible for recruiting kickers and punters (it would make sense if he was and would be open to praise or blame if so), but it seems that if a kicker is struggling is has less to do with coaching and more to do with the player.

Sounds kind of like how a hockey coach wouldn't normally work with the goalies.  Missing kicks that are within fg range have to be at least 50% technique you would think, though.  Kind of like basketball free throw attempts, pitching, or golf.  It would be nice if UND had the money to bring some type of specialist in a few times a year to help out - like if Winnipeg Bombers have a kicking coach, or even one of their normal kickers..  Not sure how much it costs or if UND does it, but it would have to help.  Technique is huge when it comes to every sport with a moving object, and hopefully someone is giving them pointers.

[Ozzie82]

48 minutes ago, nodak651 said:

Sounds kind of like how a hockey coach wouldn't normally work with the goalies. 

Yeah, that's an excellent comparison. With kickers and goalies the skill set is so different from the rest of the team.

 

(Side bar - I think kicking in football is weird. It's bizarre how it became such a crucial part of the game and why it stayed.)

[BIGSIOUX]

6 hours ago, siouxfan512 said:

Also, since this is a free year, what are the chances we see Evan Holm back again in the fall? Guy might have a PhD by then.

Chances are very good.  

[AJS]

50 minutes ago, BIGSIOUX said:

Chances are very good.  

It would be hard to describe how big that would be. 

Any word on Canady, Tobin, Nguon or Turner and if they are looking to play again this Fall?

 

[SiouxFan100]

7 hours ago, Teeder11 said:

I have not. No time during the weekdays for me. I usually take vacation time the first couple weeks of "Fall Camp" in August to make it work for me. 

Time to pitch in and buy Teeder some PTO!!

[nodak651]

3 hours ago, AJS said:

It would be hard to describe how big that would be. 

Any word on Canady, Tobin, Nguon or Turner and if they are looking to play again this Fall?

 

With all of the transfers across the country, be careful not to look too far ahead!  We are blessed to have so many guys back this spring!  

[Nodak78]

17 days till kickoff, KS that possible.  I can't hard wait for football.

[geaux_sioux]

You don’t develop a good kicker. You recruit a good kicker. 

[Siouxperman8]

7 hours ago, Ozzie82 said:

At the risk of sounding like I'm related to Kostich (I'm not), I did some further research on his responsibilities as special teams coordinator. Since the other big complaint about the special teams was that the kicking game has left a lot to be desired in recent years, I wanted to find out exactly what special teams coaches do. Are college special teams coaches supposed to be experts on kicking and punting techniques, especially since it seems that special teams appears to be a gateway job when moving up levels (D2 head coach becomes a ST coordinator at a Power 5 school)?

 

I reached out to an acquaintance of mine, who has coached in the MAC, FCS, and D2, and is currently the head coach at at D3 school in Ohio. I asked him if special teams coaches are supposed to be well versed in kicking and punting techniques; his reply: "No. (the position) has much more to do with the mechanics and execution of the units outside of the specialists themselves. 

Specialists today are birds of a feather who train and work in their own circles and really work on perfecting there craft in the offseason and really work to maintain consistency during. 

Many places like Ohio State will have consultants or advisers that are specialists guys to help coach through but no... the coordinator is going to have everything to do with typically everyone else but those specialists unless it is in regard to what they want them to specifically execute."

 

This makes sense to me. I think the kicking issues are more of a recruiting issue. I don't know if Kostich is primarily responsible for recruiting kickers and punters (it would make sense if he was and would be open to praise or blame if so), but it seems that if a kicker is struggling is has less to do with coaching and more to do with the player.

Not much different even going back to the 70's and 80's.  In HS I was lucky enough to be able to show up at UND practice a couple of times and have the kickers work with me.  Rob Bollinger knew about kicking but the kickers did most of it on their own.  Same when I was there.   Lot's of work in the offseason.  Maybe a kicking camp somewhere.

[siouxfan512]

38 minutes ago, Siouxperman8 said:

Not much different even going back to the 70's and 80's.  In HS I was lucky enough to be able to show up at UND practice a couple of times and have the kickers work with me.  Rob Bollinger knew about kicking but the kickers did most of it on their own.  Same when I was there.   Lot's of work in the offseason.  Maybe a kicking camp somewhere.

Can UND pay for the players to attend kicking camps, or does that all have to be on their own?

[iramurphy]

7 minutes ago, siouxfan512 said:

Can UND pay for the players to attend kicking camps, or does that all have to be on their own?

On their own. 

[Nodak78]

1 hour ago, geaux_sioux said:

You don’t develop a good kicker. You recruit a good kicker. 

This reminds me Tony Shahbarat.  He was a kicker for UND in 1970 and 71 I believe.  I knew Tony while he and I was attending Lake Region JR College.  Tony a

Was about 5' 7" and 150 pounds.  At time when soccer style kicking was starting to take off.  It just happened a former UND football player and counselor at the college.  I don't who was all involved but they had Tony kicking the football to check his distance, I guessing.  I happen to pass by and asked Tony what he was doing and he said, "I'm going to UND to kick footballs".  I believe he was the first soccer style kicker a d kicked a 55 yard outdoors.  He was from Amman, Jordan where he played soccer in high school.  

He wasn't trained a former football player found him.  Tony past away in 2006.  He was very proud of his time at UND.

[Siouxperman8]

5 minutes ago, Nodak78 said:

This reminds me Tony Shahbarat.  He was a kicker for UND in 1970 and 71 I believe.  I knew Tony while he and I was attending Lake Region JR College.  Tony a

Was about 5' 7" and 150 pounds.  At time when soccer style kicking was starting to take off.  It just happened a former UND football player and counselor at the college.  I don't who was all involved but they had Tony kicking the football to check his distance, I guessing.  I happen to pass by and asked Tony what he was doing and he said, "I'm going to UND to kick footballs".  I believe he was the first soccer style kicker a d kicked a 55 yard outdoors.  He was from Amman, Jordan where he played soccer in high school.  

He wasn't trained a former football player found him.  Tony past away in 2006.  He was very proud of his time at UND.

Great story and brings back memories of watching him play.

[TheFlop]

15 hours ago, siouxfan512 said:

Can UND pay for the players to attend kicking camps, or does that all have to be on their own?

Wouldn't that be like when the Vikings sent Troy Williamson to a hand/eye coordination specialist?  Maybe a little too late by then?

[Norhsidepride]

22 hours ago, AJS said:

It would be hard to describe how big that would be. 

Any word on Canady, Tobin, Nguon or Turner and if they are looking to play again this Fall?

 

I think Holm will stay (again) since this wasn't a full year and would not be surprised if a few other as well.   The trickle down with the uncounted year is to the the young talent waiting their turn.  If there is a logjam of good recruits with talent in a certain position group, the transfer portal is an easy option to find a team that is thin at the position to transfer to.

IE:    Maag has an extra year, Boltman has an extra year, Waletzko has an extra year, Siegel has an extra year, Larson has an extra year, Fort has an extra year.    Beyond the seniors you just mentioned some of those underclassman could stay longer.  Attritiion at some positions could be a year or so longer than originally expected. I think the transfer portal over the next 2 to 3 years will be a busy place. 

[siouxfan512]

1 hour ago, Norhsidepride said:

I think Holm will stay (again) since this wasn't a full year and would not be surprised if a few other as well.   The trickle down with the uncounted year is to the the young talent waiting their turn.  If there is a logjam of good recruits with talent in a certain position group, the transfer portal is an easy option to find a team that is thin at the position to transfer to.

IE:    Maag has an extra year, Boltman has an extra year, Waletzko has an extra year, Siegel has an extra year, Larson has an extra year, Fort has an extra year.    Beyond the seniors you just mentioned some of those underclassman could stay longer.  Attritiion at some positions could be a year or so longer than originally expected. I think the transfer portal over the next 2 to 3 years will be a busy place. 

Hopefully to our benefit and not our disadvantage. Coaches need to be smart in the decisions they make. Just because a play is eligible for another year, does not mean the coaches are required to give them that extra year. For some players it may make sense, for others it may not. Coaches will need to evaluate position depth, current player, incoming player, and potentially even incoming transfers.

[Bison Dan]

8 minutes ago, siouxfan512 said:

Hopefully to our benefit and not our disadvantage. Coaches need to be smart in the decisions they make. Just because a play is eligible for another year, does not mean the coaches are required to give them that extra year. For some players it may make sense, for others it may not. Coaches will need to evaluate position depth, current player, incoming player, and potentially even incoming transfers.

How many scholarships would you have if all your seniors come back this fall?