2024 UND Football

[SIOUXFAN97]

12 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

Busy being professionals likely. They need to vet things so it’s not like they’re going to write an article on that before confirming with the athletic department 

the word "vet" doesn't exist in modern journalism......a little birdie told me works now.

[UND-FB-FAN]

Some change confirmed. Wish Nate Baukol well in his future endeavors, but this is the minimum amount of change justified for UND football at this time. Likely more - much more - is needed, but this is at least a start. 
 

[Dustin]

I've read mixed opinions on Baukol over the years here.  Looks like the naysayers knew what they were talking about.  Hopefully this change brings a positive result.

[gfhockey]

I don’t understand how he is the one to blame for our shortcomings that all has to start with recruiting and play calling

[UND-FB-FAN]

30 minutes ago, gfhockey said:

I don’t understand how he is the one to blame for our shortcomings that all has to start with recruiting and play calling

Could be looked at like a Scapegoat move. Something had to be done in 2018 (missed playoffs two years in a row after a conference championship), so Rudolph and Knauf let go. Something needed to be done now this year (squandering second 1/2 of season), so Baukol let go. But never ever would the head coach be held accountable … God forbid…

[gfhockey]

Or maybe bubba waiting till recruits sign tm to let go the position coach? Who knows

[gfhockey]

You do have to admit the replacements for knauf and Rudolph were an upgrade tho

 

 

[UND-FB-FAN]

Just now, gfhockey said:

You do have to admit the replacements for knauf and Rudolph were an upgrade tho

 

 

Agree with Freund and Pawlak for sure. Hiring of OL coach Pawlak, which was coordinated by then newly promoted OC Freund, is probably the best staff hire of Bubba’s tenure.
 

The other coaching changes have mostly felt like forced internal promotions, largely on the defensive side of the ball. Minimal outside influence has hurt this group, and here we are; awful defense in 2022 and 2023. Surprise? I think not.  

Joe Pawlak was hired from University of Iowa, and it’s no surprise that diversity and outside influence has paid dividends.

Wonder if other outside influence / diverse hires would be worth it? Hmm …??

You either change and keep up with the times or get left behind. 

[Dustin]

Just a curiosity question, and I know opinions will vary, but if you were wanting to hire a Defensive Coordinator, what defensive position coach(es) (not looking for coaches names, but the position they coach) would you be looking at?  Defensive line?  Linebackers?  Does it matter? 

[geaux_sioux]

3 minutes ago, Dustin said:

Just a curiosity question, and I know opinions will vary, but if you were wanting to hire a Defensive Coordinator, what defensive position coach(es) (not looking for coaches names, but the position they coach) would you be looking at?  Defensive line?  Linebackers?  Does it matter? 

I’d bet LB is a position that transfers the most to coordinators and HCs. No data on that, just an off the top of my head feeling.

[Sioux>Bison]

1 hour ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Agree with Freund and Pawlak for sure. Hiring of OL coach Pawlak, which was coordinated by then newly promoted OC Freund, is probably the best staff hire of Bubba’s tenure.
 

The other coaching changes have mostly felt like forced internal promotions, largely on the defensive side of the ball. Minimal outside influence has hurt this group, and here we are; awful defense in 2022 and 2023. Surprise? I think not.  

Joe Pawlak was hired from University of Iowa, and it’s no surprise that diversity and outside influence has paid dividends.

Wonder if other outside influence / diverse hires would be worth it? Hmm …??

You either change and keep up with the times or get left behind. 

We will be lucky to have Pawlak next season. NDSU doesn’t have a true OL coach and Polasek has a connection with him at Iowa. Bison report and Dom Izzo have both pointed out how hiring Pawlak is a real possibility. 
 

we need to do everything we can to retain him including matching whatever NDSU offers, our whole offense is dependent on his OL development, performance and recruitment 

[UND-FB-FAN]

7 minutes ago, Sioux>Bison said:

We will be lucky to have Pawlak next season. NDSU doesn’t have a true OL coach and Polasek has a connection with him at Iowa. Bison report and Dom Izzo have both pointed out how hiring Pawlak is a real possibility. 
 

we need to do everything we can to retain him including matching whatever NDSU offers, our whole offense is dependent on his OL development, performance and recruitment 

Maybe have Pawlak go to OC and Freund go to HC? If UND continues to lose coaches to NDSU all while failing to move on from mediocre coaches, then, well, UND will continue to be mediocre.

Again, you either change and keep up with the times or get left behind. 

[gfhockey]

19 minutes ago, Sioux>Bison said:

We will be lucky to have Pawlak next season. NDSU doesn’t have a true OL coach and Polasek has a connection with him at Iowa. Bison report and Dom Izzo have both pointed out how hiring Pawlak is a real possibility. 
 

we need to do everything we can to retain him including matching whatever NDSU offers, our whole offense is dependent on his OL development, performance and recruitment 

Heard this a few days ago and pointed it out. We need to keep him. 

[sioux24/7]

59 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

Maybe have Pawlak go to OC and Freund go to HC? If UND continues to lose coaches to NDSU all while failing to move on from mediocre coaches, then, well, UND will continue to be mediocre.

Again, you either change and keep up with the times or get left behind. 

We know this isn’t going to happen right now but I do agree we should elevate his role somehow, some way. He’s made it clear he’s an excellent coach, let’s reward him. 

[the green team]

1 hour ago, gfhockey said:

Heard this a few days ago and pointed it out. We need to keep him. 

Really?  I think he’s a decent coach, and there is no doubt that position group can run block well.  But to me part of the problems of being able to find receivers further down the field and our line doesn’t typically sustain a lot of time in the pass block game.  I can’t tell you how many how many times I got to 2 Mississippi— and it was already scramble & extend time.  Is it any wonder that we ran quick passing/ WR screen, more often than not. (Which everyone here is sick of).  To me, no one is irreplaceable.  

[geaux_sioux]

7 minutes ago, the green team said:

Really?  I think he’s a decent coach, and there is no doubt that position group can run block well.  But to me part of the problems of being able to find receivers further down the field and our line doesn’t typically sustain a lot of time in the pass block game.  I can’t tell you how many how many times I got to 2 Mississippi— and it was already scramble & extend time.  Is it any wonder that we ran quick passing/ WR screen, more often than not. (Which everyone here is sick of).  To me, no one is irreplaceable.  

Huge discrepancy between our run blocking and pass blocking ability. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

1 hour ago, sioux24/7 said:

We know this isn’t going to happen right now but I do agree we should elevate his role somehow, some way. He’s made it clear he’s an excellent coach, let’s reward him. 

Elevate his role somehow? Co-OC? All sounds nice but …

Bottomline is pay him more and recognize his importance or lose him. Doesn’t help the coach on current staff that is paid the most happens to be quite expendable. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

16 minutes ago, the green team said:

To me, no one is irreplaceable.  

Sure, but have to be willing to replace them as starters. So much easier to extend after a losing season …

[gundy1124]

11 minutes ago, the green team said:

Really?  I think he’s a decent coach, and there is no doubt that position group can run block well.  But to me part of the problems of being able to find receivers further down the field and our line doesn’t typically sustain a lot of time in the pass block game.  I can’t tell you how many how many times I got to 2 Mississippi— and it was already scramble & extend time.  Is it any wonder that we ran quick passing/ WR screen, more often than not. (Which everyone here is sick of).  To me, no one is irreplaceable.  

 

3 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

Huge discrepancy between our run blocking and pass blocking ability. 

Are we putting too much into pushing NDSU around in the run game while ignoring 15 yards and 68 yards on the ground vrs UNI and Jacks respectively?  Valid points on pass block game, too.  Whether counting Mississippis or Bananas the pocket collapsed at 2, agreed.

[UND-FB-FAN]

11 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

Huge discrepancy between our run blocking and pass blocking ability. 

A lot of variables to pass pro, though, such as whether or not you should be passing it to begin with …

Or whether to throw hot or stick with it downfield … which falls on the trigger man himself.  

[UND-FB-FAN]

18 hours ago, Dustin said:

Possibly not the best, just the most likely. You never know how Danny would be as HC until he actually is one. 

Agreed it’s most likely, but definitely not the best. If NDSU operated like UND has/does, they would’ve promoted their offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl. Instead, they hire former NDSU offensive coordinator and most recent Wyoming OC Tim Polasek…

Freund most likely to get HC job at UND down the road, but remember, UND also has a recent coordinator that is now a coordinator at a Mountain West school … 

yeah ok… too aggressive for UND to ever dare to do something like that ….

[AJS]

None of them a surprise after Miller's most recent breakdown of the roster.

Five UND football players inform coaching staff they plan to use fifth season - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports

 

Any reason to hold out hope that Fort will be back?

[forksandspoons]

12 minutes ago, AJS said:

None of them a surprise after Miller's most recent breakdown of the roster.

Five UND football players inform coaching staff they plan to use fifth season - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports

 

Any reason to hold out hope that Fort will be back?

Glad Beach will be back. Hope he adds some weight. Hoping Nav gets quicker. Hembry was really good at times so I’m glad he’s back! 

[GoHawks]

Tom Miller Potential Offensive Starters for 2024

QB- Feeney or Kaminski  

RB- Ziebarth

WR- Belquist, Tai, Dennis

TE- Vaughn, Norby, Behymer (transfer)

OL- LT Anderson, LG Buxa, C Borud, RG Hagen, RT Thaden

QB-Kind of excited for the QB battle to take place this year!

RB-Not worried much about the RB room with Ziebarth, Smith and Siedel. Brunnel seems like he could be ready and hopefully can get some reps.

WR-Would like to maybe see some WR help come in from the portal with the loss of Wright and Eledor.

TE-Really interested to see if they start using TE in the passing game more with a different qb. And of course the Quincy formations will continue!

OL- Seems to be fine except for the fact that lost the two best. Thaden who I believe moved from TE is listed at 260 lbs so he would have to bulk up a lot this offseason. I think they should still be looking for transfer portal help there also.

  

 

[The Sicatoka]

If Thaden is projected at RT and Feeney lands at QB1, yes, Thaden needs to bulk up as he becomes the blind side.