Big news in the wind

[mksioux]

I have no idea what was going on at the athletic department. I assume this "leave of absence" was justified. However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job.

Having said that, this is a terrible time to have a lame duck President and no Athletic Director. I trust Phil Harmeson will make sure that UND is not asleep at the wheel during this transition.

[mikejm]

I trust Phil Harmeson will make sure that UND is not asleep at the wheel during this transition.

Interesting choice.

[siouxhockeyfan11]

So this big huge news is only Bunning taking a leave of abscense?

[7NationalTitles]

So this big huge news is only Bunning taking a leave of abscense?

Read between the lines....it's not "only" a leave of absence. Buning is not going to be the AD at UND from this day forward.

[ScottM]

I have no idea what was going on at the athletic department. I assume this "leave of absence" was justified. However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job.

Having said that, this is a terrible time to have a lame duck President and no Athletic Director. I trust Phil Harmeson will make sure that UND is not asleep at the wheel during this transition.

I tend to agree. I'd like to think that, if Buning is indeed gone, the same degree of thought and deliberation goes into the AD choice as goes into the presidential search. There's alot riding on both choices, in terms of money and reputation. The last thing the school needs is either of these searches to be muddied by demands for somebody with "UND ties", petty egos or the usual provincialism for which NoDak is so well known.

[Teeder11]

Funny that the news broke in the FARGO FORUM

It's neither here nor there, but thought I would set the record straight as to what happened.

It didn't break in the Forum. It was broke by the Associated Press (Dave Kolpak) in Fargo. It was reprinted in the Fargo Forum moments before it was online in the Herald. I saw it first in the Herald. My guess is that the Herald had the news too (since it was a simple one-source statement from Peter Johnson, the school spokesman) and was waiting until after DAZ's 5 and 6 p.m. show to put it on its Web site, knowing that DAZ monitors the Herald Web site all day long.

But once AP reported it, there was no need to save it any longer. The news was out.

[Sioux-cia]

The last thing the school needs is either of these searches to be muddied by demands for somebody with "UND ties", petty egos or the usual provincialism for which NoDak is so well known.

[Shawn-O]

I have no idea what was going on at the athletic department. I assume this "leave of absence" was justified. However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job.

I have to agree, that is not a bad legacy.

Having said that, this is a terrible time to have a lame duck President and no Athletic Director. I trust Phil Harmeson will make sure that UND is not asleep at the wheel during this transition.

I see no other choice, although some of the accountability should be laid at Mr. Harmeson's doorstep.

[mikejm]

Anyone else think this is a move to clear the way for "favorite son" Rob Bolllinger to come home?

What's next? These folks want to ask Tom Clifford to come back as president? Or will Phil be okay?

[bincitysioux]

I have no idea what was going on at the athletic department. I assume this "leave of absence" was justified. However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job.

I agree with that sentiment as well.

[Sioux-cia]

Anyone else think this is a move to clear the way for "favorite son" Rob Bolllinger to come home?

Personally, I don't like the man. I know that the majority here think his $hit don't stink (as does he). I just have never like him.

However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job.

I agree with you there! Thanks, Mr. Bunning!!

[The Whistler]

I for one think that they should get someone with North Dakota ties to fill the top jobs. After all the AD's (let alone the President's) job is as much political as anything else. Starting by knowing the landscape has to be a good thing.

Of course you don't hire someone that can't do the job. But if you have someone in house that can do the job give it to him. Better the one you know than the one you don't.

I didn't think Buning was a bad choice and I have no idea of why it didn't work out. (If that is the reason why there's a leave of absence.) I never talked to the guy one on one but I heard him speak a number of times and I was frankly impressed.

I would imagine he'd come off well in a job interview situation. I don't know much about his competition on whether he was the best.

I think the AD job hasn't been filled with an ideal candidate for a long time. I don't think Thomas or Gino were good administrators. (But they were good coaches.) Wanless was a good administrator but a lousy people guy. Carl Miller was slightly before my time and I don't know of who was before him.

So best of luck to everyone.

[UND92,96]

Anyone else think this is a move to clear the way for "favorite son" Rob Bolllinger to come home?

What's next? These folks want to ask Tom Clifford to come back as president? Or will Phil be okay?

Bollinger is an obvious candidate, but I don't think the events of the past few days are in any way related to clearing the way for a particular candidate. Buning was apparently not well-liked by many alums, OR by many people within the department. At least Wanless apparently had considerable support within the department, even though many alums/fans didn't like him.

[siouxbear1]

Nope.... it's going to be the Blaiser!!!

[Shawn-O]

Nope.... it's going to be the Blaiser!!!

He would hate, H-A-T-E, that job.

[Matt]

I have no idea what was going on at the athletic department. I assume this "leave of absence" was justified. However, I'd like to thank Mr. Bunning for whatever his role was with "nudging" UND into DI. I do not think that would have happened if Roger Thomas were still the AD. If that's all Bunning accomplished during his tenure at UND, I'd say he did a good job

Where does that leave Roger's legacy as AD then? Better or worse than Bunning?

[The Whistler]

Where does that leave Roger's legacy as AD then? Better or worse than Bunning?

Longer?

[Siouxperman8]

Personally, I don't like the man. I know that the majority here think his $hit don't stink (as does he). I just have never like him.

I agree with you there! Thanks, Mr. Bunning!!

Rob is a very good man and would be a great choice. He was definitely in favor of moving to D1 and told me so a few years ago while he was still at UND.

[GeauxSioux]

I for one think that they should get someone with North Dakota ties to fill the top jobs. After all the AD's (let alone the President's) job is as much political as anything else. Starting by knowing the landscape has to be a good thing.

Of course you don't hire someone that can't do the job. But if you have someone in house that can do the job give it to him. Better the one you know than the one you don't.

I didn't think Buning was a bad choice and I have no idea of why it didn't work out. (If that is the reason why there's a leave of absence.) I never talked to the guy one on one but I heard him speak a number of times and I was frankly impressed.

I would imagine he'd come off well in a job interview situation. I don't know much about his competition on whether he was the best.

I think the AD job hasn't been filled with an ideal candidate for a long time. I don't think Thomas or Gino were good administrators. (But they were good coaches.) Wanless was a good administrator but a lousy people guy. Carl Miller was slightly before my time and I don't know of who was before him.

So best of luck to everyone.

Carl did a decent job at UND and was actually the one who started UND thinking that football should be played inside.

I believe Len Marti was the AD previous to Miller. Len was the AD for 18 years and was a well respected man.

If indeed Buning is gone, someone has been thinking of this possibility and a short list of candidates must be in someone's vest pocket at the ready. Besides Bollinger who would be on the shortlist?

[Shawn-O]

Why would any strong AD candidate want this job right now, with the president departing in nine months?

[Sioux-per Fan]

Phil Harmeson will be the next AD at UND.....

At least on a interm basis....

[siouxhockeyfan11]

Why would any strong AD candidate want this job right now, with the president departing in nine months?

My guess would be that if the transition worked succesfuly they would get all the credit instead of Bunning and if it worked out right he would be praised by all the UND faithful

[ScottM]

Why would any strong AD candidate want this job right now, with the president departing in nine months?

Or when it seems to be such a short-term gig?

[Goon]

Personally, I don't like the man. I know that the majority here think his $hit don't stink (as does he). I just have never like him.

I agree with you there! Thanks, Mr. Bunning!!

From what I have been told Bollinger is doing a good job at BSU.

[Matt]

Why would any strong AD candidate want this job right now, with the president departing in nine months?

I think the bigger problem than an outgoing president is the perception that if the AD makes decisions the athletic staff objects to, the AD is the odd man (or woman) out. There's no real authority there. Few candidates would be eager for that. Or was Bunning just that inept? If so, that's a well kept secret from the general public.