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This staff

I see the horizon. The choices going forward must be made after good analysis and reflection. We appear stuck in the ruts left by Nebraska and we must not but guided by the panic expressed by so many here. The success of the Dakotas and MSU is simplicity done exceptionally. That used to be the hallmark of BH ball. Starts with the horses up front on both sides of the ball. Get back to what has always worked.
 
Does MSU pay the TCOA? No and they still have a roster that is the #1 team. Is this a staff lead by coaches likely in their last job and not willing to do what is really needed and just "coasting" vs a young staff that will not be stubborn and make changes to get better in all areas (recruiting style/schemes that are proven against rush oriented teams not spread offenses/removing coaches that are not getting it done regardless of familiarity/ would not just reshuffle the deck chairs)? Are the AD/president/major boosters more concerned with winning or money ? Are the AD/president/major booster just happy with the results and wont truly push for some changes to get better? Is Bobby willing to do what it takes or is he okay with just riding it out? Take away a few returns by Junior last fall (likely handing Bobby an extension), a rabid Griz nation that pays for season tickets expecting more and you might not see the program is in great shape compared to the top tier schools in many ways. Coach Stig's sign saying the Griz are not relevant is closer to reality than in many, many years and truly is at a critical point before we could see the wheels fall off. The promise of RTD has not happened and now are on a downward trajectory and if major changes don't occur you will see a lot of empty seats by mid year. Being a 5th place team in the conference that needs to rebuild due to graduation numbers should not be acceptable in a program with the tools the program has available (stadium/champions/indoor facility/recovery/collective/fan base).
 
Is outdated, their ways of coaching don't work anymore. We need to bring in a whole new staff.

How is it MSU and Idaho can make good hires but, the griz can't? The key to success is clearly get anyone that's been on an NDSU coaching staff.
Eck was the Oline coach at MSU a few years ago as well. It would take years to change UM's coaching philosophy AND build the program like the Dakotas & MSU. That would most likely take a new AD. Leon Costello was brought in from SDSU in 2016 where he was instrumental in rebuilding their facilities & rebranding the football team. Choate was one of his first hires. That first team of Choate's looked nothing like his last. His last team looks nothing like the 2024 Cats. It's taken MSU 8 years to build this team, and no one is certain they've arrived yet. But they're on the right path. So choose your poison - stick with what you have, or commit to real change that will take a few years.
 
Eck was the Oline coach at MSU a few years ago as well. It would take years to change UM's coaching philosophy AND build the program like the Dakotas & MSU. That would most likely take a new AD. Leon Costello was brought in from SDSU in 2016 where he was instrumental in rebuilding their facilities & rebranding the football team. Choate was one of his first hires. That first team of Choate's looked nothing like his last. His last team looks nothing like the 2024 Cats. It's taken MSU 8 years to build this team, and no one is certain they've arrived yet. But they're on the right path. So choose your poison - stick with what you have, or commit to real change that will take a few years.
 
Its not all about facilities, atmosphere, etc. Kids will select a school on many things that UM can't match. Weather, staying close to home, girlfriend, etc. Hell, they just had a kid pick Tech and it had nothing to do with any of the reasons you stated.
I agree 100%. I think the stadium/gameday atmosphere/facilities are a much bigger deal to the FANS than potential players. They’ve got about 10 other things on their priority list that come before any of those.
 
Eck was the Oline coach at MSU a few years ago as well. It would take years to change UM's coaching philosophy AND build the program like the Dakotas & MSU. That would most likely take a new AD. Leon Costello was brought in from SDSU in 2016 where he was instrumental in rebuilding their facilities & rebranding the football team. Choate was one of his first hires. That first team of Choate's looked nothing like his last. His last team looks nothing like the 2024 Cats. It's taken MSU 8 years to build this team, and no one is certain they've arrived yet. But they're on the right path. So choose your poison - stick with what you have, or commit to real change that will take a few years.
UM fans/admin don’t have the patience to change coaching philosophies. That was proven already.
 
Leon Costello was brought in from SDSU in 2016 where he was instrumental in rebuilding their facilities & rebranding the football team. Choate was one of his first hires. That first team of Choate's looked nothing like his last. His last team looks nothing like the 2024 Cats. It's taken MSU 8 years to build this team, and no one is certain they've arrived yet. But they're on the right path.

It's a common statement, true or not, around MSU that "it takes 10 years to build a national championship team". Starts at the top, we/they knew it wouldn't be one coach, that success looks like your coaches being picked off - and that's part of the process. You want a program with a culture that creates turnover, as painful as it is.

Though we're rivals, many of us Cat fans have had the utmost respect for um's athletic programs. Who wouldn't? I lived through the 16 Year Trail of Tears (should write a book, trademark that). Bobby 1.0 and his predecessors built that and it was impressive. Some of us watched more griz football than Cats for good reason. I have kids and family members that went to um and loved going to games, but....

From an outside rival's standpoint, there's a perception that the world has moved on and that um is hog tied by donors clinging to the past, allowing and almost promoting a culture that turns off certain parents and players. I know that's a common theme here, not some earth shattering discovery.

Easy to type all that as if it's doom and gloom. griz went to the Natty last year, are always a top contender and could be one single recruiting/portal class away from terrorizing the FCS next year. Cat fans do absolutely want Bobby to stay, he creates an awesome distinction in culture between um and MSU. But we could be eating crow at any time. Switching coaches will be painful for several years. Here's a prediction: when Bodnar leaves his replacement will make the switch from Bobby to whoever's next as a way of planting their flag that the past is gone and better days are ahead.
 
It's a common statement, true or not, around MSU that "it takes 10 years to build a national championship team". Starts at the top, we/they knew it wouldn't be one coach, that success looks like your coaches being picked off - and that's part of the process. You want a program with a culture that creates turnover, as painful as it is.

Though we're rivals, many of us Cat fans have had the utmost respect for um's athletic programs. Who wouldn't? I lived through the 16 Year Trail of Tears (should write a book, trademark that). Bobby 1.0 and his predecessors built that and it was impressive. Some of us watched more griz football than Cats for good reason. I have kids and family members that went to um and loved going to games, but....

From an outside rival's standpoint, there's a perception that the world has moved on and that um is hog tied by donors clinging to the past, allowing and almost promoting a culture that turns off certain parents and players. I know that's a common theme here, not some earth shattering discovery.

Easy to type all that as if it's doom and gloom. griz went to the Natty last year, are always a top contender and could be one single recruiting/portal class away from terrorizing the FCS next year. Cat fans do absolutely want Bobby to stay, he creates an awesome distinction in culture between um and MSU. But we could be eating crow at any time. Switching coaches will be painful for several years. Here's a prediction: when Bodnar leaves his replacement will make the switch from Bobby to whoever's next as a way of planting their flag that the past is gone and better days are ahead.
Well put, the respect is abundant in Catland, but no longer the dread. I'm glad you mentioned Bobby & Griz football culture. Cat fans as a group loathe Bobby, not for his success which is unparalleled, but for his uncompromising, snarky personality. He's a fantastic coach though & his numbers prove it, as do his loyal former players. The Griz fan base expects so much from their team, and even though they won a first round game & were in the natty last year, it's not enough. That's part of the problem in Grizland, reality isn't level with expectations. For me, I'm glad MSU decided to tear it down & rebuild it. I'm thankful for an administration (Waded) who jelled with the QB club & boosters and made it happen. The Dakotas are so complacent & confident (& rightly so) - there's a thread on Bisonville saying they're glad to get to play SDSU, because they're the only team they perceive that will give them a game. Here's to rooting for Davis this week & guaranteeing a BSC team in the natty again.
 
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