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Two years ago Craig Bohl and his North Dakota State University football team were the toast of the nation.
An impressive road win over Minnesota of the Big Ten, a gaudy 10-0 record and a lofty national ranking heading into the season finale at rival South Dakota State had Bohl’s name being bantered about for just about every big-time coaching vacancy expected during that offseason and the Bison were on the lips of college football fans across the nation.
But, a 29-24 loss to the Jacks to close the 2007 season and a disappointing 2008 season, in which the Bison finished 6-5 after opening the season with a pair of wins and climbing as high as No. 2 in the nation, could not have prepared Bison followers for this season.
After Saturday’s fourth-quarter collapse at home against Youngstown State it’s easy to see Bohl’s time in Fargo should come to a close as well.
Not only have his Bison been inadequately prepared, but the play calling on both sides of the ball has become suspect. As has the offense, the defense and the special teams.
Doesn’t leave much else, does it?
Former starting QB Nick Mertens was the brunt of a lot of criticism in 2008 and this season before being replaced under center by Jose Mohler.
Saturday’s loss can’t be pinned on Mertens, and the collapse rests squarely on the shoulders of the ought-to-be- former coach.
Bohl’s predecessor, Bob Babich, along with former athletics director Bob Entzion, nearly destroyed Bison football, one former NDSU athletic department leader told me a few years ago during a visit to my old college campus.
The destruction appears to be complete. Saturday’s loss to the Penguins proves that. NDSU won just one game at home this season — win-loss records aside, that is simply not tolerable for a program that won eight national titles before making the transition to Division 1.
Bison fans expect — and deserve more.
Bohl was no stranger to Bison football when he took over for Babich prior to the 2003 sesaon. He had spent one season as a graduate assistant before becoming an assistant coach at Nebraska.
If anything, his time in the Red River Valley prior to going to Lincoln should have prepared him for the demands of the Bison job. The expectations each year are high, and rightfuly so.
Ron Erhardt, Jim Wacker, Don Morton, Earle Solomonson and Rocky Hager. Those names are synonymous with Bison football success. All, but Wacker, brought a national championship to the Red River Valley. What Wacker did in his short time in Fargo (1976-78) was to restore the Bison to national prominence. One of the greatest men I have ever had the fortune to meet, Wacker's impact on Bison football will long be felt.
A run of success by Morton (1979-84) and Solomonson (1985-86) and Hager (1987-96) is still unsurpassed. Five national titles during that span is a testament to that.
Then Bison fans had to suffer through several dismal seasons with Babich before he departed and after a stunning victory over Montana in Bohl’s second game as boss, it looked as if the ship had been righted.
It’s obvious that looks were deceiving. After six seasons, Babich and Bohl both won 46 games as Bison coach.
Bohl’s enthusiasm can be infectious. Three years ago I spent several hours with Bohl at a Bismarck eatery talking football and recalling the glory days of NDSU football.
Like many others across the state, I was caught up in the success of Bohl’s team and was looking forward to another great season. A season that was stamped with the win over the Gophers.
I have noticed over the years that the Bison Pride that was everywhere when I attended NDSU appears to no longer be present. The swagger is gone.
A painting on the weight room wall, “Bring On The Competition,” was a challenge, a challenge to rise up and tackle the competition.
Tackling anything right now seems to be a huge issue for Bohl’s team and that Pride has to be restored.
Athletics director Gene Taylor needs to waste little time, Bison fans cannot afford it. Taylor needs to make a change and do whatever it takes to restore the Bison to their rightful place among the nation's elite.
I suggest a visit to Boston and do what he needs to do to lure Hager to return to his roots in North Dakota and make Bison Pride something meaningful once again.
Two years ago Craig Bohl and his North Dakota State University football team were the toast of the nation.
An impressive road win over Minnesota of the Big Ten, a gaudy 10-0 record and a lofty national ranking heading into the season finale at rival South Dakota State had Bohl’s name being bantered about for just about every big-time coaching vacancy expected during that offseason and the Bison were on the lips of college football fans across the nation.
But, a 29-24 loss to the Jacks to close the 2007 season and a disappointing 2008 season, in which the Bison finished 6-5 after opening the season with a pair of wins and climbing as high as No. 2 in the nation, could not have prepared Bison followers for this season.
After Saturday’s fourth-quarter collapse at home against Youngstown State it’s easy to see Bohl’s time in Fargo should come to a close as well.
Not only have his Bison been inadequately prepared, but the play calling on both sides of the ball has become suspect. As has the offense, the defense and the special teams.
Doesn’t leave much else, does it?
Former starting QB Nick Mertens was the brunt of a lot of criticism in 2008 and this season before being replaced under center by Jose Mohler.
Saturday’s loss can’t be pinned on Mertens, and the collapse rests squarely on the shoulders of the ought-to-be- former coach.
Bohl’s predecessor, Bob Babich, along with former athletics director Bob Entzion, nearly destroyed Bison football, one former NDSU athletic department leader told me a few years ago during a visit to my old college campus.
The destruction appears to be complete. Saturday’s loss to the Penguins proves that. NDSU won just one game at home this season — win-loss records aside, that is simply not tolerable for a program that won eight national titles before making the transition to Division 1.
Bison fans expect — and deserve more.
Bohl was no stranger to Bison football when he took over for Babich prior to the 2003 sesaon. He had spent one season as a graduate assistant before becoming an assistant coach at Nebraska.
If anything, his time in the Red River Valley prior to going to Lincoln should have prepared him for the demands of the Bison job. The expectations each year are high, and rightfuly so.
Ron Erhardt, Jim Wacker, Don Morton, Earle Solomonson and Rocky Hager. Those names are synonymous with Bison football success. All, but Wacker, brought a national championship to the Red River Valley. What Wacker did in his short time in Fargo (1976-78) was to restore the Bison to national prominence. One of the greatest men I have ever had the fortune to meet, Wacker's impact on Bison football will long be felt.
A run of success by Morton (1979-84) and Solomonson (1985-86) and Hager (1987-96) is still unsurpassed. Five national titles during that span is a testament to that.
Then Bison fans had to suffer through several dismal seasons with Babich before he departed and after a stunning victory over Montana in Bohl’s second game as boss, it looked as if the ship had been righted.
It’s obvious that looks were deceiving. After six seasons, Babich and Bohl both won 46 games as Bison coach.
Bohl’s enthusiasm can be infectious. Three years ago I spent several hours with Bohl at a Bismarck eatery talking football and recalling the glory days of NDSU football.
Like many others across the state, I was caught up in the success of Bohl’s team and was looking forward to another great season. A season that was stamped with the win over the Gophers.
I have noticed over the years that the Bison Pride that was everywhere when I attended NDSU appears to no longer be present. The swagger is gone.
A painting on the weight room wall, “Bring On The Competition,” was a challenge, a challenge to rise up and tackle the competition.
Tackling anything right now seems to be a huge issue for Bohl’s team and that Pride has to be restored.
Athletics director Gene Taylor needs to waste little time, Bison fans cannot afford it. Taylor needs to make a change and do whatever it takes to restore the Bison to their rightful place among the nation's elite.
I suggest a visit to Boston and do what he needs to do to lure Hager to return to his roots in North Dakota and make Bison Pride something meaningful once again.
