Minot State looking for a new HC

[Stanger86]

In my initial look at the press release, Stutzriem seems a much better fit for Minot.

[Otis Day]

In my initial look at the press release, Stutzriem seems a much better fit for Minot.

I would agree.

The QB at Morningside portion caught my attention. Stutzriem was at the helm for the Mustangs for USF's final NAIA year in 2010. I remember that game. Morningside was ranked highly and was a packed house at the Bob that night. Biggest crowd I can recall until maybe one of the Key to the City games, even then this one might've topped those. He ended up 5/15 for 78yds, with 2 picks, a lost fumble in his only trip to the Bob and we won 28-3. Looks like he did beat ol Fat Fulmer and Tennessee though while he was at Wyoming so he's still a winner in my eyes.

[Stanger86]

I would agree.

The QB at Morningside portion caught my attention. Stutzriem was at the helm for the Mustangs for USF's final NAIA year in 2010. I remember that game. Morningside was ranked highly and was a packed house at the Bob that night. Biggest crowd I can recall until maybe one of the Key to the City games, even then this one might've topped those. He ended up 5/15 for 78yds, with 2 picks, a lost fumble in his only trip to the Bob and we won 28-3. Looks like he did beat ol Fat Fulmer and Tennessee though while he was at Wyoming so he's still a winner in my eyes.

A number of things caught my eye...
QB at Morningside
QB at Wyoming
The early years in coaching at William Penn and USD
Working his way up the ranks at Rocky Mountain College (Mont.)

While it might not be a straight affiliation with the NSIC, as you said he actually faced USF as a player and has had at least some coaching and recruiting history within the NSIC footprint (I'll still consider Iowa within the footprint for now). His history as a player at Wyoming and as a coach at Rocky Mountain tells me he's not exactly afraid of being in the more remote areas of the country, which Minot is. Personally, I thought it was smart that the previous MSU regime started recruiting somewhat in the Montana region. I do think there's D2 talent in Montana, Wyoming and western ND, and Stutzreim's pedigree should be a nice match for those recruiting areas. I also like that he, as a former QB, even coached OL for a year at this level at SWOSU. Shows flexibility and a willingness to see offense from a different perspective.

I don't doubt that the other guy Shields has a good resume, but I always get a little nervous personally when there's no regional connection for a coach. I think his nearest coaching stop to the NSIC footprint was at NAIA Eastern Oregon.

[MrMustang]

2 good finalists if you ask me

[oldyellaHer69]

Aldrich fired December 2nd, Head Coaching interviews 50 days later, national signing day 12 days later. Looks like theirs an administrative issue with the beavers not a coaching issue.

[Stanger86]

Aldrich fired December 2nd, Head Coaching interviews 50 days later, national signing day 12 days later. Looks like theirs an administrative issue with the beavers not a coaching issue.

It would maybe be understandable in with a MnSCU school with all the red tape they have to do, but Minot shouldn't have anything like that.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

Aldrich fired December 2nd, Head Coaching interviews 50 days later, national signing day 12 days later. Looks like theirs an administrative issue with the beavers not a coaching issue.

The issue was waiting the 2 weeks plus after the season to make the decision to fire Aldrich. If you could have backed up this timeline two plus weeks you would be okay.

Can’t do anything about the holidays, the National coaches convention (which most college football coaches attend) and the NCAA AD convention ( the 2nd week of January. Like all State institutions, the hiring process is longer than Private institutions.

But your point about not having much time to recruit and put together a staff are accurate and the result of the two plus weeks mentioned above.

[oldyellaHer69]

But the old staff is still recruiting for them according to Twitter. They will be fine 😬

but seriously, Rocky Mountain guys grabs his players, transfers, and jucos. They will be above where they were.

Interviews done, now does the AD take a long weekend to decide who he goes with it, slow and steady doesn't win football games

[Matt Witwicki]

Here is some local coverage regarding the 2 coaches on campus this week..

https://www.minotdailynews.com/sport...-msu-football/

https://www.minotdailynews.com/sport...u-opportunity/

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

Here is some local coverage regarding the 2 coaches on campus this week..

https://www.minotdailynews.com/sport...-msu-football/

https://www.minotdailynews.com/sport...u-opportunity/

Am sure there are many differences (off field vs on field being most recent job) that will separate the two. Could boil down to: ONE has regional connection to the upper mid west and ONE has longer resume as a head coach. Interesting to see what was more appealing to the AD/committee.

[Gridiron Bobby]

Am sure there are many differences (off field vs on field being most recent job) that will separate the two. Could boil down to: ONE has regional connection to the upper mid west and ONE has longer resume as a head coach. Interesting to see what was more appealing to the AD/committee.

If Minot State wants to continue their D-II history, they should obviously hire the "D-I" guy. Every place he's been they have gotten worse, just check his record at each spot.

[oldyellaHer69]

If Minot State wants to continue their D-II history, they should obviously hire the "D-I" guy. Every place he's been they have gotten worse, just check his record at each spot.

Going on two months without a head coach, GVSU hired a head coach in 7 days. The problem at Minot State is administrators, they can't be raising much money if this is the sense of urgency they hire with.

[Matt Witwicki]

Going on two months without a head coach, GVSU hired a head coach in 7 days. The problem at Minot State is administrators, they can't be raising much money if this is the sense of urgency they hire with.

Considering GV has a really really good thing going and didn't fire their coach..it made hiring from within pretty easy. Minot fired a coach and seem to be looking for a change in direction and new regime..so I wouldn't compare the two situations. However, just about every program that had an opening shortly after the season wrapped have found an outside replacement already..many of them a month ago. By taking this long the new coach/regime has pretty much lost much of a recruiting class (not many athletes are lining up to play for a squad without a head coach)..in a program that kinda cannot afford to lose further traction.

The two finalists both look capable for Minot..but are much different candidates. One has a long list of experience at various schools (along with ties to the option style offense) and the other has more regional ties as a sitting head coach in Montana (next door)..but not the depth of experience. I tend to think the more local ties might win-out in this case, but we really don't know who won the interview(s) and such either..which can often sway things in a close race. I spoke with the writer from the linked articles, Sean Williams (Minot Daily News), last week and he said both candidates represented themselves very well during their visit.

As in the recent past with new hires in the NSIC, I will reach out to the new head coach and conduct a zoom style interview with them in the coming weeks.

[Gridiron Bobby]

Going on two months without a head coach, GVSU hired a head coach in 7 days. The problem at Minot State is administrators, they can't be raising much money if this is the sense of urgency they hire with.

Comparing Minot State and Grand Valley is like comparing Michigan and Umass.

[Red Rising]

Considering GV has a really really good thing going and didn't fire their coach..it made hiring from within pretty easy. Minot fired a coach and seem to be looking for a change in direction and new regime..so I wouldn't compare the two situations. However, just about every program that had an opening shortly after the season wrapped have found an outside replacement already..many of them a month ago. By taking this long the new coach/regime has pretty much lost much of a recruiting class (not many athletes are lining up to play for a squad without a head coach)..in a program that kinda cannot afford to lose further traction.

The two finalists both look capable for Minot..but are much different candidates. One has a long list of experience at various schools (along with ties to the option style offense) and the other has more regional ties as a sitting head coach in Montana (next door)..but not the depth of experience. I tend to think the more local ties might win-out in this case, but we really don't know who won the interview(s) and such either..which can often sway things in a close race. I spoke with the writer from the linked articles, Sean Williams (Minot Daily News), last week and he said both candidates represented themselves very well during their visit.

As in the recent past with new hires in the NSIC, I will reach out to the new head coach and conduct a zoom style interview with them in the coming weeks.

The only hope for recruiting for the class of 2023 is grabbing JC and transfer portal guys in May. Any HS guys that haven't signed/committed yet from the region are probably NAIA or D3 players. Minot already has plenty of those on roster. They don't need any more. It will be interesting to see how successful the new staff is recruiting transfers, something that Aldrich never really attempted.

I would expect an announcement later today or tomorrow, but with Minot State's administration you never really know. You could do a 30 for 30 on how they've mismanaged the football program since they transitioned to D2.