April 25, 2025 • 17 mins
Jack Michaels, Mike Berg and Paul Ralston talk about UND's football spring showcase and what to expect in the fall.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:15):
Back at the Fritz potterd Athletic Center here in Grand Forks,
North Dakota, Jack Michaels, Paul Rolston, Mike Berg, the legendary
Mike Berg. We're certainly looking forward to bringing you und
football in the fall. You know what happens at these
You know, your season ends and then you know, you
get a little time off and then boom, it's back
to the weight room. Those that need you know, of course,
(00:37):
they're always they're always in trainer's rooms getting treatment. Those
that need more treatment, some need time. We talk about
some of the players that weren't in uniform today, there's
a number of them.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
And then then spring happens, and and spring is about
a designed uh days of practice while this is going on.
Mike had mentioned earlier, Yes, fans, I'm not gonna lie
to you, that portal window is still it's got a
day or two remaining in that that portal. So this
is that time of not only i won't say nervousness
of losing players, but also opportunities of bringing others in.
(01:11):
We're also in a time where if you see on
social media anywhere, commitments to the program, and that's one
thing for the University of North Dakota. That should leave
Fighting Hawks fans optimistic because of some of the commitments
that have come in so via portal adage, commitment adage
and maybe twenty six classes and twenty five classes, so
(01:31):
everything really is trending pollaid out the facilities here, which
I can't lie to you, I'll guarantee you that plays
a factor in some of those yeses from those parents
and their student athletes that are coming and choosing North Dakota.
And then you mix in for the University of North
Dakota some of the new quote unquote regime. And Bubba
Schwager was here today. He is the biggest cheerleader right
(01:54):
now of this program. And it really was a passing
a baton to Eric Schmidt and Schmidty coming up and
we'll join us too.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
But you know, Mike, all of this, it's it's.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Really a fun time, uh, to be part of the
University of North Dakota.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And and that's well, college athletics is changing at ludicrous speed.
It's not even like it was six months ago. It's
not like it was six weeks ago. And and and so,
and you and Paul are in the middle of it.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Every day, right, so, and and keeping.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Track is is UH is always something too and now
joined by Eric Schmid, and well, it's just it's fun.
It's fun to watch guys at pads. It's fun to
watch guys hitting each other. It's fun to watch with
what coach Schmid has been working on since day one.
His feet hit this campus again and uh and and
Schmidt he judges us here, Jack, Mike and pall with you.
First of all, good to see you again, vite, Yeah, Jack,
(02:46):
great to see you the showcase. Let's talk a little
bit about what today means from a coaching standpoint, from
your student athlete standpoint, what did you want to see accomplished?
You had a plan design, what did you see?
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yeah, I mean, we want to do, uh to establish
our identity. You know, we want to we want to
run the football on offense and play physical and control
the clock and uh take shots down the field, you know, UH,
change field position defensively. You want to play physical. We
want to stop the run. We want to do a
really good job of pursuing and getting guys to the
football and and uh, this time of year, it's not
(03:21):
really about the schemes and and uh, you know, and
all those types of things. It's it's really about the
fundamentals and just creating an identity and just day in
and day out, you know, getting guys to believe in, Hey,
this is how you win football games, especially how you
win football games late in the season, you know what
I mean. We're gonna play in weather and those types
of things. So just day in and day out, you know,
it's I just really believe that great teams are built
(03:43):
in practice, and you got to every single day what
we talk about with our guys is practice is about
performance and and the games are for learning and and
we grade them and we we correct them, and we
just really do a good job of trying to uh,
to be as detailed as we can and polish these guys.
And to their credit, man, they're all about it, you know.
I mean, they want to get corrected and they want
to get better. And it's been, uh, it's been a
(04:03):
really good spring so far. And now we got to
you know, use this as a as a platform into
the summer and have a really good summer.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
The unfortunate thing in Michael, let you let you go here.
Sometimes the unfortunate thing for coaches and certainly coaches that
that step into a program. You can only imagine what
that encompasses for guys like like coach Eric Smith. As
much as Eric obviously knows the university knows, the town knows,
the history and and and all of that stuff, it
still can be all encompassing. And I know that that
(04:30):
we live in such a what have you done for
me lately? Society? It's not fair to coaches. But I
think that press conference, Eric, man, did you win that?
And and and it was so genuine and you use
terms like we're going to pour into these athletes, We're
going to establish our philosophy as our culture.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
We're going to do that. And I tell you that's
not coach speak.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
And I think that is one thing that I'm starting
to glean from this team in a very.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Short period of time. I think You've got some boys
buying into that.
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Yeah, I mean culture is huge.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I talk about it all the time, and I've been
fortunate to be able some suspensive time on the West
Coast with with the Navy Seals and things like that,
and just you know, really listen to guys about their
process and culture is really about, you know, you want
to have a strong culture, you got to do hard
things together. And there's nothing harder to do than training
for football, all the early mornings, all the weight room sessions,
(05:21):
bearing yourself under bars, you know, and and and uh,
you know, just grind it, you know, day after day.
And and that's what our guys have done a great job.
We talk about all the time. Man, it's grind, refine, compete.
That is their job, you know. And the coaches job
is to teach, critique and demand and uh, like I said,
I think the guys understand that that the uh, the
coaching staff here is is uh, you know, their low ego,
(05:43):
their high output. They want these guys to be the
best versions of themselves. And I think the you know,
the players understand that.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Uh, we're all like an esther set of uncles for
these guys, and we're gonna be you know what I mean.
It's the family atmosphere, but we're gonna be real. We're
gonna tell them where they're meeting the standard. We're gonna
tell them where they're not meeting the standard. And you
know we talk about hey, real, not real all the time,
but every single day, you know, it's it's relentless pursuit
of continuous improvement and just trying to get better and
get better and get better. And I've been like I said,
(06:10):
I think the way our guys have approached things, just
all the extra things that we talk about that you
have to do in order to be a championship football team.
Like you know, they've embraced that, and uh, you know,
extra is the standard around here. It's going to continue
to be that way. And I've been excited, you know,
like I said, where we're at right now. Obviously we're
not we're not near game ready yet half of it,
but we don't have to be, you know, like I said,
(06:32):
we we need to establish our identity and just build
from there. And uh, you know, like I said, I
think our guys understand what that's going to be. A
couple of minutes remainting with coach Mitt Mike, Well, I'm coach.
I've been to all of your spring practices and I
had one goal, see if I could figure out what
you're doing on defense. So I'm wondering if it's okay
if I get a knee on yellow or green helmet,
(06:54):
put it on that nickel player so I can figure
out where the heck that guy.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Is going to be and might be able to say
something about your defense. Gosh, you're doing a lot of
things on defense. It's fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think the one thing and even
looking at this league, obviously you got to stop the run,
and that's any any level of football. You know, we uh,
we've been successful here in the past when we've been
able to make teams one dimensional, and then you know,
we've struggled when.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
We haven't been able to do that.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
But the other thing that's really unique about what we're
able to do is just coverage wise, like you're talking about, Mike,
I think you know, uh, you know, just blending in
some of the things that we're doing is is being
able to to play multiple coverages, play a little bit
more body to body, and really challenge receivers off of that,
and then be able to try to take guys away.
You know, I think that's probably uh, you know, the
biggest advantage of playing with an extra dB in there.
(07:41):
Then you got a guy you know that, like you said,
you can move around and and uh and try to
line up in different uh you know, different fronts and
different different coverages and present different things and and then
really try to at the end of the day make
it look complex, but it's really simple, you know. I
mean for the players so been excited. The defensive guys
have done a really good job of just you know,
(08:01):
going to work and learning this stuff and just not
there hasn't been any you know, we talk about no
BCD in our program, no blame complaining to fan. They
haven't you know, been that way at all. They understand
what the standard is. You got to roll up your
sleeves and go to work, and and they've really done
a good job of embracing the change.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Before I let you go coach, you know again August
to what is the first date whatever it is, case state,
August thirty. So here we are in the end of
April to August thirty. That window for fans to understand
the challenge ahead. You talk about identity forming that identity obviously,
position battles and all that. Just take us from today
when you leave our podium up here to August twenty ninth,
(08:40):
when that plane takes off for a thirtieth game in Manhattan.
What are some of the things that that fans can
try to learn what's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Yeah, one thing that's really exciting around here right now
is just you know, all the helpers and supporters that
we have outside of the coaching staff, you know, the
nutrition people, the sports science people. We'll we'll really finish
that up next week. We'll do a bunch of work
with our guys as far as body comps and things
like that, they'll finish up the lifting cycle, we'll give
them a bunch of feedback for you know, where they're
at compared to where they started, and then we'll get
(09:08):
on the road and go recruiting, which has been really
good you know, up to this point. And then excited
to uh to be able to continue that momentum here
moving forward in the summer.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We have to you know, just you know.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Go battle and and do a great job of out
relationship and just you know, really really selling our story
up here. And I think, you know, the thing that's
been really good is, uh, you know, the staff has
been outstanding as far as just you know, they're just
ball coaches, you know. I mean, it's not about all
the other stuff. A lot of times that that people
want to be about and talk about all the Jersey
combinations and talk about all the you know, photo shoots
(09:41):
like it's about, hey, we're gonna make you the best
version of you. We're gonna make you the best football
player we could make you, and then we're gonna help
you with your personal development too as well and become
you know, uh the best parent, the best husband, the
best you know leader that you can be, because that's
what you're gonna be later on in life. And uh,
you know, I think that part of it's really hit
home with with people throughout the throughout the Upper Midwest.
And then when we get done with that, we'll get
(10:03):
into our camp season and then you know, it's back
to our guys here in June getting on campus and
uh and Coach Stein and our strength conditioning people doing
a great job of continuing uh you know to uh
to do a good job with with all the strength
conditioning development. Like I said, our performance team is huge
for us. And then uh, you know, it leads us
into July, which try to give the staff a little
(10:23):
bit of time offs during that time to be with
their families and and h and recharge the batteries a
little bit. And then it's hit the ground running in August,
you know, and uh, and we got a lot of
work to do here yet as far as uh, you
know the fundamentals and the details and and continue to
build on.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
Like I said, what we've done here this spring.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Coaching it is it's a mark of Eric and his
staff that he's built. I don't know what Eric Kenner
cannot talk about. I should, but but who knows what
the NCAA rules are. But it's a mark of you
and your staff. What I've seen recently commits to this
school that when there's ever changed in any institution, I've
oftentimes that could connotat it as a negative. And I've
seen very talented play now commit to the University of
(11:01):
North Dakota, and I've heard them say, Eric schmidth stayed
on me. The coaches stayed with me. We talked about that,
they laid out the plan I saw the school. Nothing changed.
In fact, I'm even more Uh, these are from commit
so it really has gone the opposite way. There's another
tight ended why. I mean, people coming. It's tough to
be coach every day you know that you guys are
(11:24):
going out one end coming to another one. Matt, I'll
tell you Schmidty. But the way that this staff, you
and your staff have handled this I think is just exemplary.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah, I mean, because it's not easy.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
As much as people want to say things change, Like like,
kids want to surround themselves with the right people and
feel like, hey, they're gonna put they're gonna be in
the most successful position that can they can be, and
they want to surround themselves with people that, you know,
I mean, are going to pour into them, are gonna
care about them, They're gonna help them, you know, to
get to their goals.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
And we have a lot of guys here that have lofty.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Goals, you know, and we have a number of people
in our building that have already helped people and have
a you know, have a background of being able to
help people get to the next level. And you know,
as much as people want to you know, beat their
chest and talk about all the things that they've done
and how many people have been here, it's it's about
the kid that's coming into the door every day, and
it's his story and it's about his experience. And we
(12:12):
want to give those guys the most incredible experience of
their lives. And we think we can do that here.
You know, I think you look at this place and
and you know, all the hard work that's gone into
the new facilities here and and all the transitions, and
how simple it is to be able to get from
athletic training to the locker room to the weight room
and out here, you know, to the indoor like it's
one ecosystem. And if you follow the protocols to what
(12:34):
we're doing day in and day out, this place will
get to get you where you want to go. You
don't have to go any farther than Grand Forks in
order to find a place to be able to be successful.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
It is so well said Eric, and then you said
that on the press conference. You know what, We're gonna
lay it out. We're going to give you the game
plan here, trust us, give us everything we'll pour into you,
and here's our game plan. At the end, it's gonna work.
And it's just awesome and great to see you, buddy.
Thanks for I know it's busy, everybody wants a piece
of your time, brother, but thanks for.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Stuff you guys for me here. I appreciate it. Thanks
coach Berg, Eric Schmidt.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And as we said, it's just it's awesome to see
that that team sometimes well most of the times. Paul
and Mike before we break can take on the identity,
like I need to tell coach Mike bergis. But and
Paul you come from, you know, Pops, a coach, a
team takes on its personality, oftentimes of its head coach.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I mean, right, right, Paul, I mean.
Speaker 6 (13:23):
That that's oh I mean holy cow.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
I mean, uh, it starts there.
Speaker 7 (13:27):
And if and if it can't be phony, it can't
be made up.
Speaker 6 (13:32):
You know, it's genuine. That's the right word, right.
Speaker 7 (13:34):
I mean what you see is what you get with
coach Smidt when he says it, that's exactly what it is.
Ask Emille. You talked about him being a girls basketball coach.
Ask Emil Walino from Crookston who went on to have
a great collegiate basketball career, Ask him, Ask her about
whether or not he's a genuine person coaching at the
girls high school basketball level. It's what you see is
(13:55):
what you get and it and you know what, people
appreciate that in that this day and age, and I
think that will translate well to this football program.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And again to the recruits. And again we can't name
some some you can some you can there are windows
on that. But Mike, that's what I hear from him.
They don't waiver off that commitment. If Schmid and his
staff has been in the living room with you and
maybe some things change or offers dangle. Here, we're seeing
these commitments primarily stay with them because, as we just said,
it's a genuine two way street.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Well, yeah, it really is. I love this staff. They're
a good group of guys, and we were three of
us have been fortune at the last what fourteen fifteen
years to be around Bubba Schweiger and his staff and
this staff. It's like just a melding of the two
groups into now where they are and we talk about facilities.
For the first time ever, UND is on equal footing
(14:48):
with the teams they recruit against. Now, now a kid
comes in here and he's not you don't have to
hide a kid or not taken to certain places on
the campus because you don't want.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Them to see where they're going to.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Do us the thing now, welcome in. Like coach said,
you come in that front door. You are right there,
and if you want to be part of this program,
you're going to be part of something that's a great experience,
something very special.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Fans for your insurance needs, contact your local Farmers Union
Insurance Agent or go to f U M i C
dot com from more information. Farmers Union Insurance a proud
broadcast partner of North Dakota Football, and we couldn't do without,
you know, some of these great sponsors. We'll come back.
We'll talk with Isaac Frickty. We talked about the offense.
You know, we've put a little bit from all sides here,
(15:33):
including head coach Eric Schmidt and Paul Rolster. Will sit
down with Isaac Frickty. I can't also think of Paul
without thinking of the golf center. For goodness sakes, been
a new golf season, Paul. I mean you got you
got any new clubs?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Paul? That then you want to talk about.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
I have one. I got one.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
I got a fitting. I got a fitting from the experts.
I even worked there the other day, believe it or
they brought me off the bench. They had to go
to the bullpen. And then you're like, h can you
work for us on on the Easter weekend? All our
college folks are gone? So I slid in and only
only messed up the till only about nine times, so
I can think I created more work than I actually did.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Basically, golf is illegal in Bushwood Ship actually, so stop
and get that fitting. They got the clubs thirty seven
hundred South Washington. It truly is where your game begins.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yet to come.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Maybe we will name our North Gonna Beef Commission player
the game we could And whether you're in town by
the way this weekend or any time to visit family
that you're on your favorite team, you'll find the Hampton
in In Swees to be your home away from home.
Hampton In and Sweets the official hotel partner of UND Athletics.
Yet to come, Isaac Frickti will join us, Paul will
(16:42):
chat with him. We'll take a look at that upcoming
scheduled by the way and take it to the bottom
of the hour benefit when Tracy Palia, our executive producer,
Jack Bike and Poll. We're broadcasting live from Fritz Poulard
Athletics Center. This is the Spring Football Showcation. You're listening
to Fighting Hawks Football of the UND Fighting Hawk Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
MMM
Back at the Fritz potterd Athletic Center here in Grand Forks,
North Dakota, Jack Michaels, Paul Rolston, Mike Berg, the legendary
Mike Berg. We're certainly looking forward to bringing you und
football in the fall. You know what happens at these
You know, your season ends and then you know, you
get a little time off and then boom, it's back
to the weight room. Those that need you know, of course,
(00:37):
they're always they're always in trainer's rooms getting treatment. Those
that need more treatment, some need time. We talk about
some of the players that weren't in uniform today, there's
a number of them.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
And then then spring happens, and and spring is about
a designed uh days of practice while this is going on.
Mike had mentioned earlier, Yes, fans, I'm not gonna lie
to you, that portal window is still it's got a
day or two remaining in that that portal. So this
is that time of not only i won't say nervousness
of losing players, but also opportunities of bringing others in.
(01:11):
We're also in a time where if you see on
social media anywhere, commitments to the program, and that's one
thing for the University of North Dakota. That should leave
Fighting Hawks fans optimistic because of some of the commitments
that have come in so via portal adage, commitment adage
and maybe twenty six classes and twenty five classes, so
(01:31):
everything really is trending pollaid out the facilities here, which
I can't lie to you, I'll guarantee you that plays
a factor in some of those yeses from those parents
and their student athletes that are coming and choosing North Dakota.
And then you mix in for the University of North
Dakota some of the new quote unquote regime. And Bubba
Schwager was here today. He is the biggest cheerleader right
(01:54):
now of this program. And it really was a passing
a baton to Eric Schmidt and Schmidty coming up and
we'll join us too.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
But you know, Mike, all of this, it's it's.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Really a fun time, uh, to be part of the
University of North Dakota.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
And and that's well, college athletics is changing at ludicrous speed.
It's not even like it was six months ago. It's
not like it was six weeks ago. And and and so,
and you and Paul are in the middle of it.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Every day, right, so, and and keeping.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Track is is UH is always something too and now
joined by Eric Schmid, and well, it's just it's fun.
It's fun to watch guys at pads. It's fun to
watch guys hitting each other. It's fun to watch with
what coach Schmid has been working on since day one.
His feet hit this campus again and uh and and
Schmidt he judges us here, Jack, Mike and pall with you.
First of all, good to see you again, vite, Yeah, Jack,
(02:46):
great to see you the showcase. Let's talk a little
bit about what today means from a coaching standpoint, from
your student athlete standpoint, what did you want to see accomplished?
You had a plan design, what did you see?
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yeah, I mean, we want to do, uh to establish
our identity. You know, we want to we want to
run the football on offense and play physical and control
the clock and uh take shots down the field, you know, UH,
change field position defensively. You want to play physical. We
want to stop the run. We want to do a
really good job of pursuing and getting guys to the
football and and uh, this time of year, it's not
(03:21):
really about the schemes and and uh, you know, and
all those types of things. It's it's really about the
fundamentals and just creating an identity and just day in
and day out, you know, getting guys to believe in, Hey,
this is how you win football games, especially how you
win football games late in the season, you know what
I mean. We're gonna play in weather and those types
of things. So just day in and day out, you know,
it's I just really believe that great teams are built
(03:43):
in practice, and you got to every single day what
we talk about with our guys is practice is about
performance and and the games are for learning and and
we grade them and we we correct them, and we
just really do a good job of trying to uh,
to be as detailed as we can and polish these guys.
And to their credit, man, they're all about it, you know.
I mean, they want to get corrected and they want
to get better. And it's been, uh, it's been a
(04:03):
really good spring so far. And now we got to
you know, use this as a as a platform into
the summer and have a really good summer.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
The unfortunate thing in Michael, let you let you go here.
Sometimes the unfortunate thing for coaches and certainly coaches that
that step into a program. You can only imagine what
that encompasses for guys like like coach Eric Smith. As
much as Eric obviously knows the university knows, the town knows,
the history and and and all of that stuff, it
still can be all encompassing. And I know that that
(04:30):
we live in such a what have you done for
me lately? Society? It's not fair to coaches. But I
think that press conference, Eric, man, did you win that?
And and and it was so genuine and you use
terms like we're going to pour into these athletes, We're
going to establish our philosophy as our culture.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
We're going to do that. And I tell you that's
not coach speak.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
And I think that is one thing that I'm starting
to glean from this team in a very.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Short period of time. I think You've got some boys
buying into that.
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Yeah, I mean culture is huge.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I talk about it all the time, and I've been
fortunate to be able some suspensive time on the West
Coast with with the Navy Seals and things like that,
and just you know, really listen to guys about their
process and culture is really about, you know, you want
to have a strong culture, you got to do hard
things together. And there's nothing harder to do than training
for football, all the early mornings, all the weight room sessions,
(05:21):
bearing yourself under bars, you know, and and and uh,
you know, just grind it, you know, day after day.
And and that's what our guys have done a great job.
We talk about all the time. Man, it's grind, refine, compete.
That is their job, you know. And the coaches job
is to teach, critique and demand and uh, like I said,
I think the guys understand that that the uh, the
coaching staff here is is uh, you know, their low ego,
(05:43):
their high output. They want these guys to be the
best versions of themselves. And I think the you know,
the players understand that.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Uh, we're all like an esther set of uncles for
these guys, and we're gonna be you know what I mean.
It's the family atmosphere, but we're gonna be real. We're
gonna tell them where they're meeting the standard. We're gonna
tell them where they're not meeting the standard. And you
know we talk about hey, real, not real all the time,
but every single day, you know, it's it's relentless pursuit
of continuous improvement and just trying to get better and
get better and get better. And I've been like I said,
(06:10):
I think the way our guys have approached things, just
all the extra things that we talk about that you
have to do in order to be a championship football team.
Like you know, they've embraced that, and uh, you know,
extra is the standard around here. It's going to continue
to be that way. And I've been excited, you know,
like I said, where we're at right now. Obviously we're
not we're not near game ready yet half of it,
but we don't have to be, you know, like I said,
(06:32):
we we need to establish our identity and just build
from there. And uh, you know, like I said, I
think our guys understand what that's going to be. A
couple of minutes remainting with coach Mitt Mike, Well, I'm coach.
I've been to all of your spring practices and I
had one goal, see if I could figure out what
you're doing on defense. So I'm wondering if it's okay
if I get a knee on yellow or green helmet,
(06:54):
put it on that nickel player so I can figure
out where the heck that guy.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Is going to be and might be able to say
something about your defense. Gosh, you're doing a lot of
things on defense. It's fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think the one thing and even
looking at this league, obviously you got to stop the run,
and that's any any level of football. You know, we uh,
we've been successful here in the past when we've been
able to make teams one dimensional, and then you know,
we've struggled when.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
We haven't been able to do that.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
But the other thing that's really unique about what we're
able to do is just coverage wise, like you're talking about, Mike,
I think you know, uh, you know, just blending in
some of the things that we're doing is is being
able to to play multiple coverages, play a little bit
more body to body, and really challenge receivers off of that,
and then be able to try to take guys away.
You know, I think that's probably uh, you know, the
biggest advantage of playing with an extra dB in there.
(07:41):
Then you got a guy you know that, like you said,
you can move around and and uh and try to
line up in different uh you know, different fronts and
different different coverages and present different things and and then
really try to at the end of the day make
it look complex, but it's really simple, you know. I
mean for the players so been excited. The defensive guys
have done a really good job of just you know,
(08:01):
going to work and learning this stuff and just not
there hasn't been any you know, we talk about no
BCD in our program, no blame complaining to fan. They
haven't you know, been that way at all. They understand
what the standard is. You got to roll up your
sleeves and go to work, and and they've really done
a good job of embracing the change.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Before I let you go coach, you know again August
to what is the first date whatever it is, case state,
August thirty. So here we are in the end of
April to August thirty. That window for fans to understand
the challenge ahead. You talk about identity forming that identity obviously,
position battles and all that. Just take us from today
when you leave our podium up here to August twenty ninth,
(08:40):
when that plane takes off for a thirtieth game in Manhattan.
What are some of the things that that fans can
try to learn what's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Yeah, one thing that's really exciting around here right now
is just you know, all the helpers and supporters that
we have outside of the coaching staff, you know, the
nutrition people, the sports science people. We'll we'll really finish
that up next week. We'll do a bunch of work
with our guys as far as body comps and things
like that, they'll finish up the lifting cycle, we'll give
them a bunch of feedback for you know, where they're
at compared to where they started, and then we'll get
(09:08):
on the road and go recruiting, which has been really
good you know, up to this point. And then excited
to uh to be able to continue that momentum here
moving forward in the summer.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We have to you know, just you know.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Go battle and and do a great job of out
relationship and just you know, really really selling our story
up here. And I think, you know, the thing that's
been really good is, uh, you know, the staff has
been outstanding as far as just you know, they're just
ball coaches, you know. I mean, it's not about all
the other stuff. A lot of times that that people
want to be about and talk about all the Jersey
combinations and talk about all the you know, photo shoots
(09:41):
like it's about, hey, we're gonna make you the best
version of you. We're gonna make you the best football
player we could make you, and then we're gonna help
you with your personal development too as well and become
you know, uh the best parent, the best husband, the
best you know leader that you can be, because that's
what you're gonna be later on in life. And uh,
you know, I think that part of it's really hit
home with with people throughout the throughout the Upper Midwest.
And then when we get done with that, we'll get
(10:03):
into our camp season and then you know, it's back
to our guys here in June getting on campus and
uh and Coach Stein and our strength conditioning people doing
a great job of continuing uh you know to uh
to do a good job with with all the strength
conditioning development. Like I said, our performance team is huge
for us. And then uh, you know, it leads us
into July, which try to give the staff a little
(10:23):
bit of time offs during that time to be with
their families and and h and recharge the batteries a
little bit. And then it's hit the ground running in August,
you know, and uh, and we got a lot of
work to do here yet as far as uh, you
know the fundamentals and the details and and continue to
build on.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
Like I said, what we've done here this spring.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Coaching it is it's a mark of Eric and his
staff that he's built. I don't know what Eric Kenner
cannot talk about. I should, but but who knows what
the NCAA rules are. But it's a mark of you
and your staff. What I've seen recently commits to this
school that when there's ever changed in any institution, I've
oftentimes that could connotat it as a negative. And I've
seen very talented play now commit to the University of
(11:01):
North Dakota, and I've heard them say, Eric schmidth stayed
on me. The coaches stayed with me. We talked about that,
they laid out the plan I saw the school. Nothing changed.
In fact, I'm even more Uh, these are from commit
so it really has gone the opposite way. There's another
tight ended why. I mean, people coming. It's tough to
be coach every day you know that you guys are
(11:24):
going out one end coming to another one. Matt, I'll
tell you Schmidty. But the way that this staff, you
and your staff have handled this I think is just exemplary.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah, I mean, because it's not easy.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
As much as people want to say things change, Like like,
kids want to surround themselves with the right people and
feel like, hey, they're gonna put they're gonna be in
the most successful position that can they can be, and
they want to surround themselves with people that, you know,
I mean, are going to pour into them, are gonna
care about them, They're gonna help them, you know, to
get to their goals.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
And we have a lot of guys here that have lofty.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Goals, you know, and we have a number of people
in our building that have already helped people and have
a you know, have a background of being able to
help people get to the next level. And you know,
as much as people want to you know, beat their
chest and talk about all the things that they've done
and how many people have been here, it's it's about
the kid that's coming into the door every day, and
it's his story and it's about his experience. And we
(12:12):
want to give those guys the most incredible experience of
their lives. And we think we can do that here.
You know, I think you look at this place and
and you know, all the hard work that's gone into
the new facilities here and and all the transitions, and
how simple it is to be able to get from
athletic training to the locker room to the weight room
and out here, you know, to the indoor like it's
one ecosystem. And if you follow the protocols to what
(12:34):
we're doing day in and day out, this place will
get to get you where you want to go. You
don't have to go any farther than Grand Forks in
order to find a place to be able to be successful.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
It is so well said Eric, and then you said
that on the press conference. You know what, We're gonna
lay it out. We're going to give you the game
plan here, trust us, give us everything we'll pour into you,
and here's our game plan. At the end, it's gonna work.
And it's just awesome and great to see you, buddy.
Thanks for I know it's busy, everybody wants a piece
of your time, brother, but thanks for.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Stuff you guys for me here. I appreciate it. Thanks
coach Berg, Eric Schmidt.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
And as we said, it's just it's awesome to see
that that team sometimes well most of the times. Paul
and Mike before we break can take on the identity,
like I need to tell coach Mike bergis. But and
Paul you come from, you know, Pops, a coach, a
team takes on its personality, oftentimes of its head coach.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I mean, right, right, Paul, I mean.
Speaker 6 (13:23):
That that's oh I mean holy cow.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
I mean, uh, it starts there.
Speaker 7 (13:27):
And if and if it can't be phony, it can't
be made up.
Speaker 6 (13:32):
You know, it's genuine. That's the right word, right.
Speaker 7 (13:34):
I mean what you see is what you get with
coach Smidt when he says it, that's exactly what it is.
Ask Emille. You talked about him being a girls basketball coach.
Ask Emil Walino from Crookston who went on to have
a great collegiate basketball career, Ask him, Ask her about
whether or not he's a genuine person coaching at the
girls high school basketball level. It's what you see is
(13:55):
what you get and it and you know what, people
appreciate that in that this day and age, and I
think that will translate well to this football program.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And again to the recruits. And again we can't name
some some you can some you can there are windows
on that. But Mike, that's what I hear from him.
They don't waiver off that commitment. If Schmid and his
staff has been in the living room with you and
maybe some things change or offers dangle. Here, we're seeing
these commitments primarily stay with them because, as we just said,
it's a genuine two way street.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Well, yeah, it really is. I love this staff. They're
a good group of guys, and we were three of
us have been fortune at the last what fourteen fifteen
years to be around Bubba Schweiger and his staff and
this staff. It's like just a melding of the two
groups into now where they are and we talk about facilities.
For the first time ever, UND is on equal footing
(14:48):
with the teams they recruit against. Now, now a kid
comes in here and he's not you don't have to
hide a kid or not taken to certain places on
the campus because you don't want.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Them to see where they're going to.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Do us the thing now, welcome in. Like coach said,
you come in that front door. You are right there,
and if you want to be part of this program,
you're going to be part of something that's a great experience,
something very special.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Fans for your insurance needs, contact your local Farmers Union
Insurance Agent or go to f U M i C
dot com from more information. Farmers Union Insurance a proud
broadcast partner of North Dakota Football, and we couldn't do without,
you know, some of these great sponsors. We'll come back.
We'll talk with Isaac Frickty. We talked about the offense.
You know, we've put a little bit from all sides here,
(15:33):
including head coach Eric Schmidt and Paul Rolster. Will sit
down with Isaac Frickty. I can't also think of Paul
without thinking of the golf center. For goodness sakes, been
a new golf season, Paul. I mean you got you
got any new clubs?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Paul? That then you want to talk about.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
I have one. I got one.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
I got a fitting. I got a fitting from the experts.
I even worked there the other day, believe it or
they brought me off the bench. They had to go
to the bullpen. And then you're like, h can you
work for us on on the Easter weekend? All our
college folks are gone? So I slid in and only
only messed up the till only about nine times, so
I can think I created more work than I actually did.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Basically, golf is illegal in Bushwood Ship actually, so stop
and get that fitting. They got the clubs thirty seven
hundred South Washington. It truly is where your game begins.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yet to come.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Maybe we will name our North Gonna Beef Commission player
the game we could And whether you're in town by
the way this weekend or any time to visit family
that you're on your favorite team, you'll find the Hampton
in In Swees to be your home away from home.
Hampton In and Sweets the official hotel partner of UND Athletics.
Yet to come, Isaac Frickti will join us, Paul will
(16:42):
chat with him. We'll take a look at that upcoming
scheduled by the way and take it to the bottom
of the hour benefit when Tracy Palia, our executive producer,
Jack Bike and Poll. We're broadcasting live from Fritz Poulard
Athletics Center. This is the Spring Football Showcation. You're listening
to Fighting Hawks Football of the UND Fighting Hawk Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
MMM
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