There’s an old adage that suggests, “there’s a price to pay for success,” which typically indicates that sacrifices are necessary to reach a point of reward.
For FCS or lower-tier FBS football teams, this often means losing coaches and players to larger programs that can offer more lucrative salaries.
The North Dakota State University Bison have faced this situation before and are encountering it once more. Reports indicate that Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Jake Landry is departing the university to take on the role of running backs coach at Iowa State.
ESPN Senior College Football Writer Pete Thamel was the first to report this yesterday morning.
Landry, who played for St. Thomas University in St. Paul during the 2022 season, was only in Fargo for the 2024 season, which concluded with the Bison claiming their 10th FCS National Championship in January.
The Bison ranked 3rd in the FCS for scoring, averaging just over 38 points per game, and 20th in total offense with more than 417 yards per game.
While some might consider this a setback, a strong program like NDSU means Head Coach Tim Polasek will attract plenty of interested candidates. The key will be finding someone who comprehends North Dakota State’s offensive style, which emphasizes power running, a tough offensive line, and a passing game that generates big plays.
Believe it or not, not every offensive coach will match that description, especially in a pass-heavy era that favors long-distance passes over powerful runs breaking through the line.
Having witnessed firsthand, three times from 2016 to 2020 while broadcasting games for James Madison University, what NDSU has accomplished is remarkable, unique, and certainly admirable. It’s not just anyone who can play or coach there.
This will be an intriguing opening to observe: (a) who gets the job, and (b) how quickly they adapt to the style of North Dakota State Football.
The Bison don’t just restock their players and coaches; they reload them.
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