By CINDY PETERSON
Bismarck Tribune
Fred Fridley printed off his coaching resume shortly after the University of Mary women's basketball team got beat out of the semifinals of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament.
Fridley turned in his credentials to North Dakota State for the women's head coaching opening. Fridley is throwing his name in the hat to be the successor to NDSU legendary coach Amy Ruley, who has accepted the position as associate athletic director with the Bison.
"The day that it opened I had close to 20-25 phone calls or text messages from (NDSU) alumni asking me to apply for the job," Fridley said.
Fridley has ties to NDSU. He played men's basketball for the Bison and was a graduate assistant coach with the men from 1997-99.
"Imade a good impact as a player and as a graduate assistant coach," Fridley said. "Look at what we've done with the program at the University of Mary."
Fridley came to U-Mary during the 2003-04 school year.
Ruley coached at NDSU for 29 years and compiled a 671-198 record, including five NCAA Division II national championships.
Fridley said he's not afraid to build on the tradition Ruley has started. He inherited a solid program at U-Mary, one that won an NAIA national title in 2000.
The success of NDSU's program is one of the more appealing things to Fridley.
"Iwould rather take over a program that has been winning,"Fridley said. "Tradition has a lot to do with things. I know how North Dakota State operates, and I know the tradition of North Dakota State."
NDSUhas received 20 applications for the women's basketball position, according to Lynn Dorn, the director of women's athletics.
NDSU will be taking applications until March 27, or until the position is filled, Dorn said.
What do you think? Will he get a look??