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In another post, it was suggested that we contact Mr. Ron Arp of the Butkus Foundation as to the possibility of getting E.J. added to the Butkus Award Watch List. Thought I'd share his response (which was very prompt) to my email: "We don't add to our pre-season watch list, but anyone is eligible to become a semi-finalist. It seems every year we have a few who make that leap. Our semi-finalists will be announced in just 13 days, and even then, we have a write-in provision to make sure our process doesn't restrict selectors from picking the best of the best. Ron Arp 360.601.2991"

Things we need: Beat UAB

[bracing for backlash] How about Seth wins a big game first? We have extended him twice already and we have yet to win a pressure game. Examples: 2016: UTEP to become bowl eligible and the bowl game against Army 2017: FAU, FAU in conference championship, bowl versus Troy 2018: undefeated heading into conference play in front of a near sell-out vs. LaTech One could argue SMU this year was such a game, but then you would have to put the 2017 SMU loss in the negative column. I really like the direction of the program, but there are still a couple of things I want to see before we extend again. One seems to be accomplished soon - a top of conference recruiting class. The second is a conference championship and/or bowl win against a strong opponent. Many (including the OP if I remember correctly) were fully on board with Mac’s extension after his perfect storm 2013 season, but I am on record as being skeptical and wanting some patience then as well.

Disclaimer: I fully believe we’ll have a new head coach on January 1, 2020. Here’s all the non-monetary reasons I think Seth will still be here in 2019: • Top ‘19 CUSA recruiting class. It’s important for a budding first-time coach to exhibit not only his first on-field consistency, but likewise in recruiting. ‘Sack got only one of those in Frank Wilson and yeah, how’s that going? • Seeing the Mason Fine story to its conclusion. He has a lot invested there. • The Lovelace factor. Notice that Dillon Lovelace is consistently among the only non-AD personnel who is in the locker room before, during, and after every game? The Lovelace+Litrell nearly lifelong family friendship is becoming more and more well-documented, and I believe this plays a huge factor for Seth. • In addition to the above, much has been written of what Seth has available here for his family. He’s within shouting distance from his extended family and friends. His parents are able to attend every home game. His wife and kids have repeatedly expressed their love for the Denton community and Liberty Christian schools. • The institutional support. It’s one thing for a school to bite the bullet on a competitive coaching salary pool. It’s entirely something else for the leadership of the institution to be in lockstep, unified for a shared trajectory for Athletics; from the BOR, Chancellor Roe, President Smatresk, and Wren Baker on down. There are other little tidbits here and there, but I think these are the big ones.

Not really. They are ranked 5th nationally in scoring defense and is only giving up 14.2 yards a game. But in ranking the offenses they’ve faced,....if you rank lowly Savanah St who is 1-5 a ranking of 129th...UAB’s defense has only faced a 95th average offense. Do the same for NT, who’s scoring defense is not far off of UAB’s at 19th,...and you’ll see that the Mean Green defense has faced a 66th average offense with a much tougher schedule. BTW..Savanah St has the second worst offense in all of FCS at averaging just over 11 points per game. Incarnate Word has the 32nd best offense in all of FCS. Liberty’s offense would rank at around 59th in FBS. Rick

I'm annoyed that things like this are even a penalty. I'm fine with penalizing if they're taunting in an opponent's face, but come on... Let players have some fun!

My favorite highlight is Hamilton's flying sack. Think I will refer to it as the Superman Sack.

Hey guys, Our plan is to start the Green Globe podcast back up early next month just prior to the season starting. Wanted to open the line for questions. What do you guys have for us?

The return of "The Flying Tomato" !!!

- Repair Grey Goose fountain in Athletic Department, or put it on Craigslist. - Welfare check on Tina Yothers. - Figure out how to get Portland State's USDE/CHEA accreditations revoked so they can no longer be a real thing & we can erase that blip in history. - Purchase "pageantry" & bequeath as a gift to Green Brigade.

My gripe is with the consistency. You see players doing goofy things like this all the time after touchdowns with no penalty. So why does it draw a flag after a sack?

I believe the USM defense was ranked higher last week than UAB's. USM drew our offense - Unlucky for them - and gave up 30pts. UAB drew Rice's offense - Lucky for them - and goose-egged them. The statistics changed. I hope UAB feels really great about their defensive performance last week, because a hot buzzsaw is coming their way.

But do the really? Can you say, with any honesty, that Indiana or Kansas have a legitimate shot at a national title? Sure, they are in the right conference and have the money...but so do Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, and the other teams that perennially rule those conferences. Teams like Kansas, Vanderbilt, Indiana, Illinois are P5 in name only.

Well that's boring. Didn't know fandom had rules.

I think that is kind of the point. No substitute for in-game experience.

Littrell hit gold with the signing of Fine. It can certainly be argued that is a big reason for NT's success during Littrell's NT career. No one doubts Littrell has ability and will be much sought after. The question that can't be determined is how LIttrell would do without coming up with one of the most consistently good QB's in the nation. I am a little concerned that there appears to be little development of the backup quarterbacks. I would not be surprised to see Littrell here another year, but I would be amazed if Littrell is not gone after that no matter what NT offers him.

https://www.kntu.com/podcast/SLS-20181016.mp3 Sounds like Littrell is not happy with the post play celebration antics at all. Apparently there is history of Ejiya and Garner goofing around a little too much. Their coordinated action after a sack this past week drew a flag The celebration is at the :40 mark below: My 16 year old son informed me this was the Gotenks maneuver from Dragonball Z: I think Garner did another Dragonball Z celebration earlier in the year.

Does anyone else remember the "grenade" celebration that our kids did after a touchdown during one of the Dickey years ? It was really funny but drew a 15 yard penalty.....as it should have !

Keep Seth and Wren VERY VERY HAPPY.

I think this will be a great game. That said, are UAB's stats really that impressive? In looking at how they have played so far, the combined records of those teams are 14 - 25. I realize the same can be said about some of our opponents but this game will probably come down to who wants it more. In that case, it should be a win for the Mean Green.

WIN GAMES BEAT uab GO MEAN GREEN!!!!!!!

Yep, you got me. Sorry my point is lost on you.

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2018/10/4/17937554/breaking-down-coaches-salaries-in-conference-usa-football-salary-head-coach-cusa

"According to media impressions gathered by the school, there was an "ad value equivalency" of $19.5 million. Almost 600 million people were exposed to the school through video, social media and print media. That means something whether you're marketing at Alabama or in a Group of Five school staff meeting just trying to get exposure." This says it all. Our coaching staff has already paid for their salaries for many years. I am only halfway serious. But, if any non-sports fan wants to argue the value of having a good football team, here is your rebuttal.

I saw him pop up on a couple "What G5 coaches do you want" comments on reddit today. People definitely know.

The thing about "downvotes" that gets me is when someone gets one for a positive-type post. For example, Emmitt posted the picture of his kid and got a downvote. Seems as though there are some who downvote any post by certain other members. I wouldn't go so far as to say it bothers me, I just don't get it. Personally, I don't mind getting downvoted on my opinions. Quite frankly, if I'm getting a lot of downvotes maybe I need to at least reexamine my position...except on "uniform talk." I think a downvote is inevitable no matter your opinion on uniforms😁

77-0 we're playing a bunch of sick cancer kids, for goodness sake.

Hi, have you seen my balance sheet?

3 things: 1. I agree with the Selfless/Disciplined angle somewhat. 2. Say it to their faces? 2. If they continue to sack QBs in key situations, they could fully re-enact the Nutcracker for all I care. This is the kind of thing that keeps the team "excited to play", which, next to "reset", "dominate their ass", "all 3 phases" & "for 4 quarters" is the team's combined mantra. Do we want to stifle the "excited to play" piece? I don't, because that's how squeaking out games VS UTEP creeps up.

Once all their transitional transfers are gone I think you will see a slide very similar to that of UTSA’s.

Seems we need [serious] tags like on reddit now. We need a clear plan on dealing with/retaining seth. We need a clear plan b. We need more tradition/coordination for student section. We need a little more improvement on the O-line. A true RB1. Transition to a program that shows up in the rain too. Find a way to bring Mattress Mack back into the fold. Secure another couple major donors. Maintaining at least the level of recruiting for this years class.

- 4* recruit is not necessary to move up. For the most part, TCU, Louisville, Rutgers, etc... did it without them. - Not just "A" bowl win, but "Multiple" Bowl wins. We must be in a bowl each & every season, and win most of them. - Sellouts, yes. - Top 25 ranking, yes... and either staying in, or flirting with it each & every season. In addition: - Continuing to take advantage of the "opportunity" games VS P5 teams. I don't expect beatdowns like the one we gave Arkansas, but winning, or playing to a final score of less than 10pts, is a must moving forward. Nothing says "we belong" more than results on the field. - Coaching consistency. With continued, sustained success, we know coach Littrell and coordinators/position coaches will be poached. Backfilling them with coaches who can keep the momentum moving forward will be paramount.

I think we need to win more. We also need a prideful alum base and student body. Over time the former will take care of the latter. To expedite, far more can be done in freshmen orientation other than learning the claw and making a giant human UNT in Apogee. I don't know what else. I don't get paid to come up with those ideas, but a lot more could be done to draw that interest. Not to create a midnight yell or anything at all. But something needs to be planned and orchestrated to garner that week to week support of the entire student body. For students, particularly our student body, more has to be done than staking ground level posters around campus and tweeting. Want to get that student section buzzing...make them prideful of what university they belong to and what it means to support their athletic teams. The free stuff is cool and all as was done last year. But that's gimmicky and temporary. Same goes with the wrestling stunt this year, gimmicky and temporary. I'm more so referring to acts that will instill tradition and pride.

Here’s my question. There have been multiple reports that, if necessary, we have donors willing to help us get into the 2.5 to 3 million range. So, the argument is that a Kansas or a Tech type school is gonna money whip Seth Littrell with 5 to 6 million to “double anything we can offer”? I just don’t see that. I don’t see ANY P5 being willing to get above 2 to 2.5 for a coach at his current stage of success. Nick Saban, with all that he has done including national titles at multiple SEC schools, makes 9. I think we may just be stuck in the “we’re just lil’ ol’ North Texas...we don’t deserve nice things” mentality.

The biggest improvement a program goes thru is moving from awful to average. The hardest improvement is going from good to great. i think we are very good right now, but to be great and be a ranked team, we have to win out. That’s quite a challenge with games still against UAB, FAU, and a CUSA East champion. But that’s what it will take to be ranked— which is a sign of greatness, especially as a G5 program outside of the AAC or the MWC.

My advanced idiots-guide-to-football opinion on UAB: nothing fancy or exceptional about their skill positions, just very very physical on the OL. I want Bryce English to have a coming out party in their backfield.

Erdely is not terribly impressive to me. He manages the game well, but he is not the player that beats us. Their big WR, Ubosi, is my main worry. As was noted above, but Brooks on Ubosi, press the other side and sell out to stop the run by funneling everyone to EJ and Garner.

I think this staff believes in Fine and the media exposure he produces. It's a similar mentality to why the pros don't pull their starters in a blow out. The fans came to see Fine. I want to note I don't agree with this and want to remind people that I 100% think putting Shanbour in would have put us in a better spot to win against La Tech (not saying it's guaranteed, just saying he would've been more serviceable to operate the offense).

https://uabsports.com/news/2018/10/15/football-clark-previews-north-texas-homecoming-and-childrens-harbor.aspx It's nice UAB is helping these kids, but we have to kick their butt. Sorry, not sorry!

I also wish they had gotten the backups in more in the blowout wins, especially since the games are all much closer now in the conference slate.

No need to call the team MFers just because the running game is struggling. Harsh.

He didn't sign with Jimmy Sexton for no reason. Sexton is known for pushing the envelope and playing up interest of other schools to get his clients (and himself) more money. After all, he has 11 or 12 SEC head coaches as clients...somehow. So he's privy to bullshitting his way to a couple hundred thousand per off-season. If people thought Seth was our knight in shining armour....well...don't hold your breath. This solidifies his departure, probably sooner than later.

If Seth is interested in seeing what his options are after this season, what's his incentive to sign now?

CUSA Stats

I'm prolly going to buy season tickets for next season. Missed out this year.

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/10/645223716/on-the-sidelines-of-democracy-exploring-why-so-many-americans-dont-vote The above would outline a number of reasons why people don't vote. Many did state that they didn't find vote because they didn't have time, didn't think it mattered, felt disconnected, have misconceptions (Trump is a Fascist), which to me would be a reason to vote, don't like the system, etc... I just don't get the excuse that it is difficult to register. Elections occur all the time. Waiting until the last minute and then getting upset because something didn't work out is not the fault of the system. Can the system be improved? Absolutely, but change it lawfully. That is the point I may not have made clear earlier.

I am so happy that you have finally acknowledged the major reasons why people do not vote. Good for you.....finally. 😂😂

And these people were alerted and given ten days to correct the error. I have empathy towards those that are in need, but you go right ahead and make that comment about someone you have never met nor laid eyes on. I just want people to follow the rules or go about a legal way of changing the rules to make them better. Breaking the law because you don't like how the law is written is not the way to get things done. Of course your second response was to sensationalize the whole thing. My take is that everyone has the right to vote that meets the requirements as stated by law. Everyone that meets these requirements has many opportunities to register and plenty of time. You are correct that I do not have empathy for those that wait until the last minute to register, and then blame the system. Personal responsibility is a lost value.