Reb UT '70

A close family member of Coach Dodge is in my Sunday school class and I've been able to follow some of the inside game from their comments. I'd say that while UNT still has a way to go before we're back to Fry's level of play, we are heading in that direction. Frankly, I don't think it will be all that long. One secret weapon is that high school coaches all over the country want the program to succeed. Dodge is the first high school coach in a blue moon to make the jump to college ranks and his success will help others. I don't think he's built that network to its fullest potential yet, and it has nationwide impact when he does. It will take a few years, but once he's got the program whipped in to a winning mode I think he'll find recruiting out of state players to be easier than most Texas coaches. I'm just sorry that his son got hurt, and I hope he'll be back before next season. Best of luck to the MEAN GREEN in all sports... except of course when they play my 'horns.

I don't spend much time here since my daughter finished at UNT. Still, I was here looking over the reaction to the football recruits and wondered what the reaction to the soccer recruits would be. Frankly, I think this is the best looking class since the class of '02 and I think it's the largest. That class won 2 Sunbelt championships and an NCAA bid. I think this one might go further. Looking at Hedlund as a coach, I first have to say he's a HEAD COACH. He does have assistance who teach and run parts of the program. You only have to look at his record to see how successful he is and that answers questions about his level of coaching. Do I think there are better coaches out there... sure. Do I like his style of coaching? No, but it is very effective. It is also one of the reasons that UNT has trouble in post season play. We play and continue to play on a small soccer field. It puts visiting teams at a disadvantage, but it's a two edged sword. When we goto the playoffs, we're always on a bigger field and it makes it tougher on us than it should. John's play style is also geared to the field size and it does lose something when we play a good team like a UT on their very large field. In the best of all worlds we'd have two fields to practice upon and that would probably help the program. Good Luck. Now, about his "popularity" among players. I think you'll find that those who he wants to keep like him. This is a very tough sport, and coaching girls takes a special talent. It ain't like coaching boys. Plus even though girls develop faster than boys, it's a crap shoot about which recruits will make it as college players. John was able to carry a number of girls who weren't starters until their junior or even senior year and that takes talent and popularity. Many of those girls are only getting about a 30% scholarship and if they're serious students that's not much in return for what they have to spend on their sport. So bottom line, I think that JH is very popular with the girls he thinks he wants to keep, and I think he's one of the best coaches UNT could or will get. Now, if he could just beat Denver in the tourney....

I hope we don't. At this point, all he can do is make it worse, unless he takes the kid. My own experience with the press has confirmed that you should "never get in a pissing match with someone who buys newspaper ink by the barrel." Just let it go unless someone the paper makes bashing NT a mission. I can't see that happening because there will be other kids in other years who will want to go to UNT.

Good point! However, I think I was careful to say that this wasn't a "coaching" mistake or even a "recruiting" mistake but a "PR" to parent mistake. If I didn't make that clear, I hope I have now. I should hasten to add that I'm pulling hard for TD, his uncle is in my Sunday School class. I've worked with Cotten in prison ministry and I admire the family. Do I really think that TD won't be welcome in Abiline, even at Cooper? No! He'll be very welcome because he's a good guy and he's got a great record. What he will have is a "question" to answer. Based on what I know, he'll be able to answer it, but the fact that it gets asked is the "PR" mistake. I just watched TD's press conference, and I was very impressed.

Two weeks ago I spent the weekend at the Govenor's Cup in Georgetown talking to coaches and parents as I watched 32 high school teams play. What surprised me was how many top Soph and Jr. girls are considering or will consider going to UNT. I sent the list to John, and we'll have to see how it turns out. Still, there are dozens of girls from south of Waco who are interested. It looks like the program will continue strong and could get much stronger.

It's been a while since I stopped by, and due to time press I can't stay long. Just wanted to let you know that I'm cheering for Boise State, and not just because they're playing OU. As for it being a very small world, it seems that the new Coach of UNT has an uncle and aunt in my small Sunday School class. I can't think of a better choice for UNT and I have very high hopes he can get off to a very fast start. I was a bit surprised to see that most of the old staff is still here. Still, I hope in a couple of years we'll know if the winner of the SBC has to go to the NO Bowl, or if UNT can play in a BCS bowl... and not the one BS is in tonight. Happy New Year everyone, and I hope it's a much better year for both my teams.

I'd offer big bucks and get Major Applewhite. I'm already seeing movement at Rick and he will be a great recruiter. The problem is that I don't think he would accept any head coaching spot right now. Still, I'd grab him and do what I had to keep him until the UT job comes open.

I know that Dr. Pohl saw athletics as a means to gain positive recognition for UNT. I've never been able to understand why we haven't been able to build the football program, but I felt like Dr. Pohl was very serious about building UNT into a national power academically. What happened and does anyone know what the new vision is, especially for athletics?

I'm going to try to make it to the MUTS game. I'm anxious to see the new field, and of course to see my daughter's picture that I just heard about today. I've had a harder time following the team this year, but it sounded like we were off to a pretty good start then Grambling tied us???????? What happened there? The last time I remember playing them it was about 6000 to 0 and that was only because we were kind. How in the world did they tie us??

I was just told that a picture of my daughter is hanging on Fouts Field. If anyone has a photo of the field they could send me I would be very grateful. Oh, and Hi to all the old faithful here. I watched the UT game and really got my hopes up when we beat SMU... that was sweet. Still, I'm beginning to feel like a Red Socks fan. That's a good thing right?

LOL, that's one image I don't want.

I will not make the mistake that my son, also a UT grad made. We have played them once since we beat them in Denton. It was a spring game and our girls didn't take the game seriously enough. In fact, it is rumored that coach Hedlund put a fist through a blackboard that hasn't been repaired to this day. I think we were down 4-0 at half time. At the end of the game, my son's first words to his sister were "hook 'em!" It's a good thing they've always been close, each other's greatest fans or she would be an only child. Frankly, I think we stand a shot at Texas. They aren't going to be up for us and we can play head-to-head with them. The problem is we're playing on their huge field. The key will be to keep them from scoring early. If they do, we'll be blown out. If it's scoreless at 20 minutes, I favor us in the game. That's a rash statement, but I'll stand by it!

There are only 90 minutes in a game. This was as close as it can get to overtime! I have no idea where or who we will play, but it's a nice way to finish. It also means I'll see my daughter's last game since I said I'd go to the NCAA tourny if they made it!

I think this is the first game that Denver has lost in the Sun Bowl Tourny. I know this marks at least the fouth time UNT has been to the finals, and it's about time we won the thing! Then we can get some revenge at A&M. That first game was just to lull them into over confidence!

One of the regulars here would never mention it, but his daughter Jen Smith was one of the reasons we tied A&M during the second half last night. She totally dominated the middle of the field and pretty much controlled the game. Like my daughter, she's a senior and it will be a bittersweat moment Sunday when I watch them play for the last time. It has been a great four years here at North Texas. I've come to love and admire the school. I'm quite proud that my daughter decided to come here.