ObviousMan

I agree that the BCS level schools drive who shows up on the list, but what I don't agree with is the premise that UNT may not be in the running for any of these players. If Baylor, SMU, UTEP, Rice, Tulsa can be mentioned on the list, and get some of those players, why can't UNT? My point is that while UNT may not be on same level of UT, Florida, USC, etc., they should be able to compete both on the field of play and in recruiting with the likes of UTEP, SMU, Baylor, etc. That should be a very attainable short term goal. However, given the past few recruiting classes, and the lack of non-conference wins, something needs to be done to correct the problem. I'll up the ante to a quarter.

To chime in, I'd like to see us play 1. UTEP (nice rivalry game to build up and get exposure in NM and Arizona for HS players for recruiting) 2. TCU (always nice to have a good game in your own backyard) 3. Wisconsin (if you aspire to be one of the big boys, you might as well play one of them) Another nickle in the slot.

Since you're obviously an SMU alum ("our list of the 90 Greatest Moments in SMU Football History") you should have at least gotten the facts straight. It wasn't Flannigan's performance that got him on the list (#46), but rather the team's 6-5 season in 1997 marking their first winning season since 1986 (11 years). According to the write up, the player of the year/game would have been Kelsey Adams, not Ramon Flannigan. Now, let's address those statistics that make Coach Flannigan so great. Passing, 5,640 yards, or 1,410 average per season. Does that number look strangely close to what the UNT QBs have averaged since his arrival as QB coach and then Offensive Coordinator? Completions 438, attempts 829, that would be about a 53% completion percentage. Well, looking at UNT's starting QB statistics for 2003-2005, 55% (the 2003 and 2004 season were with Scott Hall by the way). Batting .500 in baseball makes you a hall of famer. In football, it should get the player benched, and if repeated for more than a few seasons, the coach replaced. It seems to me that Ramon Flannigan creates offenses and QBs in his image. Just average, not a difference maker. I'm sure the players that are playing for UNT are doing their best, but I can't believe that UNT cannot find a suitable replacement for Flannigan from somewhere else. A little more than a nickle's worth.

Having read all of the previous posts it seems clear that UNT has fallen short in the progress category. However, the one thing I don't see are possible names to replace DD, or anyone on his staff. It is my contention that the reason UNT has poor recruiting in Texas, or more specifically, the DFW area is that their staff has no one that has coached in the area and as a result does not know how, or where, to find players. I mean when your offensive coordinator (and you can really make an argument about being offensive in a non-football way) best claim to fame is that he led SMU to a 6-5 mark as a player that's terrible. If he is setting the direction for the offense then no wonder they don't understand the passing game. The DD regime needs to come to an end, but who would/should be his replacement. My personal as a replacement for the offensive coordinator is Todd Dodge from Southlake Carroll. Has experience designing, building, and running a high-powered offense and creating a winning atmosphere. Major knock is lack of experience coaching outside the high school rank. But, given what we have, it would likely still be an upgrade. The best part is maybe he could bring some blue chip talent with him. Just rambling.

I understood your point. However, my point was not understood. None of the UNT quarterbacks are big enough, nor quick enough to run the zone read play. Most of the schools that run zone read with success have big (6-3 and up, 220 and up) QBs that are quick (not necessarily fast). While Wilson may have talent, his physical tools might preclude him from running the zone read. Also, none of the currect QBs on the roster have the size, or quickness, to run the zone read. As a result, the zone read while an effective play series, might not be the best solution for the current UNT crop of QBs. Shouldn't the type of play fit the personnel we have rather than trying to force a type of play that the personnel may not be capable of executing successfully? Just a thought

Please don't equate any of UNT's quarterbacks to Vince Young. I don't see any players on UNT's squad that are 6-5, 235lbs, run a 4.4 40 and can throw a ball 60 yards flat-footed. There aren't any Vince Young's at any school, the guy was a freak of nature, and it will be fun to watch him on Sundays. The zone read can be successful if, and only if, you have 5 horses up front. Even Vince Young gave credit to his huge, quick, very impressive, offensive line. Most of those 5 gentlemen will also be playing on Sundays. I think DD has run his clock to 0 here at UNT. He was what the program needed at the time he was hired. However, over the course of his tenure here, he has not produced a consistent non-conference image. With very few wins over upper-level D-1 programs, or even mid-level D-1 programs, UNT's regional/national image is not very good for recruiting. Also, it seems with the high number of quality recruits that other schools find in this state that DD could at least get 1 or 2 per year. I mean when you get out recruited by Texas, Texas A&M, and other Big 12 schools that's one thing, but UNT routinely gets beat by SMU, Texas State, and Sam Houston State just to name a few and the last 2 are D-IAA schools. His offensive scheme is a one trick pony. UNT runs the ball, period end of story. If you stop the run, UNT folds and goes home the loser. While running the ball is paramount to a successful offense, it is not the only option. Mix in more passes, more motion, more disguises so that the opposition doesn't put 9 in the box. Make the other team play honest heads up football. Don't get me wrong I think the players at UNT give it their best every time they strap on the pads. But, we're getting our heads handed to us in games we should at least be competitive in if our program is to grow and improve. Think about what other conferences like Conf-USA, MAC, and WAC are doing. Periodically, you will see one of their teams rise up and smack one of the big boys in the mouth, or they'll have a stellar season and go 11-1 (TCU). Winning conference games is nice, but UNT should strive to be better than that. Once upon a time, UNT was consider a good football program on the rise. Now, they are more of a pretender than a contender. Just one man's opinion.

This a a great point. Having strength and being conditioned does not equate to speed necessarily. Having watched UNT for many years, I am always amazed at how other schools' players can run down one of our wide receivers, tailbacks, or quarterbacks, but we can only seem to catch a whiff of the opposing team once they break into the secondary. Just my 2 cents.