UNT Mean Green

I apologize in advance if this has been posted, but Lance Dunbar made the Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-American team for 2009. VERY impressive group of players, and he's in the company with much more heralded/publicized guys (ie Tim Tebow, etc). Sports Illustrated All-Americans

For round numbers sake 3,000 are recruited. 120 schools times 25 signees (rough estimate).

A side note on the Heisman: One scary thing about Alabama. At this time last year, Mark Ingram was the backup to Glenn Coffee (now with the 49ers). This year, Trent Richardson is the true Freshman backup to Ingram, and in my opinion (and many coaches & analysts) he is already better and more talented than Ingram (even Danielson and Vern Lunquist on CBS talk about it when they do Bama games, and Ingram publicly talks about it). Scary thought.

After watching Phil Dawson kick for Lake Highlands over those years, it's great to hear Coach Ledford say that Olen has a stronger leg. Good commitment for sure!

Independence, Insight, and Fiesta Bowl (always an annual trip to see the Insight and Fiesta Bowl and go enjoy some nice golf weather in Scottsdale)

I think it will be Riley's job to lose, but I believe that gap between Riley and the next in line has closed significantly. I personally hope that Riley can learn from and not repeat those freshman mistakes from this past fall, and will go on to have a 25 TD/5 Int type of season next fall to compliment his rushing. I do like Derek Thompson a lot though and he'll push Riley. I know RV and others has been high on him since he arrived.

That comment about the WR's had nothing to do with RB production. It just has to do with the fact that when you watch every ballgame and really dissect it, how many key blocks did the WR's make? What do they do when the ball is not thrown their way or coming their way? Quick hint to the previous 2 questions: None, Nothing. Watch the SEC title game on Saturday in Atlanta, and pay close attention to the Florida and Bama WR's. As soon as either the ball is not thrown their way, or the play goes the other direction, those guys are hustling to block instantly. It's quite impressive actually, but that's how it should be. Now, if you tune into a North Texas game, all you see is the WR's quit dead in their tracks when the ball wasn't thrown to them, and then spectate; which is lazy and falls on that position coach. You do that at Florida or Bama, and you're on the bench. I don't care if your Julio Jones or the 5th WR on the depth chart. And that's how it needs to be at North Texas.

Yes, that'd be nice, but I think that pricetag is way out of our ballpark. However, Franklin is making $103K and FIU's top paid assistant is making $138K.

This is a comprehensive wish list for sure, and assuming UNT steps up to pay a legitimate coordinator. Justin Fuente Runs a multiple offense, probably 65% out of shotgun. Utilizes TE's, FB's, and a bevy of RB's. Throws the ball downfield, and requires a mobile QB. Cale Gundy An outstanding recruiter, and another member of a multiple offensive scheme with spread facets throughout. Has OU ties, and don't know if he'd really leave. Makes $250K. Jay Norvell Another assistant at a big time program that has an emphasis on Receivers, and has called plays for big time programs (Nebraska, UCLA) as well as having NFL experience. Makes $240K. Josh Heupel A young, enthusiastic coach who has played and coached at big time programs. Good recruiter in this area. Makes $210K. Joe Wickline An emphasis on Offensive Line play and the running game. Also, has coached in the Sun Belt and was a former Recruiting Coordinator at MTSU. His next step would be as a Coordinator, and it looks like Gunter Brewer could get plucked as a head coach somewhere this offseason. Dennis Simmons Track record with WR's speaks for itself. Makes about $190K. Eric Russell Former NT assistant who has been successful along the way. Makes $190K. Phillip Mongtomery Highly successful offensive coach who has a spread background, and has spent some time in Denton. Texas ties. Dino Babers Has been a very successful offensive coordinator in his day, and has good recruiting ties. Ed Zaunbrecher The track record pretty much speaks for itself. An established name, and has called plays for the best of the best (LSU, Florida). Jason Phillips Great recruiter (look at UH's success recently), a Texas guy, NFL experience. Makes $145K right now. Bob Connelly A metroplex guy, who has coached a large programs and been an influential recruiter. Makes $145K right now. These are just a few, and I'm sure there's plenty more candidates.

I don't consider it to look stupid to fire any of the mentioned coaches. The one who should get credit for D. Carey is Coach Shelton Gandy (and Tyler Stradford the RS player). Get a bona fide OC in here, get a WR's coach who teaches them how to run routes, and how to block when the ball isn't in their hands, and the opening of Rausch's job allows for a viable defensive assistant to join DeLoach, Petersen, Buckles, and Nelson on that side.

My bad Video. I didn't have time for the Excel Just thought it was an interesting read

From Rivals.com, here are the 22 coaching changes that took place this time last year and their subsequent results. Coaching Changes The new guys Team New coach Record Last season Army Rich Ellerson 5-6 3-9 Auburn Gene Chizik 7-5* 5-7 Ball State Stan Parrish 2-10 12-2 Boston College Frank Spaziani 8-4* 9-5 Bowling Green Dave Clawson 7-5* 6-6 Clemson Dabo Swinney 8-5* 7-6 Eastern Michigan Ron English 0-12 3-9 Iowa State Paul Rhoads 6-6* 2-10 Kansas State Bill Snyder 6-6 5-7 Miami University Mike Haywood 1-11 2-10 Mississippi State Dan Mullen 5-7 4-8 New Mexico Mike Locksley 1-11 4-8 New Mexico State DeWayne Walker 3-9 3-9 Oregon Chip Kelly 9-2* 10-3 Purdue Danny Hope 5-7 4-8 San Diego State Brady Hoke 4-8 2-10 Syracuse Doug Marrone 4-8 3-9 Tennessee Lane Kiffin 7-5* 5-7 Toledo Tim Beckman 5-7 3-9 Utah State Gary Andersen 4-8 3-9 Washington Steve Sarkisian 4-7 0-12 Wyoming Dave Christensen 6-6* 4-8 Looks to be about a +2 in the win colum turn-around on average.

I agree with some of your post, but here's an interesting take on Riley (just food for thought, and not criticism). Alot of programs/NFL teams give the rookie excuse as a learning curve in becoming familiar with the offensive system and they 'allow' for more mistakes to happen as a result of that. Riley simply cannot go off of that logic. This is NOT a new offensive system for him. The only excuse he has is 'speed of the game', and unfortunately for him, he missed playing against the 2 fastest defenses that North Texas has played against this year because of injury. That being said....surely Army's DB's aren't all blazing 4.4 guys. There's a problem with the playcalling and telegraping passes to couple with the 'speed of the game' excuse for Riley that lead to a lot of his turnovers.

Yes, he could and should. But will TD be around to make that decision???

If the NT coaching scenario were in the business/commerce world, the coach and a few of his employees would have been fired quite some time ago.

Here's another take on the defensive analysis: What if the offense hadn't put them in a hole with so many turnovers during those close losses? Predictable play calling, and telegraphing throws has caused a bevy of turnovers this year. Hell, I've stood on the sidelines for several games, and the opposing coaches are yelling out the play to their defense before the ball is snapped. Not good. There is yardage, no question; but with these athletes there should be. What worries me is the lack of production in the redzone and lack of points (ie meaningless yards). This offense is very very conservative and predictable. If you bring in a guy with a history in the spread (do not want to change from the spread with the current personnel) who can utilize all of the talent on this team, and come up with a coherent game plan that can move the ball wherever it is on the field, can score in the redzone, and for crying out loud, will not have the opposing coaches screaming out the play before the ball is snapped, then you will have an offense that not only puts up yards, but one that protects the football and scores points; thus keeping your defense off the field, and you'll flat out win more ballgames. We have had 3 years of Dodge and Ford, and it simply does not work. Though the yardage has increased, the talent is not being used to it's fullest potential. I promise Darius Carey can run more than a bubble screen route, yet that's all he seems to catch.

I do not forsee the contract buyout playing any kind of role in a coaching change.

Any additional wins at this point is better than we're at, so I'd say it would certainly put a better taste in my mouth when reflecting upon this season and looking toward the next.

Received this e-mail message: The site has only received a small amount of moisture and the area is tented and floored so don't let the dampness change your mind about attending! Complimentary hard hats with the Believe It! logo to the first 500 guests. Students -- you can receive yours at Friday Night at Clark Park tonight! Go Mean Green!

It's interesting to speculate on these top coordinators and where they end up. In the coaching 'evolvement' of an individual, typically these 'hot' coordinators end up with head jobs at smaller schools. Take last year to this year for example. Dave Christensen leaves Mizzou as OC and heads to Wyoming, where they're doing well. Paul Rhoades left Auburn as DC and headed to Iowa State. Dave Clawson was the OC at Tennesse before Kiffin and Co. came in, and he got the head job at Bowling Green. Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt leave USC and take over the gig at Washington. Ron English left Louisville as DC after being Lloyd Carr's longtime DC in Ann Arbor and took over at Eastern Michigan. Mike Haywood left Charli Weiss and Co. as OC and went to Miami of Ohio. Tim Beckham left Oklahoma State as DC to take over at Toledo. DeWayne Walker left UCLA as DC and got the head gig at New Mexico State. Gary Andersen left Utah as DC and headed up the road to Utah State as head man. Who knows what'll happen at these schools where jobs begin to open and where jobs will be open at the conclusion of the season. But it's always interesting to follow these good assistants in their journey to be head coaches.

This game could be lower scoring than people think. I'm hoping this is not a repeat of Navy, as Mendoza had horrible schemes to try and stop the option! DeLoach and his staff will have a good scheme, and it'll be just a matter of executing. Plus, Army's defense is good and they don't have quite the athletes (typically) that Navy normally does.

Name your award winners if the season ended today, based off what you see. Offensive MVP: Lance Dunbar Defensive MVP: Craig Robertson Special Teams MVP: Royce Hill Newcomer of the Year: Jamaal Jackson & Darius Carey The individual Linebacker of the Year award they give out at the banquet should go to Tobe.

Name your award winners if the season ended today, based off what you see. Offensive MVP: Defensive MVP: Special Teams MVP: Newcomer of the Year:

You are correct, however if you go back in Mack's career to Tulane and North Carolina, the style has changed whenever Greg Davis shows up (which he has been with Brown all 12 seasons in Austin). Mack and DeLoss Dodds have put more of an influence on defense with the arrival of the Gene Chizik's and Will Muschamp's of the world, thus implementing an aggressive style of football for their team, similar to OU, USC, FL, BAMA, etc.

In focus: Javia Hall, Skyline QB Skyline vs. DeSoto, 6 p.m. Saturday, SMU's Ford Stadium: On a team with a stiff defense and an offense powered by its running game, Hall can be overlooked. But that is when the Skyline quarterback is most dangerous and most likely to hurt another team's secondary. Hall has thrown for 2,071 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing 68 percent of his passes for undefeated Skyline. Pick: Skyline 44, DeSoto 41