Coach Bill Lewis

11. North Texas 2015-16 Record ¦ 7-11 / 12-20 Departures ¦ Eric Katenda, Carrington Ward (Grad Transfer), Chris Campbell, Todd Eaglin, DeAndre Harris (Transfer) Key Returners ¦ Jeremy Combs, J-Mychal Reese, Deckie Johnson, Rickey Brice Jr. New Arrivals ¦ A.J. Lawson, Ryan Woolridge, Keith Frazier (Transfer/SMU), Bryce Jackson (Transfer/New Orleans), Derall Green (Transfer/Incarnate Word), Shane Temara (CC) At one point in my drafts I had North Texas as high as sixth due to the talent they have returning. My issue with the Mean Green is Benford’s inability to get consist play from his teams. North Texas was an abysmal 1-12 on the road last season, while performing well at home beating Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, and FIU. Jeremy Combs could easily end up a first team All-CUSA player. But, there are a ton of moving pieces with this team and I’m not overly optimistic that Benford can make them work together. I’ll be thrilled to be proven wrong because the Mean Green faithful deserve a consistent winner. With the departure of Eric Katenda, their post anchor, it will be intriguing to see if Rickey Brice Jr. will continue to develop into a dominant center in this conference like many expect him to be. In just 395 minutes last season, Brice Jr. blocked 36 shots and was fourth in team rebounds. Towards the end of last seen, the big man worked himself into the starting lineup, and I expect him to establish himself there this year. The Mean Green will gain an instant impact player come December when former SMU guard Keith Frazier becomes eligible. The former McDonald’s All-American along side Combs, Reese, Brice Jr., and Johnson give Coach Benford one of the most formidable lineups in Conference USA if they can gel. North Texas might have as high an upside as any team in Conference USA. read more: https://thedailydragon.com/2016/10/03/cu...-previews/

Ed Orgeron named interim coach. http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/s...63245.html

http://nypost.com/2016/09/20/former-coll...up-school/ On Monday, a former UTEP basketball player was arrested after he threatened to blow up a school in Utah. Calling from the Eagle Valley Elementary School near Provo, Utah, Chris Craig, 35, told the police that he had packed his truck full of explosives and intended to arm them, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Wearing a ski mask, Craig then entered the school and told staffers, “Evacuate the kids and no one will get hurt,” before walking out the front door, according to the Provo Daily Herald. Moving quickly, staff and teachers locked down the school and evacuated the roughly 250 kids who were in class at the time.

Looking like Ole Miss may be in big trouble... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-nca...html?nhp=1

http://conferenceusa.com/news/2016/8/18/...63036.aspx C-USA And ESPN3 Collaborate For Live Content August 18, 2016 IRVING, Texas – Conference USA and ESPN3 will provide fans with a large number of live events from the league across a number of sports. Included will be regular-season competition, as well as exclusive live content from Media Days and various championships. Complete ESPN3 Release [PDF] “Offering fans our content through ESPN’s streaming channels, as well as our own will definitely provide more exposure to our great programs,” Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. “If our fans can’t be in our stadiums and arenas, we are excited to give them more opportunities to see their favorite teams compete regardless of where they may be when the events take place.” Ten Conference USA regular-season football games will kick off the ESPN3 coverage, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 15. Additionally, ESPN3 will stream 10 men’s basketball and 10 women’s basketball games this winter and 10 baseball and 10 softball regular-season contests in the spring of 2017. The following 10 Conference USA football games have been confirmed on ESPN3, with the winter and spring events to be announced at a later date: DATE GAME TIME Saturday, Oct. 15 WKU at Middle Tennessee 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 22 Louisiana Tech at FIU 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 29 Middle Tennessee at FIU 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 5 UTSA at Middle Tennessee 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT Florida Atlantic at Rice 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT Louisiana Tech at North Texas 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 12 North Texas at WKU 3:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 19 UTEP at Rice 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT Middle Tennessee at Charlotte 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 26 FIU at Old Dominion 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT View Full Article

Total up to 19 now. Arkansas State is also involved. http://www.fox26houston.com/sports/192263333-story

http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/.../88287106/ Higgins, a senior, was arrested for DWI and speeding.

10. Alec Morris, North Texas. After arriving in Denton as a graduate transfer from Alabama, Morris will put up numbers in Seth Littrell ’s offense — though wins might be too much to ask. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca.../87902490/

Don't shoot the messenger. From "Inside sources" posting on the C-USA message board.

does this now put them at the top of Cusa? http://www.chron.com/sports/rice/article...660235.php

You heard it here first. Looks like the AAC has to replace three. Probably Southern Miss, FIU and Marshall is my best guess. Maybe Rice or SMU for academics.

Good news! All non-televised games will be available with subscription.

Ditch UNT and back to North Texas? We get national shame for this.

Tough situation for Marshall... http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/ma...5e709.html

The Council determined that all bowl-eligible teams with 6-6 records must be selected for a bowl game before any teams with a 5-7 record can be considered. After all bowl-eligible teams are selected, the 5-7 teams – which will be considered alternates – will be deemed eligible in descending order from the highest multiyear Academic Progress Rate in the Football Bowl Subdivision for the most recent reporting year. Those teams will then select the bowl in which they will participate. In April, the Council placed a moratorium on the certification of new bowl games. No new bowl games will be played before the 2020 football season. http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/medi...on-process

http://s.al.com/ccR4rNb Birmingham businessman Jimmy Filler just gave a $1 million donation to the UAB football program. That number should put UAB Athletics at just over $40 million raised in a years time. Probably more to come. UAB is really coming on strong. They appear to be position themselves as the lead dog in CUSA.

http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-fo...16aab.html

Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced today that Merton Hanks has been named Senior Associate Commissioner for the league. He will be responsible for managing all of the league’s operations for Football and Baseball. Hanks comes to C-USA following 13 seasons with the National Football League office, where he served as Vice President, Football Operations & Compliance since 2011. In that role, he served as the NFL Compliance Appeals officer, instituted safety and equipment upgrades, and coordinated departmental business strategy. Hanks served as the Co-Chair of the NFL College Relations and Campus Visitation Committee and served as the lead liaison to AFCA, NFLPA, NCAA and NFL club administration. Prior to his promotion to Vice President in 2011, Hanks served in the NFL’s Football Operations and Consumer Products areas for eight years. “We are very excited to welcome Merton to our senior management team,” said MacLeod. “The qualities, experiences, skill set and overall perspective he brings will enable him to make an immediate impact and provide meaningful service to our membership.” With Conference USA, Hanks will be responsible for the conference’s football and baseball operations, including officiating, scheduling, game operations, player conduct and safety and more. He will also oversee the league's public affairs activities, including media, public and community relations. “I am thrilled to be joining Conference USA,” said Hanks. “The dynamic vision of Commissioner MacLeod, the passionate conference staff and clear commitment to serving the student athlete make for a great fit.” Hanks played nine seasons in the National Football League, including eight with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro member. Hanks was a starting safety on the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIX over San Diego in January, 1995. Since his retirement as a player, Hanks has served in a number of radio and television roles, while also conducting speaking engagements around the country. A Dallas native, Hanks graduated from Lake Highlands High School. He played college football at Iowa, earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts in 1990. Hanks also completed the Sport Administration master’s program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business Executive Education in 2005 and 2012. WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MERTON HANKS Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner “Merton has always been profoundly dedicated to our game, first as an outstanding NFL player and later as an executive in our office. His ability to build relationships with contributors at every level of our sport, from youth football to college coaches, NFL executives, and some of the very best players to ever compete on an NFL field, is a great example of how well he works with people. We wish Merton all the best as he embarks on his next challenge with Conference USA.” Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Pro Football Hall of Fame owner and five-time Super Bowl Champion “Merton was a big reason for our Super Bowl success as a safety for the 49ers. His experience as a player at the highest level of football and as an executive in the NFL office gives Merton a unique perspective to help lead Conference USA. He and his wife Marva have a terrific family and their new community is going to love them as much as we do.” Bill Hancock, College Football Playoff Executive Director “I have enjoyed working with Merton through the years. It’s great that he will be working in the college world now at Conference USA.” Ray Anderson, Arizona State Vice President/Athletics Director “Conference USA and Commissioner MacLeod have made a wise decision in adding Merton Hanks as its Senior Associate Commissioner. During my entire experience with Merton at the NFL showed his sharp administrative skills. More importantly, he has incredible people skills and will serve the Conference very well.” http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/062316aab.html

USGA is a joke! Rules are too complicated.

Congrats to Jeffrey Wilson, Kaydon Kirby, Jeffrey Wilson, Jarrian Roberts, Kishawn McClain and Trevor Moore http://athlonsports.com/college-football...rence-team Kaydon Kirby North Texas Kaydon Kirby North Texas

Pretty impressive! http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/...pprov.html

Marshall writer is indicating a lot of regret over C-USA membership and indicating they wished thy would have stayed in MAC. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/ma...bc507.html

SunHerald Article from today...

AD Chris Massaro said there will be cuts in their athletic budget at Middle Tennessee University this fall. Do you guys have concern this impacts conference members and our collective future in the Grand Scheme of Intercollegiate Athletics?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/os...56551.html