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UNT Texas Hooligan

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Posts posted by UNT Texas Hooligan

  3. New Director of Player Personnel

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    His bio. He’s definitely connected throughout Texas:

    SWOSU Athletic Director Todd Helton has announced Wednesday the hiring of Josh Kirkland as the new head football coach of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. 

    Kirkland becomes the 23rd head coach in school history, dating back 113 years to the birth of the program.

    Coach Kirkland brings collegiate head coaching experience to the role, having spent the past two years as the head coach of NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands University. He also served an assistant head coach at NCAA Division I University of the Incarnate Word from 2018-20 where he oversaw running backs, tight ends and recruiting. Prior to his college experience, Kirkland held a pair of head coaching and athletic director roles in the high school ranks of Texas at 6A Lehman High School and 5A Parkland High School.

    "It is an exciting time for the future of SWOSU football," Helton said. "Coach Kirkland brings all the skills and experience we were looking for to elevate the program to a level our campus, community and alumni will be proud of, and we can't wait to welcome Josh, his wife Marina and sons Kash, Krew, and Kolt to Weatherford." 

    "I cannot thank Coach Helton and Dr. Lovell (SWOSU president) enough for allowing me this opportunity and welcoming me with open arms," Kirkland said. "My wife and I are extremely excited about moving to Weatherford and getting to be a part of this western Oklahoma community. Weatherford played a major factor in this decision for us and is a place I am excited to bring my family to. After seeing it firsthand, SWOSU truly does have a lot going for it and I believe it's on the cusp of something great. I am lucky to be a Bulldog and look forward to hitting the ground running and working hard towards the end goal of building back the success of SWOSU football." 

    Program turnaround is no stranger to Kirkland. In his first season of competition at New Mexico Highlands, Kirkland led his team to a 5-6 record during the fall of 2021 culminated by a berth in the La Batalla Bowl. This came one year after the team finished 2-9 and three seasons removed from an 0-11 record.

    In 2021, New Mexico Highlands saw huge jumps offensively in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) statistical rankings, rocketing from the very bottom of the conference to the top in nearly all categories. The Cowboys finished first in total offense, passing, first downs, and red zone efficiency, second in third down conversions, and third in total rushing. Kirkland's team also finished ranked No. 19 in the entire nation in total offense. 

    With NCAA Division I University of the Incarnate Word in 2018, Kirkland helped guide UIW to the best season in program history as Kirkland and the staff led the Cardinals to a 6-4 regular season record, a conference championship, and UIW's first FCS Playoff appearance – one season removed from a 1-10 record.

    In Kirkland's second year with the Cardinals, he helped guide UIW to five wins, including two over ranked opponents. UIW also broke several program records, including pass completions, pass completion percentage, all-purpose yards, and total points.

    "I have been impressed with Coach Kirkland's enthusiasm, the drive he projects, and the discipline he displays, and it is evident we are getting the right man to lead the program," said SWOSU President Dr. Lovell. "I am excited he is going to be the new leader of the SWOSU Football program and a prominent member of our great community." 

    Under Kirkland's direction, Lehman broke the record for passing yards and completion percentage in a single season, while Parkland led the state in rushing yards and was third in total offense.

    With Kirkland as athletic coordinator, academic retention at EP Parkland increased by 27 percent in all athletic programs, while seven players signed on to college scholarships.

    Kirkland began his coaching career (2010-15) as an offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Daingerfield High School.

    "I would like to thank a few other people," Helton added. "Dr. Lovell and the entire search committee played a large part in this process, and this couldn't have happened without them. Thank you to Dr. Lovell for her leadership and the search committee for their time and effort in the review of an outstanding pool of candidates." 

    A native of Levelland (TX), Kirkland earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Education, with a specialty in Teacher Leadership and Coaching, from Grand Canyon University in 2014. He and his wife Marina have three sons Kash, Krew, and Kolt.

    THE KIRKLAND FILE:

    Coaching Career
    2020-21: New Mexico Highlands (Head Coach)
    2018-20: Incarnate Word (Assistant Head Coach, Running Backs, Tight Ends, Recruiting)
    2017-18: Lehman HS (Head Coach)
    2015-17: Parkland HS (Head Coach/Athletic Director)
    2010-15: Daingerfield HS (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QBs)
     
    Education
    Grand Canyon University
          Master of Arts in Education w/ Specialty in Teacher Leadership & Coaching, 2014

    West Texas A&M University
          Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, 2010

    • Upvote 4

  10. Breaking: North Texas to Hire Jon Cooper as OL Coach

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    1 minute ago, TheReal_jayD said:

     

     

     

     

     

    Career history
    As a player:
     * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
    As a coach:

    That’s a lot of experience. I like it

    • Upvote 3

  12. Quarterback

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, GreenBacker said:

    I think it’s Stone as well, or somebody much better we bring in.  Googling Stone’s offers, I found this tweet.  Looks like Incarnate Word was his first offer in HS, and I believe Morris would have been the coach.  If so, there’s at least some familiarity there. 437A9498-F654-44E3-9ADD-B6DFD0BFFB5C.jpeg.8a02da6b0733e1650834747d0c3a291a.jpeg

    Nice find! Sure enough, 2019 was Morris’ second season at IW. Looks like it was Leftwich that made the offer but I’m sure Morris knew about him. That makes things interesting.

    4 minutes ago, greenjoe said:

    I don’t remember a time when Stone Earle came in and didn’t exceed expectations. It was usually a 3rd or 4th with 2 or 3 yards needed for a first or, inside the 5 like during the Frisco Bowl.  Almost like a wildcat.  Opponents didn’t know how to play him.  If he’s named the starter that advantage would vanish.

    Exactly what I was thinking. He usually came in third and short situations and always got the first. I don’t know if the advantage would really vanish. If he has a good enough arm, good dual threat QBs will always find a way to punish you. 

    • Upvote 1

  14. Breaking: North Texas Hires Gary as DL Coach

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    1 hour ago, El Paso Eagle said:

    Agree, but I don't think they respected any of the coaches. There is a difference between wanting to play at P5, and thinking you’re too good for UNT. I think in their case, and who ever was advising them(Dad?), felt they were too good to be here.

    Following some conversations and stuff he’s posted on Twitter, it was absolutely their dad pulling the strings if not just putting stuff in their heads. I also found it funny that he had really strong opinions about Littrell being fired, yet he wasn’t a good enough coach to keep your boys around.

    • Upvote 4

  19. Breaking: North Texas hires Iowa State Assistant Director of Player Personnel to coach Linebackers

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted · Edited by UNT Texas Hooligan

    4 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:


     

    We are becoming Ames South lol

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Colby Kratch is in his fifth season as an Assistant Director of Player Personnel after working as a graduate assistant for the Cyclone defense in 2017.

    Iowa State’s last four recruiting classes were rated in the Top 50 according to 247Sports, including the 2022 group which is considered the best recruiting class in school history, as both 247Sports and Rivals listed it in the Top 25 nationally. 

    Kratch has witnessed incredible improvement during his time in Ames. The Cyclones have qualified for five-straight bowl games, annually appeared in the national rankings and totaled five of ISU’s six above-.500 conference seasons in the history of the Big 12 Conference (1996-present) since 2017.

    The 2020 season was historic in many ways. Iowa State finished the regular season in first place in the Big 12 standings, made the Big 12 Championship game and qualified for a New Year’s Six bowl for the first time in school history.

    The Cyclones capped off the season with a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

    ISU’s eight conference wins and nine overall wins eclipsed or tied school records, and the Cyclones earned their highest ranking in school history during the season (#6) and postseason (#9).

    Kratch worked with the Cyclone defense in 2017, helping the team rank second in the Big 12 and 26th nationally in scoring defense (20.9), and third in the Big 12 in total defense (366.2).

    Prior to his arrival in Ames, Kratch spent two years (2015-16) as a graduate assistant at Michigan State, working primarily with the offensive line. The Spartans won the Big Ten Championship, compiled a 12-2 record and qualified for the College Football Playoff in his first season in East Lansing in 2015.

    Kratch was a two-year letterwinner at tight end for Toledo (2011-12) after competing two years of junior college football at North Dakota State College of Science from 2009-10.

    Kratch earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from UT in 2013.

    Following graduation, Kratch was an offensive intern for the Rockets in 2014 and an offensive graduate assistant in 2013 for Matt Campbell’s staff.

    A native of Watertown, Minnesota, Kratch was a three-year letterwinner in football and hockey at Watertown-Mayer High School. He made all-conference in football as a senior.

    Kratch’s father, Bob Kratch, played eight years in the NFL for the New York Giants and New England Patriots. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Iowa (1986 and 1988).

    Kratch and his wife, Taylor, have a daughter, Colbie.

    Coaching Experience
    2018- Iowa State – Assistant Director of Player Personnel
    2017 Iowa State – Graduate Assistant
    2015-16 Michigan State - Graduate Assistant
    2013-14 Toledo - Graduate Assistant

    • Upvote 3

  20. East Carolina is going to be tough next year

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    15 minutes ago, Rowdy said:

    Agree, not a team that will be easy to beat.  Looking forward to playing the new teams though.  I wonder what the Tulane squad will look like next year.  I didnt pay attention to how many are seniors this year. 

    15, including 2 of their top LBs, WRs, 1 S, etc. They are definitely losing some big pieces next year so it will be interesting to see how they rebound from that. Still a major threat.

    • Upvote 1

  21. East Carolina is going to be tough next year

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    33 minutes ago, Rowdy said:

    its always hard to tell with bowl games.  Teams are never the same with players not getting to play or opting to sit out. 

    Yeah, you really can't judge a team by their bowl game but when looking at their results this past season, they beat some good teams and hung close to other really good teams in their losses (other than UH). They will be a tough outing for anyone if they keep that up next season

    • Upvote 1

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