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South Dakota football landed a commitment Monday from 2023 Pawhuska (Okla.) quarterback Todd Drummond. Drummond announced via his personal Twitter account, going with the Coyotes over offers from Ohio and Lamar, per his 247Sports recruiting profile. Todd Drummond is the youngest of four children to author and Food Network star Ree Drummond, who hosts The Pioneer Woman. Drummond's older sisters, Alex and Paige, attended SEC schools while his older brother, Bryce enrolled last year at North Texas. Drummond will be used to the spotlight, appearing on weekly episodes of The Pioneer Woman since 2011. Drummond's commitment post can be seen below: link: https://247sports.com/Article/QB-Todd-Drummond-son-of-Food-Networks-Pioneer-Woman-commits-to-South-Dakota-189319366/

Has coached 28 national champions in last four years DENTON, Texas – Doug Marshall has been named North Texas Director of Track & Field, Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker announced Monday. "We are thrilled to welcome Doug, Erin, Avery, Brendan and Cason to the Mean Green Family," Baker said. "Doug is a rising star and possesses the qualities our search committee outlined when we began the process. His energy and enthusiasm for this opportunity made him an easy choice to be our next director of track and field. "He possesses championship experience and a proven ability to recruit and develop student-athletes to go along with his Texas roots. Most importantly, he is dedicated to building champions and preparing leaders. He will be a great addition to our campus and this community." A San Antonio native, Marshall spent four seasons as head coach of Iowa Western men's and women's track & field and cross country from 2019-22. In that time, IWCC won three national championships and finished in the top six 13 times after only two top-six finishes in the previous four years. Marshall is the 12th director of track and field in UNT history. "I'm extremely blessed and excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Mean Green Family," Marshall said. "I would like to say a special thanks to my wife and family, the administration at IWCC, my incredible coaching staff, and most of all our amazing student-athletes. They're the real reason I am able to accept an amazing opportunity like this. I also want to say thank you to Wren Baker and his committee for their belief in me. UNT is a place that we can develop into an elite program with a strong culture. I'm excited about this next chapter and can't wait to get to work with our team." The Reivers finished the 2021-22 season as the women's indoor and outdoor national champions, runner-up for men's outdoor title, and as the men's indoor third-place finisher. The program added 17 individual national champions and 29 NJCAA All-Americans. Marshall was honored as region coach of the year by the USTFCCCA. His teams combined to post a GPA of more than 3.8 for the year. Freshman distance runner Hilda Chebet was named National Women's Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA for the indoor season after scoring 38 points at the meet. Marshall also had two athletes achieve major success at the 2022 USA U-20 National Championship meet with women's high jumper Miracle Ailes finishing first (1.81m/5-11.25) and men's quarter-miler Andrew Brown finishing seventh (47.40). In 2021, Marshall guided the IWCC women's program to the school's first team national championship during the indoor season. Iowa Western won six individual titles and claimed three second-place finishes. He earned his first national coach of the year honor following the indoor title. The cross country program also posted its two highest team finishes in program history under Marshall's leadership. The 2020 men's squad finished third in the country and followed that performance in the 2021 season as the national runner-up. Individually, women's cross country runner Faith Linga won national titles in both 2019 and 2020. The 2020 indoor season saw the Reivers perform well as a team, with the women's side finishing in sixth place, while the men finished in the top 15. Marshall's first year at IWCC in 2019 was successful as both the men's and women's teams finished in the top 15 both indoor and outdoor. The highlight of the year was the women's team finishing as region champions during outdoors. All told, Marshall coached 28 junior college individual national champions and 131 NJCAA All-Americans in his four seasons at the helm. In addition, the women's team was the NJCAA top team GPA honoree from 2019-21 and the men were runner-up for three straight years. Prior to coming to Council Bluffs, Marshall served one season in 2018 as head coach at Garden City Community College in Kansas. In his lone season, Marshall led the Broncbusters to top 20 finishes in both the men's and women's indoor national meets and numerous individual awards, including a national championship in the men's indoor heptathlon. Marshall served as an assistant at Garden City for three seasons from 2015-17 before being promoted to head coach. He coached 11 All-Americans and 33 national qualifiers in the indoor and outdoor seasons with the Broncbusters as an assistant. He also spent time coaching at Hartford and Garden City high schools in Kansas. Marshall earned his bachelor's degree from Emporia State in 2011, where he was an NCAA qualifier in the triple jump and holds the third-best triple jump in school history. Marshall earned seven All-MIAA awards in both the long and triple jumps. Marshall is married to the former Erin Gerstberger. The couple has a daughter, Avery, and twin sons, Brendan and Cason.

I keep hearing how deep our running back stable is and yet I usually hear about Oscar, Ayo or Ike, even Qualon. What about big Keith J? Is he still in the mix as I hope so, I really like his combination of size, speed and game. I do believe he is well over 6 foot and 200 pounds now. If we are 6 deep is it possible one or more of the RB's would be asked to play another position? It would seem now with KD's departure we are getting a little thin at LB.

A number of young women from the Bay Area will compete for the crowns of Miss Texas USA and Miss Texas Teen USA in a weekend of pageantry July 1-3 at the Hilton Houston Post Oak in Houston. The contestants include last year’s first runner-up at Miss Texas USA and a former Miss Mississippi Teen USA. The Miss contestants, who include 89 women born from 1994 to 2003, will be scored in three categories: personal interview, swimsuit and evening gown. The 80 Teen contestants, for girls who were born from 2003 to 2007, will be judged in personal interview, active wear and evening gown. Friendswood Representing Friendswood in the Miss pageant is R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, a fashion designer and model who was the first runner-up at Miss Kemah 2021, Miss Houston 2021 and Miss Texas USA 2021. In 2018, the Filipina American earned a degree in fashion design with a minor in fibers from the University of North Texas. She works as the lead sewing instructor for domestic-violence survivors at a nonprofit design house, Magpies & Peacocks, in east downtown Houston. Gabriel designed and constructed her wardrobe for this year’s pageant. Info on her design and sewing work is at rbonneynola.com or Instagram: @rbonneynola. Read more: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-women-compete-for-teen-and-miss-titles-17261929.php

The month of June has been a whirlwind for Texas A&M football. With the dead period approaching beginning Sunday night at midnight, the Aggies have had four big recruiting weekends this month. Those include the nation's top-ranked wide receiver, five-star USC commit Zachariah Branch. National top-150 wide receiver Tyler Williams is also on the visitor list. The other was North Texas transfer KD Davis, who was an All-Conference USA pick in 2021. read more: https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/Texas-AM-football-recruiting-official-visits-2023-class-189255071/

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Abner Haynes has been honored by the University of North Texas with a new Unity Plaza. When you think of all of the great running backs employed by the Kansas City Chiefs over the years, it’s important to remember that the all owe something to the franchise’s first great back—‚literally the forerunner for them all—in Abner Haynes. Haynes was the first star running back of the franchise, going back to the days in which the team wasn’t the Chiefs and they were not yet located in Kansas City. Even with the Dallas Texans, Haynes was establishing himself as a beast in the backfield after winning the AFL’s first ever Rookie of the Year award in 1960. From there, Haynes would command the attention of defenses with a hearty 4.8 yards/carry average. Nearly 60 years after he was traded away from the Chiefs, he’s still No. 6 all-time on the team’s rushing yards list with 3.814. read more: https://arrowheadaddict.com/2022/06/24/former-chiefs-rb-abner-haynes-honored-university-north-texas/amp/

If he gets us to another bowl game this season he will not be fired. UNT has NEVER fired a coach who led them to a bowl game and @Wren sure as hell won't be the first one to do it. Way to risky now that he is pulling down $750 G's a year. Am I happy about that no but I am realistic enough to know how things work around here.

his is the first entry in the series that will focus on underrated offense across the FBS landscape. North Texas has produced quality play but the consensus is underrating this group. This might come across as a weird inclusion at first as they ranked 88th in EPA per play last season and 80th in success rate but things change, and Seth Littrell’s Mean Green has upside. Ranking first in players per game, the offense should have plenty of plays to support production if things break right. Additions in the transfer portal highlighted by Grant Gunnell could lead this offense to the next level in 2022. Quarterback Adding quarterback Grant Gunnell in the portal can make or break the season. AARP member Austin Aune has been competent for North Texas, but Gunnell gives the offense a ceiling we haven’t seen in Latrell’s tenure. In 2021’s regular season, Aune ranked 109th among qualified quarterbacks in total EPA with -16.66. The loss of Jyaire Shorter hurt the passing offense but ultimately, Aune was holding the unit back. He started or played the majority of snaps in 11 games. In those games, he had more than 240 passing yards once and under 125 yards five times. His average of 181 yards in games, ranks among the worst in the nation for a team that isn’t primarily an option team. To add, Aune had only 9 touchdowns in these 11 games Comparatively, Gunnell has been productive when starting despite limited reps up to this point. In his career, he’s had significant action in five games at a Power 5 level. In the matchups where he’s thrown more than 20 passes, he’s averaging 272 yards and 2 touchdowns per contest. Accomplished as a true freshman and sophomore, Gunnell also played a struggling Arizona team against quality defenses. In 2021, he was injured before the season for the Memphis Tigers, resulting in Seth Henigan’s breakout. It’s a small sample for Gunnell but it’s clear he represents upside for this offense. read more: https://campus2canton.com/underrated-offenses-north-texas/

The addition of the six new schools creates a full 14 school league and gives ECU something that it has never had before, an in-state rival. UNC Charlotte will be the second school in North Carolina to join the American since its inception in 2013 with ECU being the first. In the school’s history, UNCC has had documented rivalries with Davidson University, Appalachian State University and Cincinnati. Between 1995 to 2005, Charlotte upset Cincinnati’s men’s basketball teams ranked No. 3, No. 8, No. 18 and No. 20 in the country. In more recent years, the basketball rivalry carried into Davidson with the App State rivalry being created through football. “I’m excited for them to come in so that we can create that rivalry even more,” McNeill said. “It also gives us an opportunity to have a bus trip in conference instead of flying all the time so I am excited for that rival.” All schools joining the program except UTSA will be integrating into the American in 2022, joining one or two sport programs before every school becomes full members in 2023. The six former Conference USA schools will join the teams retained by the AAC. The conference’s founding members in the University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, University of South Florida and Temple University will remain with the program as well as the programs that joined later including ECU, Tulane and Tulsa. Read more: http://www.piratemedia1.com/theeastcarolinian/sports/article_4fe715fc-f1f4-11ec-97ff-1f35d853d63f.html

6. North Texas The Mean Green overcame a 1-6 start by winning their last five regular-season games (including a win over undefeated UTSA) to earn the program’s fifth bowl trip in six years under coach Seth Littrell. But after an 18-9 mark from 2017-18, North Texas is only 14-21 over the last three seasons and the pressure is building on Littrell. A step forward in ’22 will require more consistency out of the passing game (197.1 yards a contest last fall), which could come in the form of Memphis/Arizona transfer Grant Gunnell after he joined the mix to push Austin Aune after spring ball. The Mean Green are deep at running back – a unit bolstered by promising sophomore Oscar Adaway III returning from an ACL tear to join Ikaika Ragsdale and Ayo Adeyi. Players returning from ailments also boost the receiving corps with Tommy Bush and Jyaire Shorter joining Damon Ward and Roderic Burns to form a standout receiving corps. Four starters return along an offensive line that should rank among the best in the conference. The hire of veteran play-caller Phil Bennett had a massive impact on North Texas’ defense last fall. In 2020, this unit surrendered 6.94 yards per snap and 42.8 points a game but cut those totals to 27.5 a contest and 5.7 yards a play. Improving on those numbers will require replacing ends Grayson and Gabriel Murphy (transferred to UCLA) and tackle Dion Novil. Linebacker KD Davis is among Conference USA’s top returning defenders for ’22. Key swing games against Louisiana Tech, FAU and Rice take place in Denton. Read more: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/conference-usa-football-2022-predictions

Mason Fine can tell you about his place on this Saskatchewan Roughriders team. But on this National Indigenous People’s Day, he’s especially proud of his background. Fine is a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Growing up, Fine says he was well-supported by his community. It was when he entered college at the University of North Texas that he first realized how important his Indigenous identity was. “In college, I became aware of how unique and how awesome it was and that developed a passion into being a role model and being someone in the community who can represent the state of Texas and Oklahoma and my hometown and Cherokee Nation,” Fine said. “That’s when I became aware of how much of an impact I wanted to make in the future.” During his time in college, Fine received an overwhelming amount of support from the Cherokee Nation back in Oklahoma. They made and sold shirts, covered him in newspapers and praised him throughout social media. “They really brought more awareness towards the Indigenous community and culture which was awesome.” Fine says those college experiences prepared him for his time in Saskatchewan. Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/8938312/roughriders-quarterback-mason-fine-indigenous-roots/

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo announced today that Director of Player Personnel Omar Nelson has been promoted to Chief of Staff, former Navy slot back Marcus Thomas has been hired as Director of Player Personnel, Josh Bost has joined the staff as Director of Football Operations and Christian Covyeau is the new football video coordinator. Bost enters his first year at the Naval Academy as the Director of Football Operations. Bost came to Navy from Virginia Tech where he served as both the senior director of football operations (2021) and the director of football video and technology (2016-20) on Justin Fuente's staff. At Virginia Tech, Bost coordinated team travel, team calendars and schedules and worked closely with all support areas that touch football, including sports medicine, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, as well as academics and other campus entities. He also assisted the recruiting and personnel staff in coordinating camps and other events involving prospects and their families. In his previous role at Tech, he managed all facets of the football video department. Bost also served as the video coordinator on Fuente's staff at Memphis from 2013-15. Prior to Memphis, Bost worked at North Texas for nine years as the director of video operations. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State in 2003 and worked in that office as both a student and graduate assistant before moving to North Texas. "We couldn't be more excited to have Josh Bost," said Niumatalolo. "He brings a wide variety of skills and expertise to our program. He is a great person and fits perfectly in our culture." Read more: https://navysports.com/news/2022/6/22/football-niumatalolo-announces-support-staff-changes.aspx

Amir Siddiq, DL, CharlotteKeem Green, Green, FAUJosiah Miamen, TE, FIUMyles Brooks, CB, Louisiana TechTimar Rogers, LB, Middle Tennessee StateZahodri Jackson, CB, North TexasLitchfield Ajavon, S, RiceJackson Bratton, LB, UABNicktroy Fortune, CB, UTSAVincent Murphy, OL, Western Kentucky read more: https://dknation.draftkings.com/platform/amp/2022/6/20/23145447/conference-usa-new-players-transfers-portal-wku-utsa-la-tech-trelon-smith-jarrett-doege-devonta-lee

Graham Harrell – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (First season at WVU) One of Brown’s biggest offseason moves was the hiring of Harrell, a former record-setting QB at Texas Tech who has quickly become one of the most respected offensive minds in the sport. Harrell has served stints as OC and quarterbacks coach at North Texas (2016-18) and USC (2019-21), forming a relationship with new WVU quarterback JT Daniels at the latter stop. Last season, USC led the Pac-12 in passing offense, red zone offense and third down conversion percentage, ranking in the top 20 nationally in each category. Harrell also produced back-to-back top 25 offenses at North Texas. read more: https://www.wboy.com/goldandbluenation/wvu-football/2022-wvu-football-roster-review-head-coach-and-offensive-assistants/amp/

One of the goals of the 915 Campaign is to sell out UTEP’s first football game of the season versus North Texas on Aug. 27. Capacity in the Sun Bowl is 45,971, and over 50 percent of the tickets have already been issued for the game. UTEP hasn’t sold out a game in the Sun Bowl since 2008. “One of the big things that we’re trying to do is to sell out the Sun Bowl. We open up against the University of North Texas coming up here on August 27th,” said Senter. “We’re going to have a Sun Bowl sell out so we just started saying, “Hey, it’s the Sun Bowl sellout game” and we’re over halfway there and we want all of El Paso and El Pasoans to come out and support the Miners and do something that we haven’t done in a long time and just kind of push the reset button on UTEP Athletics and football in particular.” Fans can purchase $9.15 tickets to the August 27 football game at each of the Miners’ Caravan stops. read more: https://www.ktsm.com/sports/college-sports/utep/utep-miner-caravan-kicks-off-five-stop-el-paso-summer-tour/amp/

The actor was announced to be playing the main character in a film about the famous North Texas wrestling family. LOS ANGELES — For decades, thousands of wrestling fans around North Texas would pack the Dallas Sportatorium to watch the Von Erich family fight off opponents from all over the country like the Fabulous Freebirds. This beloved family didn't have a happy ending, however. The promoter of World Class Championship Wrestling, Dallas' local wrestling territory from the '60s through the '80s, was Fritz Von Erich. He would live to see five of his six sons, some of whom were the star wrestlers of WCCW, die tragically. read more: https://www.wfaa.com/amp/article/entertainment/movies/zac-efron-star-von-erich-family-biopic/287-04c3298e-7912-4337-92b1-be4270b0d1c4