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Quotable“We have a team right now that is motivated for a lot of reasons. We have young guys who didn’t experience the record-breaking season we experienced a few years ago and some older guys who were a part of history. What do you like better? Let’s get back to winning.” — Dan McCarney Awards watchThree UNT players were named to the preseason All-Conference USA team: wide receiver Carlos Harris, center Kaydon Kirby and kicker Trevor Moore. All three were also named to watch lists for major college football awards. Moore is on the watch list for the Lou Groza award for the top kicker in the country and probably has the best shot among UNT’s players to be a serious contender. The sophomore made all 37 of his extra-point attempts and 15 of his 17 field-goal attempts last season. Harris was named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff and Hornung awards, while Kirby was named to the watch lists for the Rimington and Lombardi awards. Depth-chart busterUNT came up with one of its biggest recruiting wins of the last several years just before the beginning of fall camp when Darrien McNair, a highly regarded linebacker from Trinity Catholic in Ocala, Fla., enrolled. McNair originally committed to Mississippi State, but didn’t meet NCAA qualifying standards until late. By that point, MSU, Louisville and a host of other national powers that recruited him had long since moved on. McNair is rated No. 51 among outside linebackers in the Class of 2015 by 247Sports and could be an immediate impact player at UNT. read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20150812-2015-unt-preview-settling-on-starting-qb-is-priority-for-mean-green.ece

Last year’s bowl season was one of the high points in Conference USA’s recent history. The league picked up its first postseason win of the year when Marshall beat Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl and kept right on rolling. By the time the dust settled, C-USA had posted an .800 winning percentage (4-1) in bowl games that ranked No. 1 among FBS conferences. Add in a few impressive wins from 2013, including North Texas’ win over UNLV in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, and league officials believe they can make a good case that C-USA is a conference on the rise heading into the 2015 season. “We are probably underappreciated and maybe under-respected some around the country, but not by those of us who play and coach in this league,” UNT coach Dan McCarney said. “This is a tremendous conference.” The challenge for C-USA is to continue building on that reputation this fall. Louisiana Tech and Marshall both received votes in the preseason coaches’ poll. C-USA’s best hope for a breakout team this fall, though, could be Western Kentucky. The balance of power in the league shifted when the NCAA granted quarterback Brandon Doughty a sixth year of eligibility in December. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20150812-conference-usa-bowled-em-over-in-2014.ece

Conference USA media day begins tomorrow down in Florida, and with it, the beginning of the buildup to another season. I will have a story in tomorrow’s paper on some of the key issues for the league and an accompanying video. We went over a few of the key issues UNT faces heading into media day on the blog just a couple of days ago. But what about the league as a whole? Well, the key subject that is sure to come up now outside of what we were already expecting is the return of UAB to college football. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/setting-the-stage-for-conference-usa-media-day.html/

s the 2015 football season approaches, we will look at each position on the Mean Green’s roster. UNT’s offensive line is up today. A look at UNT’s pecking order: Left tackle Michael Banogu Ryan Rentfro Left guard Sam Rice Avery Fortenberry Center Kaydon Kirby Creighton Barr Right guard Brian Ochs Connor Trussell Right tackle Chris Miles Micah Thompson Outlook for the 2015 season: Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/unt-offensive-line-breakdown-mean-green-in-rebuild-mode.html/

9.) Andrew McNulty, QB. McNulty has been written off more than once in his career, but enters the 2015 season in prime position to start at quarterback for the Mean Green. He played well throughout spring practice and threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns in UNT’s spring game. The performance came on the heels of a junior season when he stared the final six games of the season after the Mean Green tried two other quarterbacks. JUCO transfer DaMarcus Smith was expected to compete with McNulty for the starting job during spring drills. That plan went up in smoke when Smith didn’t qualify academically. He’s on campus now and will get a shot in two-a-days, but it’s hard to imagine McNulty not opening the season as UNT’s starter. UNT head coach Dan McCarney is conservative offensively and values experience. McNulty has a ton of playing time under his belt and seems destined to be under center when the Mean Green face SMU to open the year. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/ranking-the-north-texas-mean-greens-roster-numbers-6-10.html/

UNT lost several of its front-line players after the 2014 season, when the Mean Green finished 4-8, including offensive lineman Cyril Lemon and linebacker Derek Akunne. The cupboard is far from bare, though. Wide receiver Carlos Harris is on track to become one of the most prolific players at his position in program history. Tight end Marcus Smith has established himself as a weapon in the passing game, while kicker Trevor Moore is one of the elite specialists in Conference USA. That trio, along with pass rushing defensive end Chad Polk and running back Jeffrey Wilson round out our rundown of the top players on UNT’s roster heading into the 2015 season. 1.) Carlos Harris, WR. Harris is arguably UNT’s top returning player. He was an honorable mention All-Conference USA selection as a junior and enters his senior year with 1,679 receiving yards. His 136 catches already rank 10th in program history. If Harris posts another season like last year, when he caught 70 passes for 836 yards, he will rank among the top three players in program history in both categories. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/ranking-the-north-texas-mean-greens-roster-numbers-5-1.html/

North Texas saw several young players flash their potential last season, either in limited roles or in practice during redshirt campaigns. A few of those players fall into our on-going countdown of the Mean Green’s top players that today reaches Nos. 16-21. 16.) Turner Smiley, WR. Smiley was productive as a freshman in a season the Mean Green struggled at quarterback. He ranked fourth among UNT players last season with 195 yards on 14 catches. Smiley could be ready to move into a larger role this season, especially if UNT’s quarterback play improves. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/06/ranking-the-north-texas-mean-greens-roster-numbers-16-20.html/

UNT answered several of its key questions heading into the 2015 season during spring practice. The Mean Green seemed to adequately adjust to the defensive coordinator Chris Cosh and his scheme following the retirement of John Skladany, head coach Dan McCarney’s long-time right-hand man. UNT also continued to develop a comfort level with a new batch of offensive linemen who are scheduled to take over for a host of cornerstone players who graduated after last season, including Cyril Lemon and Mason Y’Barbo. But like all teams, UNT still has plenty of issues to work through in the fall before opening the season on Sept. 12 against SMU. The following is a look at three … 1. Who will start at quarterback? UNT has struggled mightily at quarterback ever since Derek Thompson finished off his career by earning MVP honors while leading the Mean Green to a win over UNLV in the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl. UNT started three quarterbacks last season and returns two of them in Andrew McNulty and Josh Greer. UNT lost a third quarterback who started three games last season in Dajon Williams, who left the program in the offseason. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/06/three-questions-unt-must-answer-in-fall-camp.html/

North Texas took a step back defensively last season and will have to rebuild on that side of the ball in 2015, both on the field and the sideline. John Skladany, a long time college defensive coordinator who spent a large chunk of his career serving as UNT head coach Dan McCarney’s right-hand man retired at the end of last season. UNT will also have to replace its best defensive player in All-Conference USA linebacker Derek Akunne and three of its four starters in the secondary. That won’t be an easy task after UNT allowed 27.2 points a game last season, up from 17.8 in 2013 when UNT ranked among the nation’s most productive defensive teams. Here’s a look at UNT’s projected lineup: DE: Chad Polk. The senior is tiny by major college standards for a defensive end at 6-0, 231, but the Mean Green didn’t have a more productive defensive lineman last season. Polk led the Mean Green with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. UNT will use a host of defensive linemen, but Polk should get the starting nod. DT: Austin Orr. The senior moved into the starting lineup late last season when Alexander Lincoln went down with an injury in his final year with the Mean Green. Orr has good size at 6-4, 277, and should be at the top of a deep rotation. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/06/projecting-unts-starting-defensive-lineup.html/

North Texas came out of spring practice with a few key spots in its offensive lineup set heading into the 2015 season. Center Kaydon Kirby and wide receiver Carlos Harris have stared for years and aren’t vacating their spots this fall. That doesn’t mean the Mean Green don’t have some questions to answer, though. Andrew McNulty, who started the final six games at quarterback for UNT last season, will battle DaMarcus Smith for the starting job. The JUCO transfer will be eligible in the fall after missing spring practice. While that battle will take center stage, UNT also has questions along it offensive line and at running back, where there is no clear-cut starter. The following is a projection of how UNT will line up when it opens the season at SMU on Sept. 12. LT: Michael Banogu. The senior emerged as a capable replacement last season after four-year starter Antonio Johnson went down with an injury and missed the final two games of the season. He came out of spring practice as a starter. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/06/unts-projected-starting-offensive-lineup.html/

A host of people within the college basketball community, including a few with ties to the North Texas Hall of Famer, are indicating that Jalie Mitchell has begun to emerge as a serious candidate — and maybe the leading candidate — for the UNT job. Mitchell is arguably the best player in UNT basketball history and has worked at the school twice as an assistant coach, including a one-year stint under Karen Aston. Aston is highly regarded at UNT after working at the school as an assistant early in her career before her brief tenure as the Mean Green’s head coach. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/04/momentum-appears-to-be-building-for-mitchell-with-unt-job.html/

UNTs search for a new womens basketball coach continued Monday. Here are a couple of quick tidbits. Swish Appeal, an SB Nation site that covers college basketball, is reporting that Edwina Brown, an assistant coach at TCU, will interview for the job. UNT has not spoken with her yet, but she is another person who would make sense. She has been an assistant at New Mexico, Texas and now TCU. - See more at: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/03/monday-morning-unt-search-update.html/#sthash.UXZOHMMD.dpuf

North Texas will open spring practice on March 10, when the Mean Green will look to begin the process of bouncing back from a 4-8 campaign. There are several key position battles the Mean Green will try to sort through. Here is a look at a few: Quarterback Participants: Andrew McNulty, Connor Means, Dajon Williams, Josh Greer Just a few weeks ago, the quarterback battle looked like it would be the story of spring practice. UNT started three different quarterbacks last season and never found any consistent level of success with any of them. Greer started the first three games of the season before giving away to Williams for three before McNulty started the last six. When it was all said and done, UNT ranked 12th out of 13 teams in the league in passing efficiency at 112.4. UNT head coach Dan McCarney said UNT had to get better at the position before next season. UNT signed Butler County College product DaMarcus Smith in the hope that he could help the Mean Green reach that goal, but he isn’t eligible to compete in spring practice. That also puts Smith’s status for UNT’s season-opener — its now annual class warfare battle for DFW supremacy with SMU — in doubt. The Mean Green will need another option in case Smith isn’t ready in the fall. McNulty will be the odds-on favorite, but Williams is talented and Means will be in the race for the first time as a redshirt freshman. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/02/a-look-at-north-texas-key-position-battles-this-spring.html/

North Texas will begin spring practice on Tuesday, when the Mean Green will look to replace several key players after a 4-8 season. The players UNT is depending on to help it improve come from a variety of sources, from incoming junior college players to high school signees who have arrived in the last few years. A few others will be veteran players looking to make an impact for the first time or move into a major role after arriving as a part of UNT’s 2012 class. A few players from that class have already become key players, including wide receiver Carlos Harris, a high school signee, and Marcus Trice, an Oklahoma transfer. Both were cornerstones of the Mean Green’s Heart of Dallas Bowl team. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/03/a-look-back-at-unts-2012-signing-class.html/

Per Vito http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Cortney-Finney-160430

North Texas coach Dan McCarney and the Mean Green will have a tough road to travel this fall as they look to earn a bowl berth for the second time in three seasons. North Texas announced its 2015 schedule yesterday. Its a tough slate that includes games against two Power 5 conference teams in Tennessee and Iowa, showdowns with Conference USA East Division powers Marshall and Western Kentucky and just five home games. Heres a look at the slate game-by-game: - See more at: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/02/unt-football-schedule-analysis.html/#sthash.WPIMFjke.dpuf

North Texas coach Dan McCarney and defensive line coach Kevin Patrick spent a whole lot of time recruiting Jareid Combs, not to mention getting to know the standout defensive end’s family. All that effort paid off for the Mean Green on Monday, when the Iowa Central Community College standout became the latest player to join UNT’s 2015 recruiting class. Navarro College cornerback Paul Banks III committed to UNT earlier in the day, giving the Mean Green eight junior college transfers in its class. Combs might be among the most important — not to mention highly touted — of those additions. The 6-3, 248-pound sophomore, was an honorable mention NJCAA All-American last season, when he posted 17 sacks. read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/sports-headlines/20150127-football-mean-green-to-gain-well-regarded-de.ece

One of the great pastimes for UNT fans is to watch what is going on at SMU, the Mean Green’s neighbor to the south. Morris There are plenty of good reasons that’s the case. UNT and SMU compete for media attention, fans and, yes, recruits. There are a few SMU fans who will deny that is the case, but it has been the truth for a long time. I bring it up because it is going to be very interesting to see how the next few weeks go in terms of recruiting, not to mention the next few seasons after SMU hired former Texas high school coach and Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/keeping-an-eye-on-smu.html/

National signing day is just around the corner and with it a key opportunity for UNT. The Mean Green are hoping to add a few key players who could help them bounce back from a 4-8 campaign and return to the form they showed while finishing 9-4 in 2013. Before we turn the page to 2015, here’s a look back at five key players UNT added a year ago who ended up contributing last season and how they will fit in next fall. Trevor Moore, kicker, Edmond (Oklahoma) North UNT elected to sign a kicker to help upgrade its special teams last season and saw the decision pay off when Moore excelled throughout his first season with the Mean Green. Moore hit 15 of his 17 field goals and all 37 of his extra points. One of the few misses Moore had on the year was from 49 yards out and fell just short. UNT couldn’t have asked for a better performance from a freshman kicker. Moore was an honorable mention All-C-USA selection and appears to be well on his way to a standout career at UNT. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/01/2014-signing-class-review.html/

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the top players in college football, was at UNT over the weekend. Winston’s girlfriend is Rice junior guard Breion Allen. Winston sat in the stands at the Super Pit and watched as UNT picked up just its second win of the season by knocking off the Owls. Allen didn’t score in seven minutes off the bench in the Mean Green’s 53-48 win. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/01/heisman-winner-made-an-appearance-at-unt.html/

The topic of UNT’s defensive line, its production over the last couple of years and its future has become a hot topic the last couple of days. It’s one I wanted to address here on the blog. First off, UNT wasn’t fantastic in terms of its defensive line this past season. The Mean Green didn’t have have a first- or second-team All-Conference USA selection, but UNT wasn’t all that bad either. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/thoughts-on-where-unt-stands-as-far-as-defensive-linemen.html/

Financial figures for beer sales at UNT in... Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/financial-figures-for-beer-sales-at-unt-in.html/

We have reached the eve of the midterm signing period. After making a few phone calls, here are some key points on where UNT stands on the eve of the big day. – One of the unanswered questions hanging out there is if UNT still plans on taking grayshirt candidates Johnavhon Graham and Shaq Jackson. Both played for DeSoto and committed to UNT a long time ago. I caught Graham tonight. He said that both are still waiting on official word from UNT on if they will be admitted. They are going to meet with UNT defensive line coach Kevin Patrick this week. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/night-before-signing-day-notes-with-some-key-news.html/

UNT coach Dan McCarney will begin interviewing candidates to become the Mean Green’s new defensive coordinator next week. John Skladany spent three seasons in that capacity at UNT before electing to retire. McCarney’s long-time right-hand man completed his career with the Mean Green this past season, the pair’s 13th working together. McCarney has said ever since announcing this fall that Skladany is retiring that there has been tremendous interest in the position. Skladany was a veteran coach who worked as a coordinator at Central Florida, Houston and Iowa State, where he spent 10 seasons with McCarney, before arriving at UNT. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/unt-defensive-coordinator-update.html/

There were a couple of interesting developments on the UNT football front the last couple of days as we wait on Dan McCarney to sort out what he wants to do with his opening for a defensive coordinator. I was going to post a couple of these yesterday before I ended up spending the rest of the day working on the news that J-Mychal Reese’s eligibility appeal with the NCAA had been denied. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/thursday-afternoon-notes-on-the-football-front.html/