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I enrolled at the University of North Texas right in time to watch Darrell Dickey sink into the earth. The football coach would finish 2-9 that year, right after a 7-5 season—and almost 2,000 rushing yards from rookie Jamario Thomas—got them their fourth straight bowl berth. He’d lose his job two years later, and then Todd Dodge got brought up from Southlake and stunk up Fouts Field so bad that the sports program had to launch a dubiously-funded effort for a new stadium to get us to talk about something else. (Fouts was also really old.) When my friends and I would go to games, we’d spend more time in the parking lot than in Fouts. It was bad football. (But Tobe Nwigwe was on the team, and he is now terrific, and running back Patrick Cobbs got some years as a backup for the Dolphins and I think the Saints. OK, no more parenthesis, I promise.) I bring this up because current coach Seth Littrell is apparently one of just 15 coaches at public universities who has personal access to a private jet written into their contract, according to USA Today. That’s use of a plane not for recruiting or work-related endeavors, but for “family vacations or other leisure trips.” In addition to his $1.865 million salary, Littrell gets $100,000 a year that goes toward “private aircraft charter flight services.” Not bad! Littrell is among good company: six coaches are in the Big Ten and five are in the SEC. Littrell is … in Conference USA. He’s 26-21 since 2016, with three bowl appearances but no wins. That’s definitely a jump in quality, but is it worth shelling out $100,000 in university funds so he can take some trips? Read more: https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2019/10/unt-is-one-of-15-schools-that-gives-its-football-coach-private-jet-access/

DENTON, Texas — Full cost-of-attendance for out-of-state students at the University of North Texas runs about $36,000 a year. Mean Green quarterback Mason Fine has repaid the school for his scholarship several times over — even if it was the only scholarship offer he got. In 2015, when Fine was a record-setting high school quarterback at Locust Grove, Okla., North Texas averaged just 13,631 fans per home game. A total of 68,155 went through the turnstiles that year. In 2018, when Fine was winning his second consecutive Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award, UNT brought in 23,355 fans per game, a total of 140,131 and a 71 percent increase in ticket sales. “For a long time, I think everybody looked at North Texas from the outside and said, ‘That’s a place that ought to be pretty good: great location, 40,000 students, a rapidly growing area of the country,’” UNT athletic director Wren Baker recently told Sporting News. “And Mason has been a key part in helping turn the program around, which in turn has had a huge influence on the university. Record-setting donations, not only in athletics but at the institution, (and) freshman enrollment is up like 15 percent this year. “Is he solely responsible for that? No. But has he played a big part in probably the No. 1 marketing tool of the university’s success? Yeah, he’s had a huge impact.” read more: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/godsend-mason-fine-has-helped-resurrect-north-texas-football-program-and-pride/wgowwwh9wju018mr3bapmd91k

At first, Tulsa won. Roberts committed to the Golden Hurricane on May 17. North Texas, the first school he visited, had always been a possibility, but it wasn’t a frontrunner. Then the Mean Green offered him a scholarship on June 1. When Roberts returned to Denton, Texas, for another visit, he had a new perspective. As he immersed himself in the UNT environment, he faced a dilemma. Although he liked Tulsa, multiple factors drew him toward the Mean Green. He could envision himself in the lineup as a tight end. He learned about the indoor practice building that is under construction, part of a plan to elevate UNT athletics, and the program’s culture appealed to him. Aware that he was setting up his future in college and beyond, as his parents had reminded him, Roberts flipped his commitment to UNT on June 16. “What they have going at North Texas is really good,” Roberts said. “They’re gonna open a lot of eyes, and I want to be a part of that.” read more: https://oklahoman.com/article/5635738/the-oklahomans-super-30-tight-end-jake-roberts-showcases-versatility-on-norman-north-football-team

Gentlemen (and ladies) place your wagers!

read more: https://swcroundup.com/news/2018/12/11/with-littrell-staying-north-texas-looks-to-keep-historic-class

When Arkansas State athletics director Terry Mohajir went to hire a football coach six years ago for a program that had been a reliable launching pad to the Power Five, he looked to the staff of one of the most profitable athletic departments in the country. At the time, Texas offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin wasn’t just a highly regarded rising assistant in college football, he was also attainable for a Sun Belt program whose total athletic budget is roughly one-fifth of schools like Texas. “He was making ($700,000) and that was pretty high,” Mohajir said. “It was pretty good money, but I was able to pay him more to be a head coach.” Fueled by an explosion in the cost of hiring and retaining top-level assistants, however, the economics of grooming the next generation of head coaches has been turned on its head in less than a decade. Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/columnist/dan-wolken/2018/12/05/college-football-assistant-coaches-salaries/2206867002/

While Brent Venables is the top name on many K-State fans’ wish lists, North Texas coach Seth Littrell has arguably been the most rumored replacement for Bill Snyder Why Seth Littrell? Littrell is one of the hottest names among mid-major coaches right now. He’s been mentioned either seriously or in passing for every open head coaching job this offseason. As Bill Connelly wrote in his North Texas preview before this season: But why is he so coveted? Littrell inherited the North Texas coaching job from former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney. McCarney had led the oft-hapless Mean Green to nine wins in his third season in 2013, but managed to win only four of his next 17 games and found himself unemployed after registering an 0-5 start in 2015. The Mean Green finished 1-11 that season, but Littrell spun the culture around, winning five games in 2016 and nine in 2017. He led them to nine wins again this year, and may have 10 if he stays on and beats Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl. So he’s a winner, and he’s also young. At 40, Littrell is one of the youngest coaches listed among likely Snyder replacements. read more: https://www.bringonthecats.com/?_gl=1*n7r7xn*

DENTON - North Texas has accepted an invitation to play in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 15 at Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque against Mountain West foe Utah State. “Conference USA has had a great relationship with the New Mexico Bowl and we are honored to be representing the league, the entire UNT community and the North Texas region in a postseason bowl game,” North Texas Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Coach Littrell, this coaching staff and these student-athletes have raised the level of expectations for this program. Playing in our third consecutive bowl game is something everyone associated with this university should take pride in.” The Mean Green continue their streak of consecutive bowl appearances under head coach Seth Littrell, posting a 9-3 regular season record. Littrell guided UNT to its second-ever back-to-back seasons with nine wins (1977-78) and the Mean Green have an opportunity to win 10 games for the third time in program history. This will be the 11th bowl game in North Texas history and third straight after playing in the 2017 R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and the 2016 Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl. It will be the eighth bowl game for UNT in the last 18 years, and this is the Mean Green’s first trip to the New Mexico Bowl. “We are excited to be playing in the New Mexico Bowl against a very good opponent in Utah State,” Head Coach Seth Littrell Said. “Albuquerque is an easy travel destination for our fans and alumni and I know this team is excited to play in front of a national audience on ESPN in the very first bowl game of the season. It will be a tremendous challenge but we are excited to get to work.” North Texas was the only team in the Football Bowl Subdivision to never trail by more than one possession in 2018. The Mean Green had another banner year from their quarterback, junior Mason Fine, who has thrown for 3,734 yards with 27 touchdowns to only five interceptions, while also adding two more scores on the ground. The defense took a major step forward in 2018 for North Texas, as it improved its points-per-game allowance by 13.2 ppg and ranked fifth in the country in interceptions with 17. Offensively, The Mean Green are on pace to set a program record in points-per-game, at 36.4. The current record is 36.2, set in 1951. UNT also ranks within the top-25 nationally in 20 major team statistical categories heading into its bowl game. This marks the first time since 2002-2004 that North Texas will play in a bowl game in three consecutive seasons. In those years, North Texas concluded the four-year run in the New Orleans Bowl after winning four consecutive Sun Belt Conference championships. North Texas and Utah State have met seven times, with the Aggies holding a 4-3 edge. The last meeting was in 2004, when the Mean Green knocked off Utah State 31-23 in Logan, Utah. The Aggies finished the 2018 regular season with a 10-2 record and a 7-1 mark in Mountain West play. Following head coach Matt Wells’ departure to Texas Tech last week, the Aggies have tabbed Frank Maile as their interim head coach for the bowl. Bowl tickets are now on sale. For ticket prices and to purchase tickets online from the North Texas Ticket Office, visit MeanGreenPostseason.com. https://newmexicobowl.com/

Many thought something would be announced by Wednesday, when Taylor said he hoped to meet with Snyder and discuss his future. Instead, fans are still nervously checking their phones for updates. Taylor did not return a message seeking comment for this story, and the only statements Snyder has made have been one-liners to reporters camped outside K-State’s football complex. The waiting game has gone on long enough that one news outlet inadvertently posted a pre-written story announcing Snyder’s retirement and quickly took it down. And for North Texas athletic director Wren Baker to take to Twitter and calm fans about the rising speculation that Mean Green coach Seth Litrell is a potential candidate to replace Snyder, if he retires. How did we get here? There are a few explanations. read more: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article222501925.html Read more here: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article222501925.html#storylink=cpy

Would it not be a better strategy to insulate any lower tier p5’s from snatching Littrell by upping his compensation and buyout now as opposed to the end of the season when the vultures come? Isn’t that what Houston did with Hermans? And if Tech or Ole Miss, North Carolina etc come calling you at least make them write you a damn nice check. I realize a lot of dough was already thrown at the new state of the art IPF which makes it tough to do. However, after reading the Dodd CBS article and seeing Seth ponied up with an A league agent we may should do something sooner than later. If you can buy even a couple more years with this staff you will move the program and the University exposure to levels we could not reach otherwise.

DENTON, Texas — Mason Fine cooked the Golden Eagles again. And after Saturday's performance, he ought to have the recipe just right. North Texas pulled away late for a 30-7 win over Southern Miss, Fine's third win in as many seasons over the Golden Eagles. "At some point, you just have to give credit where credit is due," Southern Miss linebacker Jeremy Sangster said. "That guy is good. Really, really good." The senior threw for 292 yards and a touchdown. Statistically, it was an underwhelming performance for the Maxwell and Manning Award candidate. But what the stats don't show is Fine's ability to scramble — the way he avoids sacks and gets rid of the football or how he never pulls the ball and keeps his eyes down field. It also doesn't show how he kept getting back up after Sangster planted him in the ground twice in the first quarter and again in the third. read more: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/southern-miss/2018/10/13/southern-miss-falls-north-texas-30-7/1630775002/

It was just barely enough. Winless UTEP, playing like a team desperate to snap the nation's longest losing streak, hung with the Mean Green all night. Twice North Texas built a 10-point lead in the second half, and twice the Miners pulled within a field goal. It took a quarterback sack by North Texas' E.J. Ejiya and Bryce English in the final two minutes, then surviving a Miners' near miss on fourth down, before the Mean Green finally sent the Miners to their 18th-straight loss, 27-24. "I want to give coach (Dana) Dimel and UTEP a lot of credit," North Texas coach Seth Littrell said. "They played extremely hard. "But we have to play a lot cleaner," he added. "We couldn't get into rhythm or sync offensively in the first half. We didn't play to our standards whatsoever. Just way too many mistakes." North Texas is 5-1, its best start since 1988. The Mean Green got off to their slowest start of the season, failing to score on their opening two possessions as UTEP generated early pressure on Fine. The Miners, meanwhile, with Ryan Metz starting at quarterback for injured Kai Locksley, put together a pair of sustained drives and jumped out to a 3-0 lead. An interception by North Texas' Tyreke Davis, however, turned away the second threat. North Texas mounted its first scoring drive late in the first quarter on the strength of a 38-yard pass from Fine to Bussey, followed by an 18-yard TD pass to Darden, who broke a tackle at the 7-yard line and tight-roped down the sideline for a touchdown. But the North Texas offense could not find consistency. Big plays were followed by critical mistakes, including dropped passes by multiple receivers and an inconsistent running game. UTEP, meanwhile enjoyed success through the air, especially on yards after catch, including turning a short toss into a 29-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to give the Miners a 10-7 lead. However, North Texas made three plays late in the half to stem UTEP's momentum. First, wide receiver Cudjoe Young fought his way through a defender for a 23-yard reception on third and 10. Five plays later, Cole Hedlund made a 52-yard field goal, the longest of his career and tied for the ninth longest in school history, to tie the game at 10-10. Then defensive back Nate Brooks stopped a UTEP threat just before halftime with his fourth interception of the season at the goal line. "We had some come-to-Jesus talks," Littrell said of the Mean Green halftime locker room. "We had too many drops. That's when we lose focus a little bit." The Mean Green found its offense in the third quarter, getting another field goal from Hedlund and an 11-yard touchdown on a shovel pass from Fine to Bussey for a 20-10 lead, as Fine completed 14 of 15 passes in the second half. But UTEP refused to fold. It responded early in the fourth quarter with a 90-yard scoring drive, the longest march North Texas has allowed this year, to edge within 20-17 with 10:43 to play. North Texas answered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, burning up half of the period's remaining clock and opening a 27-17 lead on a Nic Smith 20-yard touchdown run. And UTEP struck back immediately with a 67-yard touchdown pass. The Miners then stopped the Mean Green's next possession, setting the stage for one final comeback attempt. That final rally, however, was foiled by Ejiya and English, who sacked the Miners' QB for a 10-yard loss to set up fourth and 17. The fourth-down play narrowly failed when a pass over the middle slipped off the receiver's finger tips. "A W is a W," Littrell said. "We're going to enjoy this win. But we are going to clean up these mistakes." Quick Hits North Texas' 5-1 start is its best since 1988, when it opened 6-1. The 1988 and 2018 starts each include a road win over a Power 5 opponent; at Arkansas in 2018, at Texas Tech in 1988. Junior quarterback Mason Fine (Peggs, Okla.) moved into second place in career passing yards at North Texas, surpassing Heart of Dallas Bowl MVP Derek Thompson (2009-13). Fine has 7,542 yards, and trails only Mitch Maher (1991-94) on the all-time list. Maher had 8.519 yards. If Fine maintains his current pace, he will overtake the top position this season. Fine had the 22nd 200-yard passing game of his career, second most in UNT history. Sophomore defensive back Tyreke Davis (Denton Ryan) had the Mean Green's 11th interception of the season and the first of his career when he undercut a UTEP receiver and made a diving catch to stop a Miner drive at the North Texas 28-yard line. Junior wide receiver Rico Bussey, Jr., (Lawton, Okla.) continued what is becoming the best season by a North Texas wide receiver since Casey Fitzgerald rewrote the UNT record book in 2007 and 2008. With 117 yards on 8 receptions against UTEP, Bussey is on pace to join UNT's list of top-10 single-season receiving seasons in yards, receptions and touchdowns. An 11-yard score in the third quarter was Bussey's eighth receiving TD of the year, which ties for the 10th most in a single season at UNT with Troy Redwine (1993-95). Bussey had the sixth 100-yard receiving game of his career, which ties for sixth most all-time at UNT with Johnny Quinn (2003-06), Redwine and David Yaege (1971-72). Senior wide receiver Cudjoe Young (Chattanooga, Tenn.) had the longest reception of his career, a 23-yard catch to set up UNT's game-tying field goal in the second quarter. Senior kicker Cole Hedlund (Argyle, Texas) hit a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, the longest of his career and tied for the ninth longest in school history. Sophomore wide receiver Jaelon Darden (Houston) had a career high in receiving yards with 91, on 5 catches. Senior defensive back Nate Brooks (Whitehouse, Texas) recorded his fourth interception of the season, matching his season best in 2016. It was the eighth of his career. Redshirt sophomore running back DeAndre Torrey (Gautier, Miss.), who took over the primary rushing duties following the season-ending injury to Loren Easly, had a career-high 70 yards on 19 carries. Sophomore defensive lineman Dion Novil (Abilene, Texas) had the first field goal block of his career, tipping a 53-yard attempt in the third quarter. It was the Mean Green's first field-goal block since Zach Orr blocked a field goal in 2013, also against UTEP. Senior linebacker E.J. Ejiya (Blaine, Minn.) had one tackle for loss Saturday to give him 26.5 for his career, moving ahead of Corbin Montgomery (1996-99) for fifth most in UNT history. UNT's Keegan Brewer, of the famous punt return against Arkansas, was again on punt return duty. Each time Brewer called a fair catch, the Miners had a defender keeping a close eye on Brewer until he actually surrendered the ball to the officials. Although North Texas and UTEP have met in football 27 times (with UNT holding a 16-8-3 advantage), this was just the sixth meeting since 1980. All six have been since the Mean Green joined Conference USA in 2013. This was UNT's first win in El Paso since 1980, and it levels the C-USA series against the Miners at 3-3. Saturday was UTEP's homecoming, and the Miners celebrated their 1988 team. A member of that squad was North Texas defensive coordinator Troy Reffett, who, in addition to playing at UTEP, was on the Miners' coaching staff for 14 seasons. The UTEP-UNT connections run both ways. UTEP offensive coordinator Mike Canales was offensive coordinator, associate head coach, quarterbacks coach and twice an interim head coach at North Texas from 2010 to 2015, and UTEP offensive line coach Mike Simmonds held the same position with the Mean Green from 2011 to 2015. link: https://meangreensports.com/news/2018/10/6/football-mean-green-escape-el-paso.aspx View full article

College football needs compelling storylines. Here’s an intriguing possibility, and it’s not ridiculous: As a Heisman Trophy finalist, North Texas junior quarterback Mason Fine travels to New York in December. “That would be the most surreal moment,” Fine said during a Tuesday telephone connection. “I’ve never really even thought about that.” In 1987, Holy Cross’ Gordie Lockbaum was a halfback, a defensive back and kickoff returner. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. A former Locust Grove superstar and the most prolific passer in the history of Oklahoma high school football, Fine could be a Lockbaum or Doug Flutie type of figure in this year’s Heisman process. read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/bill-haisten-an-intriguing-thought-mason-fine-as-a-heisman/article_b68aa2fc-6ca2-5e4b-b2a6-580ca01de5fd.amp.html

http://amp.star-telegram.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mac-engel/article218537150.html?__twitter_impression=true All of these great moments currently being collected at North Texas exist because the school narrowly did not choose a coach who would be pushed out at TCU and is now at Kansas. In the fall of 2015, the North Texas coaching position was vacant, again, and the preference of the athletic director to fill the job was then-TCU co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham. The UNT President wanted Seth Littrell of North Carolina.

http://www.thesportsanimal.com/monsters-of-the-midday-audio/

Date North Texas Opponent Location Time/Network Official/Fan Website 09/01/18 vs. SMU Denton, Texas 6:30PM CST Stadium SMU Official Football Site Ponyfans.com Football Fan Site 09/08/18 vs. Incarnate Word Denton, Texas 6:30PM CST ESPN+ Incarnate Word Official Football Site 09/15/18 @Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas 3PM CST SEC Network Alt Arkansas Official Football Site Hogville Fan Site 09/22/18 @Liberty Lynchburg, Virginia 5PM CST Liberty Official Football Site A Sea of Red Fan Site 09/29/18 vs. Louisiana Tech Denton, Texas 6:30PM CST beIN La. Tech Official Football Site Bulldawg Bark and Bytes Fan Site 10/06/18 @UTEP El Paso, Texas 6:30PM CST beIN UTEP Official Football Site MinerDigs Fan Site 10/13/18 vs. Southern Miss Denton, Texas 1PM CST ESPN3 USM Official Football Site The Perch Fan Site 10/20/18 @UAB Birmingham, Alabama 6:30PM CST beIN UAB Official Football Site Blazer Talk Fan Site 10/27/18 vs. Rice Denton, Texas 3PM CST ESPN+ Rice Official Football Site The Parliament Fan Site 11/10/18 @Old Dominion Norfolk, Virginia 2:30PM CST ESPN3 ODU Official Football Site Lion's Den Fan Site 11/15/2018 vs. Florida Atlantic Denton, Texas 8:30PM CST CBSSN FAU Official Football Site FAU Owl's Nest Fan Site 11/24/2018 @Texas San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 6PM CST ESPN+ UTSA Official Football Site Rowdy Talk Fan Site * Home games denoted in bold

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Two years ago, North Texas football went 1-11. On Saturday, the Mean Green clinched just the 18th 2-0 start in program history, and first since 1994. It’s incredible to think how this program has grown. That’s nothing compared to what the Mean Green can accomplish this weekend, as UNT travels five hours east to face off against SEC opponent Arkansas. read more: https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2018/09/13/unt-football-mean-green-can-launch-program-to-national-relevance-by-beating-arkansas