FW*Telegram Too early to narrow search

OldTimer · November 14, 2006

Too early for UNT to start narrowing down search for coachBy TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

North Texas remains in the process of identifying potential candidates to fill its soon-to-be vacant job of head football coach.

Athletic director Rick Villarreal said Monday that response to the UNT job has been good, and that "a number of inquiries" are arriving daily.

"There's stuff in my office I haven't picked up yet," Villarreal said. "We're gathering information on those people interested in us, and those we're interested in. Once we've done that, we'll evaluate our options."

No timetable is set for interviews, but Villarreal wants to get going as soon as possible with recruiting season under way.

UNT, which started the season 2-7, fired coach Darrell Dickey Wednesday, effective at the end of the season. The Mean Green won at Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday to go to 3-7.

On Monday, Texas Tech co-offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes, believed to be someone UNT could target, said he has not heard from UNT.

Dykes, a final-three candidate last year for the Rice job, removed his name from consideration before Tech's game against Alabama in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Dykes did so after waiting at least a week to hear from Rice officials on their decision.

Dykes, 37, said he's happy at Tech but still wants to become a head coach at some point. He added that UNT's location and recruiting base in Dallas-Fort Worth makes the job desirable, but with any job opening comes questions.

"They have to play a couple of money games every year, but you don't want to play four or five," Dykes said of the "guarantee" games UNT plays against teams such as Texas or Oklahoma. "You have to find out how much control you have over the schedule. From the outside, it might be a pretty good opportunity for somebody."

Dykes said he has "heard talk" about UNT wanting to ramp up its commitment to football, in addition to the recent construction of the school's $8 million athletic complex/dormitories and practice fields.

"The worst things is to go somewhere and have no opportunity to win," Dykes said, speaking in generalities. "That doesn't get you anywhere. You want to make sure you have a chance to put a stamp on the program."

TCU offensive coordinator Mike Schultz and Carroll High School coach Todd Dodge remain two potential targets for Villarreal. Schultz, 48, also a Rice finalist last year, has had no comment on the UNT job.

Dodge, 43, is a former UNT assistant (1992-93) and oversees one of the state's most explosive high school offenses at 552.2 yards per game.

Carroll is favored to win its fourth state title in five years. Dodge has coached his son, Riley, at quarterback for the past two seasons. Riley will be a senior next year, but Todd Dodge said that wouldn't keep him from leaving Carroll for the right college opportunity.

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

untbowler · November 14, 2006

"They have to play a couple of money games every year, but you don't want to play four or five," Dykes said of the "guarantee" games UNT plays against teams such as Texas or Oklahoma. "You have to find out how much control you have over the schedule. From the outside, it might be a pretty good opportunity for somebody."

Where are these people getting this information?

We have played only one body-bag game a year for the past few years. DD has just made it look worse due to his inept coaching in OOC games. This year it was only Texas, last year it was OU. Wish this Phillips character would do a little research as well as the coaches.

If I remember correctly DD complained about not getting to play a 1-AA, guess he wanted a sure win, then again RV probably was scared of DD coaching as if the team was playing a BCS power out of the Big Sky or Gateway.

Edited November 14, 2006 by untbowler

Eagle1855 · November 14, 2006

"They have to play a couple of money games every year, but you don't want to play four or five," Dykes said of the "guarantee" games UNT plays against teams such as Texas or Oklahoma. "You have to find out how much control you have over the schedule. From the outside, it might be a pretty good opportunity for somebody."
←

when the hell did we play 4 or 5 money games a year? where is this misconception coming from?

We are not Rice, who played @ UCLA, Texas, and @ FSU...

we played @ Texas, SMU, @ Akron, @ Tulsa and La Tech- not exactly a bunch of world-beaters. The way I see it, we've really only played 1 - 2 money games a year for the last 5.

He's right, this is a great job opportunity for someone, and in the end it will prove to be a great jump for someone's career.