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Forrest and Leonard follow Johnny

Brett Vito

By Brett Vito

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Shawn Forrest confirmed late Thursday night that he is leaving UNT to join the staff at LSU under Johnny Jones.

Another source said that Charlie Leonard has also packed up his office at the Super Pit and is headed to Baton Rouge.

Leonard was Jones' right-hand man while he built UNT up from the ashes. Forrest is Jones ace recruiter and the man who opened the pipeline to Dallas-Fort Worth for the Mean Green.

With Forrest out of the picture, it looks like UNT will follow the same path it has taken with its last few coaching searches and hire a coach who has been in charge before.

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Harry

Harry 2,002

Posted

Best of luck to Coach Forrest, Coach Leonard and all of the Mean Green assistants. They did a great job at UNT and will be missed.

UNTLifer

UNTLifer 45,188

Posted

Best of luck to all of them and thank you for what you accomplished at North Texas. Now, let's get us a coach and continue what they started!

  • Upvote 1
All About UNT

All About UNT 1,221

Posted

While the sucks I think that we saw this coming.... I am actually glad that Shawn went with JJ vs. going to another program (i.e. Kansas St.)

Best of luck guys and Go Mean Green!

Cooley

Cooley 2,938

Posted

Brett, I just haven't seen all these miracles from JJ that you and many others continue to talk about. I didn’t want JJ to leave either but the man had been with us for 11 years. During this time, we never won a conference championship. Most years, we were slightly over 500 within the Sunbelt. Thanks to cream puff non-conferences scheduling, 20-win seasons were very attainable. (In all fairness, all schools do the same) JJ went to just 1 more NCAA tournament than Jimmy Gales, while we were in the Southland Conference but in half the time.

I’m appreciative to JJ and the staff, for the accomplishments we managed. Life, however, does go on and North Texas basketball will be just fine; if not better. Top area recruits will always look at North Texas because it represents a chance to play early and excel. It is also very close to home and family. JJ didn’t create this; he just tried to sale it.

Presently, we are a serious candidate for CUSA not because of any one coach but because of the Dallas market and our continuous growth. Timing is everything, JJ happened to be around when our Athletic department/Director made a greater commitment to its major sports and coaches.

In hindsight, JJ really didn't have much success recruiting the better local kids until recently. His success was in landing transfers from the area seeking more playing in front of friends and family. (UTA actually had just as much success in this area) Yea, we had some lean years before JJ got here but having an AD that had patience gets my game ball. In fact, when rumors start to circulate that RV is interviewing other place is when I’ll get worried.

Odoh - John - 6/9 - C - 2011-2012 - Hill JC - Lagos, Nigeria - Johnny Jones

Overlander - Clarke - 6/4 - SG - 2011-2012 - Argyle HS - Argyle, TX - Johnny Jones

Patton - Jeffrey - 6/7 - SF - 2010-2011 - Grambling, - Shreveport, LA - Johnny Jones

Mitchell - Tony - 6/8 - PF - 2010-2011 - LG Pinskston HS - Dallas, TX - Johnny Jones

Williams - Jordan - 6/6 - SF - 2010-2011 - Justin F Kimball HS - Dallas, TX - Johnny Jones

Jones - Chris - 6/2 - PG - 2010-2011 - Lakeview Centennial HS - Garland, TX - Johnny Jones

Norris - Trey - 5/9 - PG - 2010-2011 - South Grand Prairie HS - Grand Prairie, TX - Johnny Jones

Robinson - Forrest - 6/10 - PF - 2010-2011 - Eastland HS - Eastland, TX - Johnny Jones

Franklin - Roger - 6/5 - SF - 2010-2011 - OSU, Duncanville HS - Duncanville, TX - Johnny Jones

Stojiljkovic - Niko - 6/10 - PF - 2010-2011 - Lon Morris - Paris, France - Johnny Jones

Walton - Brandon = 6/2 - SG 2010-2011 - Casper JC, King-Drew HS - Compton, CA Johnny Jones

Edwards - Alonzo - 6/8 - PF - 2009-2010 - Lon Morris, Nebraska, - Houston, TX - Johnny Jones

McGhee - Ronald - 6/4 - SG - 2009-2010 - Istrouma HS - Baton Rouge, LA - Johnny Jones

Williams - Alzee - 6/4 - PG - 2009-2010 - Miss Elite Christian, Lincoln, Carter - Dallas, TX - Johnny Jones

Hall - Tyler - 6/2 - SG - 2009-2010 - Pampa HS - Pampa, TX - Johnny Jones

Thomas - Richard - 6/4 - - 2008-2009 - Garden City KS - Rosedale, NY - Johnny Jones

Shorter - Shannon - 6/4 - SG - 2008-2009 - Paris JC - Houston, TX - Johnny Jones

Holeman - Jacob - 6/8 - SF - 2008-2009 - Whitehouse HS - Whitehouse, TX - Johnny Jones

Johnson - Dominque - 5/10 - PG - 2008-2009 - Ft Smith, UMKC - Kansas City, MO - Johnny Jones

Spencer - Cameron - 6/8 - PF - 2008-2009 SMU, Little Cypress-Mauriceville - Orange, TX Johnny Jones

Tramiel - Eric - 6/7 - PF - 2007-2008 - Paris JC - Scheveport, LA - Johnny Jones

Knox - Ben - 6/10 - C - 2007-2008 - Grace Prep - Arlington, TX - Johnny Jones

George - Odufawa - 6/8 - PF - 2007-2008 - Arizona St/Dallas Kimball - Dallas, TX - Johnny Jones

White - Josh - 5/10 - PG - 2007-2008 - Christian Life Academy - Baton Rouge, LA - Johnny Jones

McCoy - Ryan - 5'10" - PG - 2007-2008 - Midland JC - Houston Madison - Johnny Jones

McCoy - Adam - 6'4" - BG - 2007-2008 - Mesa JC - Arlington, TX (Oakridge) - Johnny Jones

Thompson - Tristan - 6'5" - BG - 2007-2008 - Brewster Academy, Mass. - Angleton, TX - Johnny Jones

Kedrick - Hogans - 6'7 - SF - 2007-2008 - Karr HS - New Orleans, LA - Johnny Jones

Dez - Willingham - 6'0 - PG 2007-2008 DeSoto, SMU, Kansas St - Desoto, TX Johnny Jones

Fleming , Roderick - 6/7 - SF - 2006-2007 - OSU, Desoto HS - Desoto, TX - Johnny Jones

Dennis , Collin - 6/2 - SG - 2006-2007 - S. Florida, Richland HS - N. Richland Hills, TX - Johnny Jones

Bell , Ben - 6'3 - PG - 2006-2007 - San Jacinto JC (MacArthur HS) , Irving, TX - Johnny Jones

Jackson , Johnathan - 6'8 - F - 2006-2007 - Mineral Area (Jefferson HS) , Portland, OR - Johnny Jones

Mangrum , Collin - 6'4 - BG - 2006-2007 - Howe HS , Howe, TX - Johnny Jones

Muse , Curtis - 6'10 - C - 2006-2007 - Mineral Area JC (Vashon HS) , St. Louis, MO - Johnny Jones

Wooden , Keith - 6'9 - F - 2006-2007 - Arizona St , Lawrence, KA - Johnny Jones

Brown , Lionel - 5'11 - G - 2005-2006 - Eastern Ok St College , Ardmore, OK - Johnny Jones

Edwards , Harold - 6'4 - SF - 2005-2006 - Leflure HS , Mobile, AL - Johnny Jones

Howerton , Justin - 6'10 - C - 2005-2006 - Howe HS , Howe, TX - Johnny Jones

Stewart , Harold - 6'7 - F - 2005-2006 - Crowley HS , Ft. Worth, TX - Johnny Jones

Young , Rich - 6'5 - F - 2005-2006 - Eastern Ok St College , Farrell, PA - Johnny Jones

Hines , Isaac - 6/1 - PG - 2004-2005 - Collin County CC, Molina HS , Dallas, TX - Johnny Jones

Davis , Kendrick - 6'4 - BG - 2004-2005 - Univ. of Arkansas , Houston - Johnny Jones

Ray , Coby - 6'1 - PG - 2004-2005 - Prestonwood HS , Plano - Johnny Jones

Ruffin , Jared - 6'0 - PG - 2004-2005 - Creighton Prep , Omaha, NE - Johnny Jones

Sturns , Michael - 6'4 - G - 2004-2005 - North Crowley HS , Crowley, TX - Johnny Jones

Williams , Quincy - 6'7 - PF - 2004-2005 - Carl Albert HS , Midwest City, OK - Johnny Jones

Johnson , Shawnson - 6'9 - C - 2003-2004 - LSU Transfer , Shreveport, LA - Johnny Jones

Jones , Michael - 6'7 - F - 2003-2004 - McLennan JC , Lancaster, TX - Johnny Jones

Mitchell , Marquis - 6'0 - G - 2003-2004 - State Fair CC , Baton Rouge, LA - Johnny Jones

Watkins , Calvin - 6'5 - G - 2003-2004 - Madison HS , Houston, TX - Johnny Jones

Wilson , Mark - 6'3 - G - 2003-2004 - Highland CC , Chicago, TX - Johnny Jones

Byrd , Sam - 6'10 - C - 2002-2003 - Hastings HS , Alief, TX - Johnny Jones

DeGrate , Michael - 6'8 - F - 2002-2003 - McLennan JC , McGregor, TX - Johnny Jones

Harris , Ron - 6'7 - F - 2002-2003 - Oakridge HS , Arlington, TX - Johnny Jones

Roniger , Scott - 6'2 - G - 2002-2003 - Rummel HS , Metarie, LA - Johnny Jones

Thomas , Ty - 6'6 - F - 2002-2003 - Sam Houston HS , Arlington, TX - Johnny Jones

Allen , Jovani - 6'3 - G - 2001-2002 - Southwest HS , Ft. Worth, TX - Vic Trilli

Barnett , Justin - 6'10 - C - 2001-2002 - Martin HS , Arlington, TX - Vic Trilli

Brian , Josh - 6'8 - C - 2001-2002 - Blinn JC , Pearland, TX - Vic Trilli

Green , Jermaine - 6'7 - F - 2001-2002 - , Houston, TX - Johnny Jones

Green , Lee - 6'3 - G - 2001-2002 - , Hagerstown, MD - Johnny Jones

Colter , Michael - 6'0 - G - 2000-2001 - Baylor Univ , Austin, TX (Bowie) - Vic Trilli

Hopkins , Leonard - 6'3 - G - 2000-2001 - Lincoln HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

McFall , Jeremy - 6'1 - G - 2000-2001 - Olathe South HS , Olathe, KS - Vic Trilli

Richardson , Josh - 6'6 - F - 2000-2001 - Sheridan (Wyo.)College , Colorado Springs, CO - Vic Trilli

Rogers , Jerome - 5'10 - G - 2000-2001 - James Madison HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

Smith , Will - 6'7 - F - 2000-2001 - Lincoln HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

White , Terence - 6'2 - G - 2000-2001 - Blinn JC , Houston, TX - Vic Trilli

Wright , Marcellus - 6'8 - C - 2000-2001 - Garden City CC , Minneapolis, Minn - Vic Trilli

Crawford , Kyle - 6'0 - G - 1999-2000 - W. Okla St , Baytown, TX (Lee) - Vic Trilli

Jackson , Chris - 6'9 - C - 1999-2000 - Kimball HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

Lucas , Bryan - 6'7 - F - 1999-2000 - Azusa Pacific , Manteca, CA - Vic Trilli

Mason , Shawn - 6'6 - F - 1999-2000 - West Mesa HS , Albuquerque, NM - Vic Trilli

Masters , Unjel - 6'10 - C - 1999-2000 - South Oak Cliff HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

Miller , Jason - 6'9 - C - 1999-2000 - Livingston HS , Livingston, TX - Vic Trilli

Mulvany , JB - 6'7 - F - 1999-2000 - Clear Lake , Houston, TX - Vic Trilli

Allen , Wes - 6'3 - G - 1998-1999 - Amarillo HS , Amarillo, TX - Vic Trilli

Brown , Jamal - 6'0 - G - 1998-1999 - Skyline HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

Davis , Chris - 6'5 - F - 1998-1999 - Kimball HS , Dallas, TX - Vic Trilli

Erskin , Deginald - 6'6 - F - 1998-1999 - Gonzales HS , Gonzales, TX - Vic Trilli

Funchess , Sam - 6'8 - F - 1998-1999 - Univ. of Conn. , Jackson, Miss (Murrah) - Vic Trilli

Gilbert , Brandon - 6'8 - F - 1998-1999 - Kilgore JC , Madisonville, TX - Vic Trilli

Hardie , Dominic - 6'4 - G - 1998-1999 - Frank Philliips College , Port Arthur, TX (Lincoln) - Vic Trilli

Jones , Anthony - 6'3 - G - 1998-1999 - , - Vic Trilli

Mangrum , Kenneth - 6'4 - G - 1998-1999 - University HS , Waco, TX - Vic Trilli

Nelson , Faheem - 6'7 - F - 1998-1999 - Los Angeles Valley, CA , - Vic Trilli

Tennell , Dexter - 6'6 - G - 1998-1999 - Nimitz HS , Irving, TX - Vic Trilli

Williams , Calvin - 5'11 - G - 1998-1999 - Midland JC , Dallas, TX (Kimball) - Vic Trilli

Anstey , Graeme - 6'11 - C - 1997-1998 - San Jose St Univ , Melbourne, Australia - Vic Trilli

Ervin , Joe - 6'1 - G - 1997-1998 - McLennan JC , Waco, TX (University) - Vic Trilli

Kepley , Chris - 6'8 - F - 1997-1998 - Tulsa Transfer , - Vic Trilli

  • Upvote 6
  • Downvote 1
greenminer

greenminer 25,290

Posted

I loved my JJ, but his greatness was amplified by the complete disasters of some of the hires around him.

  • Upvote 2
CMJ

CMJ 13,641

Posted

You want to talk about the greatness of JJ, it starts with the disasters that have transpired before and around him.

Or the fact that our all time record in nearly 100 years of basketball is over 100 games under .500 --- we just have never had a sustained run of success. The longest run of non losing seasons we've ever had is our current run of seven in a row. Before that, I believe our record was four.

So basically, we have only had a handful of graduating classes that have gone through their entire career without having at least one losing record.

  • Upvote 2


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