Leaderboard

I'm going to go ahead and predict that Riley will win the open QB competition in a landslide, and not just because of the above statement. What Riley lacks in size, he more than makes up for in leadership skills, intelligence and heart. He didn't always make the best decisions last year, but I'm hopeful Canales will be able to help Riley cut down on his mistakes and make additional adjustments to help Riley improve his game and stay out of harm's way. Not to reduce the athletic abilities of our other QBs, but I think Riley gives us the best opportunity to win. It's a pretty big accomplishment to rank #38 in the country in total offense when you play on a 2-10 team. I'm afraid all of you that think the "open QB competition" announcement will result in Tune, Baine or Thompson starting are going to be in for a rude awakening. But, at least, you shouldn't be able to point the finger directly at Dodge for starting his son. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I see it, and I think we'll really see Dodge blossom in his Sophomore season with the addition of Stradford and Cole.

Many have stated thier frustration with Dodge is in keeping the best QB off the field, or being stretched too thin with calling plays and being the CEO of the team at the same time, and just plain not understanding the game at the BCS level. While I don't think Dodge himself is in over his head, I do believe he brought in some assistants who were. The hiring of coach Canales is reflective of a long line of excellent replacement hires by Dodge: He re-hired DeLoach after finding that Mendoza was utterly outcoached in every game. He pushed for a dedicated FB strength & conditioning position, then brought in one of the best in Ausmus, and a guy most of us are very happy with in Gahagan. He shifted Gandy over to Special teams where we saw many improvements last year (hope to see better kicking this season). He brought in coach Nelson to take over the D-Line. Then, he gets coach Canales... and here we are. Optimism in the form of Green KoolAid. Everyone he hired so far has the much desired skins-on-the-wall. With this hire, many of coach Dodge's fiercest critics are easing off (even praising him), and seem to think this will free him up to focus on game management. The "cupboard is bare" and "young team" arguements are no longer valid. I don't think anyone here is too concerned over the talent of the players (other than D-Line, and I think there are 100's of other schools in our boat). My question is: Do we trust Todd Dodge to drive this machine he's built to a 7-5 or better year in 2010?

It's no longer a matter of trust or faith or belief. The University already put its trust in Dodge when it hired him and then kept him on the job despite a 5-31 record. We put our trust in him by joining and renewing the Mean Green Club and buying tickets and showing up week after week despite the mounting losses. This year it's a matter of Todd Dodge proving himself a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach, and the only way to do that is to win. No excuses. I have no expectations, positive or negative. I have hope, and I will continue to support this team. I sincerely hope that every member of this board will, after the 2010 season, wish to have Todd Dodge back for a fifth season. But that sentiment must be earned in the fall, not given in January.

I personally can't see 7 - 5. This 1 hire doesn't make us better than Kansas St,Clemson,Troy or MTSU. That would mean we would have to WIN 7 of the other 8 games on the schedule and I don't see that happening. It's one coordinator position. It's a not a whole new staff , it's not a 5 star QB and it's certainly not a stud DT that can carry a whole unit. A good hire ? Yes. UNT & TD's savior ? No

We are in the same boat Travis. I don't want to be negative either , but I'm not going to get my hopes up. 1 coordinator hire does not make up for being one of , if not the worst team in all of football over the past several years. Unless Canales can bring in a stud D Lineman recruit we still have a ton of issues. Our biggest problem last year wasn't on the offense side of the ball. I think our offense can be very good , but if we can't keep the other team from scoring 40+ a game then it won't make a difference

Maybe in some areas, but it shouldn't have taken this long to address the offensive shortcomings in his system at the D1 level. After two years he should have maybe looked at overhauling some areas that many of us have discussed at nauseum (more run packages, TE's, etc.). But I guess this is a better late than never situation. It's amazing how people are more open to compromise when their backs are against the wall. Love the hire for several reasons. Also a guy that could maybe take over if TD is not asked to return. I like replying to Rick a lot more in this part of the board.

Pretty excited about this hire. Regardless of the outcome this next season, you can't say Coach Dodge and RV didn't do absolutely everything in their power to turn this thing around? I think Coach Dodge has shown to be one of the most flexible coaches we have had in many years, and has shown it in a very short time to do what he thinks is necessary to win. And that's really all we can ask of him? How much is an extremely early reservation flight to Newburgh, NY running right now? Rick

Teed it up and you took first swing...kudos.

I think all of you are right, and wrong. It won't be what Canales does to tweak, overhaul or add to Dodge's system that will be the difference...it will be his ability to adapt mid-game, and more importantly mid-drive, that will lead to points and wins. Yes he'll improve the system but I think the refreshing new ability to recognize round hole and insert round peg will make us all happy.

Right on. As of now, with Dominque and Kedrick out, we are getting nothing from our bench. Making it even tougher to win more than 3 games in a few days.

Or the Dodge hire in 2007? Appears to be a nice hire, but let's see some results.

The more I read the more afraid I am, as if I have fallen into an episode of the Twilight Zone. A world where UNT has a great hire, TD is still here and handing over his offense, and a world where TFLF is giddy on the Kool Aid. Things are all Topsy-turvy and I feel a bit dizzy. Maybe I have died because even GMG looks different? Parallel Universe? I have the goose bumps.

If it doesn't turn out well, nothing will save Dodge.

Just think how empty that statement was a week ago.

I'll join in on the celebration/party thread. I'm very excited about this hire for a number of reasons. Thank you RV and TD. Whether true or not, I'm going to choose to believe that TD did his homework and some internal soul-searching before going after Canales. I have a lot of respect for TD's decision to bring in Canales and virtually change everything he's done in his 24-year coaching career by relinquishing many of his offensive duties to Canales. That is a sure sign that he's growing, learning and adapting to coaching at the collegiate level. And, despite what many of the GMG board believed, this hire proves that we shouldn't set our bar too low when considering coaches and/or players who may consider joining the Mean Green. Many of you thought a coach with a greater than $100K salary was out of the question based on money alone and many more refused to believe Dodge would ever consider relinquishing his play-calling duties, virtually eliminating the need for an offensive coordinator. Well, thank you again RV and TD...much to our surprise, you have proven us all wrong. The new stadium and the new hire prove that we are serious about elevating our football program to the next level. I am hopeful these changes will translate into wins on the football field as well as wins in the recruiting war. I believe in the Mean Green!!!

http://sportsillustr...ml?xid=si_ncaaf WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is considering several steps that would review the legality of the controversial Bowl Championship Series, the Justice Department said in a letter Friday to a senator who had asked for an antitrust review. In the letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch, obtained by The Associated Press, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote that the Justice Department is reviewing Hatch's request and other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into whether the BCS violates antitrust laws. "Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football postseason," Weich wrote, including asking the Federal Trade Commission to review the legality of the BCS under consumer protection laws. Read More: http://sportsillustr...f#ixzz0e3eD2O8U Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

Rivals

I believe he CAN, and I certainly hope he WILL... But I just can't seem to get my hopes up yet. It's 7 months until the season starts and a lot can happen.

No. He's the worst coach in school history. He'll be fired by week 8. We are just riding this year out because we've got to much money tied up in the new stadium.

Without a doubt, YES! Rick

See, people keep saying the money is the issue, but I don't think it is. A playoff system would be a ratings bonanza, and if done right (with automatic berths at stake in conference championship games), it could end up making a bigger pie for everyone. I think the real reason for resistance to a playoff is the threat posed by schools like Boise State, Utah, and TCU.

I would love a white turf with a big green sow at midfield. Have all the numbers and yardlines be green as well. We would be different and standout. We could call it Albino Field !

It is a story of unequal opportunity. Whether you are conservative or liberal should make no difference in the matter. This isn't a matter of equality in actuality. But, of equality in opportunity. The BCS system is fundementaly designed to not give equal opportunity to all of NCAA's top division participants. I applaud the government for doing something about this unethical practice.

I am happy about the hire and to some degree it does restore my interest into next season, but don't you guys think we may be a bit knee-jerk about this and what our 2010 season will look like? I am hopeful that this thing succeeds but I am not ready to declare anything yet. For your sakes, I hope you guys tread lightly. We might be in for some big disappointment. I am still in a wait and see mode. On a somewhat of a side note... i think it hilarious that someone has suggested that we don't have to have a winning record to keep dodge around longer. And to take it further, that because of this hire Dodge could actually be a BCS coach. Not anytime in this decade. You have got to be kidding me! Sincerely, A negative, but hopeful, ned

Except when ABC store blocks your doors and refuses to allow the customers in your doors, which is what the BCS in effect did by matching TCU against Boise St. and by freezing out schools that don't belong to the big 6. I dont want ot hear about game ratings or money earned for both schools from this one-shot deal of the Fiesta Bowl. By preventing a match-up with Florida for either one of these schools, the BCS in effect blocked their doors to new customers. In 2 years, you ask the average college football fan who Boise St beat in the bowl to go undefeated this year, they won't be able to tell you. You ask them who Boise st. beat to go undefeated in 2006 season and they will tell you Oklahoma. Fans would have remembered Boise St or TCU knocking off Florida (if it happened). We all knew the TCU-Boise st match-up was coming, because we knew the BCS wanted to protect it's brand and discourage competition. I think we are headed toward the end of the BCS, it's just going to take a while to get there.

Well, I woke up, checked the board, and it's still true. It wasn't a dream. I am just ... happy! GMG!

Sports, especially football, are a business for Universities. There are enough government rules that have to be met without a completely new set which, given the past proposals, would include a portion of the moneys to go to the government to help pay-down the deficit. The president, congress, and any other government agency need to deal with the problems they were elected/appointed for – not college/professional football.

If everyone is honest and sincere (and a Mean Green fan) and chooses to post on this thread it should be the longest thread in history. We already owe him a debt of gratitude for his past accomplishments (too numerous to list) but this should cap it off. On second thought, a seven or eight win season would be even greater. Anyway, kudos to Rick Villereal; keep up the good work.

It was in the DRC article about the hire... "All of the starting spots will be open heading into spring practice, including the quarterback spot, Dodge said." http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/sports/stories/DRC_untcanales_0130.c7de90a3.html

Did the team stay in the area after the WKU game? MTSU is only about 1½ hour drive from WKU so it would make sense to stay here 2 nights. The reason I am asking is because we are getting about 10 inches of snow tonight and the Nashville airport is pretty much shutdown. It would be almost impossible to get into Nashville if the team returned to Denton after the WKU game.

I'll believe it when I see it. Show ME

It's not a socialist communist mentality. It dealing with illegal activity. Look I disagree with President Obama on a whole lot of stuff but I don't disagree just to disagree. Even Rep Congressman Joe Barton can see this. The BCS is not a free market system. Anyone who thinks so is blind.

This was a fun, memorable game and a fantastic road win against a historically great team in a tough venue to win at... We cannot win the SBC without the services of Tramiel. No one on the team can replace him. We are a different team when he plays 100%.

I Like this comment by Canales in a DRC article. I knew of Todd and knew that would be an easy fit, Canales said. We have similar philosophies. I had other opportunities, but this felt like this would be the best for me and my family.

"Mikey" likes this hire. The world as we know it....oh, never mind.

I'm not going to go so far as to predict immediate conference titles, but the magnitude of this can NOT be overstated. THIS. IS. HUGE. I've been fairly vocal with criticism for Football Trilli the past year, but credit where credit is due: if this holds, even if Dodge doesn't make it through the season it won't be for lack of trying everything he could. This is a massive philosophy shift and the first purely tangible evidence that Dodge is learning and progressing re: the head coach position, and willing to sacrifice his ego to try and win. Much respect to Coach on this. Biggest and best on the field news of the offseason, hands down.

We just beat an 11-10 team by one point, losers of five straight. It's nice to beat WKU but keep it in proper perspective; they are not a very good team overall.

Sorry, forgot you were the only expert on the board tonite.

No, foul a DIFFERENT player, not the one with the ball.

Back to the issue at hand: Does anybody know if Canales has been contacted for any other job at another school? If not, is money the only sticking point?

Truth hurting you? Why cant he voice his opinion?

I would like to know how to raise my "reputation" status. I would like a rep.

I wouldn't be surprised if JH committs to another school. It's a risk you take as a "small time" school with a recently dreadful winning percentage. If he keeps his verbal with us, I would be really looking forward to Hall signing and PLAYING QB here at NT. Good things have happened at NT when we have a Hall on our roster playing QB.

Voting should take place just before the first Bowl game. We'd probably see better results.

Cobbs or Kennedy.

Like the BCS, the Heisman is a sham. The best college football player in the country is Ndamukong Suh.

This is such BS!!!! What ties a University to the NCAA? Can schools come togethor & create their own governing body & leagues? I would be pissed if I were the AD's at TCU or BSU.

There's no time for motion. Our genius HC calls the play, Offense lines up, then checks based on D's formation. This could happen 2-3 times before every play. You've only got a few seconds to snap.... There's no more calling two plays in the huddle or one play with known checks, then the QB calls the signals giving off blocking scheme info, etc. All the while he's reading the D while possibly setting someone in motion. It's just a different game, now.

So you're now proclaiming to be the best Armchair Coach here?? Yeah, this team will put it together. Given enough time: 2-20 years or so, it will happen. Improvement? Yeah, I saw it, too. But what did you expect when you're program is already scraping the bottom of the abyss?