Leaderboard

I am going to say what I have to say and then I will move on. You can then verbally castrate my thoughts as you might choose to do so. I think the board says that I joined in 2010, but I had been reading the GMG.com board for several years prior to that time. It used to be fun to read – I used to access it multiple times a day as a source of recreation. I enjoyed the varied opinions regarding UNT and its athletic programs. For the past month or two that has not been the case. Instead of an enjoyable message board for UNT fans it has turned into little more than a “bitch and moan” board. I find few reasonable CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms now being posted; instead many – sometimes close to most – of the postings are just simply bitch and moan postings for what seems to be the sole purpose of bitchin’ and moanin’. I am as disappointed as many of you in our past football season; our current basketball season. Sometimes I get so frustrated that I just throw up my hands and ask myself why I am providing annual substantial financial contributions to UNT athletics; why I am using my time, effort and the drive from Tyler to try to make a difference in the UNT athletic program and the University as a whole. Sometimes I just tell myself that I will only support the Alumni Association and the scholastic area of the university from which I earned my final degree (currently ranked 8th in the nation by USN&WR, I might proudly add). Rest assured that in the past I have communicated directly with UNT Athletic Department personnel, not only when I feel I have a reason to bitch and moan, but when I want to offer praise as well – and believe me, there is a lot going on in the UNT Athletic Department and the University as a whole for which praise is deserved. It is there where the most severe criticism should be sent, folks. I would never, ever, post some of the severe criticisms that I have had regarding UNT athletics via a public message board. But for those of you that have continually chosen to do so I would ask – what are you hoping to accomplish? It is obvious from reading this board over the past two months that the old saw holds true – negativity breeds negativity – and I believe if you will re-read topics and postings over the past two months you will easily see how this board has evolved into a constant bitch and moan board. I am pretty sure that I have never seen such negative postings – in such great number – in the six years or so that I have been reading the board. There were many negative postings about Todd Dodge during that time but even those did not reach the level of ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT criticism that I am reading now. When I get the urge to post a negative comment or two on this board about the athletic department administration – and I do get them – I remind myself of my favorite George Burns’ quote: “It is too bad that all the people who know how to run the country (READ: UNT Athletic Department) are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair” For some of you, I have absolutely no doubt that you will continue doing as you have chosen to do in the past – post negatively on this public board about the UNT athletic program every chance you get. But rest assured, this university’s athletic program will overcome your constant public negativity regarding this program – football and otherwise – and reach a level of continuing success. When that does occur I have no hesitation in saying it will occur in spite of your constant public negativity; not because of it.

The banquet was good; very positive. The seniors got to go out feeling valued and the rest of the team has something to look forward to with this coaching staff. Must have been 500-600 people there and there were some great awards and good speeches. RV was a bit dramatic, but in the days before knowing everything instantaneously, drama and bluster is what you got at a FB banquet. The O-line was duly recognized for its top ranking in the country in sacks allowed; Simmonds said this was the best group of starting linemen he's ever coached and he repeated it after he got off stage; Orr was celebrated with trophys and accolades for his year (1 of 2 standing ovations) and Whitfield was honored for his talent and potential to be one of the best. Feeley and Phillips were recognized for playing hurt and inspiring the younger guys and Fortenberry was toasted as the King of the line. Y'Barbo's stats were amazing...I don't know if I've ever heard of a Guard with 70 knock-downs in a season...only at the Outland Trophy awards. The senior speech was great and got the other standing O. All in all, a pretty good night; kids had fun; it moved right along and it was comfortable.

Stop being so negative about others negativity!!!

Ain't Gonna Happen

I get a little tired of members of this board ragging R.V. about his coaching hires. When D.D. left, we had a budget of about $250,000 for a head football coach. Rick took a risk with T.D., and it didn't pay off. It happens to most of us in business as well as life. With the new student athletic fee, we are now able to be competative in the market place, and I feel that Coach Mac will turn out to be a good hire, just like Johnny Jones and our previous as well as current women's basketball coaches. I admit that the verdict is out on Bedford, and now it is not positive. However,there is a lot of basketball to be played, so lets reserve judgement until seasons end. I have said before,and feels it bares repeating,that only those who have never made hiring mistakes are those who have never hired. It's not an exact science,otherwise there wouldn't be such a head coaching turnover in colleges. You need only to look at Texas Tech as a recent example.I was in health care sales and distribution from 1968 thru 2003,and using the same profile hired some of the best and worst sales reps in my industry. I am not looking at R.V.'s hires with rose colored glasses. Personally,I would have hired an experienced men's head basketball coach. However, I feel Rick's positives out weigh his mistakes in hiring. On another note,I attended NTSU from 1961 thru 1966. Until Rick arrived, the only dedicated athletic facility was a football administration building built during Hayed Fry's era. You youngsters may remember it as our old ticket office. In my opinion,and no one is perfect[ except some of us who post on this board], Rick,despite some misfires,is the best Athletic Director in our history. So lets cut him a little slack,and look at our cup as half full instead of half empty.Just an old man's opinion.

Don't throw your shoulder out patting yourself on your back coach, I mean officer. I have a title at work also, but I don't get bent out of shape if someone just calls me by my name. Does being a sergeant qualify you to rate football talent?

Would you like more threads about good intentions? What would you have the board discuss?

What I learned on GMG today: Vince Lombardi = Fail. Bobby Petrino = Awesome.

Scotty Young from Denton Ryan. And if UNT's luck holds, he will go on to be an all conference CUSA QB for the Bulldogs. :-)

So explain why, right now, UTSA and Texas St. are out-recruiting UNT. Yes, this could change before national signing day, but it isn't a good omen, and being out-recruited by those 2 schools is COMPLETELY unacceptable.

Not sure how I feel about this. I think he has the ability to really maximize Brock's potential and I'm scared at who we would even bring in to replace.

Dozer, you know what, you are right. i shouldn't have done that. Unnecessary, indeed.

Sort of a chicken and egg thing, huh? Wins bring fans and support....money brings upgraded coaching staffs and facilities which help create those wins. Which comes first determines how fast the Wins come. Tough job this D1 athletics.

I don't think comparisons to TCU are accurate since they had/have name recognition from the SWC. Now Boise would be a more fair comparison.

Your parents can only put you in a position to be loved, but it's ultimately up to you to make the choices to make them continue to love you. SO SICK OF YOU BLAMING THEM!

Sounds like a lot of champagne expectations on a beer budget around here to me.

Nope...that would be asking much more than you are obviously capable of handling...dumping some of the negativism and bias that you hold that is. I just asked that you get an original gig and try not to just copy the other usual suspects. In your view...it's OK to be negative all the time and "shill" for the anti-UNT/anti-Athletic dept./the sky is falling and all is bad crowd, but it's not OK to point out that there is another side to the coin. Carry on doing the norm for you...it's pretty obvious that you are not capable of being unbiased. So, let's see...what names can I dream up to call you? Like all of your bent it always does seem to come down to name calling...so mature, so philosophical, so open-minded. But, not in the least surprising. At least we can all count on you. Got any more good lines about the band? It's been awhile since you opined critically on that topic.

Interesting...I guess, according to Silver, all these folks are "shilling" for RV and the Athletic dept. b y simply posting their personal views on the matter. Always have wondered why it seems to be OK to bash RV and everything he does along with pretty much every other athletic department staffer on the board, yet let someone post anything positive and supportive and they are "shilling". Good to see some sanity on the board this day.

I have to admit, I was one of those fanboys. It was a big risk and it didn't work out. There are no excuses for what happened over those 4 years, but I still support RV. He has put this program in the right direction in many ways, unfortunately he can't coach the teams and make them win. He's done his part, now it's time for the coaches to step up and do theirs.

Arkansas State: 2 winning seasons, 5 non-losing seasons 2005: 6-6, Steve Roberts 2006: 6-6, Steve Roberts 2007: 5-7, Steve Roberts 2008: 6-6, Steve Roberts 2009: 4-8, Steve Roberts 2010: 4-8, Steve Roberts 2011: 10-3, Hugh Freeze / David Gunn 2012: 9-3, Gus Malzahn / John Thompson Florida Atlantic: 2 winning seasons 2005: 2-9, Howard Schnellenberger 2006: 5-7, Howard Schnellenberger 2007: 8-5, Howard Schnellenberger 2008: 7-6, Howard Schnellenberger 2009: 5-7, Howard Schnellenberger 2010: 4-8, Howard Schnellenberger 2011: 1-11, Howard Schnellenberger 2012: 3-9, Carl Pelini Florida International: 2 winning seasons 2005: 5-6, Don Strock 2006: 0-12, Don Strock 2007: 1-11, Mario Cristobal 2008: 5-7, Mario Cristobal 2009: 3-9, Mario Cristobal 2010: 7-6, Mario Cristobal 2011: 8-5, Mario Cristobal 2012: 3-9, Mario Cristobal Louisiana: 3 winning seasons, 6 non-losing seasons 2005: 6-5, Ricky Bustle 2006: 6-6, Ricky Bustle 2007: 3-9, Ricky Bustle 2008: 6-6, Ricky Bustle 2009: 6-6, Ricky Bustle 2010: 3-9, Ricky Bustle 2011: 9-4, Mark Hudspeth 2012: 8-4, Mark Hudspeth ULM: 1 winning season, 3 non-losing seasons 2005: 5-6, Charlie Weatherbee 2006: 4-8, Charlie Weatherbee 2007: 6-6, Charlie Weatherbee 2008: 4-8, Charlie Weatherbee 2009: 6-6, Charlie Weatherbee 2010: 5-7, Todd Berry 2011: 4-8, Todd Berry 2012: 8-4, Todd Berry Middle Tennessee: 3 winning seasons 2005: 4-7, Andy McCollum 2006: 7-6, Rick Stockstill 2007: 5-7, Rick Stockstill 2008: 5-7, Rick Stockstill 2009: 10-3, Rick Stockstill 2010: 6-7, Rick Stockstill 2011: 2-10, Rick Stockstill 2012: 8-4, Rick Stockstill North Texas: 0 winning seasons, 0 non-losing seasons 2005: 2-9, Darrell Dickey 2006: 3-9, Darrell Dickey 2007: 2-10, Todd Dodge 2008: 1-11, Todd Dodge 2009: 2-10, Todd Dodge 2010: 3-9, Todd Dodge / Mike Canales 2011: 5-7, Dan McCarney 2012: 4-8, Dan McCarney Troy: 5 winning seasons 2005: 4-7, Larry Blakeney 2006: 8-5, Larry Blakeney 2007: 8-4, Larry Blakeney 2008: 8-5, Larry Blakeney 2009: 9-4, Larry Blakeney 2010: 8-5, Larry Blakeney 2011: 3-9, Larry Blakeney 2012: 5-7, Larry Blakeney Western Kentucky: 2 winning seasons 2009: 0-12, David Elson 2010: 2-10, Willie Taggart 2011: 7-5, Willie Taggart 2012: 7-5, Willie Taggart / Lance Guidry

Tyler... It could be worse, the negativity isn't so bad... It's when people stop talking altogether that you should be worried... Take a trip over to Texags or shaggy bevo and see what the moods are like after a loss or a 7-5 football season. It'll look pretty familiar, and they have a lot more to be cheering about than we do

I'm pretty certain we're complaing so much because we want success from our school. I love my University. Like most here, I'm a member of the Alumni Association and the Mean Green Club. But if the product stinks, you better believe I'm going to BOO at games and complain on message boards. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop coming, doesn't mean I'm going to start bleeding another color.. It just means I'm going to be pissed at those that are keeping us from being successful. This is the largest public venue to share opinions. I can't help that basically everybody else on the board wants success and demands results. I shall keep on demanding excellence.

Your points are valid to an extent, the problem is NT's peers have just as many if not more issues and they are moving forward at a better pace than NT. I didn't call any team Podunk or claim Denton is the best college town ever. When referring to football history, I think recruits think in terms of a few years not decades. What NT has lacked since re-entering the FB division is a head football coach that can win and excite the masses. Simon was hired mostly based on the belief that he being one of a couple of black hc in the highest level of the NCAA, he could recruit. Didn't happen. I have no idea why DD was hired other than he had an in with Helwig. He was a competent on field coach and off one exceptional recruiting year ruled the early Belt. Unfortunately, DD was a pr disaster off the field and I think in the end hurt the program more than he helped it. No need to go into Dodge. Now McCarney may be the answer but early returns both on the field and recruiting are not that encouraging. I hope NT continues to support all its educational programs, I think that is the purpose of an University, but I don't see how that effects athletics at all. There is not one team in the new CUSA or the Belt that has any significant advantages over NT. The closest is UTSA that has a huge market with little competition and a newness to get fired up about. Rice, UTEP, La Tech, Tulsa, USM, MTSU, FAU, FIU, Marshall, Old Dominion, Charlotte, UAB and UTSA; not exactly a juggernaut of a conference. NT has the resources to be very successful in this league from day one, there are no valid excuses for failure.

2 negatives make a positive!

Petrino is a heck of a coach, but he has no business working in a job as a leader of young men with the kind of character issues that he brings. Between his dumb mistake at Arkansas, lying to his AD about it, and the gutless way that he left the Falcons, he is really a sleazeball. Say what you will about Dodge and McCarney, at least they are men with decent character.

Look, this is they guy who fired Mario Cristobal out of the blue from his dinky, little program. You think this is a guy who, you know, "sees the big picture" in all of it? (I think this is the guy who hired Isaiah Thomas as well, so...whatever that's worth in the discussion.)

we're pleased. 1.2 million buyout if he leaves before 2019. that's free money for next coach. willie t. didn't leave the cupboard bare. demarkus smith sat out this year. he was a 4* and number 11 rated qb in country according to rivals. dual threat. it's got all the locals fired up for sure.

Please stay Chico! You're only a year (two at most) from having a shot at THIS job. But if you do go I look forward to seeing you run the ball up the middle on first and second down consistently...that was you calling the plays, right?

Apologist

It is not about being an apologist, it is about being a realist. Mac followed the failed experiment known as the Dodge years. Call them what you want, but that is fact. Taking that into consideration, I think constantly crying about what we don't have right now is ridiculous. Mac deserves time to turn this around and every indication tells me that he has made some positive changes. Is everything perfect at this time? Not by a long shot, but it is headed in the right direction. Everyone wants to jump on Mac's overall record, but he took over a program at Iowa State that had rarely won and was the constant doormat of its conference. That change couldn't happen overnight, and it didn't, but turning that program around took a monumental effort. I believe he deserves the chance to do the same here, which includes being given a realistic timeframe to achieve success. By the way, two seasons isn't enough. We finally have a coach that wants to turn this around and appears to be at the age where moving up isn't that important, but committing the program to success is. Let's give the man a chance. Yes, recruiting could be better, but we won't attract the 3, 4, and possibly 5 star players until we start winning consistently and beating more successful programs. We have to give these kids a reason to come here. Apogee and all the other new facilities are great, but if we don't win, they won't come. So call me an apologist if you wish. You aren't hurting my feelings Officer Jackson. I'm just tired of the people not giving the man a fighting chance to turn this around, not looking at the entire picture and thinking they have all the answers when you are around the program maybe 10 times a year and the head coach lives and breaths it 365 days a year and who's livelyhood depends on its success. Carry on.

TD was a marketing hire, and it worked. Does anybody remember the spring game after he was hired, 5000 fans. I know that football and basketball are the money sports, and RV has missed some hires (TD and Shanice), however when you look at all the sports (non-revenue) he has hit more than miss.

I think it is more top of the Sunbelt expectations on top of the Sunbelt budget!

Let it go officer. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.

Not to be negative, but it really doesn't excite me to get a committment from a guy who's only other offers are Central Arkansas and Grambling, a couple of 1AA schools.

Aside from Dontre Wilson and that 5'4" QB, I thought DeSoto's best player was #1 Taylor Young, the linebacker. He was all over the field. I was stunned to learn that he has no offers per Rivals. I wouldn't mind having him up here.

I was certainly hoping for more. As someone who follows recruiting very closely i get excited to see new commits. Im typically the "hey these kids are in high school" "don't judge a class till after a few years" and all that other jazz but this class is shaping up to be very meh up to this point.

Everybody seems to keep bringing the Big West up, but it's not a great comparison. When we were in the Big West, they were without question the worst conference in 1A (now "FBS"). At that time, we would have jumped at an invitation from the WAC--another western conference, but on an entirely different level (at the time) from the Big West. And the MWC is on an entirely different level from what the Big West was. The name recognition of the schools is far superior . . . even among the schools that were in the Big West but are now in the MWC (e.g., Nevada, Utah State), there has been an huge increase in profile. And if you look at conference strength, no one could call the MWC the worst--in football they are continually ranked above the MAC, WAC (this year has been an exception), C-USA, and the Sun Belt. From time to time, they slip ahead of the Big East. They line up about the same in basketball. The fact of the matter is that the MWC would be a clear upgrade in conference from C-USA if Tulsa and anyone else leaves. TCU did not only look for regional rivalries, although they are nice to have . . . they placed themselves in the best conference they could, and the MWC was an upgrade from C-USA. And now what team is sitting in the Big XII? We need to place ourselves in the best conference willing to take us. To clarify, I'm O.K. with staying in the present C-USA. But I hope R.V. maintains close communication with Thompson, and with the folks at Tulsa to see what they're planning on doing. If there is going to be an exodus from C-USA to the MWC, we need to be the first over there.

Saw Berglund for first time at FB Banquet--easy to recognize as he was the one with the large "S" on his chest

Don't forget the fanbase was clamoring for Dodge. The fanboy posts on this board were embarassing with their love of a unproven high school coach, how all the rich Southlake dads were going to back UNT, how every recruit in Texas already knew his name. It was an easy move for RV, give the people what they want.

My guess is the MWC doesn't want to expand, but it lining up contingency plans if any more realignment takes place. They are still holding their breath that the Big East won't work out and they get another shot at schools like Boise, SDSU, and BYU. UTEP is the next logical applicant. NMSU and Idaho will always be available, but if they wanted those schools they would be in by now. The folks on this board who scream about UNT needed to head West have no idea what they are talking about. The Big West was a complete failure for us and there is no reason the MWC would be any different. Higher travel cost, no return fan travel, unlevel recruiting, and time zone changes. No thank you. The small uptick in cash and prestige wouldn't be enough to overcome the forementioned obstacles. A small regional footprint, with games against schools 18 year-olds have heard of is the way to build our fanbase and build our program.

North Texas fandom is a double-edged sword. It's a bad program that we all HOPE is on the rise. Should we be supportive? Should we raise expectations? Was this the right/wrong hire? We can debate everything forever. But why the separatism. The petty arguing on here is stupid.

Not really. We're they landing 4* guys? No. It started off as classes full of 2* guys with some 3* sprinkled in but the 2* guys had other offers. And im talking about classes from 98-2001. They weren't taking kids who's only offer was TCU. They got safety's and moved them to LB, LB to DE, DE to DT. TCU has only had 2 classes in the last 11 that haven't had a 4* recruit. Everyone wants to try and compare to what were getting now to how TCU started. It's not the same.

Agree. Nothing exciting so far. But hey, we did beat out Grambling and Central Ark.

We do need more playmakers in this class. However, welcome aboard to the 2 new recruits.

The ACC will be dead soon. SEC, BIG 10, and Big 12 will pick off the majority of the schools. Leaving 2 or 3 out in the cold

If you want to carry on your inane rant, great...hardly anyone reads through these piles of dodo anyway when you get on one of your patented rants. But, if you are going to do so by insulting someone, get a new routine. All you are doing here is copying the other usual suspects with the same childish and immature stuff that is getting old. So, if you have so little of substance to say that you must result to personal insults, at least man up and get an original routine. Have fun with the DJ gig....

Can always count on you to add something of substance.

Don't you think his sideline incident with one of his assistants had something to do with it? After Leach,they must have a zero tolerance policy for legal reasons if nothing else.

Cool. His post does not indicate much knowledge of anything...just a big rant about a bunch of stuff. I think he needed to blow off some steam...happens. No problem. He obviously has a problem with a lot of folks and things from RV to Mac to Rawlins. That is a shame and really too bad. Seems to be holding on to a bit of anger. And, since you say he has the award, he should be aware that it is not an athletic award and that since the Alumni Association was reconstituted in the late 1990's that some things and selection criteria has changed a bit.