Leaderboard

As players NT coaches have targeted inevitably choose to sign elsewhere, we fans avoid turning critical of the individual or even raining on the individual's parade. 1. They're 17-18 years old and they don't deserve to immediately be forced to second guess the life-changing decision they've just made 2. They may wear green down the road anyway I don't know that players or their friends/family would even dare swinging by our board to see our reaction, but we can't be sure

Unfortunately, last year took all the fun out of it for me a least for a little while. I had to remove myself for my own sanity. I know it's weak, but we all have our issues. I have been to two games this year and what I saw compared to last year was actually a better team, giving more effort, but very poorly put together. It's like the opposite of last years team. Last year we had no guard play and everything went inside, this year is the opposite. I'll give credit to the staff for making the team better this year besides what I would opine is a more unbalanced roster than last year. They have gotten them to play better within the system. However, the team isn't very good and poses no threat to win the tourney. My conclusion, our rookie coach is a doing better learning how to lead, but we are paying for it. As for the blame argument. Well of course players deserve blame when they don't give hustle or do what they are supposed to do on a certain play etc. But, that is a micro view. When Duke loses a game you might be able to blame it on a few plays here and there where the players didn't do what they were supposed to do. The problem with that argument is it is the coaches job to build it, lead it and make it work. He hasn't gotten enough guys to do things that can win games. Blaming the players for the record or the mess we have is wrong.

Concerted effort to hide this team all year. 5:30 game starts, terrible non-conference schedule, KNTU broadcasting women's game instead of men. Who would have thought this prior to last season. I really hope some don't lose sight of how fast, far, and quickly this program has descended. And I hope, for the love of JJ, there is a final accountability at the end of this disaster of a season. And disaster of a coaching hire.

I've had the same thoughts about some of our "fans" being jerks to the kids on Twitter. It's been a fun ride the last year. We've got some great kids coming in. I wish nothing but the best for the ones that choose other schools.

Good. Was hoping we'd get him. Ngalo to SMU and looks like Johnson, the DT from Rowlett, is almost ruled out. Maybe an outside shot at Johnson, but I'm not expecting it. That just leaves X. If we get him, someone grayshirts. If not we filled up the class with Wilson. What a skill position haul? Two running backs (Wilson and Ivery) combined for 4,422 yards and 63 rushing touchdowns! 63! Not to mention they combined for another 6 touchdowns receiving. Then you throw in the bonkers stats from our receivers (Adams, Goree, Rutherford, and Davis), 2 of which were first-team all-state selections, among players of all classifications, according to Dave Campbell Texas Football. And bringing in 3 qbs (Greer, Chumley, and Means), including Chumley who has immense potential as a receiving threat at tight end if things don't work out at qb. And we had two true freshman skill players who showed out in limited action lat year (WR Kidsy and QB Dajon). Asking for all of them to work out might be asking for too much, but you gotta figure some of these guys will become studs. Our class next year will be fun, and with 5 scholarship linemen leaving after next year we'll have plenty to sell to the new guys as far as who they get to block for.

So it's a lot of different players fault this year that weren't even here last year, when it was also the players fault that are not here this year? Will it be the players fault in year 3 of the Benford era? Year 4? Stupid players.

For once we agree. I once had a problem with ants in my house. A guy came over and offered to sell me a plan to get rid of them. So, I allowed him to sprinkle sugar all over my kitchen floor. I TOTALLY bought into his plan. It just wasn't working on my floor. Then something changed...I realized he was an idiot, and I one too for believing him. So I fired him and hired a competent exterminator.

Would have rather had LaLa than La. Tech. Far more upside in their program. Can't tell you how disappointed I was at La. Tech's facilities when I made the trip for the game this fall.

And watch this old clip. http://blip.tv/ballislife/6-7-greg-wesley-is-one-of-the-most-explosive-athletes-of-2013-6206868 Wesley is going to be a stud. I don't expect him to ever average 15 a game, but I think he'll be a box-score stuffer and a guy who just helps you win in different ways. Can play the 3 or the 4. Hopefully he's worked a little on dribbling with his left hand, but man he has a quick trigger and has some 3-point ability even if it isn't his forte. Adding him and Combs to the forwards we already have should be fun to watch. Hope Wesley's getting the classroom stuff figured out and will be ready to play.

I never believed that added weight was the reason that Jamario was never the same. People claimed that the added weight caused him "hammy" problems, but he suffered from "hammy" issues during his record setting year. Every time I hear the comment about small school football I always remember one of my favorite RB's at North Texas.....James Mitchell (#37 on your program) from Liberty Christian. AND I would also add the name of Aaron Fortenberry from tiny Era Texas . I'm going to trust the coaching staff's ability to assess "raw" talent in this situation. And I'm going to trust their ability to get Mr. Wilson ready for his next big challenge.

Happy birthday buddy.

MGB: Elkhart RB confirms he has committed to UNT http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/02/jeffery-wilson-confirms-he-has-committed-to-unt.html/

Agree Let's not be one of those fan bases that bashes a kid for not choosing their favorite school. It's pathetic to do so IMO.. You never know, they could be looking at a transfer down the road

Any chance there's something else, like the flu? I mean, would they even bother putting that out there? I'm just throwing it out here since this whole thing seems to develop speculation based on limited information. If he's not consistently underperforming, there could be a reason, and if it's something like an illness or family-type stuff, sticking with the program even in bad times is still a good sign. If we see this sort of results regularly from him then it could be a bad sign, but since I can only assume none of us know if there's something else like a head cold or a pulled muscle, then let's not fret until we see if it becomes a standard rather than an exception. Plus, with recent news, it appears that QB is likely to be our area of least concern; if Dajon needs an extra year to calibrate his leadership skills and someone else shows the capacity to be the winner we need in 2014, then so be it. Everything will be fine.

Tony Benford promised to improve defense and rebounding from the JJ era when he arrived I campus. His words, not mine. Both areas have been abysmal failures. When a coach says his focus are on certain areas, and those areas remain a concern a year and a half in, it's a COACHING PROBLEM, not a player problem, but some will never admit this.

Yea ....... these reports kinda matter. Players have bad days. Those really don't hurt if they are very infrequent. If they become the norm, that gets noticed by the boss.

Time to give it up buddy. Nobody likes to be told their baby is ugly, but this baby is uggllyyyyy.

9-4 in his third year without a dominate defensive lineman. I like Mac's chances of being more than a .500 coach.

The thought occurred to me today that Conference USA could have waited another year on Western Kentucky. By that, I mean, there was no rush to add the Hilltoppers in July 2014. Let me explain: If C-USA had waited to extend the invitation, then we would have 12 football members in 2014. With 12 members, the conference would be split with 6 members in the East and West division. WEST: North Texas, Rice, UTEP, UTSA, LA Tech, Southern Miss and EAST: UAB, MUTS, Marshall, Old Dominion, FIU, FAU. - with 12 teams/ two divisions of 6, the conference would have probably already released the 2014 schedule AND we would still be able to host a conference championship game - by adding WKU in 2015, the conference would have easily split into two divisions of 7 with the football addition of Charlotte. WKU and Charlotte join the East and UAB bumps West. No problems - the Sun Belt would have been able to host a conference championship game in 2014 since they would have had 12 members instead of 11. In summary, I would have liked for the conference to have waited an additional year so that we could already have our schedule for 2014 since the addition really adds nothing by happening now instead of in a year. Carry on

If there are players that don't have a clue...the coach should not play them. ..

I believe that the coaching staff is responsible in numerous ways for ensuring that the players are successful, from recruiting the right players,to coaching the right scheme, to running proper substitution patterns, to so so much more. So, no, I don't hold18-22 year olds responsible when there is a coaching staff that is paid a WHOLE LOT of money to make sure those 18-22 year olds are put in a position to succeed.

If you think the players aren't at fault too your wrong. Really wrong.

DT also had outstanding workouts.

If positions were won based on their workouts then McNulty would have been on the field last year. Yes, the team needs to look at the QB as a leader, but this is only one facet of the job and one day's performance.

Might have to change the school colors to green and ivery.

Hey guys! Just wanted to stop in and see how life was going for everyone on the BB board? I use to be a regualar, at some points I resided here more than the FB board. oh....we lost again......oh

It's such a shame how how quickly this team has fallen. We have a lot of talent on this team, but the coaching staff has no clue what to do with it. The house that Johnny built. The house that Benford blew up.

Losing by 30 to a team with a losing record ain't getting it done. Especially given we had a week to prepare.

La La has the sun belt stank. I'd take la tech over them any day. Don't let your taste buds overpower your brain.

Maybe it's because I have long harbored the same idea but I thought that the school donating the Snake Pit to the Athletic Department would have been a much better usage of funds that I agree with fly on the wall about a basketball practice facility. The Pit could have even been used for intramurals, if necessary, on scheduled hours with the basketball teams holding first priority. The funds drive would not have then been necessary or could have been used toward a baseball stadium or an indoor practice facility. Before the Super Pit there were only two gym floors and four hours of PE were required unless you had a doctor's excuse or were on a varsity team. We also had intramurals and we made it just fine. I'm not sure what Dr. Rawlins might have been able to do in that regard but I count my blessings that we got Lane Rawlins in our time of need. True, he may have only stayed the course we had relatively smooth sailing under his leadership. I believe that it was his help (from being a founding president and NCAA representative) that solidified our admittance to CUSA. He was able to support not only athletics but to continue the march toward being a #1 research university. I believe that his being given the status of president emeritus indicates that he can still contribute with his knowledge and influence. I will always appreciate the contributions of fly on the wall and was disappointed when he didn't post as much as I wanted him to. But, if anyone has the right to express disagreement of any nature it's those that give the most. My thanks to both Dr. Rawlins and fly on the wall.

At least a good game today by the ladies winning 66-58 over UAB. Good tight rotation by Petersen today, with 6 players getting most of the minutes.

I gotta agree with you 100% UNT90. This is an old school coaching staff. They are going to look at the intangibles and they take what Wintrich says seriuosly. They are not going to put a player out there based on just physical talent. You have to be a leader, and you have to know your stuff off the field to get a shot. I have read all the reports and comments. No way to misread or read too far into: Need to focus, need to be a leader, need to motivate, inconsistient, not working hard, etc. Dajon has 4 years to play, so he will be alright, but he may not be the starting QB next year at this pace. Not a knock on him because he will still be classified as a freshman and he will still have time to grow and mature.

Disagree here. Especially for a leadership position like QB. The fact that that level of criticism is put out in public for one of the favorites to take over the QB position is extremely concerning. DW better get it together or he is going to find himself on the bench come September. Keep in mind, I'm in the camp that it is his job to lose. Sadly, it appears he is doing what will be necessary to lose the job.

http://etsn.fm/pine-trees-caleb-chumley-commits-to-north-texas/ Story about his commitment. Courtesy of UNT alum Gabriel Brooks.

Well, thats' what I have been telling you folks in prior postings.........While there are other positions that are important and we have some very good commits to fill those positions, having seen this kid play several times I have always thought that he is the steal of this Mean Green recruiting season.

Apparently the power of the physical education department is being discounted when you reference 32 basketball courts. For independence from academia and for recruiting purposes, the new basketball facility is a good thing...and it was done with private funds.

If disappointment hits, I hope they notice UNT's stellar walkon program and show up with a chip on their shoulder while their family comes out to be a new part of the Mean Green family. I haven't mentioned this in these terms, but Mac's walkon opportunities are very similar to how I got my (academic) scholarship when somebody else turned theirs down to go elsewhere. Being the second-chance guy, and knowing it, makes you really want to prove you were worth the effort put into giving you a chance at an education. And when you're the first in your family to get a degree, well, you really strive to prove you've got what it takes. I hope everybody who feels like they were lost in the shuffle picks North Texas, because many of us can attest to the fact that if you're the odd man out, UNT is a place where you can soar to greater heights. I'm sounding really cheesy, but it's the truth. UNT is a place where "I wish" becomes "I did."

I think talking about 18 and 19 year old grown ups on facebook is kinda creepy. Geez Wintrich!

Did you know that KU has updated their Jayhawk over the years?

Board of Regents Minutes

If there were College Hall of Fame Presidents, Lane Rawlins would be a lock.

The Apogee deal was not all cash.

+1

Lest anyone think I'm operating from old experiences in my disdain for our branding department or just anyone in our administration, let me share a recent experience. My neighbor across the street is a TCU grad. Her boyfriend is a Texas Tech grad, and recently he put up a "house divided Tech/TCU flag ourside her home. He told me that he acquired the flag at the TCU bookstore (like NT run by Barnes and Noble), and he added that he thought that he saw some TCU/NT house divided flags the last time he was there. Well, since my son is married to a TCU grad, I thought that that might be a nice gift to give them. So I called the TCU bookstore to see if they had any TCU/NT house divided flags in stock. The very helpful woman on the other end of the phone said no they didn't. She said that I could get a TCU/OU, TCU/OSU, TCU/Texas (and Tech) and a TCU/A$M flag. I commented that I was surprised that they didn't have more calls for the TCU/NT flags and she said that they did get a lot of request for that combination. I then asked why they didn't stock them. Her response? "because North Texas refused to sign off on letting us have the flags made". There it is folks. An opportunity to have our logo flying outside homes in Fort Worth and our short sighted administration prevented it. Typical........

Not worried about it:

I fear some are getting a bit too concerned about "no show". If I remember correctly we went through this last season too. A no show here or there and the public freakout began only to later learn that the no show(s) were either in class, at a doctors appointment, funeral etc. and had "permission" to not be there. Wintrich isn't going to waste time writing a story as to why a player wasn't around. These are simply quick-hit notes on the day. Everyone Relax. p.s. This isn't pointed at you Marty. Your quote was just the last on the thread so I grabbed it.

You can get a really good idea of the day-to-day workout psyche of the players by perusing the group reports Coach Wintrich posts on that page. ---- Side Note: My wife, younger sister and I went to I [heart] Sushi the other night. Place was full, but we patiently waited to be seated as we were told that some tables would come available shortly. Coach Wintrich and his lady were wrapping up their meal in the middle of the room, and as soon as we walked in, he eyed me. This wasn't some passing glance but rather a pierce-your-facade-evaluate-you-for-all-your-worth-and-see-if-you're-qualified-to-enjoy-the-air-your-breathing sort of stare down for a full minute. I've never been as intimated for as long as I can remember. We ended up replacing them at their table, and on their way out, I thought to say something to the effect of, "Hey Coach, thanks for the outstanding work you've done with our players, preparing them both mentally and physically to do what they did on the field this year." Instead, all that came out of my tepid mouth was, "Thanks, Coach." He turned to face me and gave me a look of bewilderment. I turned and wished I had never said anything. I don't think I've ever felt the mixed emotions of scared-sh*tless combined with utter pride and reassurance that a team I root for has such a guy looking over them year round. Dude's awesome.

I really love our walkon program. If we find just one starter or significant contributor it is like playing with house money.