untgirl04

That's a fair question. In my mind, if the boys are playing hard, being well-coached, and are not making stupid penalties like unsportsmanlike calls, then I don't care how bad the score is. But I see a real difference in the way that '02 team played Texas versus the way the '04 and '05 teams have played. In that '02 game, I didn't expect us to win. But those boys went down there and played like they could win. They expected to play their best and come away with that game. Before the Texas game last year, DD was quoted as saying "We're lucky to be on the same field as those guys." That's not playing to win. And even the loss to Tulsa, although we were expected to win, if we'd played smart football and played/coached like we could win, I would have been happy. Sometimes the Zebras get you down, sometimes it's just like God or mother nature is rooting for the other team, but the most important thing is trying. And unfortunately, I'm not seeing a whole lot of try from the coaching staff right now. It's that whole "play not to lose" philosophy. If you never give it your all, you can never reap the benefits of hard work.

The first game against tu wasn't a slaughterfest. We lost 27-0. That's pretty respectable, if you ask me. Any Mean Green fan watching that game probably teared up at the sheer grit those guys were playing with. Scott Hall got knocked out early, and although our offense tried, they just couldn't get it done. But our defense sacked the QB 9 times in the game (7 on Sissy Sims) and held tu SCORELESS for the second half. If we play like that when we play the big guys - win or lose - it's not a bad game to schedule in my book. Unfortunately, we need the money that those big games give us right now. In the future, I'd love to have pillow schedules like TT and tu (with the exception of the Ohio State game). I think we'll eventually get there though.

RV didn't schedule a lot of those games. OOC games are scheduled sometimes 5 years or so before they're actually played. I believe we can give RV credit for Tulsa and LaTech this year (which are good opponents for us) and for SMU next year.

I honestly think it's positive that we as fans do complain as much as the Top 10 teams' fans. It shows that at least we have high expectations for our team and that we care enough to want more. The game attendance is a big positive. We've had great turnouts for both games this year - despite the game. The gameday experience just gets better and better. I love that both times the parkinglots have been full. That's absolutely fantastic. Major props to the students for showing up this year. I don't think there have been so many green people in one area since Kermit the Frog had his last family reunion. Excellent support from the students side and man were they rowdy! Another major positive is our ESPN2 love. I have heard nothing but good things from my coworkers about Hayden Fry's interview during the 3rd quarter. Everyone is impressed with what we've got going.

What's your point? Maybe you're the one who's delusional. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree there. How do you know that other coaches don't want to come to North Texas? If we haven't put the offers out there or made the school available, then no one knows we're on the market. Unless you have some insider information (which I doubt) it's just conjecture on your part. If you read my post you noticed that I didn't necessarily advocate firing DD. I am advocating a change in philosophy or a chance in attitude. If DD can do either, I'll stick with DD. At work, if production suddenly falls short, you investigate the cause. You start at the top and you work to make changes. If nothing happens, you change management. No, we cannot forget what DD has done for this program in the past few years. But we can't forget either what he has not done. He has not improved our OOC record. We have been winning the SunBelt, but we were winning the games by closer and closer margins. Those margins just caught up to us. Our team is not as young as you think. We've got plenty of experience on offense, and our defense, considering the youth, is pretty damn good. You couldn't expect 5th year starters to hold the lines better than our current guys if they played 3/4 of every game.

You've forgotten Nicholls State, Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic. Nicholls State is a AA school and Florida Atlantic was provisional 1-A. Also, we played Baylor twice: thumped them once then got thumped back the next year. If you're going to post numbers to support your thoughts, post the whole truth. You might find your points aren't as well supported.

Ok, this is a response to comments in several threads, but I think it still applies here. I think DD either needs to change the offense to work with our strengths (which won't happen) or he needs to go elsewhere. I wish him nothing but the best and I hope he goes on to succeed with other D-1A programs. I just don't think he's got it at North Texas anymore. Something that hasn't been pointed out is that this is the first year we have been able to recruit with our new facilities. This is the first year we've lost. Maybe DD can't coach without being the underdog. Many times we've been frustrated as fans to hear DD harp about how the fans don't support him or the team and how they have to "circle the wagons." If that's how DD motivates, it's awfully hard to motivate that way when you're building gorgeous new facilities and making plans for a new football stadium. And now for the burning question: Would anyone want to come here if we fired DD? The answer is YES, and here's why. 1. Up and Commer. Someone else on the board commented that it's much easier to sell a team that's had a 4-year winning streak than to sell a team that hasn't won in 10 years. We've got lots of talent and a new coach would have most of the tools to build a winning team in just a few short years. 2. Expectations. By firing DD, the university would be making a statement that we are no longer happy with just winning conference. Some of you worry that no one would want to deal with a team who's just fired the guy that took us to 4 straight conference championships. But if you look at DD's record, as FireFightin' Rick has posted, his record really isn't that good. It's not like we'd be firing Frank Solich with a 9-3 season. We'd be getting rid of a guy who has gone 2-18 (or something like that) in OOC play and can only beat weak conference opponents who are members of what is commonly thought of in all major circles as the worst conference in the nation. When you've got Div 1-AA teams and conferences ranked above you, that's bad. 3. Opportunity. Offensive coordinators are always looking to move up. Because of the talent we've got here, he could work with what he's got for a few years while building the recruiting. He can use North Texas as a stepping stone to a major program, or if he's willing to invest the time, take North Texas to a major program and then go to the NFL. All in all, I don't think this would be the deathblow many of you think it would be. I'm not necessarily opposed to keeping DD - if he adapts to the players' abilities and controls those rediculous penalties. Btw, if DD is punishing the guys during practice for penalties, it's obviously not effective. We average about 2-3 personal fouls per game. Maybe it's time to try a different tactic...

The D being on the field for too long....? No, we wouldn't want that. No.... wait. Isn't that what's happening now?

I grew up an Aggies fan, watching the Aggs play at Kyle Field, following the Yell Leaders and hearing stories about Silver Taps. But I chose North Texas over TAMU when it came down to it, and I've never regretted it. I root for the Aggs because my Dad was one, and he roots for North Texas now. I've even got him wearing North Texas gear. Now, my sister will follow me to North Texas because I've got the whole family falling in love with the great academics, beautiful campus, and hometown atmosphere. My dad used to be mad that I chose North Texas over his beloved Aggieland, but now, he says it was the best decision I could have made. So be a Horns fan if you will, but don't if you're that fair weather, don't bother calling yourself a Mean Green fan.

1. Lots of reps in game situations (that takes time). 2. Quick, easy passes that are pretty much guaranteed catches. This will help build his confidence and then you can slowly work him up to the deep ball. I don't think his shoulder is where it needs to be right now anyway. Plus, with the D stacking the line, you've got some holes opened up on some short routes. Take advantage of those and you can nickel and dime them to death. This will also allow our D to rest more, and give them a better chance at stopping the opposing offense.

I'll have to disagree with you on that one. Recruits want to play at Kyle Field and the Horeshoe because of the traditions of those schools and stadiums, but most importantly, because of the COACHES and their ability to showcase their talent enough to attract NFL scouts. You also mention the crowd.... Fouts was pretty loud last night, especially on the students side. And think about the NMS game a few years ago, or Baylor year before last. When Fouts is full, Fouts is loud. Our new stadium won't seat that many more fans than Fouts currently does. Yes, it will be larger, but not the 80K+ stadium you're referring to in Kyle Field. Players get "jacked up" for a game because they've got 70-90K people screaming and supporting them. It's going to take us a while to build that kind of support, and a new stadium is not going to cure all of our ills. Know why JMo picked North Texas? It's not because of our facilities. He chose North Texas for academic reasons. And it's the smart ones who excel and make it to the NFL. Our new Athletic Center and Academic Center will help just as much, if not more, than a new stadium.

I agree with you. In no way do I want to diminish the accomplishments of DD and the '01-'04 teams. They have played well, winning where they need to, and brought our university notariety on a level we haven't seen since Hayden Fry's team beat Tennessee. However, I think DD can only do so much with the team. From things I'm hearing, he's lost the team. *ducks and covers*

Thanks for the pep talk, but it's not all as happy as you make it sound. You mentioned that the Oline needed coaching - I think that's where the problems lie. We need the coaches to actually do their job and coach! I'm not saying I could do it, and I realize that since I don't have experience, I shouldn't throw stones, but look to nearly any other D-1A coach out there and you'll see what I mean. Quotes after the game by DD say Troy was a good team. They were not that good! It's just an excuse for a loss, just like we've heard for Tulsa and K-State. Same song, third verse. It's the song that never ends... I want to hear some people take responsibility for the loss. It shouldn't be JQ because although he did muff that PR, he worked his butt off to make up for that play the rest of the night. The ball was heading into the wind and probably was moving a bit on him. He still should have had it, but the loss was not his fault. I understand that teams have down years, but usually you're aware you'll have problems before the season starts. With as much talent as there is on that team, we should be playing better. What frustrates me the most though, is that we're not giving PC a good sendoff. He deserves another winning season. He's poured his heart and soul into North Texas and given it everything he's got. He's still a workhorse for us this season. But even his amazing accomplishment of becoming the all-time leading rusher at North Texas has been overshadowed by our losses. PC deserves better. JQ deserves better. They all deserve better.

Doesn't stop people from bringing them to the games though. Can you imagine how cool it would look for North Texas to score a touchdown and have the cameras pan around to the deluge of tortillas from the students and alumni sides? *sigh* A girl can dream, right?

Regardless of whether or not he likes RV, I don't see how he can say RV doesn't support football. The man attends every single football game, and at home games even steps in to help sell or check tickets at the gates (I know how some of you feel about this, but please save that for another thread.) In addition, he walks around during tailgating, talking to any fan who wants to bend his ear, encouraging them to enjoy themselves and show their school spirit. How is that not supporting football? If memory serves me correctly, wasn't he once a football coach himself? RV supports all North Texas athletics with the same enthusiasm and spirit as many on this board - and more than some. If you don't like some of RV's policies, fine. But don't accuse him of not supporting football unless you've got a leg to stand on.

Wow! Fantastic letter by Rick. We are so lucky to have him as the AD. See you at the game!

TEXAS!!!!

No more sick days for me I'll be off by 5-6pm (hopefully) and luckily it only takes 5 minutes to get to Fouts. May have to leave the game early though.... stupid graduate level homework.....

OK... please don't beat me up over this one, but Texas is not THE state school. Texas A&M University was founded before Texas, 1876 and 1880.

Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry German Occupation: Technical Writer for an educational software company. Also, currently working on my Masters in Technical Writing from North Texas. In case you didn't know, North Texas has one of the top Technical Writing programs in the country and focuses almost entirely on real-world experience. Just something else about NT for you to be proud of. Husband: B.B.A in Marketing Currently working at Best Buy doing retail. He's thinking of going back to get his teacher certificate to teach HS Government and Economics.

While watching the Baylor TAMU game, I got a chance to see their commercials. Nothing flashy, but very powerful. TAMU's was excellent - it had former president George Bush talking about why he chose TAMU for his presidential library, and they showed some excellent aerial shots of the campus. Baylor's was very good as well. Neither commercial looked like it cost top dollar, but they were very crisp, very clean, and had good tag lines. North Texas doesn't need to spend $1000s on a commercial - we just need one with updated photos and shots of the new buildings, and students or someone talking about the spirit and pride of North Texas. Academically, we have a lot to be proud of (as I tell anyone who asks) and we should do a better job of showcasing that.

They actually said on the report that Kansas State beat North Texas 57-4. It's not much, but give us those 3 points!

K, mine's not quite that bad, but here it goes... I was taking the Neuropsychopharmacology class (it's actually really good) and all through the semester we'd had multiple-choice questions on the exams. For the final, our professor gave us a 5 question essay exam. He didn't show up for the final until 30 minutes after it was scheduled to start. We all feverishly worked to answer the questions, but each one had multiple parts, so it was taking forever. The professor announced when we had 30 minutes left. No one had finished with question 3. And then, the professor said "It shouldn't take you so long! All you have to do is list answers." Well, we explained to him that essay doesn't mean list, and they are two very different things. Most of us didn't finish the exam on time. He did give us an extra 30 minutes since he was late, but anyone who had a final directly after that one was basically screwed. I have to say, that was the hardest exam I ever took - and that includes the Organic Chemistry exams!

*sigh* Ain't it beautiful? The Athletics Center and Victory Hall are both absolutely beautiful. I can't imagine any recruit coming to North Texas and scoffing at the new facilities. Add that to the incredible Rec Center (which I know athletes don't use as often, but it's certainly a perk if you aren't an athlete), the new Chem building, and the soon-to-be $18 million Wellness Center and we have some of the nicest facilities in the area. I know many of you are disappointed that we don't have a new stadium, but honestly, with the new turf at Fouts and the improvements to the Ben E. Keith Deck and new paint job, I can live with Fouts for another 4 or 5 years.

I don't think anyone has this year, but Troy did beat Marshall last year. On the whole, we don't really have any teams who can consistently, or even semi-frequently, beat OOC 1-A teams. In general, this conference has a long ways to go before we get any respect. And the way the teams are playing this year, I'm not sure that we deserve any respect yet.