oldguystudent

Don't care. After last night, I'm looking forward, not back.

Thanks. I appreciated your time at the mic last night. Well spoken.

Who was the old guy that spoke last night about the need for a proper letterman's club? I think he nailed it when he spoke of what it means to be a student athlete. That this is a university, a place of education, and a "pretty darn good one." We should never lose that focus. It's a university first.

As an accountant myself, some of the words that Michael used like engagement letter and non-disclosure agreements suggest to me that he knows exactly what is going on, but is contractually bound to not speak of it.

He didn't blame the previous coaching staff in any way shape or form. He didn't make any excuses about what he's inherited. He acknowledged the reality of the situation, spoke honestly about short and long term realities of rebuilding. And was self deprecating to a fault. Booster: "Coach, what are you going to do to improve defense?" Coach: "I don't know. We've got the 115th best defense in the country, and I'm the 128th best head football coach. " Like this guy actually stood up there doing comic relief calling himself the worst coach in the nation who had no idea what he was doing. Then he started talking about what he was actually going to do. "I'm an offensive guy. When it came to hiring defensive coaches, I went out and found the guys I hated playing against." Translation: I'm delegating authority on aspects that aren't my forte. I went out and found the best. He talked about keeping local kids home. Talked about the insanity of not visiting every high school in the four surrounding counties. Spoke that every member of the coaching staff is required to actively recruit at all times. Talked about the importance of weight and conditioning coaches, not only because of the workouts but also because those are the only coaches the players see in the summer. Spoke of the pitfalls of playing a freshman quarterback, not just because he's younger, but because it's not fair to the player to throw him in to a position of that responsibility when he's still trying to learn his way around campus. He did acknowledge that he probably can't fix it in a year. Listed a few reasons why. None of them were excuses or self preservation. All of them were legitimate things that must be taken care of.

I'm more a Cialis type guy.

For the record, @UNT90 was articulate and respectful last night. Everybody was. While there was indeed a laundry list of concerns spoken by many last night, it wasn't a bitch session. It was 100 people in a room who genuinely care for the university taking opportunity for their voices to be heard. The older gentleman who spoke for having a proper letterman's club was really compelling. That guy needs to get on the motivational speaking circuit. He can tell some damn stories!

Coach Littrell, after the initial "Why not North Texas" remark, was hilarious and candid. Least amount of coachspeak I've ever heard from a football coach. I went up to him during the break, shook his hand and thanked him. He immediately looked me in the eye and said, "Thank YOU!" I think we may have something in this guy. I had opportunity to speak with Ernie one on one both before and after. Before, I told him, "Maybe you're not gonna like what I've got to say, but I feel like this is the only time I'm ever gonna have a voice," He listened, and said, "You need to make sure to voice what you've just told me. That's important." After, he came up to me, shook my hand, and said, "Don't give up. Keep coming." I'll keep some of the things he said to me to myself, but I came away believing that he's been grossly misrepresented on this board. He's the good guy. The tone was for the most part, much more civil than I thought it might be. Some people came with lists, some gave impassioned speeches. Everyone was heard. Nobody was shut down. George was the only person in the entire group who expressed...criticism for the people of this board complaining. His dedication to all things UNT borders on the religious. I came out of there feeling a renewed energy for UNT athletics, and have genuine hope that things may be turning a corner. Most importantly, I found parking without incident. Bonus. Before everything started, I got to go see the new union. It's still got that new union smell. It's glorious.

Gutter porn

Bottom line with the ticket office. This is the primary conduit for PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE UNT MONEY. It shouldn't be difficult. You shouldn't have to come to this message board to get the super secret backdoor phone number. You shouldn't be put on hold, transferred multiple times or ever, ever be told, "Um, I don't know who takes care of that." Before there are wins and losses, before there are coaching changes, before they update the flavors of beer in Apogee. MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE YOU MONEY Oops. Meant to put this on the "On hold with the ticket office" thread. Oh well. You get the idea.

Have you ever tried doing that? I haven't at football, but at basketball, I find it easier and more pleasant to exchange HUD settlement statements with my ex-wife.

NVM

My issues with operations and the ticket office are well known on this board. I'm trying to figure out how to present that in a respectful manner, assuming there is indeed an open forum and I get a moment to speak.

Off the record

I didn't get this email. I am sad. But seriously. How does the parking work?

There is no way in God's green earth that I am ever going on public record in a newspaper about any decisions for or against anything UNT athletics related.

Has anybody asked how parking works for this thing? Because what I totally need in my life is a parking ticket. Haven't had one for a while. Would add some spice to my otherwise mundane existence.

Is this thing open forum? Is it worth my time to jot down a few notes so as to be more articulate and less rambling? Or am I to expect to sit in a room listening to how great things are and how ignorant I am? ^^^^^Note #1: I've built up an incredible sense of distrust. Here's why.......

The only answer I've been able to come up with for that is Skladany. The reality of the 2013 season is that the defense was so stout, that it put the opposing defense on the field for too long. You could see the fatigue on the other teams in the second half. I have zero doubt in my mind that those very same players, recruited as freshmen and sophomores under Dodge, would've been neglected like their predecessors and given up 50+ points a game had there been no coaching change. Skladany is the variable in all the other constants.

For the record, the last time Smatresk appointed an AD, it was at UNLV. He appointed an AD employee as interim. She became the full-time AD five months later. Hank's campaign may just well work out. For him.

Since I have no idea, I probably did.

Let me tell you something. Before the ink even dried on my athletics agreement, I started getting solicitations acknowledging my "generous giving" from various and sundry university foundations, departments, schools, clubs, venues, and I think a university sponsored girl scout troop. They don't share information? My ass they don't share information.

I would therefore never take an over under bet that didn't end in 1/2. House is trying to get 50% on either side of the bet. If the team wins two, house takes 100% of all bets placed? Doesn't smell right. Now I'm about ready to get a flight to Vegas to go ask and get a definitive answer.

I'm honestly not convinced we've ever gotten our money's worth on these outside consultants. Ever.

In what capacity are they running it, and why am I not getting emails for it? I don't mean to sound cynical on this at all. I simply don't understand what's happening.