SUMG

How long is this signing period (for jucos)? It's more than a day, isn't it????

Guys....don't get me wrong....I wish we were playing Division I opponents, too. These kind of games really don't help you in the long run. As you say, they don't even count in Sagarin and other RPI ratings.

I've heard that before, MGBuzz. But, I don't think it's correct information. For one thing, I think you can only play one exhibition, and we've already played ours (Texas College). Like I said, I've heard that before....but don't think it's correct. Well, I'll say this, I bet that we consider them regular games, and they will count against our record. Maybe JCC and Belhaven consider them exhibitions. Is that possible???

Here's the story and Box Score from the official site: http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...p;ATCLID=727810

Rick.......that was Kinky Friedman's merchandise trailer during the campaign. It was called the "Gov Bug".

Way to go, Brian! What is this....his 2nd or 3rd Pro Bowl????? Also, four Cowboys are going: Tony Romo, Roy Williams, Demarcus Ware and Matt McBriar.

MIAMI - Mario Cristobal has been named the Golden Panther’s new football coach, Florida International University athletics officials announced today. Cristobal, former offensive line coach at the University of Miami, is the second head coach in FIU’s brief football history. “We are very pleased to hire Mario Cristobal as the head coach who will lead this program to higher levels,” FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia said. “He has all the qualities we were looking for in a head coach -- character, integrity, work ethic and passion. We are confident he will lead this program in a manner that this University, alumni and the South Florida community will be proud of.” A Miami native and graduate of Christopher Columbus High School, Cristobal, 36, is regarded as one of the top recruiters and coaches in college football. Cristobal comes to FIU from the University of Miami, where he coached the tight ends in 2004 and 2005 before taking over as offensive line coach in 2006 on Larry Coker’s staff. Cristobal took over an offensive line this past season that featured four new starters, including a true sophomore at left tackle and a true freshman at right tackle. Despite coaching a unit wrought with inexperience and riddled by injuries throughout the season, the UM offense saw a 39 percent decrease in sacks given up from 36 to 22, only seven of which the offensive line was deemed responsible for. Over the last three years Cristobal helped develop tight end Kevin Everett into the Buffalo Bills’ 2005 second round pick, 2006 NFL free agent signee tight end Buck Ortega, and 2006 First Team All-ACC tight end Greg Olsen. Cristobal also mentored true freshman right tackle Jason Fox, a 2006 Rivals.com Second Team Freshman All-American. “Mario will bring a lot of energy to the table at FIU,” Coker said. “He is a great recruiter and a great coach. Most importantly, he’s a great person. He is a genuine, classy and good person.” Cristobal played out his high school career at Columbus High School before coming to the University of Miami as an offensive lineman. He played in four bowl games with the Hurricanes, and as a senior in 1992, earned All-Big East honors as an offensive tackle. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Cristobal signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent and participated in preseason camp. He spent two years playing for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe before starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami in 1998. He spent three years at Miami working with the offensive line as a graduate assistant under Butch Davis, who is now the head coach at North Carolina. “Mario Cristobal is an exceptional man with a great passion for football and people,” Davis said. “He is an excellent recruiter and coach who has been around great football programs and I believe is an excellent choice for FIU. Coach Cristobal will make a huge impact on the program and will be dynamic in South Florida.” Cristobal moved on to Rutgers as the tight ends and offensive line coach under head coach Greg Schiano in 2001. He was credited with helping bring Rutgers back to respectability from records of 2-9 and 1-11 to a 5-7 mark in 2003, their best year since 1998. Cristobal also mentored tight end L.J. Smith, who was a drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003. “I knew early in my relationship with Mario that someday he would be a head coach,” Schiano said. “FIU has landed a great man for the job.” In 2004, Cristobal returned to his alma mater and joined Miami as the tight ends coach before taking over the offensive line in 2006.

I have no idea, if we'll sign any jucos. But, while researching some juco players....I found the all-conference team for that juco league which features Kilgore JC, Tyler JC, NE Oklahoma, Navarro, Trinity Valley CC and others. (schools where we have recruited before). There's a Denton Liberty Christian player on here who made first team O Line, down at Blinn, and a LB from Celina who was first team Defense at TVCC. Here's the All Conference Team for the SWJCFC: 2006 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Awards Offensive MVP: John Weed, QB, Tyler, Soph. Defensive MVP: Terrance Gaston, OLB, NEO, Soph. SWJCFC Player of the Year: John Weed, QB, Tyler, Soph. Coach of the Year: Brad Franchione, Blinn. --- All-Conference Offense Center: Blake Green, NEO, 6-0, 265, Soph., Oologah, Okla. Offensive Tackle: Jacob Patton, TVCC, 6-5, 290, Soph., Lewisville Hebron; Ricky McNatt, Cisco, 6-0, 280, RS-Fr., Cisco; Jake Johnson, Blinn, 6-7, 270, Soph., Tidehaven. Offensive Guard: Brandon Medelberg, Blinn, 6-3, 312, Soph., Denton Liberty; Aaron Hunter, Kilgore, 6-2, 290, Soph., Dallas Kimball. Tight End: Bryan Smith, Tyler, 6-3, 245, Soph., Marble Falls. Wide Receiver: Dorian Williams, Cisco, 6-2, 180, Fr., Bay City. Wide Receiver: Johnny Knox, Tyler, 6-1, 163, Soph., Channelview; Carl Johnson, Blinn, 6-1, 220, Soph., New Orleans, La. Running Back: Jacques Crawford, RB, Cisco, 6-0, 211, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.; Bernard Scott, RB, Blinn, 5-10, 187, Soph., Wichita Falls. Fullback: Kyle Roget, Tyler, 6-3, 210, Fr., Arlington Grace Prep. Quarterback: John Weed, Tyler, 6-4, 208, Soph., Cy-Creek. Punter: Ryan Butler, TVCC, 5-9, 180, Fr., Nederland. Kicker: Sinisa Vrvilo, TVCC, 6-2, 230, Soph., Ft. Worth South Hills. Return Specialist: Wayne McKnight, TVCC, 5-10, 185, Soph., Cedar Hill. --- All-Conference Defense Defensive Tackle: John Olie, Navarro, 6-2, 230, Soph., L.D. Bell; Adrian Johnson, Kilgore, 6-3, 285, Fr., Tyler. Defensive End: Alex Cook, Blinn, 6-3, 225, Soph., St. Petersburg, Fla.; Paul Briscoe, Tyler, 6-3, 230, Soph., Dickinson. Inside Linebacker: Jacob Martin, TVCC, 6-1, 240, Soph., Celina; Giorgio Majors, Kilgore, 6-0, 210, Soph., Alief Elsik. Outside Linebacker: Jacob Bane, TVCC, 6-1, 230, Soph., Rogers; Terrance Gadson, NEO, 6-4, 230, Soph., Ft. Gibson, Okla. Cornerback: Arseel Shakoor, TVCC, 6-1, 185, Soph., Pflugerville Connally; Ryan Mouton, Blinn, 5-9, 185, Soph., Katy. Safety: Nevin McKenzie, TVCC, 6-2, 205, Soph., San Antonio Jay; Walner Leandre, Blinn, 6-1, 216, Soph., Tampa, Fla. Special Teams: Jeremy Jackson, Blinn, 5-10, 185, Soph., Cedar Hill.

Well I hate to tell you, but if we can't beat UNO in front of a raucous crowd of 458......we sure the hell ain't beating WKU. As a matter of fact, that one probably won't be that close.

Actually Jeff....I think we play Bellhaven. And a loss to Belmont isn't that shocking, from what I just read: Belmont is a Division I school, located in Nashville. They are in the Atlantic Sun Conference, won 20 games last year, and lost to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

I agree with my friend PlummMeanGreen and might I add this: It's not just non-BCS schools which can be stepping stones. Think about these schools: Alabama: lost Franchione to A & M LSU: lost Nick Saban to the Dolphins Florida: lost Spurrier to the Redskins There are rumors that Pete Carroll, may leave USC to take the Arizona Cardinals' job (and be reunited with Matty Leinhart). So, we all are in the same boat. If a better offer comes along, any college can lose a coach.

Jack, Green Lantern posted that the contract was signed on December 12th, but doesn't take effect until December 26.

I think that Justin Hill (Lake Dallas) recently committed to Rice....but that was pre-Todd Dodge. So, maybe he will have a change of mind, if we are interested in the kid, and recruit him. Scottie (from the Voy Board) has seen him play several times....his wife teaches there. He knows more about it, but I believe he told me that Hill wants to stay close to home, but at the time North Texas had not contacted him (once again that was pre-Dodge).

Hey Radiogreen, Was it still pretty busy when you called? This morning I had to stay on hold for a good while (7-8 minutes). Anyway, not complaining about holding at all. Glad to see the phones were busy.....hope they still are.

This morning, a nice young lady (Jackie) took my order for 2007-2008 season tickets, as well as a MGC membership. And the phone lines were busy. Note: I wasn't a renewal, as I had let my tickets and MGC lapse this year. So all of you who will be renewing both tickets and MGC should get renewal notices, as per usual. But for those of us who didn't have tickets or MGC this year or some of you who have never had either....you can sure make your purchases today. Phone: 1-800-UNT-2366 The University just made a big commitment to Athletics......let's all step up and do our part, as fans. john

Say what???????? I don't follow you. Criteria of what contract? And, methinks that playing the Hoggies in Fayetteville...is a money game.

Jeff they are already taking orders.......online: http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...00&ATCLID=67186

Is that Mitch Maher in the one at the bottom (right)? Anyone know who he is talking to there? Edit: (After looking at the caption....I now see it's Mitch talking to Troy Redwine.....both great players for us)> Here's the pics: http://www.meangreensports.com/PhotoAlbum....800&PALBID=6752

Listening on KNTU....sounds like there's a great crowd there. Dave Barnett is introducing the event.

(I found this to be really interesting. I think we have us a winner, folks. Here's the story posted by Scottie on the Voy Board.): Several thousand insurance salespeople from across the nation gathered in a Dallas hotel for a company party on New Year's Day. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, the scheduled speaker, was to pump them up for big sales in the coming year. But first there was another speaker, someone most of them did not know: a guy named Todd Dodge. "That's that high school coach, right?" a man in the audience asked the person beside him. "I don't know," came the answer. Soon they would. Dodge is the Carroll Dragons football coach who was named USA Today National Coach of the Year last month after his team won the Texas Class 5A Division II championship. As he was introduced, Dodge, wearing a dark business suit, stood quietly in a corner. Nearby, Staubach waited his turn. When the audience learned that Dodge's team was 47-1 in the past three seasons, many in the audience shouted, "Wow!" As Dodge walked to the podium, the applause was light. He would need to prove himself. Few understand success like insurance salespeople. In their world, you produce or else. Not unlike Texas high school football. As Dodge spoke, he began winning over his audience. Not unlike the way he has won over players, parents and members of the Southlake community. His principles of success are worth noting, I believe, because the same principles can apply to business or life practices. Here is a summary of Todd Dodge's 10 principles: 1. Never underestimate the power of kindness. One small gesture can change a life forever. "People wonder what compassion has to do with football," Dodge said. When you enter his locker room, Dodge said, "Check your ego at the door. It's what I can do for someone else; not what everybody has got to do for me." 2. Kill the will of your opponent. Every team has a great desire to win. It's your job to wear the opponent down so that by the fourth quarter the opposition has nothing left. But you do. 3. Remember that success can come through short bursts of high-intensity effort. If you play 100 percent for seven seconds every time the football is snapped, "that's really only about eight minutes of playing full speed if you really think about it." 4. Visualize the game before you play it. Picture yourself playing the perfect game. He tells the quarterback, "You're going to throw seven touchdown passes." He tells the linebacker, "You're going to make the perfect tackle." When you visualize, don't let a negative thought come into your mind. 5. Know that every close game will be decided by the kicking game. It's often less-glamorous factors of a job, factors sometimes overlooked, that make the ultimate difference in success or failure. 6. Stay true. Never give up. Never give up on a play, on a series or on your teammates. Before every game, he tells his players: "Believe in yourself. If we get behind, the greatest comeback in high school football history may happen today." 7. Be result-oriented. Expect to see something you haven't seen before from the opposition. You can't say, "Coach, you didn't show us that." You must be ready to adapt during a game. 8. What you do is so loud that I can't hear what you say. "Let your playing do the talking," he said. "We don't want to be doing a bunch of mouthing out on the field." 9. Never criticize, but always encourage your teammates. Dodge said, "I never understood in football that when someone scores a touchdown everybody on the team wants to be around them. They don't need you when they score a touchdown. When they throw the interception, when they fumble the ball, when they miss a tackle, that's when they need you." 10. Show class and poise after the game. When the contest ends, shake the hands of opponents and show gratitude to your fans and supporters. When Dodge finished, audience members, now Dodge fans, showed appreciation by giving him a standing ovation. Staubach was up next. He looked out at the large crowd, grinned and began his talk by asking, "How do you follow a guy who was 47-1?"

Buford is correct....the students voted to spend $1 million for the extra seats (they ended up costing less than....$600,000-700,000, as I recall). Also, once that went through....we then had to go to the Texas College Coordinating Board for approval to do the expansion. They approved it....under this restriction: The school had to repay the money the students had approved. And, the school did repay (through donations). So, in effect, the money the students voted in, via a referendum....ended up being a loan. And MG '07.....that rule had been around for a while (the 30,000 stadium rule). What made it a short time frame, was that you had to declare what year you wanted to qualify in. So once we decided on '94.....we had from the end of the '93 season to the start of '94....to get those seats in. It didn't take too long (a couple of months, as I recall).

Mean and Green '07.... You seem to be missing the point, buddy. The leadership had to get the stadium up to 30,000 seats for the '94 season. They didn't have the time, to worry about quality or long term vision. So, I have no fault with the leadership back then (on this). They did what they had to do, with the money they had, and in a short time frame. We qualified for 1-A, so it worked out all right.

Ironically, the seats in the Super Pit were originally Orange because they were cheaper than green. ←

It was done very cheaply, as I recall. We got those 10,000 seats for less than $700,000 grand. And the reason they were done that way....was because of the track. Back then, you had to have the 30,000 seat stadium, and the powers that be did what they could, to get us there. And those seats aren't that bad, if you have binoculars that are as powerful as the Hubble Telescope.

Our team has a good record at this point...and some wins over some nice teams (Charlotte, Tulsa---which beat ORU who had beaten Kansas; and Rice). But like NDT......I'll be cautiously optimistic. We have a very weak schedule. Other than WKU....we don't play another good team in December. Nicholls, Jarvis Christian and Bellhaven......are all patsies. Denver and New Orleans are lousy this year....so WKU is our only good team on the schedule for a while. So, we should continue to rack up some wins, and have a nice record. Remember this.....Tina was 12-2 at one point last year. Hey our men, were 12-6 at one point last year, as well. So, I can definitely see where NDT is coming from, and agree with a lot of what he has to say on this. And would add that.....a pretty record isn't gonna mean #### if we don't see postseason action of some kind (NIT or NCAA). And postseason action, SHOULD BE EXPECTED in a coach's 6th year (if he hadn't already been there, before).