MeanGreen61

Football: Heeding the call Mean Green hope area's best will follow Dodge to UNT 10:24 PM CST on Sunday, December 17, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Todd Dodge has spent almost his entire coaching career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with stops in Southlake, Keller and Carrollton, not to mention North Texas. That familiarity could pay off for UNT's new head coach in the coming weeks as he begins the task of putting together his first recruiting class with the Mean Green. “We have to get into the Dallas area from a recruiting standpoint,” said Dodge, who was introduced as UNT’s next head coach last week. “That is very important.” It’s a task several high school coaches and recruiting experts believe Dodge can handle because of his connections and reputation. Dodge has won three Class 5A state titles at Carroll and has the Dragons on the verge of a fourth after a 38-0 win over Allen on Saturday. Carroll will face Austin Westlake in the Class 5A Division I state title game on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. “There is no doubt that signing Dodge will help North Texas recruit the Metroplex better,” said Jeremy Crabtree, a recruiting expert for Rivals.com, a Web site that covers college football recruiting nationally. “It was perplexing that North Texas was not more involved with the kids in that area before. It will be a priority for Dodge. He would be crazy not to make it a priority. There is enough talent there for UNT to get 10-15 kids a year out of Dallas.” UNT landed a few impact players from the Dallas area under former head coach Darrell Dickey, including linebacker Cody Spencer and offensive lineman Nick Zuniga, but had gone two years without signing a player ranked in The Dallas Morning News’ list of the top 100 recruits in the area. Rivals.com ranked UNT's recruiting class No. 111 in its national rankings last season. Dodge certainly will know where to look to find some of the area’s top players. He not only coached at Carroll since 2000, he also was the head coach at Keller Fossil Ridge, Carrollton Newman Smith and Cameron Yoe after spending a two-year stint as an assistant at UNT. Dodge’s summer camp for quarterbacks and receivers at Carroll annually drew dozens of the area’s top players. “I know just about every head coach in the Dallas area and a whole lot of them are friends,” Dodge said. “I have a great relationship with the coaches not only in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but across the state. There are players across the state, quarterbacks and receivers, who have been to our camp. I have a good feel for evaluating players in the area.” Several of the area’s coaches believe Dodge will get more than his share of the best players from the Mextroplex. “I know he will get some good players from Dallas-Fort Worth,” Keller Fossil Ridge coach Hal Wasson said. “Coach Dodge’s reputation precedes him. The high school coaches respect him. When you go to a coaching clinic, his sessions are overflowing.” Those coaches are expecting to see their old friend and his staff visiting their campuses in the next few weeks to find the players Dodge will need to implement his passing offense at UNT. Dodge’s spread offense could help the Mean Green almost as much as his reputation and connections when it comes to recruiting. More and more of the high school programs across the state are running spread offenses. Players in those systems could find continuing their careers at UNT a little more attractive now that Dodge is set to take over. UNT relied on a running-based offense under Dickey. Dallas-Fort Worth is not only one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the country; it is also one of the most competitive. SMU and TCU are located in the area and nearly every Division I team in the country recruits Dallas-Fort Worth. Despite the high number of coaches scouring the area, Dodge should get his share of players. "Todd will bring instant creditability with the kids, the parents and the high school coaches across the state," Ryan coach Joey Florence said. "The connections college coaches have with the high school staffs are vital. … It will be a great hire for recruiting." One of the interesting storylines for next season in recruiting will be where Carroll quarterback Riley Dodge ends up. Crabtree said Todd Dodge's son would be among the state’s top-ranked quarterbacks next season when he will be a senior. “It will be interesting to see what Riley does,” Crabtree said of the 5-11, 168-pound junior. “He isn’t that big, but neither was [Missouri starting quarterback] Chase Daniel. Riley will be one of the top quarterback recruits in the state. He isn’t that tall, but with quarterbacks, if you’ve got it, you’ve got it.” Crabtree is among a few experts who believe more players of Riley Dodge’s caliber will commit to UNT in the near future. “North Texas will be able to compete for the players who are going to the Tulsas and SMUs of the world and might be able to compete with the Big 12 schools,” Crabtree said. “If you are a UNT fan you want to see the school competing with Big 12 teams like Kansas and Kansas State. They are in position to move up the recruiting pecking order quite a bit.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com. Print E-mail this article Forums

If RC gets the head coaching job will he hire DD and his offensive co-ordinator?

What's validated for you may not be validated for us We'll wait & see, but again WKU to Fouts.

Dolphins TE coach Dooley headed for La. Tech By Mark Schlabach - ESPN - December 17, 2006 Louisiana Tech has hired Miami Dolphins tight ends coach Derek Dooley as its new football coach, according to several people close to the situation. Dooley, the son of former Georgia football coach and athletics director Vince Dooley, will be introduced as Louisiana Tech's new coach at a news conference in Ruston, La., on Monday. Dooley, who has coached for the Dolphins the last two seasons, is in Buffalo for Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game against the Bills. He will finish the NFL season with the Dolphins before beginning his full-time duties at Louisiana Tech. Dooley has worked the last seven seasons under Dolphins coach Nick Saban, including the first five at LSU. Dooley coached the Tigers' running backs and was special teams coordinator during their 2003 national championship season. He also worked as the team's tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for three seasons. Dooley, who played football at the University of Virginia and earned his law degree at Georgia, also coached wide receivers at SMU for three seasons from 1997 to 1999. Dooley replaces former Louisiana Tech coach Jack Bicknell, who was fired Dec. 4 after the Bulldogs finished 3-10, 1-7 in the WAC. Bicknell had a 42-53 record in eight seasons at the school. Dooley met with Louisiana Tech athletics director Jim Oakes and other school officials in Miami on Thursday night. The Bulldogs interviewed several candidates for the position, including LSU wide receivers coach Todd Monken, LSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin and Division II Valdosta (Ga.) State coach Chris Hatcher. Louisiana Tech officials also gauged the interest of Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, a former LSU and Miami Dolphins assistant under Saban, but he indicated he wasn't interested in the job.

If anywhere, WKU will be playing in Denton.

Fouts looks much better when it's FULL

Frogies shootin' arrows at TD. Me thinks they're a tad jealous. http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index....=0entry574012

Didn't Allen lose their QB to injury early in the game ?

Frog thread discussing Houston Chronicle article. Naturally they make reference to UNT's facilities. Hmmmmmm. Wonder how our AC stacks up against theirs Don't players spend more time there then actually at the stadium? Just a thought. http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index....showtopic=63915

Thread from Cougar board. http://mb17.scout.com/fcoogfansfrm1.showMe...start=1&stop=20

Darrell Dickey, North Texas University former head coach: Four-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year selection needs a job. Ramon Flanigan, former offensive coordinator at North Texas: Played QB at SMU.

Mean Green will really be MEAN

December 16 Houston Chronicle article. Snead likes what he sees at UH QB is hoping to make decision before January By MICHAEL MURPHY Houston Chronicle Jevan Snead is in Oxford, Miss., visiting the Mississippi Rebels, but the former Texas Longhorns quarterback was impressed by what he saw during Thursday's visit with the Houston Cougars. "The facilities are great, especially the indoor facility (the Athletics/Alumni Center) and the weight room," Snead said. "And all the coaches really seemed like great people. They know what they're talking about, which should be obvious by the success they've had (winning the Conference USA championship and going to the Liberty Bowl). I was excited to be there." Snead, a freshman who also is considering Louisville, would like to transfer at midterm, but he's going to digest everything before making a decision. "I'm going to take my time," Snead said. "I have a lot of things I need to figure out. Hopefully, I'll make my decision before January. That would be ideal." After losing the battle to Colt McCoy to become Texas' starting quarterback this season, Snead decided to transfer. "I don't think it's going to be just one thing," said Snead of what he's weighing when choosing a new school. "It's going to be the whole place, the whole environment. I want my family to be involved (in the decision), too. "I'm just looking for a program that I can win in. And I'd like to go to a place where I can use my skills and then make it to the next level (in the NFL)."

Gotta love it !

Off the Rice board ! http://www.ncaabbs.com/forums/cusa/phpbb/v...pic.php?t=44732 Maybe the Todd Dodge appeal is too great. Look for UNT in the NO Bowl next year, and pity the team facing them.

Maybe you're a little to quick to dismiss him as a "I player". He went to UA expecting to play in a particular type of offense and it ain't happening. Maybe he wants out because he feels he was sold a package that ain't gonna be.

Welcome aboard !

Seems some Arkansas freshmen are unhappy because they thought they'd be playing in a spread offense for the Razorbacks. One receiver now has a release to xfer. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The mother of Arkansas freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain said Wednesday that players' parents who expressed concern about the Razorbacks' offense respect coach Houston Nutt's prerogative to shape the team's strategy. The team's offense was discussed in a meeting between athletic director Frank Broyles and the parents of several freshmen. Beck Campbell, Mustain's mother, said in a statement that she discussed concerns about her son's future as a football player. Campbell said she did not seek promises or guarantees, and that playing time was not an issue. "It was agreed by all parties involved that the head coach has the valid right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the team would develop," she said. The No. 12 Razorbacks rode the running of Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, another 1,000-yard rusher, to a surprising Southeastern Conference title game appearance this season. Campbell, along with the parents of tight end Ben Cleveland and receiver Damian Williams, visited Broyles last week. The three athletes played together at Springdale High School last year under Razorbacks offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who was hired by Nutt after the 2005 season. On Wednesday night, Nutt said Williams will be given his release to transfer. Freshman QB Mitch Mustain came to Arkansas as a top recruit. (US PRESSWIRE) At Springdale, Malzahn used a spread offense that leaned heavily on the passing game. Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting. "Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year," Cleveland told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity." Williams caught 19 passes this year for 235 yards while Ben Cleveland caught 11 for 98 yards. Both were named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. Only one Arkansas receiver has caught more than 60 passes in a year. Mustain started eight games for the Razorbacks -- all wins -- before being replaced late in the season by Casey Dick. Rick Cleveland described the situation as "fluid" when discussing the possibility any of the Springdale players could transfer. Nutt has not talked about the complaints. Broyles said he had told the parents to meet with Nutt, but they came to his office anyway and he "didn't want to be rude." He has not discussed the details of the meeting. Mustain was the Parade magazine high school Player of the Year in 2005 and one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation before signing with Arkansas. Malzahn became Arkansas' offensive coordinator shortly before Mustain signed. Campbell said Mustain "loves his teammates, and he feels a deep sense of regret and sadness that his presence on this team has created a division in a state he loves." The Razorbacks face No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day. AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index....opic=63872&st=0

SPORTS Colleges: North Texas Former Texas QB Snead considering visit to UNT 11:47 PM CST on Thursday, December 14, 2006 DENTON – Stephenville coach Chad Morris said former Texas quarterback Jevan Snead might add UNT to his list of schools. Snead has visited TCU and Houston and is scheduled to meet with coaches at Mississippi today. Morris said UNT's decision to hire Southlake Carroll's Todd Dodge, who will install a spread offense, caught Snead's interest

Do we really know/realize how much the hiring of Todd Dodge is causing the name of North Texas to be spoken around the state ? I've never seen this much to-do about North Texas on message boards, in newspapers all over the state and just plain old person to person discussions. Heck, a planned media blitz by a top-notch ad agency wouldn't even come close to producing the publicity that we've seen. North Texas has never been a topic, much less any type of hot topic in Corpus Christi. We had a nice size article in the local paper about TD's hire. A total stranger saw my NT hat at the grocery, came over & commented "UNT has a new coach". He then cited TD's 74-1 record at SLC and congratulated me on the hire. Then I got another "hey North Texas" in the checkout line. Rest assured that TD's hire got people's attention and they are gonna be watching ! Maybe more than we realize !

Dodge's UNT deal worth $265K 03:22 AM CST on Thursday, December 14, 2006 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON – Todd Dodge signed a five-year contract with North Texas on Tuesday that includes a base salary of $185,000 and incentives that could push his annual compensation past $265,000. The Southlake Carroll coach was introduced Tuesday as the Mean Green's 16th coach. The deal, which begins Dec. 26, runs through the 2011 season. Dodge will take over at UNT after he finishes the Carroll season. The Dragons face Allen in the Class 5A Division I semifinals on Saturday at Texas Stadium. Dodge's salary for the 2005-06 school year at Carroll was $90,101. At UNT, Dodge will receive a $30,000 radio stipend, a $25,000 payment for maintaining membership in the NCAA and the Sun Belt Conference and a $20,000 bonus for completing each season. Dodge also will receive a $6,000 car allowance. The contract also includes a bonus for the number of season tickets UNT sells. Dodge will receive $5,000 if the school sells between 5,000-7,499 season tickets. The total doubles if it sells 7,500. An additional $10,000 would be added if UNT sells 10,000 tickets. Dodge would also receive $25,000 for winning the Sun Belt title and playing in a bowl game. The contract includes a clause that would protect UNT if Dodge were hired away by another program. Dodge would have to pay UNT an amount equal to one year's base salary if he leaves before the end of the contract on Aug. 31, 2012. Former UNT head coach Darrell Dickey who was fired Nov. 8 was paid a base salary of $187,425 plus incentives last season.

Good post. Amazing that the 2nd guessing, questioning, etc. has already started and the man actually isn't here yet. Let him finish the season, hopefully with another championship, then turn his full attention the NT. Some need to take a pill, chill and just kick back without looking for something to worry about.

Exactly. A coaching hire at North Texas getting this much space in the Caller-Times is unbeleivable. NT rarely gets mentioned here unless they play a Big XII team.

Good size article in the CC Caller-Times. TD's hire is really news areound the state when his hire gets this much ink in Corpus Christi/South Texas ! North Texas hires top Texas H.S. coach By DAVID JIMENEZ Associated Press Writer DENTON, Texas (AP) -- Todd Dodge was hired as coach at North Texas on Tuesday, making the rare jump from high school to Division I-A after an unprecedented run of success at Southlake Carroll. Dodge, a former Texas quarterback, has coached Carroll to a 77-1 record in Texas' highest classification. The Dragons have won 46 consecutive games and are two wins from their third straight state title and fourth in five years. They have a 50-game regular-season winning streak and are the only school to win a state title in their first year in Class 5A. "I'm representing Texas high school coaches," Dodge said in a news conference in front of about 150 North Texas boosters and fans. "It's not very often that a guy like me gets an opportunity like this." Dodge was the offensive coordinator at UNT in 1992-93 before returning to high schools to start his head coaching career. Last year, he interviewed with Bill Parcells for an opening on the Dallas Cowboys staff, and he turned down an invitation to interview for the opening at Rice. "All those were flattering," said Dodge, who admitted he thought the call from Parcells was a joke being played on him by a fellow coach. "Last year about this time Rice called and showed interest in me. It was one of those deals that didn't fit my family at the time." Dodge replaces Darrell Dickey, who was fired midway through a 3-9 season that left him with a 42-64 record over nine years. Dodge was hired for his first stint at North Texas by Dennis Parker, who was a successful high school football coach who made the leap to collegiate coaching with the Mean Green. "The goals and standards that coach Todd Dodge have established for his football program are exemplary as evidenced by his record of successes and national reputation," athletic director Rick Villarreal said. "He has a passion for the Mean Green and we are confident that he is the coach to elevate North Texas' football program." Under Dickey, the Mean Green went to the New Orleans Bowl as Sun Belt Conference champion four straight times from 2001-04 and featured a pair of running backs - Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas - who led the nation in rushing. But a second straight losing season was marked by dwindling attendance, bottoming out at 9,806 in the finale. North Texas averaged almost 16,000 fans per game, or about 30,000 fewer than the crowd for Carroll's 22-21 victory against Euless Trinity in a playoff thriller at Texas Stadium last month. The 46,339 fans for that game are thought to be the second-most for a high school game in Texas. The Dragons have been generating that kind of buzz for a several years with their four-receiver, no-huddle spread offense, also known as "Dodge Ball." If the hiring of a high school coach to run a Division I program raises questions, it won't be the first time Dodge's credentials were scrutinized. He had a losing record as a head coach when he started at Carroll, which won a state-record 72 straight regular season games in smaller classifications from 1986-94. Dodge lost his first three games, but he's 96-8 since. Dickey was fired just weeks after suffering a heart attack, prompting criticism from a prominent booster who demanded that the school rename a new practice facility after Dickey. UNT officials have said they plan to honor the request.