Maverick

UNT also got a commitment from Carthage's 6'5" WR Rutherford today. Both Denton Bound! Very Happy for these two young men and for UNT! They are both great guys and great talents!

LOL!

The NFL has the Rooney Rule, which basically means they have to interview a minority. This is to get minority coaches more opportunities to be seen, after all the hiring of coaches is a who you know business, on all levels, the idea is to get some top notch minority coaches in the door and maybe owners would see their skills and hire them or tell another owner what a good canidate they are, get there name out, etc. Now at first I hated that rule, but it does not require the team to hire the guy, just give em a shot. I say that because there is much talk about bringing that rule to the NCAA. To me, one who hates affirmative action, I like the rule. Most of the time there are good minority coaches that just need a litlle more exposure. This would give it to them without forcing the hand of the institution doing the hiring. Now the NFL will always be ahead of the NCAA, because of educational requirement, and the fact that the NFL does it's intern hiring almost solely on getting minorities involved. I have had several coaching friends who were turned down and told(off the record) that it was because they needed to hire a minority. And believe me, that is on all levels. I have seen coaches in high school that were only hired because they were a minority. Some were good coaches and some were horrible. When I was looking for my first job, there was a town about 15 miles from my hometown and they had an opening but, they put "looking for minority coaches" which left me out. I am not sure I like that, if it were reversed people would sue! BTW, I enjoyed beating those guys like a drum this year in the playoffs. I will say that being black does help with recruiting, but not a must. Kids will make up there mind based on other things first. Most of the big programs have really good black assistants who do an outstanding job in recruiting. But it does matter to kids, I know, I coach them and talk to them about why they make the decisions they do. To say that NT next coach needs to be black to me is a dumb one. 1st of all, you have a coach. One who I think is a good one(ok, don't shoot), but he needs time for a lot of reasons. Two, don't hire a coach on the basis of skin color. Hire them on whether or not you think they can lead your program. NT has had a black coach, where were the big name recruits? DD had been the best recruiter I have seen at NT.(look at the guys that went to the NFL) I am speaking of Head coaches, I am sure you will say that it wasn't DD but some of his assistants.

Simon did not get "lured" to Pitt. He was canned at NT, then went to the Broncos-Ravens-Chargers,(got a couple of Super Bowl Rings) but he is no longer with the Chargers, let go last off season. Not sure where he landed Some others: Steve Kragthorpe-Louisville-Via A&M, Boston College, Bills, Tulsa all after Leaving NT Jeff Ireland-GM for the Dolphins -Kicking coach in 93 Fred Bliel-Defensive Coordinator Texas State There are some more, plus the ones listed above. It seems leaving North Texas is a good for your coaching career!

3-A Carthage Bulldogs 9-2, my alma mater and my employer (Linebackers Coach). Beat Tatum 62-20 in the first round. Scored all 62 in the first half. Playing Lorena in Mansfield Friday night!

Varsity Football Coach (Running Backs)/Baseball coach and US History Teacher at Carthage ISD, Carthage, Texas This is current information as I have UHaul on speed dial! LOL! I have the greatest job in the world. IMO!

Rick, I think you and anyone else would be wasting there breath. If you think that goin from ANY high school to UNT is a demotion, you are just misinformed or uniformed. In this case I think she is just uniformed. How many times has she been to the Athletic complex? And evidently she has not been watching ESPN2 EVER! Todd Dodge is probably more informed about the two situations than she is and I garauntee you he doesn't feel as if it is a demotion. Let see, the SLC HC job is open, let's see a list of the canidates???? Let's look at the list of canidates we just had??? Ya, there the same! I guess Jim Harbaugh will be sending his resume to Carroll ISD. Doubt it. That article is why the Star Telegram is a second rate sports page compared to the DMN. And as far as seeing things in green color glasses, those people who think its a demotion are just uniformed about college coaching at this level. I am sure many of them will break out there Texas gear every saturday next year while there Tartleton, SFA, UT DALLAS, Sam Houston, (insert some other non football power house) degree hangs on the wall. I am a high school football coach, if I had the chance to be the Head coach at NT or any sunbelt school vs being the head coach at SLC, I would go to the four year university. Taking the NT job did not turn out too bad for Hayden. Hell, Even Matt Simon went on to get a Super Bowl ring, what former SLC coach went on the NFL! What former asst. coaches went on to coach at a div 1 bowl team? (insert Kragthorpe, Leftwich, Shultz here) I know there are many more, a prominant one at UCLA comes to mind. But don't let this poorly informed writer from a second rate paper get your dander up. TD will make them eat these words!

From the Old Coach Network www.theoldcoach.com With Dodge UNT Now A School To Consider For Recruits UNT gains name brand with Dodge By TRAE THOMPSON STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER South Grand Prairie wide receiver Trae Johnson has drawn interest from nine colleges but has no offers. When he heard that Carroll High School coach Todd Dodge was named head coach at North Texas on Tuesday, it became a school to consider. "Now that he's there, yes, I would," said Johnson, a Star-Telegram Area 50 recruit who caught 34 passes for 729 yards and 11 touchdowns. "That offense is based around receivers, and, whew, that's big." The recruiting buzz has now begun for UNT, thanks to Dodge. His experience as a former University of Texas quarterback and UNT assistant, coupled with his three state titles and 97-11 record at Carroll, has created a brand name that should lure prospective recruits. "Todd's reputation of being a great quarterback and producing great quarterbacks will attract some quality skill kids," Denton Ryan coach Joey Florence said. "His rapport and network with high school coaches will be huge. His name recognition will be huge. He has a lot of things working for him. It's great for North Texas." Right now, receiver Bradley Haynes at Summit is the only player on the Star-Telegram's Area 50 list who has received interest from the Mean Green. Jeremy Crabtree, national recruiting editor for Rivals.com, said Dodge's effect on recruiting will be immediate, especially on offense. Dodge's no-huddle spread offense has made Carroll the area's top offense dating to 2002. This year, Carroll finished the regular season averaging 51 points and 555 yards per game. "If you're a recruit, and you play offense, you want to go somewhere where you can put points on the board," Crabtree said. The easiest pipeline for Dodge could come at Carroll. Curtis Hill's son Robert is a Dragons offensive lineman and co-captain who has drawn interest from seven colleges, including the Ivy League. North Texas expressed interest until then-coach Darrell Dickey was fired Nov. 8. Curtis said they would be happy if Dodge made a push for Robert, since a player-coach relationship already exists. "Todd Dodge is a high school football phenomenon in Texas," Curtis Hill said. "Tell me which high school football player would turn him down." Area high school coaches agreed that success will follow. "In [a recruit's] mind, you want to go to a place where there's a winner. I think he'll be real successful," Nolan Catholic coach Joe Prud'homme said. "I have a lot of respect for what he did [at Carroll]. He's the kind of coach you want your kids to play for." While Dodge may not be able to compete for the blue-chip athletes who are being recruited by Texas and Texas A&M, Crabtree predicted that Dodge could lure away recruits that would go to other Big 12 schools. "I think if they're able to compete with the lower-level Big 12, that's a good sign of success," Crabtree said. "It might not happen right now, but he could keep kids from schools like Kansas and Missouri that come in to recruit the Metroplex." ONLINE: meangreen.com IN THE KNOW Keys to success Five critical factors that could help North Texas as new coach Todd Dodge begins recruiting: 1. The reputation He is beloved by Dragons fans and parents, but several parents from other schools have praised Dodge for his character and the values he's instilled with the Dragons. 2. Relationships Former and current players for Dodge respect him like a father. Expect those bonds to continue. 3. The résumé No one can argue with Dodge's credentials. That will be enough for some recruits right there. 4. The spotlight Dodge is used to the media spotlight and won't have any problems promoting UNT when the opportunity arises. 5. Teaching time This won't be Southlake, where players grew up knowing the spread offense in middle school, but Dodge will need time to get the players who fit perfectly in it. Go grab 'em Sure, Carroll players will receive interest, but here are other notable recruits Dodge could snatch up: WR Marcus King, Trinity Not committed; the Star-Telegram Area 50 and State 100 player would be a huge steal. WR Dez Bryant, Lufkin Not committed; no easy task to get, but Dodge is friends with Panthers coach John Outlaw. LB Austin Harrington, Grapevine Not committed; Area 50 player whom Dodge has seen up close in District 5-5A. WR Jason Martinson, Birdville Not committed; Area 50, State 100 player also being recruited for baseball. WR Trae Johnson, SGP Not committed; TCU, Baylor, Kansas, Washington State have been among schools interested. QB Cal Farley, Keller Not committed; another District 5-5A player who put up big numbers in the spread offense.

Yes, Marshall Mavericks, not there anymore. NO, I was not referring to Super Jamario. This player is not from the east texas area. I am not sure how Jamario fits in the system.

OK, I will not mention names, but I work with a lady whose best freinds son is a prominent player for NT and she came by my room last week to let me know that he was extremely excited about TD coming in. Sounds to me like the players are ready for a change. Don't take that as a knock on DD, players usually love their coach, but also understand the nature of the business and are probably ready for a change. They needed a boost in the program as bad as we all did. Probably more.

By the way, I was at the Carthage/Dangerfield game in 83. Still the best High School football game I have ever seen. And I have seen a bunch! Dangerfield scored thier TD on a double reverse pass. Also, I now coach in Carthage (well at least as of now) and one of the guys on our staff played for that Dangerfield team. Best High School defense ever, period. BTW, I am excited by the TD hire, he was at NT when I was there and he is a great coach and a great guy. Stick behind him and support him and there is no telling where he will take us.

OK, I hate the University Of Texas! Money, Power, Arrogance. Yep, I hate em!

Bring my wife and daughter, coming from deep East Texas, about 3 hours. I will have to grade Friday nights game film first, should leave around 11 and be there for tailgating. Thank goodness we are open next week so I can come! I've been waiting for this game a long time, just glad it's not at the Safeway Parking lot! GMG

Hey, I down here in East Texas too! The numbers are growing! GMG!

I was just kidding about the run play, but I was there during the Simon years, I know we had about 20 personnel packages, but I don't remember us calling plays with the wrong personell "on a regular basis". I don't know where you came up with that? I am not usually a Matt Simon apologist, but the man does have a National Championship ring and a Super Bowl ring. Maybe those weren't "well coached team" either.

how long can it take to call a run play?

hmm!

And I am sure on the Old Coach they will tell you that if it is Head Football and AD is not part of it, be afraid, be very afraid. Wouldn't go there!

1993 vs. Nebraska in Lincoln, they killed us like 74-14 or something, but it was a great experience. First game at Fouts same year vs. SW Missouri St. Best game- 1997 vs. Texas Tech 30-27 I will never forget that game or the feeling afterward, maybe my anniversary, but never that game!

What is the word on the hiring of a new RB coach? What about J"Quay Wilburn, I know he is coaching now, and who better to lead the RB's than a former career rushing leader. He is young, committed to NT and I think he could do a good job. Probably wouldn't run to another school for more money. Anybody heard anything?

Coach Young was at NT my first year. He is an outstanding person, he was our FCA sponser. There is little doubt when you are around him that he is in coaching to help kids. It was great to see him named HC/AD at Cleburne. I hope he does well!

Played 8th grade. One mean DB/QB/WR. Had a coach recognize my talent as a 5' 100 pound white defensive back and suggested I be a manager/trainer in high school. Most people might have thought that was dumb. But I did it, got a scholarship at NT in 93 as a trainer/switched to manager in 94(more money). Paid attention to the coaches and what they were teaching. Became a coach myself and love every minute of it. I did once have an 86 yard touchdown run in my final B team game at the Tomatoe bowl in Jacksonville. I went out on top.

lile

I am not sure what they were running in SD. When he was here last, it was the same 4-3 cover 2 shell you have been seeing. I think he probably blitzes more than Evans may have. You never know what he will do till we see it. I truly believe we got the right guy. Can't wait to see it in Austin.

OK, I was at UNT with Bliel. One of my favorite coaches at NT. He is intense, he is a great secondary coach and well respected nationally for that. I think he will do a great job at NT. I realize this is a coach bashing board, but you got love getting a guy who has been at NT and wanted to come back! I wish him all the best and lookforward to seeing his Defense next year! GMG!