Baby Arm!

By BRETT VITO / The Dallas Morning News DENTON – The UNT Board of Regents will consider new provisions in the contracts of football coach Darrell Dickey and athletic director Rick Villarreal this week. The board will consider adding one year to Dickey's contract that is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2008. The new contract would include a $100,000 payment if Dickey serves the entire length of the deal. Dickey's base salary of $170,000 is scheduled to increase by five percent on Sept. 1 under the provisions of his old contract and would not change under the new deal. The board will also consider a one-year extension to Villarreal's contract that is set to expire on May 31, 2009. Villarreal's proposed contract would include raises of $15,000 to his base salary of $155,000 on Sept. 1 and June 1, 2007.

I'll probably get flamed for this but.... For the same reasons Stebo articulated about Mean Green vs Eagles is the same reason we should avoid an NT logo. Yes, the Eagle is still our mascot, Yes it's obvious NT stands for North Texas but what the Ath Dept is trying to do is to emphasize our uniqueness, that being said we are pushing just two identifiers NORTH TEXAS and/or MEAN GREEN Therefore: "North Texas" or "MEAN GREEN" should be the only names people see on the field, on the uniform, on the side of the helmets etc. Not UNT, Not Eagles, and yes not even NT.

THIS IS HUGE!!!!! Duo keeps North Texas grounded By Steve Richardson, Special for USA TODAY DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas is starting to sprawl on both sides of Interstate 35 with a student enrollment of more than 31,000. But it's still a David among Goliaths in college football. The Mean Green play at 30,500-seat Fouts Field, which resembles an overgrown high school facility. Their only I-A consensus All-American is Mean Joe Greene (1968), whose photo hangs on the side of the small press box. (Related item: Sun Belt odds and ends) North Texas, which only resumed I-A status in 1995 after a 12-year absence, hardly seems the likely place for the nation's top rushers to roam. Yet the last two seasons, Patrick Cobbs (2003) and Jamario Thomas (2004) have led I-A in rushing. It's the first time two backs from the same I-A school have done it in consecutive seasons since 1970, when the NCAA began tracking per-game rushing statistics. Thomas and Cobbs, who seem to mirror the laid-back attitudes in this far north Texas town, will share the spotlight for the first time when the Mean Green open at LSU on Sept. 3. "They are really both small-town country kids," North Texas coach Darrell Dickey said. "Patrick drives a pickup truck, and he is from Tecumseh (Okla.), 30 miles out of Norman. Jamario is from Longview (Texas), about two, three hours from here." They were a perfect fit for North Texas. The 5-9 Cobbs, a fifth-year senior, needed a scholarship from a I-A school; his only other offer was from Division II Missouri Southern. Cobbs, who weighed 188 and was a high school power lifter, was labeled too small and too slow for major schools. "When he got here, we saw early in two-a-days he was probably a little quicker and faster than people thought," Dickey said of Cobbs, who now weighs about 205. "And he was an extremely hard worker and extremely unselfish." The 5-11, 195-pound Thomas, a sophomore, had interest from Arizona State and Texas Tech, among other big-time schools. He came from a small high school and ran track, which showcased his speed. Thomas wanted to stay close to home, play for a run-oriented team and find an academic program that could help with his dyslexia. He found all those in Denton. Thomas led the nation in rushing as a freshman (180.1 yards a game) in 2004 after Cobbs, who led as a junior in 2003 (152.7 yards a game), suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game. North Texas coaches were considering redshirting Thomas, a true freshman, last year. But he impressed them in two-a-days. When the team went to Texas for the 2004 opener, Thomas gasped when he saw the sellout crowd of nearly 83,000 in Austin. Almost as an afterthought, he carried twice in a 65-0 loss to the Longhorns. "It was, 'Oh, my God, all these people,' " he said of Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. "I didn't know that many people watched a football game." Cobbs went down the next week against Florida Atlantic. Then a week later Dickey told Thomas he was a starter during the pregame breakfast. On his first play, Thomas streaked 57 yards for a touchdown against Colorado in Boulder. He was on his way to the rushing title, only the third I-A freshman to do so. "I didn't think it was possible," Thomas said. "After that (first run), I stopped selling myself short." As Cobbs was rehabilitating his knee, Thomas set a I-A freshman record with six 200-plus yards rushing games and tied a I-A record (for any class) of five 200-yard rushing games in a row. That record had been held by Southern California's Marcus Allen and Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders. Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson gained more yards than Thomas, 1,925 to 1,801, but did it in three more games. So Peterson's average was only 148.1 yards. "The way we produce running backs here, we just plugged another one in, and it worked out well," North Texas junior wide receiver Johnny Quinn said. "We were down for a little bit (after Cobbs' injury). But we play Colorado, and on the opening play, when he takes it to the house, you know you have something special." Giving each other a breather Now, for the first time, Cobbs and Thomas will be playing together. That's another statistical anomaly since 1970: two I-A rushing champions playing for the same team the same season. "In any program, you would be surprised to have that situation, whether you are at North Texas or Alabama," said North Texas athletics director Rick Villarreal, a former college football coach. "Yet when you get to know these kids, it is not hard to figure out. They are kids who, in every area of their life, take care of business." Cobbs has one degree in applied arts and sciences and is expected to get another in sociology by December. Thomas hasn't had any problems with his major in applied arts and sciences despite his learning disability, Dickey said. They never miss workouts or practice. Cobbs also plays on the punt block and punt return teams. Both can be pass receivers, although Cobbs is more advanced. So who starts? North Texas lists its 2005 starting I-back as Cobbs or Thomas. The Sun Belt Conference lists them as co-preseason Most Valuable Offensive Players as voted by the coaches and selected media. "At times, they will play in the same backfield," Dickey said. "We don't see it as being a problem because of the type of kids they are. They became very good friends. Patrick went on every trip (after he got hurt). Over the course of the season, when Jamario would come off the field, the first person with him was Patrick. He would go talk to him, and Patrick would say, 'Here is what they are doing.' " Dickey said both have great vision and balance. He gives the edge in speed to Thomas and the edge in strength to Cobbs. He hints at a split backfield but still a variation of North Texas' run-oriented I-offense. "It is very tough to have them sit on the sideline a long period of time," offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan said. "The toughest thing is figuring out what they don't do well. ... Fortunately and unfortunately for us, they do everything well." Said senior offensive lineman Dylan Lineberry: "Patrick is more of a bruiser. Jamario is more of a slippery guy. He makes two or three guys miss." Cobbs and Thomas said they are looking forward to getting breathers this year. In 2003 Cobbs carried the ball more than 30 times in six games. In 2004 Thomas rushed more than 30 times in six games, including a season-high 41 against Louisiana-Monroe. Fewer carries might mean more durability for both. Like Cobbs, Thomas has added muscle and weighs about 215. "Me and Jamario will get to split time," Cobbs said. "It will be double duty for the defense." No stranger to adversity As Dickey looks out his office window in a new athletic complex toward busy I-35, he can only chuckle at his good fortune to have found these backs. He needed some luck. Coaching in a cash-strapped program that has had to play road games against Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, Kansas State, Alabama and Arkansas for a big-money guarantee hasn't been easy. And last season, North Texas' starting quarterback, Andrew Smith, was killed in an auto accident in early August, only three days before fall drills were to begin. Smith's death and Cobbs' injury could have wrecked the season had Thomas not popped up and led the nation in rushing. "Our kids know how to work and how to handle adversity because we have had a ton of it," Dickey said, alluding to tough non-conference slates that resulted in 0-5, 1-5, 1-3 and 0-4 starts from 2001-04 but ended in Sun Belt titles. But overcoming adversity isn't always rewarded or noticed. That's particularly true for North Texas' star running backs. Neither Cobbs in 2003 nor Thomas in 2004 was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back by the Dallas-based SMU Athletic Forum. Because the Sun Belt competition isn't perceived as strong as the Big 12's might be one reason the North Texas players are bypassed. But Dickey noted that Thomas averaged 6.9 yards last year against three Big 12 teams and 6.6 against Sun Belt teams. "I feel like if it was somebody at Oklahoma or Oklahoma State or if North Carolina had the numbers these kids had, they'd be among the top eight," Dickey said. Flanigan, a former Southern Methodist quarterback, suspects this all has to do with SMU, a traditional football school, looking down on North Texas. "It would not look good for (SMU officials) for a little, poor school up the road to win their prestigious award. But those are things which drive our kids and our coaches." Chris Rentzel, chair of the SMU Athletic Forum board, said Thomas was considered just like the other freshmen for the 2004 Doak Walker Award, which was won by Texas senior Cedric Benson. "It honestly had nothing to do with anti-North Texas SMU bias," Rentzel said. "Jamario was turning up yards, but nobody was seeing it." Thomas' and Cobbs' names are going to be submitted for this season. SMU begins a two-game series in 2006 with North Texas. Anticipating good results Neither player seems too concerned about the Doak Walker Award. They are more focused on leading the Mean Green to a fifth consecutive Sun Belt title and extending a 25-game league winning streak. But they will have to do it with a quarterback who has never taken a snap in college. A starting quarterback must emerge from several candidates in fall drills. Yet the Mean Green entered the 2002 season with no experience at quarterback and still won the Sun Belt title. So it can be done, Dickey said. And North Texas' 1-2 punch at running back has a chemistry all its own. It's the buzz of North Texas this summer. "The fans will be giddier than I will be," Flanigan said of the double-trouble backfield. "My biggest nightmare is messing them up. We know what they can do individually. I have to find balance." What's new in the Sun Belt Idaho, Utah State and New Mexico State left for the Western Athletic Conference, and Florida Atlantic and Florida International join as Division I-A's newest members. ... The league's contract with ESPN, ESPNU and ESPN Regional TV will result in more than 25 games being nationally or regionally televised, the most in league history. ... After leading Troy to its first bowl game a year ago, coach Larry Blakeney was rewarded with a contract extension through May 2009. Blakeney has coached the Trojans since 1991 and has won more games (115) than any other football coach in school history. ... Florida International, which inaugurated its program three years ago, will field its first senior class this season with 26 on the roster. Teams in the coaches' poll: None Bowl tie-in: Wyndham New Orleans. Danny Sheridan's odds: • Middle Tennessee State 2:1 • Louisiana-Monroe 3:1 • North Texas 4:1 • Florida Atlantic 5:1 • Florida International 5:1 • Troy 6:1 • Louisiana-Lafayette 10:1 • Arkansas State 15:1

I was also an extra in that movie and have a similar story. a week on campus as an extra, and one night at Fouts soaking wet due to the "movie rain" --all for about 1 second of screen time. At least the fraternity letters I built got more screen time than I did.

Wichtia Falls and San Antonio were'nt picked for there weather conditions. It was about marketing. Those cities actually PAID to have the Cowboys training camp there, enough to cover all of the teams training camp exspense.

I hate when this example is used Bryant nearly killed some of those Junction Boys and put one into heat stroke that caused enough damage to his internal organs that he never played football again but also caused him health problems for the rest of his life. Even Bear Bryan admitted years later that it was the worst damn fool thing he ever did and wished he had never done it. I can't see why anyone thinks the Junction Boys is an example to be copied

Same tribe really. The Seminoles, Along with the Chereokee and other tribes in the Southeast were 'relocated' by a forced march to reservations in what was then Oklahoma Indian Territory. Its called the Trail of Tears. Look into it.

Greenville High School's facility Mckinney North Coppell

Don't get me wrong. I think its a shame we dont have one. But I know this is putting the cart before the horse. There are much more pressing needs that we need to spend money on. Im just wishing we had one

We are a Divison 1 football program. Not to have one of these facilities when I can name 16 high schools off the top of my head in the area that have them .... Yes I think that is a SHAME. Being a DI program and not to have better facilities than even ONE high school in the area is a shame. Not blamming anyone, just pointing out the need. Lewisville and Marcus don't share. They built one on each of the LISD campus' a few years back. Lewisville's is about 50 yds long. If you look past the field house on the south end of the stadium you'll see it. It's between the softball field and the football practice fields

Uhhh no. Im not talking basketball courts here. I'm talking full fledged indoor practice facilities that have 50-70 yd fields with artificial/field turf surfaces. And its more than just a couple, These are just the schools that I know of that have these facilities there may be more Allen Wylie Plano Plano East Plano West Lewisville Marcus The Colony Flower Mound Hebron Southlake Carrol Mckinny North Coppell Greenville Justin Northwest Weatherford

And people question why we need an indoor practice facility. Almost every high school at the 4a & 5a level in north Texas already has them..... We need one!

Traditionally Memphis hasn't had too much to brag about football-wise. 2003 was their first bowl team in like 30 years, a second bowl worthy team last year and now their fans feel slighted not to be in the BCS. Their running back Deangleo Williams is getting some Heisman talk, but he only came back for his senior season this year because his NFL draft stock dropped due to two consecutive years with season ending injuries. He's been tabbed "injury prone". Time will tell if he's durable enough to finish an entire NCAA season let alone a NFL one.

It looks better in person. I was in Denton yesterday and made a point to swing by Fouts just to check it out. LOOK GREAT

Since media day is Wed Aug 10 at the AC will they use this opportunity to unveil the new uniforms with new helmet designs?

Matt, Id be one of those who'd donate $1000 for a PSL at a new stadium, especially if would go toward the "club level" admission during the games

From the UNT website

Count me in to help out. Just let me know when and where to show up. I'll PM you later on what you need me to bring

I don't care what day of the week they book stuff on, some people will always find a problem with it... If they booked on Saturday we'd be reading posts "we got the kids T-ball games on Saturday, Couldn't they schedule it during the week?"

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, ESPN Gameplan, ESPN Regional. ...... They're only interested in storylines and match ups. FAU has us beat in both regardless of who won the conference championship. And even if Howard Schnellenburger worked the politics to get the TV coverage as PMG claims (but has no proof) What the heck is wrong with that? Shouldnt a coach be promoting his program, twisting arms and kissing babies to get his team as much exposure as possible?

So should we add this to PMG's conspiracy against North Texas list?

Advance notice??? How about a year's notice. It was posted on the other board that last year's fan guide mentioned the $250 requirement, existing season ticket holders were exempt for one year.

Why don't we play the season first, or at least a game before we begin on next year's off-season talk?

Last I heard the Air Force game in Denton was moved to 2009. Read the last paragraphs of this story. It doesn't mention 2009, but if the Zoomies add Colorado to their schedule what are the chances they will try and weasel out of the return game in Denton that they owe us? ------------------------------------------------------------------ Schools think stadium costs too much Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. -- A key official says the future of the Colorado-Colorado State football game in Denver is in question because the two rivals haven't reached a financial agreement with the company that operates the Invesco Field at Mile High. Colorado State athletic director Mark Driscoll said he and Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn want a better deal with Stadium Management Corp., the company that runs Invesco Field. The $450,000 cost for using Invesco Field is excessive, Driscoll said. The schools split the cost. There is a chance the 2006 game could be played in Fort Collins at 34,400-seat Hughes stadium, Driscoll said. CSU is the host school that year, though the teams have recently played at 76,000-seat Invesco Field. This year's game is Sept. 3 in Boulder. Bohn declined comment about the negotiations with stadium officials and Colorado State. Driscoll said both schools would like to play the game in Denver every year now that the NCAA has approved a permanent 12-game regular season schedule. But he said a better deal is needed. "The stadium authority has to work something out in how much they're going to charge us," Driscoll said. Meanwhile, Bohn and Air Force athletics director Hans Mueh are discussing the possibility of reviving their schools' football rivalry, perhaps as early as 2008. CU owned a 12-4 advantage in the series when it was dropped in 1974. Mueh said the decision came amid discontent during the Vietnam War era that spilled onto the field. "It manifested itself into some pretty ugly games," he said. He said he and Bohn have "talked at length" about resuming the series. "It's the right thing for the state," he said. Air Force would have to adjust its 2008 schedule if CU is added. The Falcons are scheduled to play Wake Forest, Texas A&M, Army and Navy in addition to its Mountain West Conference schedule.

Well we've got the loose woment part already taken care of Shane, I couldn't agree more with you on this one. Somewhere I heard that football games were supposed to be fun. As long as Im not hurting anyone, damaging property or creating a menace, nobody has a right to tell me how to enjoy the Mean Green experience. Personally, as long as I'm in my seat by the opeing kickoff I'm happy. Why should I be in the stadium 30 minutes early?....So I can watch the Mean Brigade march in and play Fly Like an Eagle one more time???? No thanks. Some people may enjoy it but it's not my cup of tea. Id rather spend that time cleaning up my tailgate and downing one more frosty beverage to lubricate the vocal chords so I can YELL LIKE HELL when the team takes the field.