UNTLifer

Turney, wasn't Stack at North Texas while you were there? I hope Haynes career turns out better than Stack's did.

Who knows? I have never been able to get the webcam to work.

Does anyone besides me see the humor in this quote? Maybe your North Texas alum husband needs to find one for more than "the day." If you all are up to making two trips to Baton Rouge each year for LSU games, maybe you could commit to 5 games 30 minutes away in Denton.

DRC Brett Vito: LSU’s Miles once called on Cobbs 08:03 AM CDT on Monday, August 29, 2005 Brett Vito North Texas coach Darrell Dickey thought he had the running back from north of the border all wrapped up when national signing day approached in 2001. Oklahoma and Tulsa – not to mention every other Division I-A team in the country except UNT – had yet to offer Patrick Cobbs a college scholarship. A chance at a second offer didn’t emerge until a member of Les Miles’ coaching staff at Oklahoma State called at the very last minute. “Oklahoma State called me on the same afternoon that I signed to play here,” Cobbs said last week. It turned out the Cowboys were just wasting their time. Cobbs never wavered and committed to the Mean Green. That decision is one Dickey says is just an example of the character Cobbs has shown throughout his career with the Mean Green. Cobbs’ actions back then shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who has followed UNT’s program. This is a player who was elected a team captain last week, is known for his work with charities and served as an unofficial coach last season when a knee injury ended his season just two games into the year. Those accomplishments served as stepping-stones to Saturday’s season-opening game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., and a campaign that will bring Cobbs’ career full circle. Cobbs can count the number of college coaches who believed in his ability to play on the Division I-A level when he was a high school senior on his fingers and toes with digits to spare. Most of those coaches will be on the Mean Green’s sideline on Saturday. Across the field will be Miles, who was the coach at Oklahoma State when the Cowboys coaching staff called Cobbs, who rushed for 4,729 yards and scored 61 touchdowns at Tecumseh (Okla.) High. “That situation was one of the first things that showed us about Patrick’s character,” Dickey said. “A lot of times we are the only team recruiting a player, offer him a scholarship and he commits. Sometimes another bigger school will lose somebody, call and want to talk. Some players jump ship in a heartbeat. It showed a lot about Patrick’s character and maturity when he knew that the only reason they called is because they lost somebody.” As Cobbs enters his senior season, the story of the late call makes one wonder where both he and the UNT football program would be if he had made a different decision. Would the Mean Green be heading into the season having won four straight Sun Belt Conference titles and 25 straight league games? Would Cobbs have been a player at the end of a standout career in the Big 12 Conference or just a seldom-used backup? Dickey hates to even think about what might have happened to the Mean Green without Cobbs, who won the national rushing title in 2003 with an average of 152.7 yards a game. “There is no question he has been a key cog in our team,” Dickey said. “Patrick made some big plays his first year when Kevin Galbreath got hurt and has gotten better and better ever since.” So good in fact that Cobbs is on the verge of becoming UNT’s all-time leading rusher. Ja’Quay Wilburn ranks No. 1 in UNT history with 3,120 yards with Cobbs right behind at 2,896 yards. It’s only a matter of time before Cobbs moves to No. 1 on a list that also includes pro football legend Abner Haynes. There is a good chance Jamario Thomas will pass them both later on in his career after rushing for 1,801 yards in his first season with the Mean Green. Even if that is the case, Cobbs will have had a hand in Thomas’ success as well. Cobbs became Thomas’ unofficial coach when he was lost for the year last season and helped the freshman adapt to the college game. Dickey said Cobbs had as much to do with Thomas’ success last year as any member of UNT’s staff. There is little doubt that Cobbs will go down as one of the best players in UNT history and enter the school’s athletic hall of fame. The course was set when Cobbs made a decision to stick by his commitment to the Mean Green instead of pursue a chance to play for a team his home state. This week Cobbs will look across the field at a coach he could have ended up playing under. Just don’t expect Cobbs to wonder what might have been. “I never even think about it,” said Cobbs, who can’t recall which OSU coach he talked to. “I found a place here and love it. I haven’t regretted it a day I have been here.”

Denton High lost to Mesquite Poteet 7-3. My Broncos have suffered ever since Ryan opened its doors.

DRC Football: UNT looking to answer questions at scrimmage 09:23 AM CDT on Saturday, August 27, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Over the course of the last three weeks, Daniel Meager and Matt Phillips have had their arms and their egos evaluated. They have been prodded and pressured in practice. None of those challenges has resulted in a separation that has led North Texas head coach Darrell Dickey to make a decision on which of his quarterbacks will start when the Mean Green take on LSU on Sept. 3 in Baton Rouge, La. The competition is still open heading into a scrimmage at 8:30 a.m. today at Fouts Field. The workout could determine how the Mean Green answer a few questions heading into the season. “There are still positions up for grabs,” Dickey said. “We have some guys who are doing well, but we are still trying to improve and evaluate guys. We are still trying to figure out ways to get our best 11 players on the field for every snap.” Meager started fall practice as the favorite to win the starting job due in part to the year he spent with the Mean Green as a redshirt last season. Phillips signed with UNT late and entered fall practice as a long shot to play during his freshman season. The former San Angelo Lake View standout has quickly overcome those odds with a solid performance that has vaulted him past players with more experience. When UNT’s two-a-day practice schedule came to an end Friday, Phillips was still in the middle of the competition for the starting job. Both Meager and Phillips had their first chance to play in UNT’s scrimmage last week and will look to build on their performance today. “This will be a good opportunity for both of us to show what we have to offer,” Meager said. “I felt comfortable in our first scrimmage. I just have to get used to the speed of the game.” While the quarterback spot is the most intriguing of the position battles still taking place, it is not the only competition still underway. The following is a list of several other key questions that Mean Green will try to answer today. Will Cobbs or Thomas start? Running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas will both see significant playing time this season. The question is who will start and how will carries be divided up? Cobbs has looked terrific throughout fall workouts and appears to be fully recovered from a knee injury that cut his 2004 season short after two games. Thomas has also played well, but has missed time with a hamstring injury. UNT’s coaches will get a better idea of how they will use both players against LSU after seeing them play today. Who starts at safety? UNT has a long history of featuring some of the best — not to mention hardest hitting —safeties in the Sun Belt Conference. The departure of Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton left both starting jobs up for grabs. Aaron Weathers has been impressive and is in position to claim a starting job in his first season with UNT after transferring from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. Roderick Cotton entered fall practice listed as a starter, but has been challenged by several other players, including freshman Kartay Agbottah. UNT’s new starters will have the advantage of playing with a pair of veteran players at cornerback in T.J. Covington and converted wide receiver Ja’Mel Branch. “Our safeties have proved themselves all camp,” Covington said. “Aaron stepped up and Cotton will help us. We feel really good with them back there.” How deep is the offensive line? UNT is still trying to determine just how deep it is along its offensive line. The Mean Green have several proven players, including guard Dylan Lineberry and tackle Joel Foster, who should start. Tackle Jeremy Brown and center Chad Rose have also shown potential. The question UNT’s coaches want to answer is how many backups they feel comfortable turning to in case of injury or to spell starters. Who is the next Andy Blount? UNT will look at three or four players to rotate at tight end, which could help replace Andy Blount. Blount was the Mean Green’s second-leading receiver last year with 427 yards and five touchdowns on 30 catches. Beau Davidson and Robert Harmon entered the fall as UNT’s starters, but have been challenged by Northeastern Oklahoma A&M transfer Jimmy Chaney and freshman Charles Brown. Dickey said UNT would like to rotate players at tight end throughout the season to take advantage of their strengths. Chaney and Davidson are former offensive linemen who could help clear the way for UNT’s running game. Harmon has good size, while Brown could be a threat in the passing game. Who will emerge on the defensive line? UNT entered fall practice with the challenge of trying to replace four starters along its defensive line, including Adrian Awasom who is now with the New York Giants. The Mean Green may not have a player of Awasom’s caliber this season. The change is one UNT plans to make up for with a host of players. “We are going to be rolling guys there throughout the season as much as we ever have to keep them fresh,” Dickey said. “We have good players at each position who lack experience. We are going to try to grow them all up fast.” UNT will look to see if another player with the ability to change the face of a game will emerge in the scrimmage or the first few weeks of the season. Defensive end Willie Ransom is among the players with the potential to develop into UNT’s next elite lineman. The former Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout is one of several players who will have a chance to make his case for a starting job today.

DRC Football: Mean Green still need work after scrimmage Dickey to choose starting QB early next week 09:19 AM CDT on Sunday, August 28, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Construction workers put the final touches on a new artificial surface at Fouts Field just in time for the Mean Green’s scrimmage Saturday morning. The touchup project on the North Texas football team appears as if it could take a little longer to complete. Running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas both appeared to be in midseason form, putting them well ahead of Daniel Meager and Matt Phillips, the leading contenders to start at quarterback who both struggled at times on Saturday. UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said he would chose a starting quarterback early next week after reviewing film of the scrimmage that featured the first- and second-team offenses facing scout teams. UNT will open the season on Sept. 3 against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. “It was a good scrimmage, but it was also a little sloppy,” Dickey said. “That’s to be expected because it’s the first time that the players are out there by themselves. You are signaling plays and defenses in, and they are having to deal with substitutions. Because of that, players are not usually as sharp.” The Mean Green have spent much of fall practice trying to determine who will replace four-year starter Scott Hall at quarterback. Meager and Phillips, a pair of freshmen, have been locked in a battle for the starting job throughout fall practice. Both had their ups and downs on Saturday. Meager scored on a 7-yard run and also connected with fullback Keronna Henderson on a 20-yard pass. Phillips hit wide receiver Joel Nwigwe for a 17-yard completion. Those plays were offset by a few mistakes and UNT’s struggles to move the ball at times. “We are both young and are going to make mistakes, but we are also improving every day,” Phillips said. “We stuck to the basics today and are trying to fine tune those to make sure we have a good base to start with. We will get more in depth as the season goes along.” Cobbs and Thomas appeared more than ready to help ease a new quarterback into the Mean Green’s lineup. The last two national rushing champions both made a series of big plays throughout the morning. Cobbs returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and appeared to be back to the form that helped him win the 2003 rushing title with an average of 152.7 yards a game. The senior missed the last 10 games of the 2004 season with a knee injury, opening the door for Thomas to win the Mean Green’s second straight national rushing championship with an average of 180.1 yards a game. Thomas broke free for a 30-yard run during the scrimmage and was also impressive. “I felt good out there today,” Cobbs said. “I feel like my timing is back. Everything is going good for me.” While Cobbs’ performance was notable, the highlight of the day was the return of the Mean Green to Fouts Field to practice on a new Sportexe Omnigrass surface. The turf replaced an Astroturf surface that was much harder and had begun to show signs of wear. “I liked it,” Cobbs said. “It is a lot better than the old stuff we played on.” UNT installed the new surface late this summer after the school’s board of regents approved a $2.57 million loan for improvements in athletic facilities. A total of $665,000 was set aside from the loan to pay for the new turf. Mean Green thrive academically The UNT football team ranked among the elite programs in the Sun Belt Conference last year not only on the field, but also in the classroom. A total of 24 UNT players earned a spot on the league’s academic honor roll for posting a GPA of 3.0-3.49 last season, the top total in the league. UNT also had nine players on the Commissioner’s List that includes athletes who posted a GPA of 3.50 or better. Only New Mexico State ranked higher than UNT with 12. “For some of those people out there who don’t think that we are stressing academics in football, the information they are getting is incorrect,” Dickey said. Agbottah waiting on NCAA paperwork Freshman safety Kartay Agbottah missed Saturday’s scrimmage because he is still waiting for approval to play from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Dickey said Agbottah has the required grades and test scores, which have been submitted to the NCAA. UNT names captains Five UNT veterans were selected to serve as team captains through a player vote late this week. Running back Patrick Cobbs will serve as the offensive team captain, while defensive back Ja’Mel Branch and kicker Nick Bazaldua will serve in a similar capacity on defense and special teams, respectively. UNT normally designates the player who receives the highest combination of votes for special teams captain and either offensive or defensive captain, as the fourth team captain. UNT’s coaches decided to designate both wide receiver Johnny Quinn and linebacker Phillip Graves team captains after both received a high number of combined votes. Briefly … Tight end Charles Brown and defensive lineman T.J. Raymond were among the young players on the team who made an impression during Saturday’s scrimmage, Dickey said.

The same Troy that lost to New Mexico State and Arkansas State.

I was planning on going, but have recently relocated and am closing on the purchase of my home that weekend. I am in Houston and would have given you a ride, but I would imagine most of our fans will drive to Shreveport and then head down to Baton Rouge.

Gak, your quote above is what folks are arguing about. You listed 15 schools and 10 have been BcS schools since the BcS' inception. When PHScoach called you on this, you remarked about them being BCS Conference schools. He was just listing the revenues/expenses of the schools you listed. I understand what you are saying, but this is what is confusing about your arguement.

1. There's no such thing as a "loosing" record. 2. Coach Blakeley had #1 ranked Depaul come to the Super Pit 3. Tubbs plays an uptempo game and makes sound coaching decisions during the game. 4. The total schedule is not the problem, it is the home schedule.

You don't ever see NT being that recognized in football? Cobbs: Cover of Texas Football 04 JMo and Cobbs: Front page of USA Today and front page of the USA Today sports page. 4 Straight New Orleans Bowls: True, the ratings aren't great, but the highlights hit Sports Center all night. Cobbs and JMo feature on Fox Sports Southwest Nice article in USA Today covering all the D1 conferences. I agree with everything you posted about what is needed to succeed in basketball. We've got the facility and are starting to attract the players. JJ has not solidified himself, IMO, as a good coach yet, good recruiter? yes. The attendance will follow when we see some success, play good fundamental basketball and have a decent home schedule. Playing the smaller private schools in Texas and the UT-system schools is not attracting the crowds. Promotions: Not a whole lot is done for football either. The big change in football was allowing tailgating. It then became an all day event. That's the best promotion that has been done in the last five years. I hope the Pit Crew doesn't lose the enthusiasm, because a small group of students sure made a difference last year, something the "official spirit group" doesn't seem to want to do.

Yes, Khoury is the soccer coach at DHS. He has been a fixture in the soccer community since his time at North Texas. Iseed was a member of NT's Men's Soccer Team, when we had one and they were very good, that Fry convinced to give football a try. There is a great story about Khoury trying to run with the ball. Maybe someone on here can recall the details, but it is hilarious.

I think his last name was Featherstone, and he starred in Necessary Roughness. How about Jamario's moves, Cobbs vision, Mitchell's determination, Jordan Case's arm, Booger's legs and McGrew's speed.

Come on MG Fans, this is a chance to say thanks to a young man that serves our great country. Let's hook him up with Green Grenade!

There's a big difference in the pros and the colleges. Look, I'm all for a successful basketball program. Some of the best times I had as a kid were running around the Super Pit during the Blakeley years. I agree with you whole-heartedly that NT needs to put some effort into the bball program, scheduling, promotions, gameday experience, etc... to draw the fans out. I am also impressed with JJ's recruiting but I was not impressed with his coaching last year. I hope he turns it around, because he seems like a nice guy that is putting in the effort, but he has got to make better decisions during the game and prepare his team better.

The best place to watch a college football fan?

Renfro's father played at TCU. If he stays in the Metroplex, something tells me this is where he'd go.

Zach Muzzy: perfect number 2 receiver, fearless return man and deserving of another year of eligibility from the NCAA. If White can get 6 years at OU, and our offensive coordinator could get 12 at SMUt, then Muzzy deserves 5 at North Texas!

He was a very important part of the decline, but I've tried to erase the Trilli years from my memory, much like the Moore/Tyler/Simon/Parker years of football.

True, but of course UT and A&M throw the ball more than 12 times a game. Let's use this example based on an offense having 60 plays a game. I'm a HS QB being recruited by two schools. School one throws the ball twelve times a game and runs it 48, while school two throws the ball 25 times a game and runs it 35. My first choice is always school one. I want to win, but I also want to play my position. Handing the ball off 85% of the time is not enticing to me. I'm not advocating throwing it around like TTech, just balance out the offense.

Baylor has a huge endowement and many donors to their school and athletic department, something we don't have. You don't build the facilities BU built with state funds, you build it with conference revenue and private donations. They currently receive both, while we would only add the conference revenue. Gaksuei, regarding basketball making a jump, again, I ask why? We have had a great facility for years. The last few years we have been in a conference that is not that far below the WAC were SMU and TCU resided prior to TCU going CUSA. Now the Belt wasn't close to CUSA with Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, etc... but again not much difference between the Belt and the WAC. The Super Pit is the best facility in the Metroplex compared to SMU and TCU and is not that far behind Baylor. The facility hasn't made a big difference in our recruiting. Our decline in Bball was directly related to leaving the Missouri Valley Conference and going independent. I loved Blakely, but he mainly succeed with the prior coaches recruits. The administration must put an emphasis on excelling in athletics and then the alumni will start to buy into it. The problem with North Texas is that none of the past administrations has ever put an emphasis on athletics. In fact, some could argue that they ignored athletics all together.

Love your enthusiasm, but why would we be a contender in four years when the likes of Baylor, Vanderbilt, etc... dwell at the bottom of BcS conferences?

Yes, we are better off than we were four years ago. To recruit the QB's that come from a high school passing offense, we are going to have to change our offense first. Until then we will continue to gather the attention of the QB's from running schools that have potential and need grooming and tutelage in the mechanics of throwing the ball.

This may be a great chance for a number of our alumni to express concerns over the hiring of the new president. DRC Link Regents required to hear public New law obligates boards of regents to hear public comments at meetings 07:29 AM CDT on Thursday, August 25, 2005 By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer University boards of regents will have to reserve a time for public comment at their regularly quarterly meetings, according to a new law that goes into effect Sept. 1. All 35 public universities in the state, including the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University, will have to revise their policies to comply with the new law. Regents from UNT and TWU will require that the comments be related to an item on the board’s agenda for that meeting, and will require each speaker to make a request identifying the agenda item he or she wants to speak on and whether he or she wants to speak for or against it, at least a day before the meeting. Both boards have allowed the public to address the board in the past, but it required more advance notice (one week for TWU, two weeks for UNT), and the board was not obligated to allow the speaker to speak. Members of the public rarely attend the board meetings, and Dr. Ann Stuart, TWU’s chancellor and president, said she doesn’t expect that to change much. That’s because the large majority of the items on that board’s agendas are internal and of little interest to the public, she said. When there have been items of great public interest, the board has allowed people to speak, she said. But she welcomed the change. “I think this is about transparency in government,” Stuart said. “It comes from the whole movement in this country for corporation boards to be more open.” UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson said he, too, did not expect a major change in the length or format of the meetings because that board has been receptive when people have asked to speak, “but it will provide a uniform format for them where the public can address the board with its specific concerns.” TWU’s new policy, which its board is scheduled to vote on Friday, allows three minutes per speaker, up to 10 speakers per agenda item and up to 25 speakers total per meeting. That public comment time will be at the beginning of the meeting, the policy says. UNT’s new policy, which the board adopted last week, will allow three minutes for each speaker. Also, the board chairman might impose a 20-minute limit on public comment for one agenda item. Both schools’ policies also lay out new rules for submitting written comments to the board. MATTHEW ZABEL can be reached at 940-566-6884. His e-mail address is mzabel@dentonrc.com.