Green to the Bone

Green bones are bad enough, but some of them are still red and black (a U of Georgia alum, too). The green and red make Christmas, but the black just makes you look baaad. The ultiimate team welcome might include dancing girls throwing rose petals, but that might be a little too distracting.

A Game Day spirit suggestion: We're doing much better at pregame activities these days, but let's get some discussion going on a few improvements. A number of times last year when the team walked through for the Mean Green March, it looked pretty much like it was a chore for them instead of an inspiration. An assortment of non-UNT gym clothes and caps, and those iPod headphones, and the generally downcast looks all gave a pretty sour appearance. Given the thin crowds and everything else, that's no surprise. I don't think lack of welcome is going to be so much of an issue next year, but I do think it would be good to come up with some ideas for making a bigger deal out of their arrival. Also, a sartorial suggestion for RV and TD: players and coaches in a single type of UNT polos, or T-shirts and caps; no gym wear. And a no-headphones rule for the five minutes that the march takes. Showing pride helps us take pride, and vice versa. Other ideas?

Bring in that Extreme Makeover, Stadium Edition show. They can demolish, build, and hang the drapes in an hour.

I think the story meant to suggest that the BOR likely won't meet until after Dodd coaches the playoff game. It's like the old question of which came first, the egg or the chicken.

I think Brett reported that the BOR has to approve any base salary of $500k or more over the length of the contract, that last phrase being the key. As I recall, $500k would have represented just under three years of base pay in Dickey's case ($175k or so base, boosted to about $250K with the extras -- radio fees, etc.). (Corrections to the numbers are welcomed). Anybody have any thoughts on how long a contract a new head coach is likely to get? That might indicate how high we're aiming.

I can't read people's minds, and I have zero facts about the actual origin of the black uniforms. But in the interest of fairness, I will say this: Someone posting on another topic criticized some of the players for walking up the tunnel after the game while the Green Brigade was still playing Glory to the Green. I was standing on the left side of the band, just over the tunnel, and saw some of the players leave during the song. I really couldn't blame them -- they're kids who had just suffered a heartbreaking, last-minute loss before a thin crowd. But when I saw Coach Dickey approaching the tunnel, he paused and stood alone, facing the band, and performed the ritual talon salute that goes with the song. I don't think many people noticed him, so I don't think he was doing it to get attention. Like I said, I'm not a mind-reader, and people can fill in whatever motivation they believe. But I just thought that small scene was worth putting on the record.