tylermeangreen

Thanks Rudy, I do get a grip - I was not born on a hill!!! And I do understand your given illustration of the proper way and time to cheer that you gave me in your reply. But, forgive me......... I have been going to football games for nearly 60 years and this is the FIRST TIME it has ever been suggested that I not stand and cheer when the opposing team is kicking off to my team (much less to give the claw when cheering). I/we don't cheer during the kickoff because the other team scored; we are cheering because we want our kick returner to run the ball back a long way, even for a touchdown. In other words, we are cheering our guy - not their team. Tell me in plain english here, Rudy (and i am not trying to be a smart-ass - your concern is just lost on me), why should I (and most all of the fans for all of the teams I have ever been associated with) not cheer in that situation?

So now there are RULES for what we as fans can chant at different points in the games? Gee, I did not know that - please tell us more of the rules so we can be proper fans at future games.

I am on board, too - looking forward to it.

Sorry to interject in this because my point is way off topic, but I wonder how many of you there are? That is a great question thank you for asking. If you will forgive a bit of digression, I will address your question. To be honest, prior to 2006 I had lost interest in the UNT athletic program (as well as the alumni program) after so many years of having been jerked around by both. I was at UNT during the Hayden Fry years For those of you who were not around to experience them, God those were exciting years. To go to UT and match up with them (and we did match up with them Hayden Fry was once referred to by Frank Broyles as the best one-game coach in America and he was), only to be beaten by the superior skills of Earl Campbell in one game; and Johnny (Lam) Jones in another, was exhilarating. But after so many years of essentially abandoning the athletic program, why did I return to UNT as a season-ticket holder in 2006? Definitely, the hiring of Todd Dodge was the reason………yes, he was well-known in local circles, but it went far beyond that he represented a commitment to the football program by the university administration that I had not felt/seen in many years. Yes, he was a name coach but it was not the name alone. For me it was a new commitment to make the UNT football program relevant and with, what is sometimes sarcastically referred to on this board, a class individual. I felt he had great potential (many of you have indicated with postings on this board that you felt the same way when he was hired). No, it did not work out but the COMMITMENT by the athletic administration (and the university administration) was there, and that was important to me. I have a dog in this hunt for a new head football coach I love this university and I have had more than a few lumps in my throat at emotional times during these four years that I have been back and I dont apologize for it. Let me assure you that I will have another one when that final play is run at Fouts on November 27 (so many memories from when I was a young stud enjoying the college life at NTSU) you just have to have watched this program for the 40 years that I have to understand the hope that Todd Dodge and Dr. B represented to this old alumnus. Now, what if it was four years ago and it were Mike Canales, and his current body of work, being chosen as the new UNT head football coach would I be equally as motivated to again buy season tickets and support the Mean Green? Honestly, I would look at what was being presented in terms of his background. I would pay attention to interviews with him, and other peoples impression of him. I would want to know all I could about this new coach. And more important - Is he representative of a new commitment to have a competitive football program (and not just against Sun Belt Conference teams). But more than anything, I would want RV and the athletic department/university administration to sell Mike Canales to me and even more important, sell the concept of a strong commitment to the football program. And then bring Mike Canales to the East Texas region let me meet him and hear his vision let him get me all fired up! You know, Todd Dodge was head football coach for 4 years to my knowledge neither he nor the athletic administration EVER came to East Texas to meet the alumni and ask for our help in putting fannies in seats. That is now changing with the Mean Green Club Representative program. But seeking our help and rallying the alumni has not existed up to this point. The numbers are here in East Texas. The love of UNT is here. Memories are here now it is up to the next head football coach, RV, and the UNT Athletic Department to show us they are going to deliver. I dont know what the answer is for the next head coach. I am impressed by Canales and what I have heard from him + what I have seen on the football field. He has inherited a helluva tough situation and he is running with it, and I am impressed. I do know that I want to win with class, integrity, and character. For those of you who post on this board that winning is all that matters, I respectfully request that you back up and think about that for a little bit. We can hire a coach that will win and win with those three characteristics. UNT does not need someone elses baggage we have enough of our own. Go Mean Green. Rhey Nolan

I expected such a reply (while you chose to not answer my specific questions). Sir, I received a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University in 1972, and a Master of Public Administration degree from North Texas State University in 1975 (the university is now called The University of North Texas, just so you understand that we are talking about the same university). I was heavily involved in the UNT football and alumni programs for many years - until subsequent administrations at the university chose to allow the program to languish. At that point, I had my fill and used my time, talents and energy in other ways. I became a season ticket holder again in 2006 when Todd Dodge became the head football coach. I have already made arrangements to purchase four (4) club seats in the new stadium. There, in a nutshell, is my tie to The University of North Texas. That should explain my interest in UNT. Now........explain in full what your tie is? How did you happen upon this board and why are you so aggressively pushing Leavitt to be the head football coach at a university where you have no obvious tie? What exactly is your tie to Leavitt and your strong promotion for The University of North Texas to hire him? Hmmmmmm?

Excuse me for asking such a stupid question, MissouTigers - but what exactly is your interest in all of this? Why are you so interested in what happens with the The University of North Texas football program and the hiring of a new head football coach? Can I assume that you are only interested in the hiring of the head football coach at The University of North Texas......or are you also cruising the boards of The University of Minnesota and The University of Colorado giving them your wisdom about their coaching vacancy? You have been on this board for several weeks now, so I am just wondering.........it seems like a reasonable question given the fact that you have posted over 100 times in just a few weeks (especially given that by your own admission you were physically unavailable to post for a week or more). People on this board critcize others, with questionable ties to the UNT program, for posting in favor of a possible Canales hiring - I am wondering if the same criticism can't be directed toward you given your open promotion of Jim Leavitt for this position. Please tell me more...........

btw, while I was not even remotely in favor of considering Coach Canales before Saturday's game (and the subsequent viewing of the video of the after-game locker room scene), I was really impressed with him today during the coach's show - the man is well-spoken and enthusiastic - it was exciting to listen to his comments. Bottom line: If he can walk-the-talk, he will make the final decision very, very difficult for the AD.

On the coach's show today at noon, RV said that very thing - he hoped that a decision would be made by the K-State game - or perhaps more quickly depending upon the circumstances with the rest of the season. He indicated that immediately upon the termination of Coach Dodge last week that his phone began to ring with numerous individuals interested in the position. He also said that the decision on the new head coach was his - that the consultant would look at all of the possible names/candidates, determine who was interested and who was not, what they would bring to the table (my terminology), and try to get the list down to six candidates; then two candidates, but that the final decision would be RV's and that the consultant would not be involved beyond providing information and recommendations regarding the possible candidates. RV said that while the university president has essentially told him that it is his call, never-the-less he would consult with the UNT President as the number of possible candidates were reduced - and, of course, before the announcement of the new head coach.

This is not really the coaching direction that I wanted the Mean Green to go, but I have got to say: Man, I am impressed! Great job, Coach. GMG

A few others, too!

I have not seen this addressed in a prior topic, and if it has, I apologize for bringing it up here. But I wonder if Lane Rawlins is possibly the “Wild Card” in the selection of a new football coach. He certainly has the connections; he has been directly involved with athletic decision-making at prior administrative stops; and he has demonstrated his interest in athletics. Our AD has indicated that he and the UNT Interim President will make the decision (along with an outside advisor) i.e. no search committee regarding our new football coach. What a lasting legacy for an Interim University President should this new coach take us to unknown heights (at least heights not seen since the Hayden Fry glory days – and God, they were exciting days for those of us who were a part of it all back there in the 70s).

What he said............

I love it that the NT Daily got a scoop on Vito - scoop on Riley's future, and quotes from Todd Dodge.

Now that is a sharp looking helmet!

believe it or not, i have one of these bobble-heads. it has been sitting in my office for the past 34 years. i have no idea where it was purchased - my guess would be voertmans or the campus bookstore. it is represented as a '60s bobble-head, but i first began my studies at NTSU in 1970, and the bobble-head was probably purchased later in the '70s. anyway, i was floored at its "value" - $1,200 - that has given my wife and i a lot of laughs over the past couple of days. she always accuses me of being a pack-rat - guess it paid off this time. i still sing the fight song as "lets' give a cheer for north texas state........." UNT still sounds so foreign to this old-timer, even after 20 years of so of UNT.