RabidRunner

Is this a strictly cash deal or partial services in kind? Anyone know how much UNT currently pays Apogee for its services?

He should have, during his JR yr he was being courted by the likes of USC and others, was destined for a Big 6 conference. Than he tore his acl and missed most of his JR year. Interest fell off, he had an offer from Utah, and took an official to Northwestern but no offer. Great steal for UTSA IMO

bwahahahaha...yeah right

The problem is UTSA wasn't waiting, they were going indy regardless if the WAC invite came or not. Prior to serious talk about the WAC there was already some grumblings that UTSA was gaining the upper hand, especially after the ease in building OOC schedules for the first few years. For them to see UTSA go FBS while they remained in the SLC would have been a very very tough pill to swallow. No way they could let that happen, it would alienate their fanbase and the alums who talk with their checkbook.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/topstories/stories/102210dnspogeorge.18e7864.html "Polite said his father has recently heard from coaches at North Texas, UT-San Antonio and Rice" http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/12/desoto-qb-ryan-polite-orally-commits-to.html "Polite (6-1, 205) had received a few Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offers last season before they went away" It doesnt state which schools made offers in the second article, but I had read something a while back that UNT offered, he didnt accept right away and they pulled it. Ill see if I can find it. Did you read anything but the last post in this thread? Hes got a hitch in his throw. see above.

Recruited by UNT, UTSA, and Rice. Committed to UTSA yesterday.

the only question here is did UNT respond with a "no thanks" or a "dude stop calling me you damn stalker!"

the WAC needs to make a play for TCU's olympic sports, and if TCU is even slightly interested they need to approach BYU one more time and see if they might bite with TCU in the fold. BYU/TCU is a hell of a lot better than Seattle/Denver.

Leavitt would be a FANTASTIC hire, much better than leach IMO. UNT football needs to be rebuilt, he has built before, but in the case of UNT he would have top notch facilities in place from day one. I think we may see a bidding war for his services this summer though. Can UNT go north of 1 million to get the right coach???

Sorry, he's taken And might I add for the bargain basement price of about 250k per year.

You pretty much hit it on the head. I wont argue that as it stands right now it IS the worst FBS conference, but IMO there is still upside to joining the WAC. Above all else it has a track record of bringing up programs and making them known on the national stage (Fresno, BSU , Hawaii). Thus far the Belt has not been able to duplicate that. The WAC will still have some type of presence on ESPN, and with the addition of large media markets in SA/Austin, Seattle, Denver there is a chance a new ESPN deal could be pretty decent. At the end of the day I still feel the ceiling is higher in the WAC than the Belt. UTSA, with our facility, Coker, and our strong OOC schedule has the opportunity to replicate what BSU has done in the WAC. By no means am I saying they will....but just to know that opportunity exists is very exciting.

I understand your point, but I think you underestimate how many HS athletes we export from this state each year. I took a quick look through the out of state MWC rosters and there is atleast 10 TX kids on each one, some like Colorado St have 20 or 30. Not to say these are all world talents, but I find it hard to believe more kids wouldn't stay in state if the option was available to them. With the addition of 2 more schools you are really only adding an additional 50-60 scholys in any given recruiting cycle.

fair enough, thanks for the welcome. remember, the coyote never wins

Exactly, USF benfitted from a desperate conference, so is UTSA. I havent heard mention on a TXSt join date. Already being FCS they are a year ahead of us on progression so they should be able to go in 2012 as well if they want. UTSA currently has home games scheduled with: Arizona Arizona St Virgina Baylor Ok St Kansas St La Tech Colorado St Also we are in discussions with New Mexico, Tech Tech and Air Force, but that may all be on hold now until this WAC situation plays out. EDIT: clarification on TxSt's possible join date, looks like they are a go for 2012. http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/utsa/2010/09/

nope, why you jumping to conclusions....maybe YOU are worried about something. Read my posts here on GMG, I have been nothing but respectful.

UTSA has a lot of pieces in place to rise up quickly, it really boils down to how quickly they can become competitive. They have a brutal OOC schedule starting in 2013. My hope is that come 2014 they can be competitive atleast in WAC conference play, at that point they will have approx 50 players that will be 4th and 5th year seniors with a lot of playing time under their belt. Some chatter that the WAC may try to get a waiver to allow UTSA entry for the 2012 season. Our AD isnt too thrilled with that idea, but if thats what the WAC demands than we have no choice really. A team full of red shirt sophs and freshman are going to be in WAY over their head at that point.

meep meep!

X2

hey now...im asking the questions here To be honest, as a UTSA fan, very few things outside of UNT interest me in the Belt. Schools like Troy, FAI, FIU, WKU have no recognition in San Antonio whatsoever. Granted Hawaii, LaTech, NMSt, SJSU aren't world beaters by any means, but they are programs thats fans here seem to have some knowledge and familiarity with, and generally seem excited at the prospect of a WAC invite. I dont think we would see that same buzz if we were being mentioned for the Sunbelt in the same way. If UTSA was to get passed over for the WAC and ultimately settled on the belt, IMO most fans here would be dissapointed with that result. Educated UTSA fans understand we would be lucky to get ANY FBS invite, but the majority wouldn't see it that way. Its this type of thinking that is quickly garnering UTSA fans the reputation of being delusional and expecting things to be handed to them on a silver platter. As for gaining access to recruits in SEC states, interesting question, especially with Coker's ties to FL. I dont think it would play into the decision making process at this point though. Coker mentioned access to TX athletes as one of the main reason for taking this job. We are better served for the next few years in just focusing on TX and trying to keep kids home IMO. It helps that the SA region is producing more D1 talent than ever before, and so far alot of these kids are buying in to staying home and helping build up their hometown school. UT, A&M will always get the pick of the litter, but there is still plenty to go around IMO. Where does UNT focus its recruiting...do you still have a TX dominated roster?

fair points. FWIW, I dont know too many people that rely on the newspaper for their sports info, but I understand your point. I know competing with Cowboy's coverage is nearly impossible, turn on a tv in San Antonio, you would start to think they were the SA Cowboys. Its an issue UTSA will have to deal with as well. My question to you though, are you getting decent coverage now as a belt member, and would it really be that much worse in the WAC? Keep in mind coverage for your program isnt limited to your local market. New instate rivalries could bring you statewide coverage that you currently dont recieve. Ask TxSt how much pub they are getting in SA as of late, it has increased tenfold by us simply being mentioned together all the time. That same effect would be translated to UNT to some degree if the 3 schools became conference mates. Opens up new avenues to reach out to your alumni in other areas of the state, and opens doors to more recruits who may not have considered UNT before. Similar argument with tv coverage. Just because its late for the central time zone doesnt mean people arent watching. Those late night games still get hundreds of thousands of viewers. I know if I happen to be at home on a Sat evening that there is going to be a football game on ESPN late at night. I also know to check the listings on Thur and Fri nights as well to see if ESPN has picked up a game. It may be late, but there is no competition for eyeballs at that hour, if a person wants to watch football thats the only option. People across the country see those games and become familiar with your program, can you honestly say that type of coverage is or will be available to you in the Belt?

Dont forget Hawaii in the 08 Sugar Bowl, although one could argue their performance in that bowl erased any positives Colony, I completely understand your argument. I also appreciate that already being in an FBS conference gives one a different view of things. One thing I havent heard any of you really mention....travel for the olympic sports, is that not as big of deal as I suspected?

thanks for answering with more than a "no" Im well aware of UNT's stance in the past regarding the WAC, simply wondering if more TX schools and other realignment scenarios might bring about some different thinking. You can certainly make the argument that the Belt is stronger than what will remain of the WAC, but the average person will still view the WAC as the better of the two IMO. Its still going to take a few years of consistency by Belt teams for that perception to change. The WAC will always have some type of ESPN deal, deserved or not, to fill late night slots. I think many are quick to dismiss the brand recognition that Boise has built for the WAC, I dont think that recognition dissapears the moment Fresno and BSU leave. IMO, knowing that a non AQ conference has produced multiple BCS at large teams within the past few years alone puts it way ahead in perception. It leaves the door open for the remaining/new members to have similar success, and offer that potential to recruits and fans. The belt ceiling still doesnt go that high IMO. Thats why I am asking now if anyone feels differently. Your program is on the verge of having to hit the reset button, momentum built by your last Sunbelt 'ship has nearly been erased by the Dodge tenure. If a program has to start over, with a new stadium to boot, why not consider a new conference as well. Call it the ultimate of clean slates i guess.

fair enough

Not here to troll/flame, serious ?'s Is your school warming up to the idea of the WAC, specifically a WAC east division composed of: LaTech NMSt UNT UTSA TxSt Denver (olympic sports only) Any other schools out there that would make you feel differently, say a Montana for instance? Rumored that up to 10 schools may be present in Dallas for presentations to the WAC committe on Sept 27/28....any inkling that UNT might be present, even if just to hear the other school's out? I know the general line of thinking for UNT: west coast conference is a bad fit for central time zone schools, Belt is stronger than the WAC 6 at this point, holding out for CUSA bid, travel for olympic sports...etc.. If you knew for a fact that UNT was NOT the first choice for CUSA expansion do you feel your administration would more strongly consider the WAC? Does your team's performance over the past couple years, as well as the impending firing of your coach play into UNT's thought process at this point? Do you think you would be able to land a better qualified coach as a WAC member vs. the Belt? Would it be easier to rebuild under a new coach in a different conference with a fresh start, alongside 2 other TX schools that will be experiencing significant growing pains as well leveling the playing field for everyone? Interested to hear your thoughts.