SilverEagle

To me the quality of the Green Brigade halftime shows has never been in question. What I have always questioned is the Band not taking primary responsibility for promoting spirit during the games. This was especially true during the Dr. Winslow era. In the last three or four years there has been a noticable change by the Band in that regard. The Band now regards itself as an integral and essential part of the game day experience. Way to go guys!

It's been reported several times that before Rice hired Coach Graham last year, they contacted Coach Dodge about the job and he said "no thank you".

The only D-1 University in Texas. Notre Dame once hired a successful HS coach. Correction. We were not a D-1 school when we hired Parker, we were 1-AA. But I believe that we are the only school in Texas to hire a HS coach as our head coach. Art Briles had only been coaching in College for two years before he was hired as the head coach at Houston.

This reminds me of a story that I've told before about Hayden Fry, and what a great PR guy he was. I was still in college and was sitting in my car at the stop light on University by where Luby's used to be. While I was waiting for the light to change, I looked over to my right, and who should be sitting in his car next to me, but Hayden Fry. He turned and looked at me and I gave him a friendly wave. I detected a slight look of puzzlement on his face for just a split second, before he broke out in a big smile and waved back as if we had been friends for 20 years or so. His whole facial expression said "well, hello there Bill!" We had never met, and he had no earthly idea who I was, but that didn't matter. He was always working the crowd. As I drove off, I just shook my head and thought "Hayden, you are one hell of a salesman". BUT that was what North Texas needed at that time in order to get the program moving forward. Because the coach that Hayden replaced (Rod Rust) was the only coach that I can remember at North Texas who had less personality than DD. illuvius, I think that Coach Dodge was genuinely interested in making a connection with a North Texas alumni/fan. As a teacher/coach/salesman, it's just second nature to him. Like I've said before. This is our second chance at having a "Hayden Fry-type" coach come here and re-energize our program. I hope we don't blow it this time like we did with Hayden.

He also mentioned the Jr. College RB that was on campus. He said that he wanted to sign two RB's because the current two on the team were going to be seniors this year. That obviously leaves out Evan Robertson. He mentioned that there were several walk-ons on campus who would be getting a lot of "reps" during the spring. That should be an interesting group.

mine went blank, and when I went back the link was gone. So, I guess it's over.

I agree. I've never seen this many all-state and/or high achieving football players signed in one year at North Texas. A solid A or A+ as far as I'm concerned.

I can't wait to see what the exsisting players can do under the direction of the new coaching staff.

......who's contributions to the athletic department will pay for his free ride. Yeah, he doen't need to them a second thought.

That may be, but what makes his decision more important than the other ones who've already faxed their letters in?

.....and slightly delusional

the fax machine worked just fine for his team mate. I'm still leaning toward ego/grand-standing.

What? no cousin with a nickname like "Boom Boom"?......how disappointing.....

The cynic in me believes that Mr Vizza may have a bit of an ego, and is waiting to make a grand entrance.

This is one of the reasons that I never go the "automatic deduction" route.

I went to the B-12 link on the web-site. It's amazing how many songs are part of the various school's traditions. I noticed that many of them have thier own signature fanfare. North Texas used to have their own signature fanfare when Maurice McAdow was the director. I don't know if it was something that he (or one of his graduate students) wrote, but I noticed that it went away after Dr. Winslow took over the band. Also, the original fight song got "dumbed down" when Dr. Winslow took over as well. I'd like to see them dig out the music for the old fanfare and use it again.

Why? Did he put it on in a new and exciting way?.....

I remember a player being there, but I don't remember that he was especially big. I remember the guy who might have been his father better. He was dressed in a Kelly Green oxford cloth shirt with the SLC logo embroidered over the pocket. He looked more like a North Texas graduate than most of the real graduates that were in the stands that night. I was so impressed with his shirt that I acquired one very much like it with a NT exes logo over the pocket. We need start dressing for the occasion folks! I went to the banquet two weeks ago, and I could barely tell that it was a North Texas event.

..............."Still wasn't too wild about their apparent organized voting coalition a few years ago on that most important athletic-oriented referendum, though" So, in one sentence you are acknowleding that Debbie may not be pissed at you, and then you set about trying rectify that situation by including her in an alleged conspiricy?

Sooners were cheaters on a land grab........which the government set up originally by grabbing it away from the Indians. The signal for the "land grab" to start was a shotgun. Which I'm guessing is the reason that they have that group of guys that shoot off the shotguns as part of the grand entrance by the Sooner Band. I don't understand why the shotgun signal is part of their tradition, since the "Sooners" had already jumped the gun anyway. And I'm sure that the Sooners are responsible for that expression too.

I remember reading about former Dallas Cowboy fullback Don Perkin's (#43 on your program) speed. The Cowboys always opened their game with a hand-off to Perkins. He almost never lost any yardage on the play, even though the opposition knew it was coming. The longest run from scrimmage I ever saw him make was about 15 yards. Supposedly his 40 time was around 5.0, which was damn slow even for his era. According to a former coach and/or scout, the catch was that Don Perkins was going 5.0 by the time he took his third step. What he might have been running 40 yards down the field was irrelevant. He was going full speed by the time they handed him the ball, and he always gained yards. I'll take smart, quick, and tough any day over blazing speed. I'll also take someone who has "game speed" (AKA running a step faster than the person chasing you) over someone who has better "timed" speed.

I basically trust (but not blindly) the new coaching staff, but I'd feel a bit better about this commitment if some other D-1 school besides Rice was after him. However, on the positive side. If Rice wants him, then we are less likely to have an "Evan Robertson" situation in the next year or so.

Ex-Eagle transfers North Texas running back Evan Robertson, who showed flashes of becoming Jamario Thomas' heir apparent last season, has enrolled at North Central Texas College in hopes of regaining his academic eligibility, said his father, Eddie. Eddie Robertson said his son, who will miss spring practice, plans to return to UNT in August if he finishes the required coursework. Robertson rushed for 407 yards and had a combined three touchdowns on offense and special teams. -- Troy Phillips

I adopted the same policy right after the loss of my mother, and my wife the loss of her mother, a few years ago. It's an excellent tribute to your loved ones who have passed-on. My sincere condolences