SilverEagle

1. This sounds like what happened when we hired Hayden Fry. 2. This sounds like a vote for more and/or better promotions people. addendum: I've thought about this a little while and I'll have to disagree with you a little about hiring an "established vs up-and-coming" coach. My feeling is that we need to hire someone who is "up-and-coming" much like Rice did. The problem is the person doing the hiring. Our most recent experience (the last 30 years) has been that we are terrible at hiring coaches, with two exceptions, Hayden Fry and Corky Nelson. Who was responsible for making those hires? I don't mind "up-and-coming" coaches passing through North Texas on their way to the big time, as long as they have moved us up a peg or so (or 10) in the pecking order before they move on. Eventually we will be the ultimate destination, rather than the "way station". How do we do this? I suggest that we get an expert to develop a "profile" of the type of coach that North Texas needs, and use this profile in every hiring situation that takes place in the future. The profile can be adjusted as the "culture" at North Texas starts changing. We need to ask specific questions about how a coach will work to help North Texas change it's apathetic "culture". To me, the profile of the perfect coach for North Texas "at this time" would be pretty much a "Hayden Fry" or the new coach at Rice. Any coach hired here would need to fully understand the "culture of apathy/inferority" at North Texas and have a viable plan for working in this environment, as well as a viable plan for recruiting players to come here. IMHO you cannot scrape together a bunch of money and hire a High Profile coach to come here and change things. Most established high profile coaches had their successes in established programs, and they didn't have to deal with helping to change the "culture" of the University. I think that that is one of the most difficult things for most coaches to deal with and/or realize when they come here. IMHO Hayden was able to deal with it, because he lived next door to us for so many years, and he had a pretty good understanding of how North Texas was perceived.... and how we perceived ourselves. He was able to hit the ground running from day one to start making "cultural changes". Corky Nelson worked well at North Texas because he used to be a DL coach under Rod Rust and had a very good understanding of the "culture" here. I remember when we hired Corky, my first comment was "well, at least he knows what he's getting himself into". fire away folks

The first time that I was at practice (last Wednesday) I noticed him suited up and asked a reporter who that was. The response was "Oh, I think he must be a walk-on". When I was up there on Saturday, someone mentioned that Kail had looked pretty good in practice, and they were making early comparisons to him and Evan Cardwell. Someone said that they thought that Kail was a bit quicker than Cardwell at the same stage of development (coming in as a freshman).

Jim, you and I are very much on the same page regarding the long term issues that have effected our University. Since the University cannot spend any of it's money on a stadium, I am curious to know where you would recommend that the University make it's biggest investment (s) in the athletic department. Promotions? more fundraisers? I also agree with you regarding the University having more "green blooded" staff and administrators who not only have a professional stake, but an emotional stake as well in the University succeeding. To me a North Texas graduate would have a clearer picture about what their challenge(s) would be, and would waste less time being shocked and puzzled about what appears to be our "culture of apathy". Most of the time, North Texas graduates are not apathetic per se, they're just afraid to be laughed at by UT & A$M graduates and/or big school bandwagon wanabee's (who are usually the ones with the biggest mouths), for admitting that they are North Texas graduates/fans.

Interesting birth control method. Whenever anyone asked my wife if we were going to have another child, she would just smile and say "we have an agreement. I'll have the first child, and if he wants any more,.... he can have the rest."

One son, age 25, who is a North Texas graduate (with honors) and is currently in the Fort Worth Fire Dept. academy. I'm still working on him being a more active North Texas fan.

You mean the coach of Lollygag High? I wouldn't mind seeing him. Maybe he could call a few plays for us this fall.

I don't know how this is going to turn out. But this is the kind of situation where you find out what sort of character the team has.......as well as the fans.

Did you hear that a "fight" was involved somehow?

Well said, gangrene! I think you have just given a new meaning to an old expression. The "dumpster-diving" method of College recruiting....

High School, the first time that my HS team beat the former State Champion Jacksboro Tigers,,,,, at their home field, and broke a long (and humiliating) losing streak. The second was the next year when I witnessed the same two teams slugging it out (in Decatur) for the district championship and #1 ranking in 3-A. And it was SRO hours before the game started. And all of the concession stands were sold out before the game even started. North Texas can only dream about that sort of fan devotion. College, the game listed above with New Mexico State. Pros. the Ranger game where Nolan Ryan pitched his last no-hitter.

It wasn't during the Corky Nelson era that the University lost most of it's alumni support The biggest loss of alumni support was during the Craig Helwig era.

"If people want to walk around and say, 'Our goal is to win a national championship,' well, that's great. But you need realistic goals. You're not going to win a national championship in my lifetime, or God's lifetime. That's just the truth." Former Middle Tennessee AD and coach "Boots" Donnelly I'm no Norman Vincent Peal by any stretch of the imagination. But if you can't imagine it, then it definitely will never happen. BTW, have I mentioned lately that I DIDN'T COME HERE TO LOSE!

We are planning to be in the Orange parking lot.

No they don't have drink holders. However, Wal-mart does sell (in the garden dept) the standard fold-out chairs for about $10 and they are the kelly green that we use now.

Just in case some of you wanted one of those new folding recliners that are popular with the RV (recreational vehicle) crowd, Wal-Mart is starting to close out them out. Here is what they look like on-line. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3342174 At my local Wal-Mart they are selling them for $30 dollars.

An updated roster was handed out to fans who attended the scrimmage yesterday. Here are the additions/changes compared to the roster on the official athletic department site. #9 Ronnie Hull, FB, 6'#" X 237 Sr. (still listed with #92 on the official site) #9 Dwayne Thompson, LB, 5'11" X 220, FR. HS Rowlett #14 Zack McLaurin QB, 6'1" X 205, FR, HS Irving(?) Ranchview HS. #18 Raife Jenkins LB, 6'3" X 210, Fr. HS, Little Rock, Ark. (Sylvan Hills HS) #21 Tony Taveras LB(RB), 5'11" X 225 Fr. HS, Geoesbeck HS #27 Heath Wells, P/K, 6'1" X 235, Fr. HS, Lewisville TX HS #34 Preston Jenkins LB, 5'11" X 230, Fr. HS, Arlington (Lamar HS) #43 Marcus Sykes OLB, 6'3" X 253, Fr. HS, Coppell TX HS (still listed with #70 on the official site) #48 Freddy Gittens DB, 6' X 205, Jr. TR, Irving TX (McArthur) #52 Sam Owusu-Hemeng DE, 6'1" X 230 Fr. HS, Arlington, TX (Seguin HS) #54 Andrew Payne, DL, 6'3" X 242, Fr. HS, Grand Prairie TX, (South Grand Prairie) #59 Henry Eke, LB, 5'11" X 205, Fr. RS, Pflugerville, TX (Pflugerville HS) * still listed as #54 on the official site. #62 Chris Eidd, OL, 6'3" X 306, Fr. RS, Euless, TX (Trinity HS) * still listed as wearing #78 on the official site. #64 Jeff Moehrig, OL, 6' X 293, Fr. HS Victoria TX (Memorial HS) #69 Kenneth Okonkwo, DL, 6'2" X 230, Fr. HS Richardson TX (Berkner) #70 Brian Carlson, OL, 6'5" X 268, Jr. TR Spring TX (Kilgore CC) * still listed as wearing #85 on the official site. #71 Matthew Menard, DL, 6'5" X 275, Fr. HS Spring TX (Westfield HS) * still listed as wearing #94 on the official site. #94 Kendrick Ridge, DL, 6'1" X 275, Fr. HS, Garland, TX (South Garland HS) * listed as wearing #71 on the official site.

Woody is fine where he is. We have plenty of talent at wide-out.....and as it turns out TE.

There's also a thing called "playing smart". You fight for six extra inches if it's 4th and inches. But otherwise you got out of bounds and live to fight another day.

I didn't see Prince out there at all. I have to say that Woody showed a lot of accuracy today. He threw some pretty passes over the middle. Aside from the concerns that Big Dawg expressed (I turned to John Denver and said the same thing that BD said about that "6" extra" run, when Woody should have just gone out of bounds) , I think he's making a serious move to start. New players and new positions. As I mentioned earlier this week, Ronnie Hull has changed jerseys (now wearing #9) and playing FB. I also speculated that this might mean that James Mithchell could be moved back to RB....sure enough I was right. James Played a series and ran well......until he hurt his ankle. New Player, wearing #21 in white is Tony Taveras, 5'11" X 225, Freshman HS, from Groesbeck. On the roster that was handed out before the scrimmage, he was listed as a linebacker, but they were playing him at RB during the scrimmage. He was getting some pretty good yardage, but kept fumbling the ball. Where the hell has this young man been? Late qualifier like Ross? I didn't see him playing, but Freddy Giddens (6' X205 DB) Jr. from Irving, is wearing #48. Overall the OL is looking bigger and better.

Spoken like someone who's been married for a long time.

Yes, bring your own gun.

It'll be interesting to see what Rice's attendance will be with their new "reach-out-to-everyone-in-the-community" coach.....and his new offensive scheme.

Here is the official roster from the athletic site. http://www.meangreensports.com/SportSelect...2&Q_SEASON=2006 It needs updating.

You forgot Russell McQuiston. Besides, they gave him a "ship" after the Wednesday practice. That doesn't say underdog to me. I never really regarded him as such. I like what I've seen of him, but IMHO it's too soon to talk about him in terms of being in the rotation, much less being the starter. He has a long way to go.

I've never seen a WR at North Texas take such a leadership role. Johnny is amazing.....and as a receiver "money-in-the-Bank". Here are some of my other "money-in-the-Bank" receivers. Marcus Camper WR/Kick Returner John Love WR/Kick Returner Louis Silva TE Clayton George WR Pete Harvey WR Charles Murry WR Barry Moore WR Ron Shanklin WR David Brown WR/Kick Returner