NT80

I would be interested in him. He's recruited several athletes from Texas including their starting QB Drew Tate.

He is classless.

Article about HS salaries: An analysis of the numbers led to some surprising findings. For instance, Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge, whose teams are 63-1 the last four years with three Class 5A state titles and two seasons that ended with mythical national championships, ranks No. 22 at $90,010. TOM FOX/DMN Southlake Carroll coach Todd Dodge (left), winner of three state titles in four years, is a relative bargain at $90,010 or $5,625.63 per victory. What becomes an issue is the scope of a coach's duties and the time they require. It is rare these days to find a head football coach who actually teaches in the classroom. Many, though not all, suburban districts also put the football coach in charge of a school's athletic program. "If people would really just take the time to follow 5A or 4A coaches around from Aug. 1 until five or six rounds of the playoffs, they never would say that $82,000 is too much," Mr. Dodge said of the average coaching salary. "It's a seven-day-a-week job from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. If you broke it down to the number of hours that a high school football coach works, I know one thing: All of us would be pretty depressed."

Dale Hanson said DD was a funny guy but had a poor record the last two years and this is what happens in this day and time when you don't win. They showed a video interview clip of RV saying basically that the program needed a change at this time. He didn't look happy about having to make the change but was professional in his speech and I agreed with it needing to happen. Perhaps they will show it again at 10pm. Ch. 5 and 11 also had short stories and clips about DD being fired. Yes, they said fired, not resigned.

Wreck Tech!

I agree he would be a great hire for marketing and recruiting. But also agree that he probably won't come because his son will be a senior next year and Dodge has BCS-envy.

Want to re-think that?

I also thank RV for making the tough decision, even if in conjunction with DD. It's never an easy decision or situation but this needed to happen for the program.

I applaud RV for making the announcement now and not letting the situation linger. Regardless if it was his call or DD's, it was the right thing to do and at the right time to do it for the program. I'm sorry for DD the man this had to happen and wish him good health in the future.

I wondered why he didn't get more minutes. Leg or ankle injury?

NT men wins exhibition game 92-71

RV will have to address the situation eventually, one way or the other. He's been rather quiet the past month. It will probably be after the season's end and in the media as opposed to on here, although I think MGC members should get the info first. I wish it was announced sooner if there is going to be a change so the process could begin. If DD is to be retained fans need that info too.

Clark: Time is now for Iowa State to start thinking of future By NANCY CLARK REGISTER SPORTS COLUMNIST November 5, 2006 Ames, Ia. - No bowl game. No winning season. All Iowa State will play for in its final two games is a nice sendoff for the seniors. And maybe for a coach. Dan McCarney will return next season, as far as we know, even though the Cyclones have become little more than tasty morsels for Big 12 Conference opponents. But if it is time for housecleaning, include the players. Iowa State's fumble-fingered 41-10 loss to Kansas on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium emphasized just how crucial it is for the 3-7 Cyclones to use their closing games against Colorado and Missouri to establish something for next season. There's no offense. No defense. No innovation. No inspiration. "It's embarrassing to come out and play like that," said Shawn Moorehead, who had 2.5 sacks, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass to help a defense, the Big 12's worst, that gave up 403 yards. "It seems like we're in a spiral," defensive back Jason Harris said. McCarney was openly apologetic. "Our fans deserve better than what we gave them today," he said. Athletic director Jamie Pollard paused when asked what positives he saw in a loss that gave the Jayhawks their largest margin of victory on the road since their very first Big 12 game, a 28-point win over Oklahoma in 1996. Pollard didn't take the opportunity to defend his coach. "The fans at the start of the game," he said after searching for an answer. "We had hoped they would come out and appreciate the fact that there are 21 seniors on this team." The fans who remained at the end were split into two camps. The diehards on the west upper deck cheered for the Cyclones as they drove for their only touchdown, which came on a 1-yard run by fullback Ryan Kock after Iowa State trailed 41-3 with just under 5 minutes to play. Others openly mocked the home team. "Go for two!" some cheered after the meaningless touchdown. (Laughter.) "Onside kick!" (More laughter.) Iowa State was called offsides on the kickoff. "Way to go, McCarney!" (More laughter.) McCarney's not laughing. His players aren't laughing. "Those kids are bleeding inside," McCarney said, "and the coaches are." There's more pain ahead. Tough decisions need to be made. Are the current Cyclone players capable of forging a team that's a contender in 2007? Who does Iowa State have to build around? Who are the franchise players? Or are there any?

If DD gets another year a LOT of fans (and donations) will not be back.

RV has been very quiet lately, and Vito is afraid to ask him the tough questions. I think RV knows the fan base needs some hope for the future...and that's not DD. He needs to do the right thing for the program...get a new head coach, as in a month ago so he can start recruiting!

Like maybe a UNT/TWU merger? What a waste of $$ to have duplicate programs 5 miles apart. We could rival A$M in size with a merger and perhaps get Denton off it's duff with support in a single college town rather than what we have now with two Universities.

Another L. J. pet project. I wish he had such a desire to see UNT Athletics become fully funded and do well.

Maybe we could do this with the coaching staff too? Have another head coach and staff waiting in the wings to come on the field and take over the game when DD & Co. falls behind. Brilliant!

Just exactly how many of the 16 losses in the last 12 months is DD responsible for? Now 41-62 overall.

You are correct that other SBC teams have become better since 2001, but not yet up to even mid 1-A level. All the while NT has fallen to Bottom 10 status on the heels of 4 made-for-just-us Bowl games. And I believe the SunBelt is a detriment to NT. What do you think any college football fan's image of the SunBelt is outside SBC towns? They usually ask how are we doing in 1-AA. And BTW, SMUt was just on ESPN2 (one of only two teams playing at the time) last Tuesday...same as UNT in it's Bowls; so, big deal.

D-RC sports staff on UNT football 02:51 PM CST on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 moderator: Sports Editor Russ Goodall and UNT beat writer Brett Vito will take questions at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, on Mean Green athletics. moderator: Sports Editor Russ Goodall and UNT beat writer Brett Vito will now take questions on Mean Green football. Sports editor Russ Goodall: Here we are again for another round of Q&A. Fire away and Brett and I will do our best to answer your questions. moderator: North Texas suffered another loss this past weekend. It looked as if the defense played another good game. Was it the same old problems with the offense? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Yes, the offense just bogged down when it got into the red zone. UNT has struggled offensively all season, and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Perhaps the most discouraging aspect to the game for UNT was that Jamario's recent run of success came to an end. He had rushed for at least 100 yards in three of UNT's last four games, but finished with just 23 yards on 18 carries against Troy. UNT thought it might be working out its troubles running the ball, but took a big step backward, which is pretty hard to do considering how bad UNT has been offensively this year. moderator: Travis Scott: I am a graduate of UNT and my wife and I are supporters of Mean Green athletics. It's so hard being a Mean Green football fan...You would think that after 4 consecutive bowl appearances and conference championships, we could attract some pretty decent recruits. Why is it that we can't? Why do we only recruit from Texas and Oklahoma? Why is Dickey still allowed to coach in Division-I football? Why have we lost all respect and momentum that we had from those 4 great years? Again, why is Dickey still here? Why can't we figure out who is going to be our quarterback after 7 games!?! WHY DOESN'T THE PRESS START SLAMMING THE EXTREMELY POOR PLAY CALLING??????? UNT beat writer Brett Vito: UNT concentrates its recruiting efforts in Texas and Oklahoma and only goes outside that two-state area if there is a specific reason to do so, like a previous relationship with a player's family. The big problem UNT is running into now is that it didn't recruit well in the bowl years. There are not a lot of impact players left from the 2002 and 2003 recruiting classes. Those struggles in recruiting have contributed to UNT's quarterback problems. Sports editor Russ Goodall: Travis, lets take these one at a time. First, kids that can play division I football are not attracted by the Sun Belt Conference. There is very little TV exposure and the champion only goes to the New Orleans Bowl. Second, If you can't get the recruits you want from Texas and Oklahoma, what makes you think they are going to be able to get them from the other 48 states?... Third, Dickey is the ONLY coach that has had success at UNT since the days of Hayden Fry and now you want to run him out of town as well. Don't you think 4 conference champions allows him a little lattitude to get this thing turned around?? Fourth, this is a what have you done lately business -- especially here at UNT. They didn't pack the stadium when they were winning, what do you expect when they are not winning... Finally, none of the three quarterbacks have taken the job from the other two. But, with Meager's recent concussion, I don't think you will see him again this season. So, it is down to two.... Finally, it is the same play calling that won 4 SBC titles. I slammed it then and I have slammed it all season. This is not a good offensive football team and the play calling is horrible, but it won't change until Ramon Flanigan is no longer the Offensive coordinator. moderator: Will North Texas start to look at some younger players now that it is out of the picture in the race for the Sun Belt Conference title? Sports editor Russ Goodall: I believe UNT has been playing young players all season. I don't think you will see any difference down the stretch. Dickey's job is on the line, so he is going to go with the best players that can help UNT win. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Dickey said this week that UNT will only look to younger players if they help give UNT a better chance to win. A few players like David Collins and Bryant Seidle will have more opportunities, but don't expect a whole lot of lineup changes. moderator: MeanRob in Denton: I saw where Michigan State fired John L. Smith today, which makes me wonder will and or should coach Dickey be fired at the end of the season?? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Rob, I think the final stretch this season will tell the tale. If UNT can pick up some wins and play the role of spoiler, I think he for sure deserves to be back next season. If UNT loses out, then I think it will be time to make a change. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Dickey still has time to turn the season around, although UNT is out of the race for the Sun Belt title. Dickey has done a lot for the university and deserves time to turn the program around. How much time he has left to get that task done will be determined in the final few weeks of the season. moderator: Jeff in Aubrey: Is the quarterback that will lead this team back to prominence on the roster now? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Jeff, the answer to your question is simple -- No. UNT is going to have to hit the recruiting trail hard and land a good young quarterback. That is easier said then done, but if one of these three quarterbacks is starting 2 years from now, then UNT will still be in a funk. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: UNT has juggled three guys, but it seems as if Daniel Meager will have every opportunity to win the starting job. He fits UNT's system and makes the best decisions of the bunch. Woody Wilson has the most athletic talent. It will be a matter if he can learn the ofense well enough to become the starter. moderator: Mike in The Point: How is North Texas favored over anybody, much less La. Tech? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Good question Mike. From what I have seen this year, UNT shouldn't be favored over anybody. Right now, they wouldn't be favored to beat Southlake Carroll. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Tech is not the same team it was last year and has a very young defense. Both teams are stuggling and UNT is at home, so the Mean Green ended up being the favorite. Someone has to be a favorite when two struggling teams face off. moderator: UNT diehard: Are there any running backs on the roster that can actually get to the edge on a running play? or is all we have is Jamario Thomas who has to run between the tackles?? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Diehard, I dont believe there is a back on the roster that can get to the edge. UNT has put all of its eggs in Jamario's basket and it has come back to hurt the Mean Green this year. But, it is not all Jamario's fault, the offensive line has been horrible and that leads to the lack of production in the running game. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Jamario has lost some speed, but he can still get to the corner at times. Evan Robertson is the fastest running back on the team, but is very small for a Division I player. Jamario is UNT's best option at this point. moderator: Has coach Dickey resumed all of his duties or is he still limited in what he does? Sports editor Russ Goodall: Dickey is pretty much at full speed now. I dont know if the doctors have given him that kind of clearance, but he is back in the thick of it. UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Coach Dickey is back pretty much fulltime. He mighrt not spend quite as much time at the office as he used to, but he is at practice every day. Sports editor Russ Goodall: Well, we are going to cut it a little short today, Brett has a lot of work to do to get ready for Saturday's tilt with La. Tech. Thanks for the good questions. Keep them coming for next week. Talk to you then.

He is getting paid again by $MUt to say that.

Kragthorpe wouldn't leave being head coach in CUSA to be head coach in the SunBelt. Our conference hurts us as bad as our stadium. I'd also rather have a more "name" coach; someone who disassociated fans could recognize and want to come back to see at NT...yes, like a Hayden Fry type. We have to get the fan base interested in NT football again. Only a noticeable change will do it.

I like a program like that which doesn't leave it's fan base hanging.

First, if DD stays on the payroll just move him to another job, then hire a real coach. Next, if all the DD-lovers are worried about $$ think about this: 25,000 fans at SMUt game vs. 15,000 at FIU/Homecoming game = loss of 10,000 fans. Those 10,000 fans would have spent a minimum $10/fan for ticket/parking/concessions = minimum $100,000 lost revenue, probably more. Point: You are not saving $$ by keeping DD; DD is costing the school $$ by losing and turning off fans.