TheReal_jayD

It does when you arrive in January. Spend spring evaluating. Lose key guys after spring ball. Yes I have stated they should have been more aggressive. But I don't think they realized the cupboard on the defensive side of ball was so empty until it was too late.

Before we place the blame on Matt Caponi, I think we need to take a step back at how we got here. North Texas lost 5 of its top returning 7 tacklers from last year’s defense. With only Mazin Richards and Kevin Woods returning. Kevin Woods has not returned to preinjury form while Mazin has been playing in a new position most of the year. I know we have spoken to nauseum on the board that the 3-3-5 defense will not work at North Texas. But if you scan down the top defenses in the country you will see several 3-man fronts scattered in the top 20. I think a huge reason this defense has struggled this year has been due to youth and lack of talent. I think we are seeing a ton of youth playing more and more each week. The freshman trio of Jayven Anderson, Evan Jackson and Ethan Wesloski played over 160 snaps between the three this last Saturday against UTSA. The most so far this season. I don't think the best move is to fire Caponi just yet. I want to see him, and this staff have a full offseason to use the portal and juco ranks to revamp this defense. North Texas has several key pieces set to return. If Caponi is fired it will be the 4th Defensive Coordinator in 5 years for North Texas. I would like this team to be able to have some continuity and have the chance to grow. We all love Phil Bennett, but his defense didn’t set the world on fire in year one. But we saw huge growth in year two. I think if you don't lose Gaddie and Nixon this defense looks greatly improved this year. But hindsight is 20/20. I am not going to say Morris made the wrong hire. I do think they made a mis step by not being more aggressive in bringing in ready to play players on that side and may have been too dependent on high school recruiting. But I am wanting to see what they can do with a full offseason. Caponi was not hired till after the early signing period. That is a ton of talent off the boards and put the whole team behind the 8 ball in terms of roster building. The Mount Union and Iowa State connection gives me hope that Caponi can turn this thing around. This defense has a ton of talent to return. The Junior trio of Safeties in Hill, Wilson and Nakwaasah with freshman’s Jayven Anderson and Evan Jackson fighting for Starting Roles. Ridge Texada and Taylor Starling are set to return as cornerbacks. All Conference caliber DT Rod Brown is set to return as well. I truly believe this has been ugly this season I am no denying that. But I believe with Caponi’s intelligence and pedigree that with some recruiting he will get this thing trending in the right direction. Disclaimer: This is all my personal optimistic opinion. Morris may fire him after the SMU for all I know. But I would like a second season just to make sure. Like I said with Bennett, just because you hire a new Defensive Coordinator, I believe it will take whoever you hire to get it turned around. Especially with learning another new system.

Kehres is in 4th year. So I am assuming he has the player in postions to fit scheme.

Matt Caponi Current position Title Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach Team North Texas Biographical details Born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Playing career 2000–2003 Mount Union Position(s) Safety Coaching career (HC unless noted) 2004 Mount Union (SA) 2005 Mount Union (LB) It's almost like these guys might run the same defense.....

There were people on here that were wanting Morris when Seth flirted with Kansas State.

THIS 110% UIW was one of the best FCS in the country the last two seasons.. If we played them last year I am not sure we would have beat them. Yes bringing in half of the starters already familiar with the staff and system is a huge advantage that we can't over look.

This kid was on our roster last year. Old staff tried to move him to OL. Will be interesting if we can get him back to Denton.

Maclin is scheduled to graduate next summer. Rogers is a graduate as well.

Well it probably wasn't a rebuilding year.. Until you lost Cole Brown, Varkeyes Gumm, Jake Roberts, Deshawn Gaddie, Larry Nixon, Cam Robertson, Jyaire Shorter.. Not to mention already having to replace Manase Moses and KD Davis. Then hiring a coach that missed the whole early signing period didn't help. So yes I would 110% qualify this as a rebuilding year. With a full off-season I believe we see a completely different team next fall. Not to mention they have only lost by one possession each of the last three games against 3 of the best 4 in conference. Not bad for having the absolute worst defense in the country.

THIS!!! This is what has me excited for the North Texas Football future.

I don't think they are moving away. But I think in todays age you have to be balanced. You have to use all avenues in roster building. Last staff was too HS dependent. This staff started that way.. but I think that has changed in quick amount of time

WR is one position I am not worried about in the least.

I doubt any if he choose ULM

This was coming for a while. Before we start yelling at the kid for not following through with his commitment. North Texas pulled his offer after his OV.

https://x.com/matthew_reed10/status/1718494959836258645?s=46&t=hiUMSl2Io6piK_J-adOe_Q https://twitter.com/matthew_reed10/status/1718494959836258645

1 more unannounced. Both DL

🧩=🥩

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H13moJUvOSU

We are back at 9 live!! Will post link. Send in any questions you got for the crew.

I am joined by @Harry and @NorthTexasSportsNetwork as we discuss the thrilling Navy vs North Texas game and share their experiences from their trips to Maryland. Harry brings you the latest updates on the new Mean Green Collective, while the trio also previews the highly anticipated American Conference clash between Temple and North Texas. 📺👇 https://youtu.be/dZhQ0M7gWc8

Jd talks with North Texas great Mason Y'Barbo to catch up but also discuss the effects of a coaching change, his thoughts on the Eric Morris Era, recruiting and developing OL and also breakdown film of newest North Texas commit Cameron Lewis https://youtu.be/k1-RuvEo9OA

The positions that we don’t have a lot committed currently I think we will see more ready to play (juco/portal) added. I wouldn’t be surprised us adding 5-7 on the lines if not more. We obviously know we need ready to play DL not projects. I think OL maybe same. Definitely some guys on that OL we will have to work to keep this off season. Get the two hs dl that was in this weekend and one other HS OL.

I never said any of that. the first statement I said about Traylor leaving was meaning that come December it could be a free for all for UTSA recruits. So don’t be counting recruits they have committed now as for sure signings. the second statement about 2 conference championship was stating that for fans to think Morris should win every battle against Utsa right out of the gate is idiotic. Morris and company have already won several battles. But to equate losing one battle here and there to them not being good recruiters is dumb.

They have 2 conference championships at the moment... that is some weight in recruiting.. But this staff has already beat UTSA multiple times since arriving in Dec.