TxStBobcat

All About UNT, Here ya go, this explains it... http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1126488.html and http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1117929.html He was putting up pretty good numbers at the beginning of this season as well, but a stomach problem required surgery. He is recovering nicely it sounds like.

Committed to TXST today. http://rivals.yahoo.com/texasstate/football/recruiting/player-Dede-Westbrook-122581

MeanGreen61, what do you expect when you troll that wac board for months? I'm lucky that since I work with a bunch of UNT grads I know how good of people they are, but the same probably can't be said for fans of schools like San Jose, Idaho, Utah State. 61, you successfully trolled and pissed off a bunch of people. Congrats I guess on that, but if you got 51 registered members to think UNT fans are the most irritating...I wonder how many more casual viewers saw it? Probably a lot more. For the rest of y'all, the new stadium is looking good. I like it when we play you guys in basketball, hope to see y'all on the football field too a few years down the road. PEACE

Hah, exactly. Yes, Fran hired Darrel Dickey. He is primarily the Running Backs coach, but is also the Co-OC. The Dickey you saw was Jeremy Dickey, Darrel's nephew who transferred from Tarleton to TXST when Fran hired his uncle. The real OC who will be playing the calls is Mike Schultz. Schultz is most well known in Texas for being the OC at TCU for 11 years...up until 08 when he got an OC position with U of Illinois that didn't work out. Fran was lucky to have scooped him up.

Yeah that's a good point about the best WAC schools leaving. So, if the WAC schools get moved down a notch, instead of being mostly above the Belt, it would probably be a more even mixing of Belt/WAC teams. So they'd be about even and ratings would depend on which conference does best in OOC. So again, the argument that the WAC will become "clearly the worst conference in FBS" goes out the window again. I guess I just don't understand why UNT wouldn't want a pair of in-state conference rivals. I am not super familiar with UNT rivalries, but are Ark State and Troy big games for you guys? Plus, (and this is only my personal opinion), the WAC has a better "brand name" than the Sunbelt. Could maybe get an increasingly interested fanbase in Denton, what with the new stadium and all. I agree with you, there's no doubt that the WAC is the only team interested in taking FCS upstarts right now. The Belt's past history has shown it's interest in FCS upstarts as well, it just finds it's membership to be at a good number of teams right now.

I'm curious as to why UNT is turning down the offer for the WAC? Please no smack talk. Is it just because they've stuck with the Sunbelt for a decade now that they've got some loyalty? Have they actually developed real rivalries with Sunbelt teams? Do they feel the Sunbelt will be easier to win in the future than the new WAC? Is it an ego thing and not wanting to be associated with Texas State and UTSA? Is it because of bad memories of being in Western-centric conferences? Is it because of potential budget issues for the olympic sports? Is it because they feel a C-USA invite is close? I would imagine, it's a mixture of all of them, right guys? Anyways, I hope TXST and UNT start an on-going or every other year type of OOC rivalry over the next few years. Cheers, TXSTBOBCAT I will attach some Sagarin ratings to show how the Sunbelt and new WAC/soon-to-be-WAC teams compare as of right now. I know these ratings are just that, only ratings. But I think it shows that the new WAC will be FAR from "clearly the worst FBS conference" that is getting thrown around a lot. I'm not attaching these ratings in an attempt to flame anything, but as pre-emptive strike against any uninformed responses that will probably be along the lines of "Because the new WAC will be sooo weak, duh." Sagarin Ratings Hawai'i - #80 > Troy - #81 Idaho - #86 > MTSU - #104 San Jose St. - #106 > Arkansas State - #116 La Tech - #109 > Florida Int'l - #120 Montana - #117 > Florida Atl - #125 Texas St. - #130 > Louisiana - #137 Utah St. - #133 > WKU - #144 New Mexico St. - #163 < ULM - #149 UT - San Antonio - No football team at this time < UNT - #151 Sagarin ELO-Chess comparison Hawai'i 80 Troy 82 San Jose State 88 Idaho 105 MTSU 113 Texas State 116 Tech 117 Montana 126 FAU 127 ULL 129 Ark St 130 FIU 137 Utah St 141 UNT 142 WKU 143 ULM 147 NMSU 162

Looking at the new suites from the field in HD... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGjyQqbEPlM Some updated pictures...

Just saw this posted on another board and wanted to get some reactions from UNT fans...would this three division WAC interest you more than the current WAC or not? Why? Central - Texas State, Texas-San Antonio, Lamar, Louisiana Tech Mountain - Utah State, New Mexico State, Idaho, Boise State Pacific - Hawaii, San Jose State, Fresno State, Nevada

Updated pics... http://www.bobcatfans.com/forums/viewtopic...24&p=179907

In the drawing of the press box and suites, I think the tracks are just out of view to the left. The artist left out a lot of background detail as theres a busy road that should be to the left also. In the "Master Plan" picture I posted a while back, rail road tracks would currently go through the bottom of the picture, but I think so would Aquarena Springs Drive a lot more than it shows, so I don't think the picture is supposed to be super realistic at this point. I guess take it up with the artist?

http://www.bobcatfans.com/forums/viewtopic...4&start=165

3/25 Construction pics: http://www.bobcatfans.com/forums/viewtopic...4&start=120

All this should be completed by the beginning of next season. A reminder of the "Master Plan" for Texas State University's Bobcat Stadium. A few more years down the road...

Just felt like sharing the good news...after a 48-45 OT win yesterday against Sam Houston in Huntsville, the Tx St Bobcats won the Southland Conference Championship and the Automatic Qualifying bid to the playoffs. We just got the news today, we are facing #4 seeded Montana up in Missoula this Saturday. Wish us luck!!

Looks like not only this season does Texas State have Fred Bleil coming onboard to overhaul our defense, but we just hired Mike Bugar as our D-Line coach also. http://txstatebobcats.cstv.com/sports/m-fo.../071808aaa.html Mike Bugar Named Defensive Line Coach Highly successful veteran coach brings over 31 years of experience to Bobcat football program July 18, 2008 San Marcos, Texas - Texas State University head football coach Brad Wright has named Mike Bugar as the new defensive line coach for the Bobcats. Bugar comes to Texas State after serving seven seasons as the interior defensive line coach at North Texas from 2000-07. "We are very excited to have Mike Bugar as our defensive line coach," Wright said. "He brings an unbelievable wealth of knowledge and experience to our staff. He also will help enhance the same "mentality" that we began to implement in our program this past January." During his last six years at North Texas, Bugar produced seven All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Brandon Kennedy. The Mean Green also led the Sun Belt in every major defensive statistical category three times during that span. In 2002, the defense ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring defense and No. 9 in total defense. From 2001-2003, only five opposing players rushed for over 100 yards in a game against Bugar's front line. His defensive front also helped hold opponents to just 104.7 yards per game rushing in 2003, which is the school's best average since 1967. Bugar joined North Texas in 2000 as the program's strength and conditioning coordinator and became the team's interior defensive line coach in 2001. He has over 31 years of experience in coaching the defensive line and strength and conditioning. A three-year letter winner and 1969 graduate of Florida State University, Bugar began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1970. He also has served on the staffs at Wofford College (1971-76); Gardner Webb College (1977); Clemson University (1977-79); University of Florida (1980-82); West Georgia College (1985-87); Southern Miss (1988-89); LSU (1990-93); Baylor (1994-96); Mary Hardin-Baylor (1998); and Jacksonville State (1999). In addition, he spent one year in the professional coaching ranks as defensive line coach for the Arizona Wranglers of the USFL in 1983. He has coached under Curley Hallman at LSU, Danny Ford at Clemson and Charley Pell at Florida during his career. He has coached for schools that appeared in 13 bowl games, including the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 New Orleans Bowls (North Texas), 1994 Alamo (Baylor); 1990 All-American (Southern Mississippi); 1988 Independence (Southern Mississippi); 1982 Astro Bluebonnet (Florida); 1981 Peach (Florida); 1980 Tangerine (Florida); 1979 Peach (Clemson); 1978 Gator (Clemson); and 1977 Gator (Clemson). During Bugar's playing days at Florida State, the Seminoles participated in four bowl games - 1964 Gator; 1966 Sun; 1967 Gator, and 1968 Peach.

Would some UNT fans idea of moving to the WAC change if say, perhaps Texas State moved up to the WAC? Hypothetical question of course...

Not even a prayer huh?

what the heck did my thread become?

As many of you know, Texas State has announced their intentions to move their football program to FBS. Here is a link to a recently launched site that will show the progress TxSt has made and will continue to make over the next few years... http://www.athletics.txstate.edu/thedrive/ One of our main road blocks we need to tackle is facility improvement. A brand new baseball and softball complex is set to begin construction this summer. Football Stadium expansion will follow soon after. Here is a link to a PDF that shows a lot of the facility improvements we'll be making. http://www.athletics.txstate.edu/thedrive/...raft_042107.pdf

You can't let 4 or 5 or even 20 people on a message board influence you to think that that's what the entire school thinks. The majority of TxSt students would rather go to FBS.

What can you guys tell me about Fred Bleil? Do you think he was a good hire for us? Football Announces Hiring of Fred Bleil as New DC http://txstatebobcats.cstv.com/sports/m-fo.../021808aaa.html Feb. 18, 2008 SAN MARCOS - Texas State football coach Brad Wright announced the hiring of Fred Bleil as the Bobcats' new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach on Monday. Bleil, 58, comes to San Marcos after spending the 2007 season coaching linebackers at Tulane. The Green Wave led Conference-USA in rushing defense, allowing 132.6 yards per game, and finished fourth in total defensive yards allowed. Tulane was also second in first downs allowed and tied for third in the conference in sacks. "We're really excited to get someone with his knowledge and experience here at Texas State," said Wright. Bleil's will pair with co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Kyle Tietz to prepare the Bobcats' weekly defensive game plan and will also call in the defensive plays on game day. Before joining the Green Wave staff, Bleil was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at North Texas in his second stint with the Mean Green. Bleil also spent two terms as the director of the Mean Green defense after leading one of the Big West's top units in 1997 and 1998. Under Bleil, North Texas finished in the top three in the conference in scoring defense in both years, and ranked second in the league in pass defense in 96. Two-time NFL Pro Bowler Brian Waters was an All-Big West selection for Bliel's Mean Green defense, as were three other North Texas players in that two-year span. Between his times at North Texas, Bleil coached the secondary at San Diego State for eight seasons and the special teams for three. Under his direction, the Aztec secondary became a force in the Mountain West and across the nation. SDSU improved from 86th in the country in pass defense in 2002 to fourth in 2003. Aztec cornerbacks ranked first and second in the MWC in 2003 in passes defended and third for interceptions. Bleil was also the defensive coordinator at New Mexico from 1992 to 1995. In four seasons with the Lobos, Bleil helped improve the defense from one of the worst in the nation to one of the best in the WAC. Bleil served defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Utah State from 1986-91, and was the head coach at New Mexico Highlands from 1979 to 1982. He earned Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors when he led Highlands to the 1981 conference crown. He was also honored as the AFCA College Division Coach of the Year. He played football at Northern Iowa in 1967 and went on to earn his degree at Westmar College in 1971. Bleil then added a master's degree to his resume in 1972 from Eastern New Mexico.

Thanks! We just feel like it's time for our university to compete at the highest level. We have kind of "outgrown" the Southland Conference, as it has many schools that have student body pops of 6-10k. We are at just under 28k. That is quite a difference. Our football records haven't been great historically, but the school is still on a surge of pride after our great 2005 playoff run in the FCS playoffs. However, our women's basketball is #1 in our conference and close to a NCAA berth. Our men's B-ball team is decent, playing .500 ball in our new coach's 2nd season. Our baseball team is top notch and regularly knocks off ranked opponents and makes appearances in the NCAA tournament. Our academics have grown much more respected and nationally ranked in recent years. Texas State is just more of a peer institution with schools like UNT and Troy than it is McNeese State or SFA. There are quite a few reasons why we want to move up, but that's the basic idea and I am glad that the vote passed with such great numbers. I'm looking forward to the changes that our Athletic Department will start in the next few years.

I hate to be the one to tell you, but you better head to the hardware store to get the wood and nails. T minus Five Years.

WKU will be the last school to move to FBS for about 4 years. This is because they started the move before the NCAA put the moratorium in place. Right now, TxSt is just getting everything in place for the move, when it goes through in approximately 2013 I believe. The school just voted to raise our athletic fees, in hopes that by the time it gets to be 2013, we will have approximately a $25M Athletic budget. We will begin building a new softball and baseball complex this summer. Renovations on our Football stadium will probably begin in a couple of years. It has begun...

Actually, most alumni, tv stations, and bobcat fans just abbreviate it TxSt.