Pseudo Nym

When it was passed time for RV to go, I told the folks calling for donations, "look, write this down, don't call me again until there is a new AD, send that up the chain." Hand-to-god, it was the very next day after he stepped down and the phone started ringing again.... I have no doubt that if SL is still at the helm in the new year, this will happen again. I knew there were some others who had done the same thing, it wasn't a big PR campaign, weren't trying to publicly embarrass anyone but it became impossible to support not only athletics but other departments and projects as it had grown (with other things certainly) to the point where you were really questioning what we as a UNT Community stood for at the time. Things like, what are our standards going to be? What's our return on investment looking like? Are we doing our best and is this the best we can do? I respect SL, will always appreciate the good he's done, I think he's a man of high character and integrity, who cares deeply about people and North Texas, but just like Coach O at LSU, you may get a year where expectations aren't met to fix it but after that, it's time to move on. It's business, not personal. He's had a good run, he's been given time to fix things, we've regressed, he got more than a fair shot to fix it, it's not an easy thing for anyone, any where, some tough breaks along the way, a play here or there, or may be costly injuries, it's the same story everywhere, and always has been, so is the ending, it's time to move on. I think everyone would love to have more reasons to justify him staying versus leaving, there's always adjustments when a new coach comes in (I hate the term 'rebuild' and don't use it, not fair and disrespectful to the SA's who are already there and have been there IMO), those adjustments can be frustrating and requires even more patience and faith, but patience and faith has run out on the SL era, it's neither good nor bad, its just the way it is *sings* IN THE CIRCLE OF LIIIIIFEEEE.

Is the ESPN+ feed coming through dark for anyone else?

"If you're in town, come on down" is what the commentator for the OU/Kansas game just announced he heard on the local radio, no ticket required, gates open for all to see this potential upset. Something to keep in mind when our time comes around. Great decision making in the moment, I think Wren and Ryan Peck have this forward thinking mindset to creatively maximize every moment and opportunity!

I'm the idiot who created this and I'm going to assume you have an issue with a moderator and that your comments were directed at them. I would say you owe them an apology but I have a sneaky suspicion that's probably not in the cards. By the way, I see you've made over 4k posts on here (well done!) but apparently no one's told you that sometimes you have to back a page or two to better understand the context with which a post was made. Accompanying the picture, for you know context, I wrote "Just for fun on Sunday Funday!" You may not understand what that phrase means precisely, and that's ok, we can't know it all. Roughly translated however, it means that these pictures are just for fun on Sunday Funday. I can't get too upset when someone doesn't know something, that would be like getting mad a blind dog for sh*****g in the house, poor thing just can't help it sometimes. Or like how right now I know there's a word for when someone doesn't know something, but seem to be drawing blank. One more thing, if something I post triggers you, just keep scrolling. The only thing I would ever intend to trigger is Mean Green Pride! Now, I know these are tough times all around and perhaps the current situation with UNT Football has been exasperating for you, maybe even put you over the edge. If this is the case, know that ultimately, we are all one big Mean Green Family, and help is available for you, we will all support you, you don't have to suffer alone. I would offer my help but I have a few classes left to complete my PsyD (that's a Doctor of Psychology) degree and it would be unethical for me to do so at the moment. TIA PS: Sorry for the humble brag there at the end, if higher eduction triggers anyone, keep scrolling and Go Mean Green!

For real, that's the move right there, I don't think I've ever agreed with something more than this.....absolutely spot on!!!

I thought the exact same thing when I looked at it after posting, and I made it lol. Put a pair of sunglasses on him and it's a dead ringer!

@GreenBacker Forgot to post this one..... Change or crop the time out if you want to punk your friends.

Just for fun on Sunday Funday!

Potential benefits to firing a coach midseason (brought over from another thread and amended) and if you simply fire a head coach midseason without a replacement, some of these still apply. Without hearing the exact quote from WB, it's hard to determine if what he said about the research/numbers not supporting a coaching change midseason was articulated as a hardline policy/belief of his, or just an answer in the moment to shift he conversation away from a potentially more controversial discussion with donors. I'm more inclined to believe it's the latter, I can't imagine he would back himself into a corner like that and hold to that line of thought in absolute terms (and btw, the research shows it's rarely a good idea for leaders to be completely inflexible in decision making processes). Here's the scenario I laid out for benefits of a midseason fire: The New Coach is immediately available (Link: Lane Kiffin Leaving Alabama early to take over FAU) and Bennett is named interim head coach for the remainder of the season Pro's: Officially begin the search/hiring process for a new coach - avoid a potential bidding war* All players would be immediately put on notice that they have the remaining games left to prove their value to the new coach and earn an opportunity to continue at North Texas All coaches would also be on on notice that they have the remaining time left to prove their value to the new coach and earn an opportunity to continue at North Texas New Coach can begin recruiting immediately Current recruits/commits can have more time with new head coach to evaluate their future with the program New Coach can immediately begin evaluating and gauging interest of potential staff additions and have a full staff in place by Dec/Jan at the latest New Coach can identify what serious problems exist internally and put together a plan to fix the problems The program gets a head start in all recruiting, planning, and development phases going into next season *This is one of the most misunderstood and undervalued propositions in intercollegiate athletics, but is applied in multiple areas of business all the time and should be an advantage UNT seeks to take advantage of often. There are more points than those listed above that can be added to the "pro's of a midseason fire". Making the point that there are limited benefits to firing a coach midseason is fine, and that point can be satisfactorily made, articulated and applied to the current situation. To preach it as the gospel, however, is inept and shortsighted (especially when the only source you use to do it is "WB said...."). Also, any player that views an interim coach as a distraction, has their focus in the wrong place, and needs to reevaluate their role and responsibility on the team. The "Do Your Job" mantra is well-liked and respected for a reason, it's clear and precise. It's not: "Do Your Job and pass judgement on how others are doing their's and if you don't agree, do your job a little bit less well". Of course players care and have their own opinions on the HC and any coaching staff changes, they do not, however, get a built-in reason (i.e. distraction) to use as an excuse for their performance. I think it was @MeanGreenTexan who made a great point that firing SL now, lifts a dark cloud hanging over the team - it would be fair to make the argument then, if you believe this to be the case, that firing a coach midseason removes the dark loud and negativity, and improves the mental health and well-being of the players on the team. Improved mental health for college students and student-athletes would seem to also be a bonafide reason, which can be further elaborated on and articulated but certainly can't be overlooked, especially with the challenges UNT and UNT Athletics has had with this in it's most recent past.

I think SL and WB have already had the conversation. They've worked together long enough, seem to have a good rapport with each other (there's no reason to think they don't and they should at this level). WB seems to really respect the coaches that work for him, I'm sure he waited for SL to come by and broach the subject and that it was a straight forward conversation. I'll put it this way, if SL went by WB's office today and flat out asked the question: Am I going to be your head ball coach next season? it would be inhumane for WB to say anything other than the truth. You can't string the guy a long at this point or at this level. (Texas kind of did that but didn't with Tom Herman, but to be fair to Del Conte, after he said that "Tom Herman is our Football Coach" and then hired Sark, he said that “From the time I made the statement, I had not completed my evaluation. When I completed that evaluation, it became apparent a change needed to be made.” This is 100% speculation but in my experience, AD's with good people skills (like WB) build relationships with their coaches based on trust and respect and are often rewarded with trust and respect. There's no point to leave SL hanging in the wind right now, it's part of the business of coaching, he knows it, everyone knows it, it's not personal, it's business. Hell, SL is young enough, smart enough, and tough enough, to consider with his agent (who would disagree and justify it a thousand different ways, it's why Sexton is the best), resigning at the end of the season and not taking the buyout or any money owed to him after the final game of the season. That would send a helluva message to his next employer, and he'd be probably the only coach (including Asst. and Coord.) in the FBS that can say "it's not about the money, I won't accept something I didn't earn" and back it up. (I'm good with any interpretation of a contract and justification that he did earn it and it's the deal they agreed to and all that - I'm just saying there's a lot of ways to go about doing something, some of the more non-traditional routes have merit as well.) That would be a hell of a classy way to go out! (And get your name on a lot of AD's future short-lists)

Yes. Considering the situation, record of the team, how long SL has been here, it wouldn't be seen as lack of loyalty on PB's part, and I think he has a positive reputation amongst his peers, so I don't think it would be seen in a bad light for him to step in to the Interim HC role. I think his name keeps coming up because he's such an obvious choice considering his experience and at this point it would be more managing the program through the end of the season. Honestly, SL has a reputation of being a classy guy, he probably has had or will have very soon, a conversation with him at the end of a day, something to the effect of, "Hey man, if I can't ride this out, and they want you to step up (as the interim hc), take it and do it for the guys in the locker room." Almost everyone can see the writing on the wall with this situation. There's a line I believe from Richard III, who makes the request of King Henry on the morning of his execution, to be clothed in his finest robes and regalia. Henry quips, "You fool, what matters how you fall?" Richard responds, "when the fall is all you have left, it matters most." A final act in this case, if SL doesn't make it to the end of the season, would be that SL brought someone of PB's experience and character in, that can steer the ship until the end of the season. He won't get credit for it, but he can leave with a clear conscience that until the very end, he did his very best for UNT. In a small or big way depending on your view, this is important, it would be SL's final act, that although he couldn't see it through until the end, he left it in the hands of someone very, very capable, very trustworthy that the AD wouldn't have to babysit. A selfless act for sure.

Agree with all but there is one scenario I can think of where making a move now would be beneficial. Scenario: The New Coach is immediately available (Link: Lane Kiffin Leaving Alabama early to take over FAU) and Bennett is named interim head coach for the remainder of the season Pro's: Announce new HC and elevation of Bennett to Interim HC with the New HC Starting the morning after the last game of the season All players would be immediately put on notice that they have the remaining games left to prove their value to the new coach and earn an opportunity to continue at North Texas All coaches would also be on on notice that they have the remaining time left to prove their value to the new coach and earn an opportunity to continue at North Texas New Coach can begin recruiting immediately Current recruits/commits can have more time with new head coach to evaluate their future with the program New Coach can immediately begin evaluating and gauging interest of potential staff additions and have a full staff in place by Dec/Jan at the latest New Coach can identify what serious problems exist internally and put together a plan to fix the problems The program gets a head start in all recruiting, planning, and development phases going into next season Obviously dependent on new hire availability but there are advantages that should be considered by the potential new coach as to why they should leave where they're at early. FBS HC opportunities aren't guaranteed to come around again for any coach, coaches recognize that, if it's an Asst. or Coord. at another school, the head coach there should recognize the advantages the coach has by leaving early, and not only support but encourage the coach to leave early as it would be what's best for him and his new program; don't hold someone back from a life changing opportunity (this would also score points with coaches watching and paying attention). Competent HC's have faith in their staff and it would also serve as a proving ground for the next guy up on their staff and allow them to evaluate that individual for the remainder of the season and give them head start on replacing the coach who is leaving. Not sure if it would be considered a "Pro" but for SL, it would give him sometime to catch his breath, regroup, evaluate things he would do differently moving forward, spare his W/L record, and also give him more time to figure out his next move. I think he will always be well-liked and respected by the Mean Green faithful in the final analysis, he's done more good than bad, and in a way it would be a respite for him and his family to step down sooner rather than later.

An un-cited observation: a majority of coaches are either fired or resign and some point in their careers and this simple fact shouldn't be a deciding factor in whether or not to hire a coach, without further investigation. (Different sport but I think Karen Aston is one of the best basketball coaches in the country, not women's basketball, basketball period. The measuring stick at Texas for her was not advancing far enough in the tournament and not beating Baylor in the Big 12. UTSA didn't hesitate hiring her, she'll win C-USA within two years IMO). I know you weren't asking me but I thought the article below was worth sharing. A friend of mine for his thesis project, cites this article as part of the foundation of the "Saban Scale" he is developing. I can't do it the same justice as he can in explaining his theory, but basically he proposes that the success of Nick Saban at Alabama has a had a negative effect of coaching hires and tenures at FBS schools. Basically that NIck Saban is not the standard but rather an anomaly and schools (AD'S) that try to chase the next Nick Saban and replicate the success he's had end up doing more harm than good for their programs. It's not to say that a program shouldn't have high standards and expectations, rather, if you take Nick Saban and Alabama out of the equation, school are more likely to evaluate success differently in the hiring, evaluation, and retainment process of coaches. A snippet from the article: Win or Go Home: Why College Football Coaches Get Fired ‘Everyone knows’’ why coaches get fired: it’s because they don’t win enough. But this banal statement obscures the fact that some very interesting factors influence these institutional decisions. Such factors may generalize well beyond sport to shed light on why business executives such as CEOs are dismissed. I explore how schools learn about the ability of a coach. No school sets out to hire a ‘‘loser;’’ but a coach is an experience good (Nelson, 1970) in the sense that his ability and fit at the school are not completely known when he is hired. Performance (i.e., wins and losses) reveal the coach’s (possibility institution-specific) ability. Common wisdom suggests that coaches be given an initial 5-year period in which to acclimate, recruit, and produce Article Title Win or Go Home: Why College Football Coaches Get Fired Link https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227574439_Win_or_Go_Home_Why_College_Football_Coaches_Get_Fired Citation Holmes, Paul. (2010). Win or Go Home: Why College Football Coaches Get Fired. Journal of Sports Economics. 12. 157-178. 10.1177/1527002510378820. Abstract Models of dismissals of sports executives frequently ignore the development of expectations regarding performance. The author explores the interplay between these expectations and the coach's tenure by examining dismissals of college football head coaches from 1983 to 2006. Using a discrete-time hazard model, the author demonstrates that schools use prior performance in two ways: to evaluate the ability of the coach and to establish performance standards for retention. As recent performance is more relevant for estimating ability, the author shows that stronger recent performances decrease the chance of dismissal but stronger historic performances increase the chance of dismissal. Results describe a continual learning process on the part of schools. The author also considers the effects of race, insiderness, rivalries, and rules violations on retention.

Sorry - got distracted, the Judge is actually a sitting Judge that sat "on the hill" - I'm making bank on "predictit.org" right now - ttyl! #GMG

One UP for this - wouldn't let me do it in the traditional way 🤷‍♂️

Can we mash this up?

(Sorry for the delay!) On board, well qualified #GMG

Sorry for the delay, traveling at the moment. So, we had been staking out the site for the new Apogee Stadium for a while and we had some great tailgates at Fouts and we wanted to continue that but needed an extended space that didn't cost anything (we were working and in classes at the time). So one of the guys in the group says, basically, "listen, you buy the food and the drinks, and you (different guy) bring everything in your truck to set up, I'll make sure we get the space." We're all friends and you know it's "one for all, all for one" but he was insistent on saving the best space, the "King of the Hill" if you will. So two days before the opening game against Houston at Apogee, he parked his truck atop the hill, camped out, slept there in his truck while we went out on Fry Street. We had a "friend" at the time on the "athletics operations" side that, to be fair, "didn't know if two days was too much or 24 hours should be fine" but it worked out in the end and we got our spot. Most of our group worked on campus or was part of big organizations, we had several of those 10x10 tents, the eventual fire chief, saved me from burning down the hill when I overloaded my smoker box (for the second seating). He was quick to get a fire extinguisher from his truck which prevented "the hill" from burning down on game one. At Fouts and Apogee, I always made sure to get some extra fajita chicken from La Azteca and would always take care of the police working the event and folks just walking around (40lbs at $1.16lb as I remember was worth it!). Our friend who's now a very big trainer in the DFW, made sure we got our workout in the next day, admittedly, mine was in the evening but I made a strong appearance as I recall!! Sun Up to Sun Down, that's the UNT Work Ethic!

I've got a great story how the "King of the Hill" became a Fire Chief (in the DFW Area), a Judge (in the DFW Area), and a Top Personal Trainer in the (DFW Area)!

I think this comes down to philosophy; I believe you recruit the best talent you can and then work with what you've got. I would also say that the epitome of college football (Alabama) has done that with the turnover of their OC/DC through their dynastic run - to me, from a recruiting perspective, you recruit the best you can at each position every offseason, if that means you cut a senior short because you've got a better Junior-transfer then you do it. Players are now open to transfer when and how they see fit and coaches are hired/fired based off wins/losses then it's got to go both ways and while you're sitting around waiting for a 4-star freshman to show up his senior year, a JUCO product might be waiting to take the reigns, you can either watch him take it and beat you or go after it and improve your team overall. This is the part that's missing in the transfer portal argument, "how much have you gotten better since you've been there?" - any program that commits to freshman out the gate opens itself to be left behind, there's plenty of guys riding the bench at P5 schools or JUCO that could have an immediate impact on G5 programs, the only reason why you wouldn't reach for them is you're afraid you couldn't continue to develop the talent.

That's an interesting take that I hadn't really thought of, and that's probably where things get blurry as it's open to interpretation of what is and what isn't fair criticism. I agree - I was (amongst the many) calling for Jason Garrett to be fired years before he was, still cheered every game day, wanted the Cowboys to do well and believe(d) we can win every game and the Super Bowl every year (I'm a hopeless romantic in that way haha!).

Anyone outside of Texas able to watch/stream the UIL State Championship games?? I've usually been good with a VPN on my FireStick but it looks like Fox Sports and Fox Sports Go are now going around VPNs - can't find anywhere to even purchase the game?? If anyone has or knows of a way, I'd be grateful! (I have an Amazon FireStick and Mac Laptop that I can screencast from) Thanks!! PS - I Can't believe they're not streaming tomorrows games nationally, I've gotta think there'd be a pretty big audience for it all things considered!

Just wanted to gauge the audience's opinion with this poll. Yesterday saw a lot of action on the boards with a few "negative" comments, responses, etc and I'm curious to see how everyone views the proposition of where the line falls between being critical vs. supportive. In my opinion, one can be extremely harsh/critical, even "negative", and still show up with full force support on game days and hope for a positive outcome. To me, being critical or even "negative" doesn't necessarily equate to being unsupportive or against a certain proposition. More importantly, what are your thoughts/position on this?