stebo

Dr. Seuss, I am just curious. What is your major? I really hope it is not English or NT is in BIG trouble Just playing around... seriously, glad to have you as a new fan. The best way out of the Belt is a combination of winning and our potential. The WAC has now invited us 3 times. 1 of those invites was made when Fresno, Hawaii, and Nevada were still in the league. Another invite came while Boise was still committed to the WAC. We are an attractive school with lots of "potential" - with wins and full stands, we will be unstoppable. It all comes in Baby Steps. The Belt was actually a step down from the Big West in terms of competitive football. Those BW teams were salty and rarely lost their bowl. The Belt is always going to be held back by some of the poor schools. As long as the Belt has member schools like ULM, with their run down stadium, $8 million dollar budget, and $160K coach - the Belt will always be perceived as a Southern MAC. North Texas, FAU, FIU, MTSU - we are all upping the ante and those dollars will eventually pay off. I keep seeing comments about NT finally making the commitment that it should have years ago (with a big hire like Coach Mac) - well, the student fee will be paying for our new Coach. RV has tried several times to get the fee in place. It's not like we haven't tried - the interest has just been low. I really wish that I could take you back to 1996-2000.. heck, even into the first couple of bowl years of 2001 and 2002... we have come a LONG way. Tailgating did not exist, it was actually illegal to drink in the parking lot before games before RV got here. There was a small group from this very message board that actually brought BACK the Mean Green Club. The fund raising arm of the Athletic Department was called the Mean Green Club in the 70's but like most things at NT - some jackhole came along and wanted to change it and make it more "current"... That lack of tradition has really hurt the school over the years. Our program had the NT Foundation as a fundraising arm but the school would not share alumni names with the program because they didn't want anyone to divert funding to the athletic department (from the academic side). We were the Eagles, then the Mean Green, then the Mean Green Eagles, then we went back to Mean Green. We have changed our school name three times in my lifetime - I am sure that there are posters on this board that have seen the school name change a 4th time. All that being said - you are in the right place at the right time. I can remember standing in the rain during a Big West game with about 30 fans and the band. We were lucky to get a couple thousand to a game. There was one year where a couple of the fans/donors and I stood on the Mean Green Club Deck and looked out over a crowd of less than 1,000. We actually counted the people and I am too embarrased to post the amount. The deck was about 1/5th the size back then - I think that the capacity was about 150. It was like a deck that you would build onto the back of your house. Ben E Keith has renovated and expanded it over the years but it started out as a donor deck with free beer. I was able to be on it because I was a radio sponsor for my bar during those years - it was the best deal in the world. I think that I paid about $1200 bucks a year and was treated like royalty. Not only did I have a radio commercial during every sporting event (played over and over) - the department threw in tickets to various events, deck time, press box passes, field passes, and I even got to travel with the team for some road games. THAT is where we were a decade ago. We have come a LONG way. We have a long way to go; but to understand how proud some of us are (re: the crowds, tailgating, and current fan support) - and not confuse that pride with being content - you just had to be there. Hopefully you will have your own stories someday. I hope that you are still cheering for the Mean Green and I sincerely hope that you will be explaining to some new Freshman or Sophomore how things were SOOOO much different when you were in college. And they will give you a reply - very similar to the one that you will post after you read this - with their recipe for the next level. Just smile and encourage them to "keep it up" - we need all the fans that we can get, now and 10 years from now

Chico and the Dan? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Did you know that Casey Fitz led the nation in receptions in 2008 (p.35)? I had no idea he was the national champ that year. Probably because we were losing. Did you know that Danny Meager is in the record books for his performance against SMU for top completions for a game AND most yards per game (pp. 33-34)? I don't even have to tell you how many times Jamario is in the record books. 2004 was a magical year for him... holds records in numerous categories and is ranked in even more. He is still the only running back in NCAA history to post 6 consecutive 200 yard games. Pretty amazing stuff - and you will see a lot more if you are as bored as I was tonight http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2010/2010FBS.pdf Click on "Annual Champions, All Time Leaders" on the left hand side and scroll down until you get to the stats (about page 25). There are also some great NT players from the 60's in there... John Love and Barry Moore both hold records for career receptions per game (p.35). This sounds boring - but pull up the link and check out our history. I think that you will be impressed. I just found another Casey also led the nation is per game catches - 2008 (p.37)... And Ray Toole led the nation in interceptions in 1957. Oh and Brock McGrew led the nation in kickoff returns in 1998 (p.48). Seriously, it is really amazing how many times we are listed in these record books. Even Gio Vizza is in there with a 99 yard play to Casey Fitz in 2007 (p.54)... Longest Field Goals 62 Khoury, North Texas 1977 61 Garret Courtney, North Texas 1998

So would FIU; but they would bring very few fans so they will get the crappiest destination.

I would be willing to bet that FIU goes somewhere else Detroit is calling their name... they just need the MUTS to win this weekend. MUTS beat FIU this weekend, Troy will be co-champs. That would also make the MUTS bowl eligible. I could see Troy OR Middle going to New Orleans, the next pick would put the leftover (likely Troy) to the "Go Daddy Bowl", but only if the Belt can find a spot somewhere else for FIU... that slot would likely be the open slot in Detroit (Little Caesars Pizza Pizza Bowl, hehe - formerly the Motor City Bowl). It's all about the benjamins.

Weird - this guy's Wiki page is already updated. It has his overall record at ISU. It took him 6 years to turn that program around. Luckily we have all the pieces in place to win right now (in my opinion) as long as the kids can buy into this hire. Also - his Wiki page already lists NT as his current employer and had a link to this article: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/florida-assistant-dan-mccarney-accepts-north-texas-job/ I had not read this one yet... enjoy and I apologize if this has already been posted. If you want to check out his Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_McCarney

Happy Birthday to the Plumm man!

Do we know that for sure - or is that fan rumor mill? Just curious. Also, remember that we have won a few games since those rumors started... so if it "was" true... it could be that he was down in the dumps and has a renewed enthusiasm?

Sounds like he wants to keep his job and wants it to be clear to the new coach (whoever that might be). I would want the new coach to hire Gary - if he could just get out there and recruit some players - that would really help. When a new boss is coming to town, you have to show your value. Not the value that you offered in the past but the value that you can offer for the future.

I am right there with you. ULM frustrates me so much. They have the lowest budget in the Belt (around $8.7 million a year) and have done nothing to up their game over the last decade. Spending money isn't everything - but as we have seen with Troy, MTSU, and now FIU - the schools that invest the most will always rise to the top. Even Ark State has brought their budget up to a respectable $12 million annually and they are facing serious state budget cuts. If I were WW, I would invite NMSU only for now - and ask the conference presidents to pass a bylaw amendment similar to CUSA that requires members to have a minimum of a $12 - $15 million dollar a year athletic budget. ULM would go away within a few years (just like UNO and Denver did when the Belt passed the minimum sponsored sports amendments) and at that point La Tech could join with their head held high. I just cannot see La Tech joining the conference with ULM in it - they can't stand one another and Tech is trying to play with like minded schools that are willing to make a real financial commitment to Div I football. I saw the crowd shots for the game on Saturday and I doubt that 9,000 people even paid to see that game. It's really sad because Monroe is in bowl contention under first year coach Berry so they can't argue that the fans are tired of the coach or that they are having a down season or whatever - their fans just do not care. I am going to guess that the excuse would be that hunting season just started. Pretty redonk. ULM is a scrappy school with a great little team but (financially) they are not Div I FBS material.

The WAC was a recognized league when the invites were issued. The WAC will not be getting a portion of the BCS money if Hawaii leaves. The WAC is really, really screwed. About the only thing they can do is try to merge with the Belt. I seriously doubt that Waters is going to recommend that to the Belt members when there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.

Amen. Amen to Silver as well. Mickey Mathews does nothing for me. I think he is 1 game about .500 this year. Yes, he beat Va Tech but his team is having trouble beating half of the rest of the schedule. ULM beat Alabama a couple of years ago during a 5 win season, should we go after Weatherbie? That is sarcasm - that name just does nothing for me. The way that I look at it is this... FIrst off, it's not our choice. It is Lane's choice at the recommendation of Neinas and RV. My guess is that they will want a "name" coach simply to make a splash and sell seats for the new stadium. So then you look at the 'name' coaches available: Fran, Kragthorpe, Leach, Leavitt, maybe a random Bowden. Kragthorpe turned us down a years ago to stay on as an assistant at A&M. But our facilities were terrible and we really were one of the worst jobs in the country back then. Leach's name would be the biggest - but doesn't seem to get kicked around at all in the papers. Leach would sell some club seats and suites. Leavitt, seems to be the 3rd biggest name of the group. Sounds like he was fired for a bunch of BS just to get out of paying him. Imagine if we had an "out" with Dickey his last couple of years... we would have JUMPED at it. That is what USF did, they wanted a championship and Leavitt never brought them one (in CUSA or the Big East). The closest they ever got was tied for 3rd. Hmmmmm, not very exciting to me. I am not interested in a random Bowden. That name is not relevant in North Texas. That leaves Fran and Chico. My instincts say that Neinas would push Fran (he got him the job at A&M) but I think it could be Chico if they ignore Neinas. We need someone to sell those seats and I believe that Chico would literally knock on doors until they were sold. Fran might get us some sales on his name alone. We really can't lose either way - but Chico's sales would actually show up to games whereas the Fran sales might just buy and show up if he is winning. Two completely different demographics. Chico would win over the working class fans and Fran would appease those fringe NT fans that want to see us "make a statement"... really, they can both win here. I think that the results would be very similar. One thing to think about. With Chico, we would have enough money left over to really pay a solid staff of assistant coaches. With Fran, we would probably have very little money left to pay for the assistants. I cannot imagine our total coaching budget as being over $1 million a year (if not lower) and if we are paying the head coach half (or more) of that, the assistants are going to be underpaid. Just my $02. But if we were to get a shot at Leach - that would be my first choice despite the salary stuff - I believe he would sell enough seats to justify it. My picks (in order from first to last choice): Leach Chico Fran Leavitt Kragthorpe Carthel (love ya SUMG!) random Bowden Mathews

He is probably waiting for the best candidate to make up his mind. We don't really know - and that is the whole point. We spent 40 grand to let Neinas do his magic. Just put some trust in that, cool?

It is better to have no history than tainted history.

How do you know that we haven't already asked one, two, or all three of them? We are using Neinas - and by using Neinas, we can ask these questions through him - without having to release it to the newspapers or fanboys on the internet. That way if one, two, or all three of them turn us down - we can offer ole Chico the job and tell him (and the world) that he was the Number 1 choice from Day 1. Everyone feels good and nobody gets their feelings hurt. You notice that RV has not commented on this coaching search at all? That is by design. Believe it or not, they know what they are doing without the advice of internet posters I think that they have learned from past mistakes (or Lane has taught them a thing or two)!

Bingo. La Tech has been a collective group of ignorant everything (from fans all the way up to the University President). They want nothing to do with us and we should want nothing to do with them. Their administration has spoken out publicly against the Belt and blocked UL from their Indy Bowl bid a couple of years ago out of spite. We do not need three schools in Louisiana and we definitely do not need to add NMSU as long as they have a home. If NMSU were to lose their home and ask for a new one - I would not be against it - but the Belt is fine the way it is. NMSU is not in a market that we need or want and their product is sub par.

Link please

Agreed.

Have never recruited for a tech school... I will pm you how things are going with proprietary in general though.

I am very familiar with Virgil's part in the whole equation and I am glad that you brought it up. He basically did the job at cost, didn't make a dime off of it, and probably lost an extra $30K or $35K in paying out company labor on the project. The original plans called for a million dollar expansion, that went up to $1.5 million because of delays and the lot. Of all the donations that have ever been made - his donation of "services" to expand Fouts was really huge. Without it - some construction company would have charged us double that to make the expansion and we would have never moved back up. Getting one million approved was hard enough. Getting a huge chunk of that from LaGrone was even harder. I think that there were some accusations that the AD had told the construction company to say that it would cost a million bucks even when they knew it would be more... just to get the shovels in the ground. When the costs went up 50%, it was too late to turn back. It's a shame that his family is angry about Dr B's departure - their role in that was hiring Lee Jackson and I hope that they take some responsibility in that mess. I also think that there is a lot more to Dr B's departure than any of us will ever know. It was too fast, too cryptic, and quite frankly - she went down without a single punch thrown. I doubt the full story will ever come out - maybe after we are done paying her off, but I would guess that they made her sign a non-disclosure agreement for that golden parachute they gave her. What a waste. steve

I think that might be a Mean Green urban legend. We only had to avergae 17K that year and were running people through the turnstiles in front of the party tent as well as the stadium. If someone came for the free beer and concert, they got counted for the game... It might have been an alumnus from Asia that covered the remainder of the metal bleachers though? I am really not sure - but going into that season, we were lucky (I mean really lucky) to get 8000 people out for a normal game. Good times.

The old rule was that you either had to have a 30K seat stadium and average 17K in attendance OR average 20K over a 4 year period. Our admin knew that our best chance to move up was the one year shot (I was in SA back then) and they pulled out all the stops to get us there. Remember the party tent with free beer next to the stadium? My memory is starting to fail a little but I think that Deep Blue Something was just one of the bands that played that year to lure fans to the stadium. I think that we spent $1.5 million to build those erector set end zones. Troy LaGrone was the head of Ben E Keith (Budweiser distribution) back then and he funded a million of it. It was a pretty exciting thing to be a part of. Back then - I knew that I was a part of something bigger; but the fans did not really have a way to congregate like we do now. Enter the old Paradise "Harry's Mean Green" board and the parties that started to bring fans together. It was such a cool thing to meet other Mean Green fans and find out that I was not alone. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Plum, those were good times.

All around effort but I say that the kicker won this game today... 53 yard FG changed the game. I find myself wondering if TD would have had the same results... but football is about believing you can win. Chico just made a great case for being on the short list.

MUTS have a college coach, too. One that was offered big money to leave Murf last year... He got outocached today.

Yeah, I get that. Some things have definitely improved over the years. I bought my season tickets on the internet this year and was actually able to select the section that I wanted and everything. That is a huge improvement over having to get someone on the phone in the ticket office, etc.. I just found their stadium website very innovative re: all of the different seating options. And I like how they have "premium" "priority" "loge" and "luxury" seating that pretty much takes up half of the press box side. It is just smart business, they get more season ticket holders, they get higher alcohol sales, and they leave options for people that want to "try" premium seating for 1 or 2 years (to see if it is the right fit for them). I wish that we had more options like this. The options that we have are going for a small quantity of people to fund the stadium. Wouldn't it be smarter to go for a large quantity of people at different price levels? And who knows - maybe there WILL be those other price levels available, but they are wihtholding them for now (until they sell out the suites and club seats) - if so, those customers are going to feel extremely screwed over. Are we really building a huge club level for "only" 750 people? It just doesn't make sense.