OldTimer

Temple University Head Football Coach Bobby Wallace today announced that he will not seek renewal of his contract at the conclusion of the 2005 season. Rick Neuheisel is a leading candidate If I remember correctly he participated in gambling upon the advise from the schools personal in charge of compliance that it was legal.

Russ Goodall: Holman is bright spot for UNT ‘D’ 07:24 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 The start to the 2005 season for North Texas hasn’t been close to what head coach Darrell Dickey, and the fans for that matter, had hoped. The offense has struggled, special teams has had its miscues and even the defense has been suspect at times. And while the running back duo of Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas were the names you heard coming into the season — and rightfully so — it is the play of linebacker Maurice Holman that has led the Mean Green. “Maurice has been outstanding,” Dickey said. “He is one of the young guys we are playing, but he has emerged as a leader and playmaker for us defensively. And, we need him to continue to play well. The thing about Maurice is he has become a more physical player than when he first got here. He is really into it. He is focused on playing the best he can each Saturday, and we need him to continue to do that.” Without Holman and his 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee to open the season, UNT could very well be winless at this point. That pick and TD, along with 5 1/2 tackles, earned Holman the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week on defense in Week 1. Since that time, Holman has recorded 25 1/2 more tackles, including a 15-tackle performance against Troy. He also has two pass breakups and 2 1/2 tackles for loss on the year. Numbers like that have UNT fans dreaming of linebackers gone by, like Cody Spencer and Brad Kassell. Spencer collected 105 tackles as a sophomore starter and finished his career with 297 tackles. Kassell led the Mean Green in tackles as a sophomore (112) and junior (115), before finishing second behind Spencer as a senior (93). Both players possessed speed and the ability to make plays. “Athletic ability wise, Maurice is very comparable to the Cody Spencers and Brad Kassells,” Dickey said. “He needs to continue understanding our defense and learning it to even be a better playmaker and a more physical player.” Holman is on pace to finish the season with close to 85 tackles, which could go up with the competition in the SBC. But to do that, Holman will have to continue to progress as a player. “I have been very pleased with Maurice,” Dickey said. “As far as what we ask him to do, we are going to try to put him in a position where he can make plays. Right now, he is a guy we can depend on.” Like Spencer and Kassell before him, the more Holman plays, the better he will get. The better he gets, the more Dickey and the rest of the defensive staff will rely on him. But for now, he is the leader of a young defense that has kept UNT in two of four games — and the two blowouts had a lot more to do with the inability of the offense than the play of the defense. “I am very pleased with what Maurice is doing from a special teams standpoint, from a defensive standpoint and from a being-a-good-guy-on-our-team standpoint,” Dickey said. “Because he prepares himself and because he is focused, he puts himself in a position to make plays and he is making them.” And for the Mean Green to stay in games the rest of the year, Holman, as well as the rest of the defense, is going to have to continue to make plays. Who knows, if he continues to progress he just may follow in the footsteps of Spencer and Kassell — competing for playing time on big-money Sundays. RUSS GOODALL can be reached at 940-566-6871. His e-mail address is rgoodall@dentonrc.com .

I understand the UTEP coach gets a bonus of $1 per ticket sold. He has beat the bushes,talking to all civic clubs, students, to get butts in the seats. I have not heard that DD is doing this, if I am wrong please let me know. I have not heard of Price dissing the fans.

Football: Site for New Orleans Bowl to be announced today 07:54 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 The site for the 2005 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl will be announced at 3:30 p.m. today during a press conference on the campus of Louisiana-Lafayette, said Sam Joffray, the game’s director of communications. Bowl officials have been working the last few weeks to determine the future of the game that was to be played at the Louisiana Superdome. The stadium was damaged by Hurricane Katrina and will not be ready to host the bowl that will still take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20. “We have been in negotiations with Lafayette and have been exploring a variety of options,” Joffray said. The game pits the Sun Belt Conference champion against a representative from Conference USA. North Texas has represented the Sun Belt in the game in each of the last four seasons. Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters said he believes the game will be played at a Louisiana venue. —Staff report

10/11/2005 Mean Green ballcarriers concern FIU's Strock Florida International coach Don Strock said Monday that UNT's running game is a cause for concern, despite the Mean Green's early struggles New Orleans Bowl site announced today The site for the 2005 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl will be announced today on the campus of Louisiana-Lafayette, said Sam Joffray, the game's director of communications. 10/09/2005

Lets see La Monroe was a conference member which beat NT in DD's 3rd year. Troy is a conference member which meat NT in DD's 8th year. Wasn't it FAU, a current member which beat NT last year in about their 3rd year of existence...they were a provisional 1A member last year and a conference member this year.

The Beaumont area includes Port Arthur, Port Neches, Orange as well as other towns in that se corner of Tx. Byerly was from Orange, We have a prospect from Maurice and Beaumont Ozen that we are working on. Possibly others not identified.

UNT Tuesday's result: Troy 13, UNT 10 Up next: at Florida International, 5 p.m. Saturday Any injuries? No players are expected to miss the FIU game. News and notes: UNT continued to struggle on offense last week and was held scoreless in the first and third quarters. The Mean Green has gone scoreless in 11 quarters this season after being shut out in 18 quarters in 12 games last year. ... UNT has three offensive touchdowns. ... LB Maurice Holman had a career-high 15 tackles against Troy, the most for a UNT player since Cody Spencer had 17 against New Mexico State on Nov. 25, 2003. Brett Vito

Prospective students are making non official visits to our home fb games already. Official visits, can be made at any time, after the Jr. year...but most at NT occur after the FB season. If you can identify any prospective students at NT games, please let Harry or I know who and what schools.

The state wide recruit is from East Texas, why the area prospect doesn't list NT? It is my understanding that NT tells players they are recruiting not to tell anyone NT is recruiting them. It comes from having BCS schools when they lose a late prospect, from"raiding" one of our prospects....We lost at least two recruits in the last recruiting week last season, one to TCU and the other to I think Iowa state. It is my understanding NT coaches can't make an offer of a ship until DD does a home visit with the prospect which comes after the FB season ends.

Lets see...WE'VE WON 11 STRAIGHT GAMES AND OUR RECORD IS 9 WINS AND SOME LOSSES.

I don't have the cost....but gmg pays for a scholarship or a sponsorship for a prospective recruit to attend the NT summer camp. I seem to remember $350. An individual like you or me can't pay for a ship directly to a prospective recruit, but the college can offer ships to the students. Harry correct me if I am wrong.

Not in order: FIU NT vs K. State L 21-35 vs K. State L 54-7 vs TT L 3-56 vs Middle Tenn W 14-7 vs Ark St L 24-66 vs. Tulsa L 7-54 vs Florida A&M W 23-6 vs. Troy L 10-13 FIU is averaging 17 3/4 pts per game NT is averaging 9 1/2 pts per game The only mutual games were against K state. How do you feel NT will do against FIU...the point spread is NT - 4.5 points?

Two are listed on the gmg prospect list: Josh Vernon 3* commited to TCU 2*TE Trevor Steward (in top 5 in the state) committed to UN Carolina, but I understand he was seen recently wearing a NT shirt. If they are already on the gmg recruiting list and commit they stay on the list and are shown as committed. If we don't learn of them until after they have committed they are not shown on the gmg recruiting board. 4 other considered NT and considered NT, but were not on the NT prospect list: 1. FB Courtney Greer< Midland Christian 5-10, 230, 4.5 committed to K State and enrolled at mid term 2. 2*TE Logan Cawyer Commerce OK 6-5, 235 committed to Tulsa 3. 2*Terrance McCoy, Midland Lee, 6-3, 198, 4.5 committed to A$M 4. 2*DE Anthony Harris, FW OD Wyatt, 6-7, 220...commited to Prarie View to play basketball. He was listed by TX as # 46 in the state as a BB player. All things considered we are in some good company I have posted several time on recruiting problems the hurricanes have created for NT without any response.

Recruiting buzz 08:44 PM CDT on Saturday, October 8, 2005 By TODD WILLS / The Dallas Morning News This week's edition of Recruiting Buzz comes from Saturday's Texas-Oklahoma game at the Cotton Bowl: Texas, the home team for the 100th Red River Rivalry game, invited several top recruits, including a number who have orally committed to the Longhorns. Included among their guests were Woodrow RB/LB Sergio Kindle, Kilgore DE Eddie Jones, Arlington Bowie QB Sherrod Harris, South Garland WR Phillip Payne, North Mesquite OL J'Marcus Webb and South Grand Prairie DE Brian Ellis. More high school football The Longhorns, who would like to give one of their final three or four offers to another quarterback, got Stephenville QB Jevan Snead to attend Saturday's game. Snead, No. 16 on Rivals.com's State Top 100 list, has orally committed to Urban Meyer and Florida. Texas also invited several key juniors, including Plano East LB Keenan Robinson and South Grand Prairie OL Tray Allen. There is other buzz aside from Texas-OU. Haltom LB Anthony Lewis, No. 8 on SportsDay's Area Top 100 list, took his official visit to College Station last week for the Texas A&M-Baylor overtime thriller. "It was a little more than I expected – in a good way," said Lewis of the trip. Lewis did not orally commit to A&M afterward. He will take an official visit to South Bend, Ind., on Saturday for the Notre Dame-USC game. Lewis said he is also considering Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Scroll down ...Texas as the home team had 8 ROWS of recruits and their families at their game with OU in Dallas yester....UT now has 24 commits...how many more can they sign? UT-OU: Through a recruit's eyes Berkner defensive end soaks up atmosphere 11:49 PM CDT on Saturday, October 8, 2005 By TODD WILLS / The Dallas Morning News Ugo Chinasa arrived just before kickoff, after being stuck in traffic for an hour near Fair Park. So when the standout defensive end recruit from Richardson Berkner stepped inside the Cotton Bowl on Saturday for his first Texas-Oklahoma game, what he saw overwhelmed him. The sea of burnt orange. The crimson and cream. The intensity and emotion of the fans, that's what he'll always remember. The crowd awed him. Photos Tell us: Your thoughts? Show us: Upload game photos Interactive: The Rivalry Back on top: UT turns table on OU Cowlishaw | Blackistone Helping hands for Young UT defense impressive Horns' defense stomps Bomar UT fans glad to see loss streak end Chatter: Feeling a little bipolar? UT-OU: Through a recruit's eyes Five key plays | Notebook Summary | All-time series results More Red River Rivalry More Colleges Chinasa's college decision may well come down to Texas or Oklahoma. The senior, who said he is also considering LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State, allowed as much after No. 2 Texas' convincing 45-12 victory. "It probably could come down to them," Chinasa said. "Both teams play the game with great intensity." Two games, two days Chinasa's football weekend began Friday night with another rivalry game – Berkner-Lake Highlands. Because the teams share a stadium, the battle of Richardson ISD teams is a source of great pride. The winner gets its mascot – in Berkner's case, the Rams – at the start of the stadium name. It will be Ram-Wildcat Stadium for next 365 days. Chinasa and his Berkner teammates pulled out a 23-20 victory over Lake Highlands with a touchdown in the final minute. Berkner, No. 4 in SportsDay's Class 5A area rankings, improved to 6-0. If Friday night's game was any indication, Chinasa's intensity would fit right into the Red River Rivalry. The 6-5, 220-pound Chinasa, who is No. 19 on Rivals.com's state Top-100 list, forced his way into the backfield on each of the final plays of the game as Lake Highlands tried to get into field goal range. "We never gave up," he said. The game was a matter of pride for Chinasa, who wasn't trying to impress coaches Friday. No Texas assistants scouted the game. In fact, no coach can call a recruit this time of year. Recruits have to call coaches. Anticipation mounts Chinasa woke up early Saturday, piled into teammate Keller Parks' car and made the much-anticipated trip to the State Fair of Texas. "He was antsy," Parks said. "He was ready to get there." Texas, which was the home team and thus able to invite recruits this year, gave Chinasa three tickets. He took Parks and Wesley Nakwaasah, both defensive backs for Berkner. They sat near the 50-yard line, among eight rows of recruits and their friends and family members. Some were seniors and have already committed to Texas, including Woodrow Wilson linebacker Sergio Kindle and Kilgore defensive end Eddie Jones. Others, such as Chinasa, Mesquite Horn tailback Mon Williams and Arlington Bowie defensive back Dominique Criss, are still deciding where they want to play. All were escorted by the Texas Angels, a recruiting group that plays host to recruits in Austin and at games. The Texas-Oklahoma game is a rare recruiting situation because the stadium is spilt right down the middle with UT and OU fans. Both teams try to sell their programs. So making a statement in the game is important for a player on the fence. Chinasa had no interaction with either team, no special access to locker rooms or the field. He and his friends left the game with four minutes to play. Neutral observer Chinasa, dressed in a black T-shirt, was non-committal as to his college preference at kickoff. He has been a fan of Oklahoma and Sooners' swagger as long as he can remember. "I just love they way they play," he said. JUAN GARCIA/DMN On Friday, Ugo Chinasa was signaling his teammates. On Saturday, he was among 75,452 at the Cotton Bowl. But he has warmed to the Longhorns because of their aggressive style of defense. "My style fits their defense," said Chinasa, a standup end. Chinasa found himself silently pulling for Texas at times and Oklahoma at other times. He enjoyed watching the players "talking noise" to each other. When Texas receiver Billy Pittman caught a 64-yard touchdown pass for a 24-6 lead late in the first half, Chinasa didn't hesitate when asked who was going to win the game. "Texas," he said. Sitting in a sea of orange for four hours did little to sway Chinasa. That is, until Texas defensive tackle Rod Wright picked up a fumble by Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar and rumbled 67 yards for a touchdown. It was at that moment that the Longhorns' decisive victory may have swayed him for the first time. "A little bit," Chinasa said when asked if he was nudged toward Texas. "But I like them pretty much the same." He has plenty of time to decide. Signing day isn't until Feb. 1, but Chinasa can expect his phone to start ringing again Nov. 27 – the first day coaches can resume contacting recruits. E-mail twills@dallasnews.com

I was preparing a post when my Norton anti virus blocked a worm. This is not the first time my computer has blocked such a worm. Just wondering if anyone else is having this problem?

The Beaumont schools haven't restarted yet. Those area schools have been allowed to just "pick" a team to participate in the playoffs. Most Houston area schools open this week and will be devided into two zones...each team will play 3 games, then the best from each zone will have a one game playoff to select playoff teams. At least one district in on of these areas will just forfeit any playoff games. They are are not open yet either. How does this affect NT? We had at least a dozen prospects in these areas. If they don't play their SR year...we have to rely upon their performance up to that time. This eliminates the "late bloomers". At least two of last years signees,,both lineman, did not play fb until their Sr. year in High schools, others did not "bloom" until their Sr. year...some playing behind last years very high ranked Srs. We lose this opportunity. Yes it affects other schools also, but the larger schools usually get their players first...UT has already committed 24 players and several others have a dozen or more. We pick normally from what is leftover....if you eliminate the late bloomers and those who would have played in their Sr. year it hurts schools like NT. Add to this the Dallas ISD had only 6 players in the DMN all area teams and only 4 of them had grades to attend Div. 1 school. The FW ISD has down rated its entire athletic program, its programs don't have the facilities, the budget, equipment, coaching positions and salaries, etc. to develop Div 1 players. Yes some quality players might beat the odds. In some athletic programs...coaches are made to play all players, not the best. * We have recruited some. from FW.in one year he was the only Div i player out of FW. I also remember a good RB we recruited that may not have even played for Nt because of elgibility. (*I was told this by a former head FB coach in the FT Worth district.) Yes, some quality players might beat these odds but they are the exception.

The Beaumont schools haven't restarted yet. Those area schools have been allowed to just "pick" a team to participate in the playoffs. Most Houston area schools open this week and will be devided into two zones...each team will play 3 games, then the best from each zone will have a one game playoff to select playoff teams. At least one district in on of these areas will just forfeit any playoff games. They are are not open yet either. How does this affect NT? We had at least a dozen prospects in these areas. If they don't play their SR year...we have to rely upon their performance up to that time. This eliminates the "late bloomers". At least two of last years signees,,both lineman, did not play fb until their Sr. year in High schools, others did not "bloom" until their Sr. year...some playing behind last years very high ranked Srs. We lose this opportunity. Yes it affects other schools also, but the larger schools usually get their players first...UT has already committed 24 players and several others have a dozen or more. We pick normally from what is leftover....if you eliminate the late bloomers and those who would have played in their Sr. year it hurts schools like NT.

At least one NT prospect from Beaumont is living in Lewisville...evacutated by hurrican Rita. Beaumont has yet to reopen its schools...he is not playing in Lewisville spending his time on video and weights. Beaumont schools are to open in the near future, but even then it will take a period of conditioning before they can play games. I understand that Houston, Baytown and surrounding towns have reopened their schools. The Interscholastic League has announced that the Beaumont School district may just select a team for the playoffs, because of this situation. There was a nice article in the *Telegram yesterday on this kid.

Coach Dickey pleased with UNT attitude 03:13 AM CDT on Friday, October 7, 2005 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON – UNT coach Darrell Dickey said he was pleased with the Mean Green's attitude in its first practice since a 13-10 loss to Troy in a Sun Belt Conference game Tuesday. UNT had won 26 straight conference games dating to 2001 before falling to the Trojans. "I feel very good about the attitude of this team and the improvement we are making," Dickey said. "I really like what I am seeing." UNT (1-3) is off until a game at Florida International on Oct. 15. Briefly ... Kicker Nick Bazaldua has been named a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy. The award recognizes a senior each season for excellence in academics and community leadership in addition to success on the field. Bazalda was a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection.

I don't remember seeing this on the board today. My apology if it has been posted earlier. Brett Vito: UNT offense continues to look anemic 08:11 AM CDT on Thursday, October 6, 2005 Brett Vito There are times in sports when numbers lie, instances when they can be twisted and turned to fit any argument. When it comes to evaluating the North Texas football team’s offense, this isn’t one of them. Through four games UNT has been just plain bad. There is no other way to put it. The Mean Green headed into a game against Troy on Tuesday ranked dead last in the country — No. 117 — in total offense with an average of 188 yards a game. Florida Atlantic and Florida International, a pair of provisional members in Division I-A, are off to a better start. So too, by the way, is Buffalo, which came into the week ranked 116th nationally with an average of 239 yards a game. Matters only got worse in a 13-10 loss to the Trojans that served as the definitive piece of evidence that the Mean Green have hit rock bottom offensively in a season when so much more was expected. UNT finished with 229 yards against the Trojans, 80 of which came on a final desperation drive for a touchdown in a failed rally. That late surge came after the Mean Green made mistake after mistake that cost them the game and then some. UNT came into the night with a 26-game Sun Belt Conference winning streak. The Mean Green left with questions about what is wrong with their offense, why a host of proven players aren’t performing up to expectations and whether a streak of seasons with a winning record is about to come to an end. “It came down to turnovers and missed opportunities,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “I’m disappointed we made a lot of mistakes that prevented us from scoring.” UNT had the ball at the Troy 4-yard line in the second quarter and couldn’t get into the end zone, saw a ball skip off the hands of wide receiver Brock Stickler deep in Troy territory and watched its once powerful running game finish with an average of 3.2 yards a carry. Take out UNT’s final drive and the Mean Green amassed just 149 yards. UNT has long struggled offensively in non-conference games, and this year was no different. The Mean Green fell flat against Tulsa and Kansas State. What has been shocking is seeing UNT struggle against Sun Belt opponents. UNT scored just seven points offensively in a 14-7 win over Middle Tennessee in the Mean Green’s season opener and then managed just 10 against Troy. Even that total is deceiving considering UNT’s second quarter field goal was set up by a Troy turnover that gave the Mean Green the ball at the Trojans’ 17-yard line. UNT led the Sun Belt in scoring last season with an average of 25.8 points a game, a total that increased to 35.9 points a game in Sun Belt play. UNT is averaging 8.2 points a game overall and 12.0 in Sun Belt play this year. “We had enough opportunities to score and win the game,” UNT offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan said. “That’s what’s frustrating. We left points on the field.” That is the last problem one expected the Mean Green to have this season considering the talent the team returned after last season. Running backs Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas won the 2003 and 2004 national rushing titles, respectively. Junior Johnny Quinn continues to show week after week that he is among the best receivers in the Sun Belt. So far that talent has not translated into a consistent performance. Flanigan said the Mean Green’s coaching staff is still struggling to find a way to use Cobbs and Thomas effectively. Both thrived as feature backs, but have struggled sharing time this season. Cobbs is averaging 73.2 rushing yards a game, while Thomas is posting 39.0 yards a game. Cobbs averaged 152.7 yards in 2003 while Thomas posted 180.1 yards a game last year. “There is no question that the ability is there,” Flanigan said. “But we have one or two breakdowns per play. That’s tough to overcome.” UNT’s coaches have talked about costly mistakes throughout the season, but have yet to find a way to eliminate them. Time is running out to turn the corner. After falling to Troy, UNT is 1-1 in the Sun Belt and will have to hope for a perfect run to the finish conference play and some help to challenge for the league title again. Both Troy (1-0) and Louisiana-Monroe (2-0) are unbeaten in SBC play. The Mean Green’s run of three straight winning seasons also appears to be in jeopardy. At 1-3, UNT will need to win five of its last seven games to post a winning record. With a game at LSU looming and another tough road trip to Louisiana Tech coming up, there is no guarantee the Mean Green will be able to recover in time. If UNT can’t rebound, it will have to look back and wonder what happened to an offense that so far has failed to capitalize on its potential. “Our timing hasn’t come together yet,” Cobbs said. “We’re not clicking at the same time. We had a lot of chances to make some great plays. We’re close, but until we’re there, we’re just going to be close.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com

Mean Green watches 26-game streak slip through its fingers 11:51 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON – After four years, 26 games and four conference titles, North Texas' dominance of the Sun Belt Conference finally came to an end Tuesday night. Troy stifled a Mean Green offense that has struggled throughout the season and came up with just enough key plays to pull out a 13-10 win at Fouts Field. The loss was UNT's first in a conference game since falling to Louisiana-Monroe in its first Sun Belt game in the 2001 season. Colleges Troy 13, North Texas 10 Mean Green watches 26-game streak slip through its fingers Summary Scoreboard More Colleges "I don't think anyone thought it was going to last forever," UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. "I wish we'd have played a lot better than we did tonight when we lost it, but give Troy credit. They came in with a good plan. They ran the ball extremely well, shut us down offensively for most of the game and made plays." The Mean Green (1-3, 0-1) was the team that came up with those key plays throughout the streak that ranked as the second-longest in the nation behind Boise State's 27-game run in the Western Athletic Conference. UNT's defense continued to make those plays against the Trojans, but its offense squandered the majority of the opportunities it provided. Quarterback Daniel Meager threw two interceptions and the Mean Green lost three fumbles, including one by sophomore Jamario Thomas after he appeared to pick up a first down on third-and-1 from the Troy 36-yard line in the third quarter. The five turnovers were the most for the Mean Green since a loss to South Florida in the 2002 season. Those mistakes killed a few of what turned out to be three drives into Troy territory that failed to result in points. UNT didn't reach the end zone until Meager scored on a 20-yard run with 1:38 left to cut the Mean Green's deficit to 13-10, but Troy (2-3, 1-0) recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. "We would drive and have a turnover or two," Meager said. "That just killed us. You can't win games when you turn the ball over." Meager led UNT with 129 yards passing, but he completed only nine of 26 passes. Running back Patrick Cobbs finished with 56 yards rushing. He had rushed for 100 yards in seven consecutive games against Sun Belt teams. UNT's struggles offensively proved costly when Troy took advantage of an early turnover with a 16-yard scoring pass from Carl Meadows to wide receiver Torris Rutledge. Rutledge's touchdown came after UNT wide receiver Johnny Quinn fumbled a punt deep in Mean Green territory, and it staked Troy to a 7-3 halftime lead. LOUIS DeLUCA/DMN UNT's Johnny Quinn (81) muffs a punt as he tries to catch it in the first quarter. Troy recovered the ball deep in UNT territory and turned it into its only touchdown of the half. UNT had a chance to even the score, but had to settle for a Nick Bazaldua 21-yard field goal after defensive end Willie Ransom recovered a fumble by Troy running back Joel Whinghter at the Trojans' 17-yard line Troy kicker Greg Whibbs extended the Trojans' lead to 13-3 with a pair of field goals in the second half. The deficit turned out to be too much for the Mean Green to overcome. "We got beat by a good team," Cobbs said. "The defense gave us a chance to win, but we didn't take advantage." Briefly: UNT honored former coach Hayden Fry at halftime. Fry coached at UNT from 1973 to '78, led the Mean Green to the 1973 Missouri Valley Conference championship and posted a 40-23-3 record. E-mail bvito@dentonrc.com

Football: Together again Malone, Bell reunited on Mean Green football staff 09:04 AM CDT on Sunday, October 2, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer When Bruce Bell arrived at the scene of the accident almost 20 years ago, his van was crunched on a curb and one of his favorite pupils was staring at the ground. Bell was the track coach and defensive coordinator at Houston Waltrip during that afternoon in 1988 when he entrusted Van Malone to drive a few members of the track team home after a workout. DRC/Gary Payne University of North Texas assistant coach Bruce Bell, right, has been joined on the Mean Green staff by Van Malone, left, this season. Bell coached Malone while they were both at Waltrip High School in Houston. The group didn’t get very far before Malone plowed over a curb, blew out two of the van’s tires and bent both wheels. “When I got to him his head was down and he couldn’t say anything,” Bell said. “I told him not to worry about it and if that was the worst thing that happens, then we are in good shape.” That accident has been a source of laughs this fall now that Bell and Malone are both members of the coaching staff at North Texas. Bell, 51, is serving as UNT’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator this fall, while Malone, 35, is in his first year as the Mean Green’s defensive backs coach. Bell has announced that he will retire after national signing day in February to work with the NFL’s Junior Player Development Program, an organization that tutors players ages 12-14 at schools that lack offseason programs. That announcement left Malone one year to learn about coaching and life while working in a unique situation with his mentor. “Coach Bell was a big influence on me and is a part of the reason I coach,” Malone said. “He has done so much for me and a lot of other players through the years. A lot of my best friends are other guys who played for coach Bell. We always talk about what an influence he was on our lives.” The players and coaches who know Bell best say that his greatest asset during 29 years as a high school and college coach has been his ability to develop a personal relationship with players and direct them toward productive careers on the field and successful lives after sports. “In coaching you are a brother, a father, a best friend and a teacher,” Malone said. “I was fortunate to have a mom and dad at home, but a lot of guys don’t. Coach Bell provides that guidance and is a role model. He is old, but he has a young personality, handles players on their level and relates well to them. I try to pattern myself after him and what he has done.” Establishing a legacy Bell’s personal approach has paid off during his tenure at UNT, where he has left his mark both as a coach and a recruiting coordinator. All told, Bell has coached at UNT for six years between terms as a high school coach and administrator. During his short time at UNT from 1998-2000 and 2003 through this season, he has overseen the signing of one of the top recruiting classes in recent Mean Green history and helped bring Malone to Denton. Bell has spent the last three seasons as UNT’s recruiting coordinator and orchestrated the signing of the Mean Green’s 2004 class that was ranked 72nd nationally by Rivals.com, a Web site that covers college football recruiting. The group that has already produced six starters is considered one of the best classes UNT has signed in the last few years. Bell’s greatest legacy, however, will likely be coaching three of the best running backs to ever pull on a Mean Green uniform. Senior Patrick Cobbs and Ja’Quay Wilburn rank first and second in Mean Green history in rushing with 3,133 yards and 3,120 yards, respectively. Sophomore Jamario Thomas is closing on both of those players after setting UNT’s single season rushing record with 1,801 yards last year. All three have spent at least part of their careers with Bell as their running backs coach. “Coach Bell has helped me a lot,” Thomas said. “He knows my weaknesses and helps me get better. He is a great coach and helps us enjoy playing the game.” Bringing in a friend While Bell is best known as UNT’s running backs coach, he will also be remembered for helping bring Malone to Denton. The pair’s relationship started back at Waltrip, where Malone was part of a standout group of athletes that included longtime NFL wide receiver Keenan McCardell. “Van was a pretty good athlete,” Bell said. “If you asked him to lock someone down in man-to-man coverage, he could do it. He was one of my prized pupils.” Bell took Malone, a youngster from a rough part of town, under his wing because of his character as well as his talent. When Malone wasn’t fast enough to make Waltrip’s loaded sprint relay team, Bell kept him on as the track team’s manager. When Malone needed somewhere to go to just pass the time, he could often be found at Bell’s house. The relationship the two developed lasted even after Bell left Waltrip for Fort Bend Kempner before Malone’s senior year. Both have made several stops since during their careers. Bell bounced around between different coaching jobs, while Malone continued his playing career, first at the University of Texas from 1989-93 and then in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. Malone eventually retired from the NFL and started coaching on the high school level. Bell used his contacts to help Malone quickly advance through the coaching ranks at several stops, including stays at Division II North Dakota State and Division I Western Michigan. When UNT defensive backs coach Sam McElroy left after the 2004 season to become the head coach at Tarleton State, a Division II school in Stephenville, Bell pitched Malone as McElroy’s replacement to Mean Green head coach Darrell Dickey. “Bruce had mentioned Van’s name before and brought him up again when coach McElroy left,” Dickey said. “We are very pleased with him. He has had a positive effect on the program.” Senior cornerback T.J. Covington said Malone is an aggressive coach who has the attention and respect of players because of his NFL background and the ability to relate to players he learned from Bell. “It’s been real good playing for coach Malone,” Covington said. “He pushes us in practice because he says the harder he pushes us in practice, the easier games will be. I really like playing for him.” Watching Malone develop a rapport with UNT’s defensive backs has been rewarding for Bell. “To recommend Van to coach Dickey gave me a way to carry on what I believe in,” Bell said. “To come back to North Texas and finish my career here with him has been a blessing.” The legacy Bell will leave behind is a long and illustrious one. Bell not only helped establish UNT’s legacy of standout running backs, he also played for the Mean Green under legendary coach Hayden Fry from 1975-76. When UNT went through a series of down seasons a few years ago, Dickey called on Bell to talk about the his experiences during the Mean Green’s heyday and his faith that the team could return to its winning ways. Dickey said replacing Bell will be a tough task because of his UNT background in addition to his skills as a coach. Fortunately for the Mean Green, Bell will be around for a few more months to pass along what he has learned to the rest of UNT’s coaches. Malone said he will try to pick up all he can from Bell so he can carry on his mentor’s legacy. “It has been great to coach with Bell because it brings his career full circle,” Malone said. “By coaching here, I am allowing him to see the fruits of his labor.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.