Side Show Joe

Also, Texas State sets between San Antonio and Austin. Both markets are home to large FBS playing universities. It will be difficult for TSU to draw in new fans from either location. I know we have to contend with TCU and SMU, but both are small private universities. Our alumni base in Dallas and Fort worth are sizable and would allow us to command a respectable amount of support and draw in new fans if we were to sustain years of success in athletics.

Unfortunately, by only viewing the last 10 seasons, they ignore all of the New Orleans Bowl appearances, but includes the Dodge debacle. I'd like to see how we look over the last 5 seasons. I'm sure it wouldn't be great, but certainly not as bad as #123.

I wasn't here when Fry did these things. I wonder if moving the games to Texas Stadium hurt Fry's push to rally support from the students and Denton community?

It may only be talk by the faculty, but a few days ago the university cut their baseball program. So, the idea about moving their football team down could gain traction.

OP I think most reasonable people would agree that playing 7 of our 12 games are on the road, and 12 straight weeks of football is tough on any team. I don't think you can blame RV or coach Mac for 12 straight weeks of football. I believe that was a decision made by C-USA. I also question how informed a talking head from the "U" understand our 2015 team. The team that took the field against Georgia won't be playing at Tennessee this season. Not to say we can't compete with them, but the situation just isn't comparable.

From what I've been able to find, Deloss Dodd's $700,000 Texas contract ends on August 31. But, his contract keeps him at Texas through 2020 as a special assistant to the university president, but that only pays $100,000 a year. I think C-USA could afford him. Banowsky was making $500,000 last season.

Very sad to hear this news. I understand the athletic department is looking to continue with an "in house" version of the show, but messing with a good thing probably isn't the best idea. I can only hope their new show is as good. Best of luck, and I look forward to hearing more news about the project with Harry.

Lets see who C-USA hires before we pack the U-Haul. I highly doubt Benson will make the list of replacement candidates. But, if C-USA makes a bad hire, and the MWC is looking to expand into Texas, the four C-USA Texas programs need to take an all or nothing stance.

I agree. Banowsky did some great things for C-USA. I'd be looking at Deloss Dodds and see if he wanted the job. Love him or hate him, there is no denying what he did at Texas from 1981 through 2014. He might like the challenge of trying to elevate an entire conference. Doubt he would be interested in the job, but it never hurts to ask.

Sad to say I had to vote for UTSA. Wish I could have voted for any of the other options.

Better then last. No target on our backs this season.

Thanks for posting. Enjoyed it.

First Team Offense QB Brandon Doughty, Sr., WKU RB Leon Allen, Sr., WKU RB Kenneth Dixon, Sr., Louisiana Tech RB Devon Johnson, Sr., Marshall RB Aaron Jones, Jr., UTEP OL Jordan Budwig, Jr., FIU OL Darius Johnson, Sr., Middle Tennessee OL Kaydon Kirby, Jr., North Texas OL Andrew Reue, Sr., Rice OL Clint Van Horn, Jr., Marshall WR Jared Dangerfield, Sr., WKU WR Carlos Harris, Sr., North Texas WR Zach Pascal, Jr., Old Dominion WR Trent Taylor, Jr., Louisiana Tech TE Jonnu Smith, Jr., FIU First Team Defense DL Vernon Butler, Sr., Louisiana Tech DL Jason Neill, Sr., UTSA DL Jarquez Samuel, Sr., Marshall DL Michael Smith, Sr., Southern Miss DL Michael Wakefield, Sr., FIU LB T.T. Barber, Sr., Middle Tennessee LB Drew Douglas, Sr., UTSA LB D.J. Hunter, Sr., Marshall DB Kevin Byard, Sr., Middle Tennessee DB Crevon LeBlanc, Sr., Florida Atlantic DB Richard Leonard, Sr., FIU DB Bennett Okotcha, Sr., UTSA DB Wonderful Terry, Sr., WKU DB Xavier Woods, Jr., Louisiana Tech First Team Special Teams K Trevor Moore, So., North Texas P Tyler Williams,, Sr., Marshall KR Autrey Golden, Jr., UTEP PR Richard Leonard, Sr., FIU LS Matt Cincotta, Sr., Marshall http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071415aae.html

LOL! "7" was the first thing I thought about when Marcus was opening the locker.

I believe any community "party" could be part of the "Game Day Experience". See in my view, allowing any of the home football games to take a second billing to another event in Denton, would equate to diminishing the value of a game day at Apogee. And, that sounds bad to me. A game day at Apogee is the best weekend value in Denton. It's cheap, and it's fun. We don't need to pander to other events. We just need to get people out to tailgate and watch our games. Once they stand on their feet and scream as loud as they can during a critical 3rd down and watch the Mean Green defense get a stop, all the real football fans will be hooked. Just ask anyone that was there on Halloween for the Rice game. I guess we just have different opinions.

You make an excellent point, that gets to the heart of our problem. I believe the university as a whole needs to do a better job of promoting our university throughout the region (local TV & radio commercials, billboards, more news stories. newspaper stories). Highlight the achievements of North Texas and its' students and graduates. I think over the last decade the UNT system has failed to build a brand that resonates positively with many people in our region.

I was wondering when you would start this again. I'll take Jeffery Wilson. I don't believe anyone took him last season, and I think he is in for a monster season.

Airing on TV is still better. I hope the show is rebroadcast on the Fox regional networks before the season starts.

I agree with some of your post. I don't want North Texas to pander to the artsy crowd or any other non-football demographic, and get the focus away from football, but I do see the value in targeting football fans from counties around Denton. There are enough football fans in the towns of McKinney, Gainsville, Decatur, and the small towns in between. We can fill Apogee if we appeal to those football fans. As long as Apogee is selling out, North Texas will receive more positive attention from the DFW media.

Found this on the C-USA site. Marcus Smith and Kenny Buyers will be representing North Texas. I guess the show won't air on Fox Sports Southwest this season. Kind of sad about that. C-USA Football Kickoff Schedule of Events Tuesday, July 21Media Events6:00-9:00pReception - Boca Raton Resort & ClubWednesday, July 22Media Events7:00-8:00aRegistration and Breakfast8:00-10:00aWest Division Interviews - Boca Raton Resort & Club10:00-NoonEast Division Interviews - Boca Raton Resort & ClubNoonBoxed Lunches Available at Hotel & Studio11:00-1:30pWest Division Live Stream from ASN Studio, West Palm Beach2:00-4:30pEast Division Live Stream from ASN Studio, West Palm Beach All Times Eastern http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/2015-football-kickoff.html

I'm sure the mayor of Denton publicly supports UNT every chance he gets. The difference is Denton doesn't have television stations to report it.

You bring up an interesting point. Mac and RV have really done a great job of getting students out to games. I think the athletic department should think up some kind of promotion to see which class (Sr, Jr, Soph, Fr) can bring out the most students to the home games. Just a thought.

I agree. It wasn't something I was expecting either. Now that I've seen it, I'd sure like the athletic department to add the "#1 Home Field Advantage" angle to it, and start airing it during the sports segments of all the local evening news. We need to focus on expanding our fan base.

If we were coming off a second straight bowl game, I believe we would be averaging 25,000 of better this season. But, we didn't get close to bowling last season. If we can find some early success, our attendance should see a boost due to all the C-USA Texas programs visiting Apogee. If we win at SMU, fans will show up for the Rice game. But, we will have to pull a split on the road (@Iowa,@Southern Miss), in order to pull a descent crowd for our home stand against Portland State and WKU. If we aren't at least 2-2 going into the Portland State game, our attendance will suffer for the rest of the season. If, God forbid, we lose to UTSA again, it will be interesting to see the size and attitude of the crowd for the UTEP game over the Thanksgiving weekend. To address the topic, 22,000 seems realistic, if we have a bowl team.

Nice video. To be honest, I was happy with our uniforms and helmets from last season. I hope the new duds look good. I'd really like us to find a good unique look and stick with it so we can build a recognizable brand. Just my opinion.