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NORTH TEXAS Pros: No C-USA school is doing a better job of investing in facilities than UNT, which has also earned some buzz as a future member of the Mountain West Conference. The football program is ascendant and it’s not inconceivable that UNT could work as a football-only member. Cons: The AAC already features SMU in the Dallas-Fort Worth market and there’s not much love between the two programs. Even with a beautiful football stadium and a winning team, attendance continues to lag for UNT football. The Mountain West Conference may be a better possibility down the road. read more: https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article231899688.html Read more here: https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article231899688.html#storylink=cpy

As Holtz has studied film on the Mean Green, who have had a disappointing 2019 up to this point, what he’s seen hasn’t surprised him. And it doesn’t cause a fiery response. For the Louisiana Tech head coach, it’s the same concern that comes each season matching up with North Texas. “They’re everything I thought they’d be,” Holtz said. Saying the 2019 season has not been smooth for North Texas, the preseason favorites to win the Conference USA West division, may be a bit of an understatement. With plentiful starters back from last year headlined by senior quarterback Mason Fine, the Mean Green had their sights set on their second conference championship game appearance in three years. read more: https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/college/louisiana-tech/2019/11/05/la-tech-football-expects-north-texas-best-shot/4159061002/

I enrolled at the University of North Texas right in time to watch Darrell Dickey sink into the earth. The football coach would finish 2-9 that year, right after a 7-5 season—and almost 2,000 rushing yards from rookie Jamario Thomas—got them their fourth straight bowl berth. He’d lose his job two years later, and then Todd Dodge got brought up from Southlake and stunk up Fouts Field so bad that the sports program had to launch a dubiously-funded effort for a new stadium to get us to talk about something else. (Fouts was also really old.) When my friends and I would go to games, we’d spend more time in the parking lot than in Fouts. It was bad football. (But Tobe Nwigwe was on the team, and he is now terrific, and running back Patrick Cobbs got some years as a backup for the Dolphins and I think the Saints. OK, no more parenthesis, I promise.) I bring this up because current coach Seth Littrell is apparently one of just 15 coaches at public universities who has personal access to a private jet written into their contract, according to USA Today. That’s use of a plane not for recruiting or work-related endeavors, but for “family vacations or other leisure trips.” In addition to his $1.865 million salary, Littrell gets $100,000 a year that goes toward “private aircraft charter flight services.” Not bad! Littrell is among good company: six coaches are in the Big Ten and five are in the SEC. Littrell is … in Conference USA. He’s 26-21 since 2016, with three bowl appearances but no wins. That’s definitely a jump in quality, but is it worth shelling out $100,000 in university funds so he can take some trips? Read more: https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2019/10/unt-is-one-of-15-schools-that-gives-its-football-coach-private-jet-access/

Justin Trudeau is suing the University of North Texas claiming he was treated unfairly during an investigation into sexual harassment allegations from three female students. Trudeau works as a communications professor at the college in Denton, Texas, and has done since 2005. He claims to have had an unblemished record until December 2017 when three students reported him for alleged sexual harassment. They claimed, among other things, that he called their performances of scenes from an erotic book 'hot' and that he offered one female student an A if she 'convinced other students to perform in a sexual manner on stage'. read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7547781/College-professor-sues-University-North-Texas-sexual-harassment-allegations.html

"You find a love for the game and your team that you didn't know you had in high school," said junior Javion Hamlet who went to two different junior colleges before landing in Denton. "Try telling me I don't love the game when I had to live in a house with 16 other teammates in a city I didn't know and eat grimy food every day." McCasland's love for the game and the experiences that life haa brought him and his family doesn't just extend to him driving a team bus. Before becoming the head coach at Midland, McCasland was an assistant at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. But when he was hired as the second assistant, he needed to first find a job on campus as there was no full-time coaching positions available. A resident hall assistant is what he got. So he and his wife Cece, both in their early 20s and just a week into their marriage, packed up their bags and moved into Herboldscheimer Hall on the campus of Northeastern JC. Crammed into a small dorm room in a building that held 80 students, McCasland coached during the day and patrolled the dorm at night. "I still remember being up at 2 a.m. and writing up women for having chew tobacco cups in the lobby," McCasland said. "Then Cece and I would wake up and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the team. "But at the time I didn't wish I was doing something else. I'm still close with the people from Herboldscheimer Hall. And they didn't play basketball. They were friends of my wife and I. They were family. It was all about the relationships of the people inside Herboldscheimer Hall that you were doing life with and the similar experiences you were going through" he added. Read more: https://meangreensports.com/news/2019/10/2/mens-basketball-mac-drives-the-bus.aspx

The University of North Texas –- like the region it is named for -– is growing quickly. There are now 39,330 UNT undergraduate and graduate students enrolled, which is the most ever. That enrollment figure represents a 3% increase from the 2018-2019 academic year, according to figures from the university. In addition to overall enrollment being up, UNT also touts its largest-ever freshman class this fall. A record 5,522 freshman are on campus, which is an increase of 15.3% in "first time college students at the university," according to a UNT news release. And the University of North Texas is also retaining more of its students than ever before. This fall nearly 80% of last year’s freshman class returned to UNT, according to enrollment data, which is an increase of 1.6% over the fall of 2018. read more: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/University-of-North-Texas-Sees-Record-Enrollment-This-Fall-560464341.html

HUDL = https://www.hudl.com/profile/8388572/Sam-Godwin

Volkmar Now Officially Embarrassed To Be A Roadrunner

DENTON, Texas — Full cost-of-attendance for out-of-state students at the University of North Texas runs about $36,000 a year. Mean Green quarterback Mason Fine has repaid the school for his scholarship several times over — even if it was the only scholarship offer he got. In 2015, when Fine was a record-setting high school quarterback at Locust Grove, Okla., North Texas averaged just 13,631 fans per home game. A total of 68,155 went through the turnstiles that year. In 2018, when Fine was winning his second consecutive Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award, UNT brought in 23,355 fans per game, a total of 140,131 and a 71 percent increase in ticket sales. “For a long time, I think everybody looked at North Texas from the outside and said, ‘That’s a place that ought to be pretty good: great location, 40,000 students, a rapidly growing area of the country,’” UNT athletic director Wren Baker recently told Sporting News. “And Mason has been a key part in helping turn the program around, which in turn has had a huge influence on the university. Record-setting donations, not only in athletics but at the institution, (and) freshman enrollment is up like 15 percent this year. “Is he solely responsible for that? No. But has he played a big part in probably the No. 1 marketing tool of the university’s success? Yeah, he’s had a huge impact.” read more: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/godsend-mason-fine-has-helped-resurrect-north-texas-football-program-and-pride/wgowwwh9wju018mr3bapmd91k

2. North Texas (Sept. 7): SMU holds a massive 31-6-1 lead in this all-time series, but UNT has had two very convincing wins over the Mustangs since the series resumed five years ago -- a 37-point win in 2014 and a 23-point victory last fall in Denton. And last year's 46-23 win by North Texas wasn't even as close as the final score indicated -- the Mean Green actually led 36-0 after three quarters and SMU scored 23 fourth-quarter points to make the final score a little more respectable. 3. Will SMU's transfer portal reliance pay off? According to the 247Sports transfer portal database, SMU has brought in 16 transfers this offseason, most in the AAC. Houston (12) was the only other conference school to have double-digit transfers. Seventy-five percent of AAC schools brought in six or fewer transfers this offseason. While this is a great way to quickly improve the talent on SMU's roster, it's also a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to chemistry. Will new pieces fit well with old ones? Will players who were recruited out of high school feel slighted? read more: https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2019/08/19/smu-mustangs-season-preview-breakout-candidates-key-questions-projected-results

Two North Texas-related articles on The Athletic today: The Preseason Athletic 130 60 North Texas Only opponents they have ranked ahead of us are Houston (47) and Cal (51). All others: UAB (78) SMU (81) Southern Miss (86) LaTech (90) Middle Tennessee (106) Charlotte (108) UTSA (114) UTEP (121) Rice (127) Blurb: ---- On the Bruce Feldman 40 college football assistant coaches to watch in 2019 article:

Link: https://www.coogfans.com/t/opponent-watch-2019-north-texas/16791/2

At first, Tulsa won. Roberts committed to the Golden Hurricane on May 17. North Texas, the first school he visited, had always been a possibility, but it wasn’t a frontrunner. Then the Mean Green offered him a scholarship on June 1. When Roberts returned to Denton, Texas, for another visit, he had a new perspective. As he immersed himself in the UNT environment, he faced a dilemma. Although he liked Tulsa, multiple factors drew him toward the Mean Green. He could envision himself in the lineup as a tight end. He learned about the indoor practice building that is under construction, part of a plan to elevate UNT athletics, and the program’s culture appealed to him. Aware that he was setting up his future in college and beyond, as his parents had reminded him, Roberts flipped his commitment to UNT on June 16. “What they have going at North Texas is really good,” Roberts said. “They’re gonna open a lot of eyes, and I want to be a part of that.” read more: https://oklahoman.com/article/5635738/the-oklahomans-super-30-tight-end-jake-roberts-showcases-versatility-on-norman-north-football-team

Re: Independent vs Conference#536665 By cruzan_flame13 - September 14th, 2017, 8:48 pm I see us going the route as Notre Dame did back a few decades ago. I'm not saying we will be identical to Notre Dame, especially the fact that the game isn't the same as it was. I do feel we will go the independent route for awhile and continue to contain great connections with other school AD's that are close with AD McCaw. At the same time I see this helping our Olympic sports and the blessings that we have in facilities. If we can get into a nice conference that is not football affiliated, I don't see the point of having football in a conference. If some reason the Big XII finally put aside their pride and add some other schools and then some how we can get a spot with the AAC, then I would think that LU might consider. Anything lower than the AAC in G5 terms is not worth it for football. Of course I would hope that LU would get an opportunity with the A-10 or Big East for their Olympic sports (hopefully they'll progress on a sufficient and discipline manner without any unlawful deals with student athletes/prospects). I really see LU getting very noticeable on an athletic level from now on. In conclusion, independent is the way to go since the crew can create great schedules for football(hopefully that will rub off on the other sports). read more: https://forums.aseaofred.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25847

read more: https://www.onefootdown.com/2019/7/5/20683041/from-football-to-coffee-beans

Johnson is No. 24 in The Oklahoman’s Super 30 rankings of the state’s top college recruits in the 2020 class. As a linebacker entering his senior season, he is committed to North Texas. Johnson has grown from a 185-pound freshman to a 220-pound, 6-foot-4 team leader, but before he added size, he had a trait Hall noticed: steadiness. His dependability and even-keeled nature are leading him to a Division I program in Denton, Texas. Johnson committed to the Mean Green on June 12, a few days after his campus visit. When he toured schools, he recognized each university would showcase its best features, but North Texas stood out from the rest because it included his family in the experience. read more: https://oklahoman.com/article/5635161/the-oklahomans-super-30-midwest-city-linebacker-jacobi-johnson-plays-with-no-fear

Connally safety Jordan Nichols is Division I-bound, as the Class of 2020 player announced his commitment to North Texas on Friday. Nichols (6-0, 180) is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com. He made 53 tackles and one interception last year for the Cadets. Nichols announced his decision on Twitter after making a visit to North Texas. He is the third incoming Connally senior to make a pledge to a Division I school, along with offensive lineman Trent Pullen (Oklahoma State) and running back Jay’veon Sunday (Washington), the reigning Super Centex Offensive Player of the Year. Read more: https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/high_schools/central_texas_football/connally-s-nichols-commits-to-north-texas/article_830e0f87-7237-5280-be53-f6faa59d8cd1.html

Since redshirting his first season from Mesquite Horn, Woodworth has been the most valuable offensive lineman at North Texas. Woodworth has played both guard and tackle – on both sides of the line – to try and fill holes. No matter where he’s played, Woodworth has found ways to contribute and keep Mason Fine’s nose relatively clean.

NASHVILLE - Nine Mean Green student-athletes were named to Athlon Sports' preseason All-Conference USA teams, the publication announced, six of which were first team selections. Senior quarterback Mason Fine, senior receiver Rico Bussey, Jr., redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Manase Mose, senior defensive end LaDarius Hamilton, senior punter Alvin Kenworthy and junior kick returner DeAndre Torrey were all named first team selections by Athlon. Torrey was also a second team choice at running back, while senior center Sosaia Mose and junior Jaelon Darden, who was selected as a punt returner, were on the second team. Senior safety Khairi Muhammad was a fourth team selection by the publication. Fine was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season in 2018, completing 303 of 469 passes (64.6%) for 3,793 yards with 27 passing touchdowns to just five interceptions, while also adding a pair of scores on the ground in 13 appearances for the Mean Green. Fine enters 2019 as the nation's leader in career active passing yards (9,417) and is expected to find his name on just about every watch list that includes quarterbacks later this summer. Bussey, Jr., a first team All-Conference USA selection in 2018, ranked eighth nationally with 12 receiving touchdowns. He caught 68 passes for 1,017 yards, becoming just the sixth player in North Texas program history to post at least 1,000 yards receiving and has surged into fifth in program history in career receiving touchdowns (20) and 100-yard games (8). Manase Mose was an All-Freshman team selection and All-Conference USA honorable mention selection by the conference in 2018, starting all 13 games at right guard. Hamilton was a first team All-Conference USA selection in 2018, posting 33 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss with 7.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries in 13 appearances. Kenworthy averaged 42.2 yards per punt on 56 attempts, putting 26 inside the 20, with a season-long of 68 yards. Torrey was explosive in the kick return game, averaging 27.5 yards per return with one touchdown (96 yards in the win over SMU) on his way to all-conference honorable mention status at that position. He also ranked seventh in FBS with 18 total touchdowns, carrying 175 times for 977 yards (5.6 yards per carry) with 15 scores on the ground to go along with 25 receptions for 205 yards and two more scores receiving in 13 appearances. Sosaia Mose made 12 appearances at center, all starts, in 2018, and was an honorable mention all-conference selection. The explosive and shifty Darden averaged 12.4 yards per punt return in 2018 for the Mean Green. Muhammad finished 2018 with 67 tackles (43 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, five pass break-ups and a fumble recovery in 13 appearances, all of which were starts. Athlon also projected the Mean Green to win the C-USA Western division in 2019. Click here for the full release North Texas kicks off the 2019 season against Abilene Christian on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Apogee Stadium. To purchase 2019 season tickets click here, or call the North Texas Athletic Ticket Office at 940-565-2527. Link: https://meangreensports.com/news/2019/5/29/football-ten-named-to-athlon-preseason-all-c-usa-list.aspx