Search the Community

Texas Tech hired the University of North Texas’ defensive line coach Kevin Patrick to serve the same role in Lubbock. Now we are learning that one member of the Mean Green’s defensive line is following his coach west. Defensive end Eli Howard, a freshman from San Angelo’s Central High School who redshirted last season in Denton plans to walk on to the Red Raider football program in 2016. Howard will have to sit out a season per the NCAA transfer rules. While Howard’s transfer to Texas Tech is certain to be less heralded as other recent transfers (I once heard a rumor about a former 5-star high school all-American that transferred from Ohio State to Texas Tech but I can’t remember his name nor do I ever remember seeing him do anything on the field) it does speak well of him that his defensive line coach feels he is worth bringing to Texas Tech. Read more:. http://wreckemred.com/2016/01/18/former-unt-de-eli-howard-transferring-to-texas-tech/

read more: http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=A-look-at-Seth-Littrell-North-Texas-staff-so-far

There was big news out of Conference USA today that could have a significant impact on the race for the West Division title. Louisiana Tech landed Mickey Johnson, a big 310-pound defensive tackle who will be eligible immediately after leaving LSU. The Bulldogs have become a prime landing spot for transfers the last couple of years. Iowa transfer quarterback Cody Sokol and Illinois transfer defensive end Houston Bates played huge roles in the Bulldogs’ big 2014 season that included a Heart of Dallas Bowl win over Illinois. There is no telling if Johnson will have a similar impact, but he sure looks good on paper. He was a four-star recruit out of high school. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/04/big-transfer-news-out-of-c-usa-patricks-miami-hof-speech.html/

It was a pretty eventful weekend in UNT athletics, primarily on the basketball front, but the No. 1 program in the Big Three (football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball) also reached a key point in the offseason. This weekend was the first of the UNT football programs two junior days. Junior days are when a whole lot of prospects are evaluated and subsequently prioritized and put on the board. A couple of UNT assistants, including defensive line coach Kevin Patrick (who was particularly productive when it came to the 2015 class, by the way) mentioned that there were about 225 players who showed up. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/02/the-sunday-leftovers-with-a-look-at-unt-junior-day.html/

We have reached the eve of the midterm signing period. After making a few phone calls, here are some key points on where UNT stands on the eve of the big day. – One of the unanswered questions hanging out there is if UNT still plans on taking grayshirt candidates Johnavhon Graham and Shaq Jackson. Both played for DeSoto and committed to UNT a long time ago. I caught Graham tonight. He said that both are still waiting on official word from UNT on if they will be admitted. They are going to meet with UNT defensive line coach Kevin Patrick this week. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/12/night-before-signing-day-notes-with-some-key-news.html/

I noticed in Vito's article that Coach Patrick was responsible for landing DaMarcus Smith over an offer from Indiana. I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to see a new coach like Coach Patrick show up here and offer up so much energy and enthusiasm for our Mean Green. His players love him and now it appears that so do the prospects. Having an assistant coach that is an outstanding recruiter is the lifeblood of consistently good programs. I really think Coach Patrick will help us get our defensive line where we expect it to be. His hard work and results are greatly appreciated by this fan. GMG!

We are getting closer and closer to UNT’s opener at Texas in a couple of weeks. While we sit and wait for UNT to officially announce its starting quarterback, let’s look at one of the key matchups when it comes to the Mean Green’s opener. There might not be a bigger challenge for UNT than having its defensive line hold up. Let’s look at the lineups: This is what Texas’ lineup could look like on its offensive line: Center – Dominic Espinosa, 6-2, 308 Guard — Sedrick Flowers, 6-3, 320 Guard Taylor Doyle, 6-5, 300 Tackle — Kent Perkins, 6-5, 330 Tackle — Kennedy Estelle, 6-6, 285 Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/08/key-questions-for-texas-game-can-unts-defensive-line-hold.html/

Signing day is long in the books, but there were a couple of key developments on the football recruiting front in last day or so. If one remembers back to signing day, Dan McCarney said UNT would hang on to a scholarship in case anyone posts a qualifying test score late. I talked to Euless Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver, who confirmed early this afternoon that defensive tackle Hafoka Olie has done just that. Lineweaver said that there are already a few programs who have jumped into the race to sign Olie, who signed with Tyler Junior College in case he has to go the two-year college route to the FBS level. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/03/tuesday-afternoon-recruiting-notes-and-tidbits.html/

It’s spring time again, which when it comes to UNT football over the last few years means two things: – Spring practice is under way – UNT’s defensive line is a big concern and an even bigger topic of conversation. The Mean Green’s front four was maybe the hottest topic of last off-season due to the number of key players UNT lost and the number of injuries the team was dealing with. UNT’s line pulled it together last year and became arguably the biggest surprise of the season when it anchored one of the nation’s most productive defenses. UNT seemingly has come full circle. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/03/video-unt-defensive-line-coach-kevin-patrick-talks-about-unit.html/

UNT made the switch on its coaching staff official today, announcing that Mike Nelson has ridden off into the sunset and retirement on his motorcycle and will be replaced by Kevin Patrick, a former South Florida assistant coach. We have talked about both moves extensively, but have yet to delve into the departure of one of the more interesting figures in recent UNT history in terms of assistant coaches. Nelson was around for five seasons, which is a pretty long time in the world of college athletics. I don’t think we ever exchanged more than a passing hello in all that time. Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/01/unt-makes-dl-coach-switch-official-now-for-some-thoughts.html/

DENTON, Texas – North Texas head coach Dan McCarney has announced the hiring of Kevin Patrick as the new defensive line coach. Patrick, who spent the last six seasons at South Florida, is one of the nation’s top recruiters and has produced three NFL draft picks, including first-rounder Jason Pierre-Paul who was the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. “I am so thrilled to be able to add Kevin to our coaching staff,” said McCarney. “He has coached some of the best players in the nation on the defensive line and sent numerous guys to the NFL. He brings in a wealth of experience and will be a great addition to our program.” Patrick followed up McCarney as the defensive line coach at USF after McCarney went to Florida in 2008. He replaces Mike Nelson who is retiring after a five seasons with North Texas and a coaching career that spanned over 30 years. Nelson and McCarney coached a total of 13 seasons together at Iowa State and North Texas. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have coached with such a great person and teacher like Mike Nelson,” McCarney said. “He has been such a loyal person and I can’t thank him enough for all that he did at Iowa State with me and then again here with North Texas. He’s a great coach and one of the best in the business and we will all miss him.” While at South Florida, Patrick developed some of the top defensive lineman in the country. Pierre-Paul was a first-team All-American selection by Pro Football Weekly in 2009. Pierre-Paul was also named first-team all-conference by the BIG EAST coaches, ESPN, Rivals.com and the Sporting News along with second-team honors by Phil Steele. In addition to his work with Pierre Paul, Patrick’s defensive line unit included current Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman George Selvie and Houston Texans defensive tackle Terrell McClain. Under Patrick’s leadership, Selvie earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and was a seventh round draft pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2010. In 2007 McCarney coached Selvie in his sophomore season to a first-team All-American honor and Patrick coached Selvie in his junior season to another All-American season in 2008. McClain was a third round draft pick in 2011 by the Carolina Panthers after earning first-team All-BIG EAST honors his senior year at South Florida. In 2011, Patrick's tackles contributed to USF finishing second nationally in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks, while only allowing 107.3 rushing yards per game (15th NCAA). The Bulls were led by the tackle trio of Keith McCaskill, Cory Grissom and Elkino Watson, who combined for 6.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. In 2010, Patrick guided a unit that helped the defense rank 17th in total defense (317.9 ypg), 22nd in scoring defense (20.0 ppg) and 22nd in rushing defense (125.6 ypg). USF's defensive ends posted 21.5 of the Bulls' 25 sacks on the season in 2009, along with 37 tackles for loss. The defensive line anchored a defensive unit that finished second in the BIG EAST in scoring defense in 2009 and third in total defense led by Pierre-Paul. Patrick flourished during his first season back with the Bulls. He helped defensive end George Selvie repeat as a first team All-American and assisted a defensive unit that ranked No. 10 nationally in total defense. Patrick also reeled in a pair of national awards on the recruiting trail. Rivals named him one of the top 25 recruiters in America and the top recruiter in the BIG EAST in 2009. The acclaim came after four-star recruits Ryne Giddens, Jacquain Williams, Jason Pierre-Paul and Julius Forte inked with USF on National Signing Day. During his playing days, Patrick was an All-American defensive end at the University of Miami from 1989-93. He was a major contributor on the Hurricane team that claimed two National Championships with wins over Nebraska in the 1992 Orange Bowl and over Alabama in the 1990 Sugar Bowl. Patrick also played in the Cotton and Fiesta Bowls during his career. He is one of two individuals in the USF program that has earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors. Patrick claimed his in 1993, while two-time All-American George Selvie earned that honor in 2007. Patrick earned All-America honors and team MVP accolades in 1993, when he collected 10 sacks. During his career, he tallied 174 tackles and 23 sacks, which ranks fifth in program history. He graduated from Miami in 1994 with a degree in business administration. Patrick was a four-year letterwinner in football at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, Fla., graduating in 1989. He also was a two-year letterwinner in track and field, throwing the shot put and discus his junior and senior years. Patrick and his wife Rachel have two daughters - Grace and Belle. Patrick’s Experience Collegiate Playing Experience: Four year letterwinner, defensive end, University of Miami Coaching Experience: South Florida, Defensive Ends, 1996-98 South Florida – Defensive Ends/Tackles/Line, 2008-13 NFL Proteges Jarriett Buie Tampa Bay Buccaneers Terrell McClain Houston Texans Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants George Selvie Dallas Cowboys Read more: http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012414aaa.html

He played in the UM downfall loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and the legendary victories over Florida State, as well as Penn State. His career spanned most of Miami's NCAA record 58-game home winning streak. "A lot of big games against a lot of great teams," Patrick said. So it's only natural that Patrick will be going ballistic on the sidelines when he looks across the field and sees the 2011 Hurricanes, that is, the 5-5 Hurricanes. Not his Hurricanes. "All I'm going to say," said USF linebacker Sam Barrington, "is that I'm not going to let him go to war by himself." All that matters to Patrick is how the USF defensive tackles like Grissom, Keith McCaskill and freshman Elkino Watson get after UM quarterback Jacory Harris and stuff running back Lamar Miller. "He tells me he wishes he could play, but he lives his life through us right now," Grissom said. Patrick has been driving home the same intensity to the defensive tackles he's coaching, that served him and his former defensive linemates like Rusty Meaderis and Darren Krein, back when Patrick was a part of two national championship teams at Miami. "That's what I want our D-linemen to play like, with a passion and a little bit of an attitude," Patrick said. "Not that it was from there (Miami) or anywhere else. That's who I am and that's what I'm bringing to this game. That's what I bring to this job every day." "He says he's going to contain himself as we get close to Miami," Grissom said. "He said, 'On game day, y'all better bring it.' " Read more: http://tombalog.blogs.heraldtribune.com/10234/once-a-cane-usf-coach-patrick-now-a-bull/