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On the drive back home from the game yesterday, I did some thinking about where we stand right now sitting at 0-2 with a tough game against Iowa next week. i think the bottomline is I want to see us as a program reach our full potential. I realize we aren't one of the football palaces ie UT, LSU, State, A&M etc and probably never will be. I'm perfectly fine with that. i look at a program like Toledo this year and what they have accomplished this season and feel like in the right circumstances with the right pieces in place we could be in a similar position. Hoe exciting it would be to beat an SEC team on the road and a Big 12 team in the same season? i feel like we have many key pieces in place that Toledo does not have. I know that many say that North Texas historically just hasn't been a good program. My response to them is, until Apogee opened in 2011 did we really support the program at a deserving level? I'm tired of the comparisons to the past. This is a new era -- one in which our expectations SHOULD be higher than they have ever been. To summarize I just do not feel like we are getting the most out of the resources at our disposal. This leads me to wonder if the powers that be, the BOR, president and other high level donors and advisors feel similarly. im interested in hearing other opinions on this.

DENTON — The temperature pushed up toward 100 degrees at Apogee Stadium this spring as Chris Cosh bounced around from drill to drill, watching the members of North Texas’ defense sweat through another workout. Cosh barked instructions while laying out the basic principles of his defense, clearly in his element heading into his first season as UNT’s defensive coordinator. “Coach Cosh is a character and is tough on you, but we need it,” UNT linebacker Fred Scott said. “He pushes us and knows what he’s doing. He’s been a lot of places and knows what he’s talking about.” The journey includes stops at Kansas State, Michigan State and Maryland with several twists and turns mixed in — perhaps none more intriguing than how a degenerative neck injury ushered Cosh into coaching in 1983. Back then, Cosh didn’t go by “coach.” He was known as “Crash,” a hard-hitting linebacker for Virginia Tech. Former Hokies assistant coach Lou Tepper still remembers Cosh taking on an Alabama tackle who towered over him. “Chris knocked him to his knees,” Tepper said. Eventually, all those hits added up and forced Cosh into coaching before his senior season. “I didn’t take to it right away,” Cosh said. “I was coaching the same guys I was playing with and didn’t see myself in that role. That fall we had some young linebackers that I worked with who ended up starting by the second game of the season because some other players got hurt. I took pride in that. “It’s what really got me going.” Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/unt-mean-green/20150828-new-unt-defensive-coordinator-brings-needed-crash-to-mean-green.ece

The question facing North Texas, and it's a big one, is whether last year's 4-8 collapse was a one-year aberration for a program that was a steady riser in Dan McCarney's first three seasons, or if it's a sign of a new direction. As was the case last year, much of what falls out in the next four months will come down to quarterback play. A program that was picked first in Conference USA West coming into 2014 never answered that question adequately, though the job eventually fell to Andrew McNulty. He's back for his senior year, and McCarney has seen enough improvement from him to be optimistic that the struggles of '14 were a blip. "Does he have the biggest gun you've ever seen throwing the ball? No," McCarney said. "Is he the fastest cat who's ever played quarterback? No. But he's got intangibles, he's got heart, he's got toughness, he's got respect and he's got a great understanding of our offense and the way we want to play football." read more: http://www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_28568827/mean-green-hoping-bounce-back-after-swoon

Conference USA media day begins tomorrow down in Florida, and with it, the beginning of the buildup to another season. I will have a story in tomorrow’s paper on some of the key issues for the league and an accompanying video. We went over a few of the key issues UNT faces heading into media day on the blog just a couple of days ago. But what about the league as a whole? Well, the key subject that is sure to come up now outside of what we were already expecting is the return of UAB to college football. read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/setting-the-stage-for-conference-usa-media-day.html/

As the 2015 football season approaches, we will look at each position on the Mean Green’s roster. UNT’s wide receivers are up today. A look at UNT’s pecking order: Outside Turner Smiley O’Keeron Rutherford Slot Carlos Harris Tee Goree Outside Darvin Kidsy Daniel Khan Tight end Marcus Smith Chris Loving Outlook for the 2015 season: read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/07/unt-wide-receiver-breakdown-talent-is-there-for-this-year-and-beyond.html/

Just looked back through the final roster for 2015.. you can view it here: http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ntex-m-footbl-mtt.html Anyhow, it struck me there is a nice blend at pretty much every position of talent as well as experience. Is this proven no -- we won 4 games last season. If you look at the roster by positional area and take into account the mix of youth and more experienced players it is encouraging. Dare I say we have some umm depth? Say what you want about McNulty but the guy has played in some ball games. He's been in the program what 6 years? O-Line probably has the biggest question marks but Rice could have started last season and Ochs proved worthy in the spring. Banogu played a lot with Antonio's injury. At least one of the young guys has to pan out and Rentfro has logged some playing time. Running back looks deep. Jeff Wilson and Antonio get a lot of the press but what about Rex Rollins and Andrew Tucker? Those two guys have some serious speed and ability. Tight end may be as deep as it has been in a long time. Smith is a stud, but what about Loving? Rheinhart is a junior and you add Kelvin Smith (likely redshirt) and of course Dillman... Linebacker is loaded with talent and speed. Finney is the lead dog, but Blake Bean, Fred Scott, Sed Ellis, Calvin Minor -- these guys have logged some playing time and should bring some experience. The biggest area of depth may be defensive end... you have six guys capable of giving you production and minutes. Combs, Johnson, Roberts, Flusche, Polk and Dilonga.. they will make use of Dakota Smith in passing situations. DT sees Sir Calvin and Orr returning to anchor the middle and Haboul, Moore and Tauaalo should provide depth. Roderick Young and DeMikal Harrison can battle out for the sixth spot. I spoke about the secondary where you return Kenny Buyers and a star in KiShawn McClain. There are a ton of others who UNT could turn to and some good speed all around. A lot of these guys may not start but should be able to help us on special teams. Kicking punting looks solid with Trevor Moore and Keena..

In 2013, and for about as damn long as I can remember, UNT has had a head hunter (within the rules) leading a very physical brand of defense often led by a player in the secondary. Jonas Buckles, Craig Jones, Marikeith Knowlton etc. come to mind. There were others. In 2014 we lost that player because the greatness of Laramie Lee fought injuries all season long and truly was not himself physically speaking... Kenny Buyers is a very good player but I think he could be even better in 2015. But will he be the headhunter we need so desperately or will it be Kishawn McClain --whose star seems to be rising? And then you have the speedy Jackson brothers who intrigue me; James Gray who can really play and many think will end up starting at safety...6-3 Jamal Marshall at corner?? and you can't forget one of the stars of the recruiting class Ashton Preston who some think could play right away. Juco summer transfer Xavier Grindle is a new face in the crowd and may be one of the fastest players on the team. There are some other transfers as well. And then we get the news from Vito that UNT has offered two juco db's. One they think could be James Jones. Could this mean something? or does it just make sense in Cosh's mind. Of course there's a lot of unproven in that list of UNT players in the mix. And I do expect SMU and Chad Morris will look to expose them. It's an interesting group we have assembled and I hope that some leaders step forward and emerge. A lot of focus around here seems to be on Andy McNulty and the offense but the defense really took a step back year and we need to turn that around.

Top returnees: QB Andrew McNulty, RB Antoinne Jimmerson, C Kaydon Kirby, WR Carlos Harris, WR Darvin Kidsy, TE Marcus Smith, DT Sir Calvin Wallace, DE Chad Polk, LB Fred Scott, LB Jamal Marshall, CB Kenny Buyers, K Trevor Moore, P Blake Macek Strengths: Quarterback Andrew McNulty returns to lead the North Texas offense and tossed three touchdown strikes during the Mean Green spring game. He will get help from receiver Carlos Harris, whose 863 receiving yards last season leads Conference USA returning players. Kicker Trevor Moore also has been steady, earning Freshman All-America honors after hitting 15-of-17 field-goal attempts and connecting on 37-of-37 extra-point attempts. Eight players joined North Texas in the spring, with the hope they can help address some of the problem on both sides of the ball. “There's a lot of competition in this room,” McCarney told his players after the spring game, according to the school's website. “We've got a chance to be a damned good football team.” Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/college-gridiron-365/os-college-football-countdown-no-109-north-texas-2015-post.html

A potent pass rush returns, but gone is a veteran O-line. The Mean Green will need a QB to emerge for any shot at .500. Offense How the Mean Green beat you: With no red zone TOs, UNT scored at least a field goal on an FBS-best 94.3 percent of trips; it just needs more visits (35). Enter C-USA’s leading returning WR, Carlos Harris (869 yards). How you beat the Mean Green: With three four-year line starters gone, senior QB Andrew McNulty (6 TDs, 7 INTs) will face a lot of pressure. Defense How the Mean Green beat you: The D dropped the QB 33 times at an 8.4 percent clip (17th in the FBS), and the line goes eight deep, including Des Chad Polk and Tillman Johnson (10Π sacks combined). How you beat the Mean Green: UNT’s wheels came off inside the 20—the D allowed a TD 74.3 percent of the time. Only Texas Tech was worse. read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/110311/north-texas-mean-green-preview

1). WR - Rodney Bendy (6-4, 180) Tyler, Texas (John Tyler) [May 9th, 2014] 2). DB - Nate Brooks (6-0, 160) Whitehouse, Texas (Whitehouse HS) [June 16th, 2014] 3). DB - Ashton Preston (5-11, 179) Edmond, Oklahoma (Santa Fe HS) [July 3, 2014] 4). DB - Taylor Robinson (5-11, 175) Keller, Texas (Central HS) [July 21, 2014] 5). OL - Chett Munden (6-6, 303) Marshall, Texas (Marshall HS) [July 28, 2014] 6). TE - Kelvin Smith (6-3, 235) Spring, Texas (DeKaney HS) [July 30, 2014] 7). DE - RD Wegmann (6-3, 255) Wichita Falls, Texas (Rider HS) [Aug 15, 2014] 8). ATH - Jerbrell Lipscomb (5-10, 186) Navasoto, Texas (Navasoto HS) [september 8, 2014] 9). OL - Creighton Barr (6-3, 285) Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS) [september 8, 2014] *Signed LOI* 10). OL - Brian Ochs (6-4, 300) Quinter, Kansas (Butler CC) [December 13, 2014] *Signed LOI* 11). LB - Dakota Smith (6-4, 225) Plano, Texas (Plano East/Trinity Valley CC) [December 13, 2014] *Signed LOI* 12). LB - Courtney Finney (6-4, 225) Plano, Texas (Bay City/Trinity Valley CC) [December 14, 2014] *Signed LOI* 13). WR - Thaddeous Thompson (6-4, 180) Cibolo, Texas (Cibolo HS/Scottsdale CC) [May 9, 2014] *Signed LOI* 14). QB - DaMarcus Smith (6-1, 225) Louisville, Kentucky (Seneca HS/Butler CC) [December 14, 2014] *Signed LOI* 15). QB - Caleb Chumley (6-6, 255) Longview, Texas (Pinetree HS) [December 14, 2014] *Signed LOI* 16). DB - James Gray (6-0, 200) Atlanta, Georgia (Carver HS/Fort Scott CC) [December 17, 2014] *Signed LOI* 17). OL - Elex Woodworth (6-4, 265) Mesquite, Texas (Horn HS) [December 19, 2014] 18). DB - Jakii Moore (6-1, 195) Tulsa, Oklahoma (Webster HS/NEO CC/UAB) [December 22, 2014] *Signed LOI* 19). ATH - Kevin Dillman (6-4, 240) Denton, Texas (Guyer HS) [January 16, 2015] 20). ATH - D'Aundrey Bradley (6-1, 180) Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill HS) [January 25, 2015] 21). DE - Eli "Cinco" Howard (6-4, 250) San Angelo, Texas (Central HS) [January 25, 2015] 22). DE - Jareid Combs (6-3, 248) Minneapolis, Minnesota (De La Salle HS/Iowa City CC) [January 26, 2015] 23). DB - Xavier Grindle (6-1, 185) Columbia, Mississippi (East Marion HS/Miss State/Pearl River CC) [February 1, 2015] 24). DT - DeMikal Harrison (6-5, 290) Midwest City, Oklahoma (Midwest City HS) [February 1, 2015]