Hayden Fry: Head Coach and AD

[greenjoe]

Now I must start by saying I am not as big a fan of Hayden Fry as many on this board.  Coach Fry came here after being fired by Southern Meth and did what he was paid to do.  More than that, he got the community behind what we now know as Mean Green Football.  However, as soon as another opportunity came along, he left for Iowa and was successful there.  No problem from me for that.  Everyone needs to take care of themselves first.  But I digress.

 

When Fry was hired, I'm told there was not enough money available to hire him so the position of Head Coach and Athletic Director were combined.  Hayden Fry replaced Rod Rust as Head Coach.  For $500. and the lead, name the Athletic Director Hayden Fry replaced.

 

(cue 30 second Jeopardy music).  Good luck

 

GO MEAN GREEN 

[GrandGreen]

Fred McCain

[southsideguy]

wrong answer "who is Fred McCain for $5,000

[SilverEagle]

Correct. McCain then became director of facilities or the super pit. I think it was McCain who supposedly hated Hayden Fry. 

[Huff]

I believe the answer is Jess Cearley.    Dr. Cearley was the head of the men's physical education department and in those days also had the job of being athletic director.        At that time the coaches were also on the faculty and taught classes.   The football coaches - including the head coach - all taught football coaching classes.   The basketball coaches all taught basketball coaching classes and the head track coach taught that coaching class.    Hayden became the first head coach that I know of who later became the athletic director.    The world was a different place in those days. 

Fred McCain was one of Odus Mitchell's assistant coaches who became athletic director several years later.

[greenjoe]

I've never heard the name Jess Cearley.  I knew Fred McCain both as AD and as the mgr of the Coliseum.  We have 2 answers.  I'm wondering who lost their job as AD when Hayden Fry took over as AD. 

 

Beat La. Tech

 

GO MEAN GREEN

[Huff]

Well, I hate to admit it but I was wrong on this one.    I did a little internet research and found that Dr. Cearly was Athletic Director from 1962 through 1969 - Rod Rust was Athletic Director from 1970 through 1972 - Fred McCain was Athletic Director in 1972 and 1973 - then Hayden Fry became Athletic Director in 1973.   He stayed through 1978 then Fred McCain returned as Athletic Director for 1979.   Bob Tyler was Athletic Director for two years then Fred McCain returned to the Athletic Director's job in 1982.    I did not realize it but Fred McCain was our Athletic Director on three separate occasions.     How strange !!!

[UNTLifer]

Jess Cearley was the head of the Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Department.  My father replaced him and Fry was supposed to teach some classes under my dad but he never or rarely showed up for his classes

[KingDL1]

Now I must start by saying I am not as big a fan of Hayden Fry as many on this board.  Coach Fry came here after being fired by Southern Meth and did what he was paid to do.  More than that, he got the community behind what we now know as Mean Green Football.  However, as soon as another opportunity came along, he left for Iowa and was successful there.  No problem from me for that.  Everyone needs to take care of themselves first.  But I digress.

 

When Fry was hired, I'm told there was not enough money available to hire him so the position of Head Coach and Athletic Director were combined.  Hayden Fry replaced Rod Rust as Head Coach.  For $500. and the lead, name the Athletic Director Hayden Fry replaced.

 

(cue 30 second Jeopardy music).  Good luck

 

GO MEAN GREEN 

I understood there was a lot more to Hayden Fry's leaving including not getting support from the administration and the fans. That even being in the top 25 we could not get a bowl bid at the time. 

[SilverEagle]

I understood there was a lot more to Hayden Fry's leaving including not getting support from the administration and the fans. That even being in the top 25 we could not get a bowl bid at the time. 

I read more than once that Fry was told by people in high places "sorry pal, regardless of the progress you make at North Texas you ain't getting invited to the SWC and/or a Bowl game". So when he saw the opportunity to be able to take a team to the Rose Bowl and good ol' boy political forces couldn't do anything to stop it, he jumped at the chance.

BTW here is a story in the 1973 Yucca that covers the AD situation.

http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth61093/m1/86/?q=athletic director