MGB Littrell presser follow-up thoughts

[Brett Vito]

MGB: Littrell won the presser, what's next, and does UNT have its own Riley Curry?

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2015/12/follow-up-thoughts-on-littrells-presser.html/

[Got5onIt]

And so it begins. Crossing my fingers Seth can set the recruiting trail ablaze....

[HoustonEagle]

Does anyone know who the large donor or donors are that have made this all possible?  I would like to send them a thank you.  I think many here lose sight of the fact that not long ago we were paying our head coach 300k and had no money for quality assistants.  It is this support for the program that will change things for the better around UNT Athletics.  As for RV, well, he cultivated these donors and therefore should get the credit he is due.  While so many here seem to have pure hate for the man I think we should take the time to realize how bad things were in regard to finances and facilities. The man made some bad hires that ultimately will end his career here but more so than any of his predecessors he will leave UNT Athletics far better off than when he found it.  I thank him for that.  My hope for RV is that he wants to get things on a better footing in the short term and then kindly retires. I have seen a few comments on this board from people in the know that seem to indicate that is the plan.

[Ben Gooding]

Recruiting is going to be interesting. He had a good presser that I am sure was heard by many recruits and HS coaches. 

[MeanGreenTexan]

Recruiting is going to be interesting. He had a good presser that I am sure was heard by many recruits and HS coaches. 

Just remember,  NT is in the exact same place (1-11, just hired a hot-shot ACC offensive coordinator) as SMU last year.  Morris' first class wasn't a bunch of awesome players.  

We need to temper expectations on recruiting for the next few weeks.  I'm gonna expect more of the same types of guys we've brought in over the past 2-3 yrs, and be pleasantly surprised if he hauls in a nice class.

[untjim1995]

Just remember,  NT is in the exact same place (1-11, just hired a hot-shot ACC offensive coordinator) as SMU last year.  Morris' first class wasn't a bunch of awesome players.  

We need to temper expectations on recruiting for the next few weeks.  I'm gonna expect more of the same types of guys we've brought in over the past 2-3 yrs, and be pleasantly surprised if he hauls in a nice class.

This.

The year SMU just endured under Morris was a retrenching year for them. Them getting two wins was just gravy. Just getting a head coach that seems to know how to run an offense and talk to high school coaches in Texas was the biggest thing SMU accomplished in 2015. Everything else that occurred--their two wins, the playing experience, the changing of attitudes in and around the locker room--are all secondary to getting a guy in there that can turn the thing around possibly in 2 or 3 years.

Everything you just read above, change SMU to UNT, change Morris to Littrell, and change 2015 to 2016.

[HarringtonFishSmeller]

This.

The year SMU just endured under Morris was a retrenching year for them. Them getting two wins was just gravy. Just getting a head coach that seems to know how to run an offense and talk to high school coaches in Texas was the biggest thing SMU accomplished in 2015. Everything else that occurred--their two wins, the playing experience, the changing of attitudes in and around the locker room--are all secondary to getting a guy in there that can turn the thing around possibly in 2 or 3 years.

Everything you just read above, change SMU to UNT, change Morris to Littrell, and change 2015 to 2016.

SMU's recruiting hasn't changed.  And, when you look back at what June Jones did, it's even slipped down as far as where the classes were ranked/"star" players.  Morris isn't even close to where Jones was. 

Posted a few weeks back, if the bar is set at what SMU/Morris did in his first year, the bar is set too low. 

[rcade]

While so many here seem to have pure hate for the man I think we should take the time to realize how bad things were in regard to finances and facilities.

Yes our facilities and finances are better, but that's all for nothing without on-field and on-court success. I don't think we should wait until RV turns anything around. He had his shot over 14 years to do that, just like Dodge and McCarney had their chance as coaches, and it's time to look for new leadership. Littrell's chance for success is hampered by RV running athletics. Phase out RV and begin the search for a new AD who knows how to build a fan base and support a winner in G5.

I question whether RV is putting the effort in any more. His remarks yesterday were off-the-cuff and rambling, and full of odd stuff like his opening comment "I don't want to do this any more" and that remark about his CPAP machine. He acted like the press conference was a small gathering of UNT insiders and friends -- not something that would be seen by the outside world and covered by the media. Maybe he did better at other gatherings yesterday, but the presser made him look fatigued and defeated.

By contrast, Smatresk's remarks were concise, forward-looking and confident. He sent the message clearly that his goal is for UNT to make a national name for itself through hires like Littrell.

Edited December 8, 2015 by rcade

[Cerebus]

SMU's recruiting hasn't changed.  And, when you look back at what June Jones did, it's even slipped down as far as where the classes were ranked/"star" players.  Morris isn't even close to where Jones was. 

Alright, your troll game is really starting to slip.  I know signing day still hasn't happened, but right now Morris has *SIX* DaMN State Top 100s.  I trust the DaMNST100 because they grade the top 100 before they ever get an offer.  

Why is six impressive?  Last year only 4 of them went to G5 schools, Morris has six.  Mac recruited one the entire time he was here, Dodge recruited one when he was here. 

 

[Tyler Maryak]

I'm just eager to get the news over the coming days/weeks about who he's bringing to his staff and THEN who we're landing for recruits.  I'm not going to get my hopes up about out-recruiting anyone this season, I just want to significantly out-recruit our former selves.
#JustHappyToBeHere

Edited December 8, 2015 by Tyler Maryak

[HarringtonFishSmeller]

Alright, your troll game is really starting to slip.  I know signing day still hasn't happened, but right now Morris has *SIX* DaMN State Top 100s.  I trust the DaMNST100 because they grade the top 100 before they ever get an offer.  

Why is six impressive?  Last year only 4 of them went to G5 schools, Morris has six.  Mac recruited one the entire time he was here, Dodge recruited one when he was here. 

 

No.  SMU's class this year is about a carbon copy of last year...and 2014:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2016

SMU
2015:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2015
2014:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2014
2013:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2013
2012:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2012
2011:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2011
2010:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2010
2009:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2009
2008:  https://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/recruiting/commitments/2008

Jones and Morris has almost identical first classes.  Second class, Morris' is about the same as last year.  Jones, on the other hand, landed one four-star and seven three-star prospects his second time around.  Morris is nowhere near Jones at the same juncture in their tenures. 

So, again...if the bar is SMU, please set it higher.  Clemson did not seem to miss a beat when Morris left, either, did they?

 

[EagleMBA]

I'm just eager to get the news over the coming days/weeks about who he's bringing to his staff and THEN who we're landing for recruits.  I'm not going to get my hopes up about out-recruiting anyone this season, I just want to significantly out-recruit our former selves.
#JustHappyToBeHere

You pretty much read my mind. I really don't think it is realistic for us to expect him to be able to come in here, flip a switch, and land the best recruiting class in years. The best I expect is that he can hang on to whatever the previous regime managed to find plus whatever his new staff can persuade to follow them. To see what he is capable of attracting to UNT will require his staff in place, on the road, and working their networks for a year. Let's relax and enjoy watching this thing improve. JMO.

[Ben Gooding]

Alright, your troll game is really starting to slip.  I know signing day still hasn't happened, but right now Morris has *SIX* DaMN State Top 100s.  I trust the DaMNST100 because they grade the top 100 before they ever get an offer.  

Why is six impressive?  Last year only 4 of them went to G5 schools, Morris has six.  Mac recruited one the entire time he was here, Dodge recruited one when he was here. 

 

All true. But signing day is still a few months away. Anything can and usually does happen before ink hits paper. 

[ntmeangreen11]

SMU's recruiting hasn't changed.  And, when you look back at what June Jones did, it's even slipped down as far as where the classes were ranked/"star" players.  Morris isn't even close to where Jones was. 

Posted a few weeks back, if the bar is set at what SMU/Morris did in his first year, the bar is set too low. 

A quick look at SMU's 247 page shows 24 commits in December. A couple guys with 20+ offers, a handful with 10+ offers, a bunch with 5+ and a few with 3 or less.

Their recruiting has vastly improved and I would love to have a class filled with guys who other FBS teams thought could play at this level.

Our roster is filled with guys no one else offered, I don't think it's wise to expect a good season next year, JMO.

 

[Cerebus]

No.  SMU's class this year is about a carbon copy of last year...

 

 

So no State Top 100s and six State Top 100s is the same?  Got it.  If nothing else we can always rely on your consistency.