Why can’t we have a former player on the broadcast team?

Tom McKrackin · August 13, 2021

I think Hank is ok but why the heck can’t we have a former player or coach or even just a UNT alum be a part of this broadcast team or at least on the sidelines? We have so many colorful personalities and talented ex lettermen and alumni. Maybe it’s time for a change?

Mean Green Matt · August 13, 2021

11 minutes ago, Tom McKrackin said:

I think Hank is ok but why the heck can’t we have a former player or coach or even just a UNT alum be a part of this broadcast team or at least on the sidelines? We have so many colorful personalities and talented ex lettermen and alumni. Maybe it’s time for a change?

Dave Barnett is an alum.

meanrob · August 13, 2021

Might as well continue my run of unpopular opinions-

Dave needs to go. International Chirp-Chirp isn’t coming back but we need another 90s Dunham-type.

NorthTexasSportsNetwork · August 13, 2021

7 minutes ago, meanrob said:

Might as well continue my run of unpopular opinions-

Dave needs to go. International Chirp-Chirp isn’t coming back but we need another 90s Dunham-type.

That run will continue it seems. Dave is a terrific Play by Play, he really sounds like the standard radio voice but with some energy (like the Hamlet buzzer beater against La Tech) Standard in a good way of course

He’s perfect for UNT right now, like how Dunham was in the 2000s and early 2010s

Edited August 13, 2021 by NorthTexasSportsNetwork

meanrob · August 13, 2021

1 minute ago, NorthTexasSportsNetwork said:

That run will continue it seems. Dave is a terrific Play by Play, he really sounds like the standard radio voice but with some energy (like the Hamlet buzzer beater against La Tech) Standard in a good way of course

He’s perfect for UNT right now, like how Dunham was in the 2000s and early 2010s

I should’ve said Dave isn’t my cup of tea. He’s not horrible by any stretch but I’d prefer we went in a different direction. Dunham brought more character to the game than just calling it.

Green Crazy · August 13, 2021

5 hours ago, Tom McKrackin said:

I think Hank is ok but why the heck can’t we have a former player or coach or even just a UNT alum be a part of this broadcast team or at least on the sidelines? We have so many colorful personalities and talented ex lettermen and alumni. Maybe it’s time for a change?

I'm pretty sure we had a former offensive lineman on the sideline for a while whose name escapes me. I'll have to research it. Please hold. (Cue chuck mangione music 🎶)

El Paso Eagle · August 13, 2021

Didn't one of our former players do our Games for ESPN?

Marty · August 13, 2021

LaDarren McLane does our games occasionally along with Doug Anderson.

greenminer · August 14, 2021

Just screen the guys before you bring them up PLZZZZZ

Green Crazy · August 14, 2021

Thanks for your patience! Coleman Feeley was the guy. Shout out to Hank for answering my tweet.

Graddean · August 14, 2021

Our guys are far better than some of the ex players doing NFL broadcasts.

Travis · August 14, 2021

6 hours ago, Marty said:

LaDarren McLane does our games occasionally along with Doug Anderson.

He will forever go down as the guy who blew a Texas Tech win for us. It is scarred into my mind. Who does that?!! Really?!?!?!??

UNTLifer · August 14, 2021

9 hours ago, meanrob said:

Might as well continue my run of unpopular opinions-

Dave needs to go. International Chirp-Chirp isn’t coming back but we need another 90s Dunham-type.

What is “International Chirp-Chirp”?

Mean Green Matt · August 14, 2021

17 hours ago, meanrob said:

Might as well continue my run of unpopular opinions-

Dave needs to go. International Chirp-Chirp isn’t coming back but we need another 90s Dunham-type.

IMO Barnett is leaps and bounds better than Dunham. Not even same universe. Dunham was an ok fit for when he was here.

greenjoe · August 14, 2021

Dave Barnett is a professional sport’s broadcaster who love North Texas. Hank has developed into a professional color guy, either by training or experience, who is an instructor teaching others to become professional sports broadcasters. We have lots of talent at the Mean Green Sports Desk.

Arkstfan · August 14, 2021

My experience. Play-by-play doesn't matter what sort of ties they have, it's a difficult skill to describe action accurately and vividly on the fly.

Color, former players are the flavor of the day but my favorite was a former player but that wasn't what made him good. He was a retired high school head coach with a few state championship rings and lived close enough by that he'd hang out with coaching staff at least once a week, usually a couple times, watching practice and film. Had a terrible radio voice but he could break a game down better than anyone. He'd explain that a big run was a play designed to get three yards but the middle linebacker tried to cheat on the snap and had stepped left rather than forward giving the RB just enough of a break to get into the secondary. He'd get grumpy about the QB forcing a hard throw rather than going down his progression to an open guy underneath. Miss him still

UNTcrazy727 · August 15, 2021

23 hours ago, Mean Green Matt said:

IMO Barnett is leaps and bounds better than Dunham. Not even same universe. Dunham was an ok fit for when he was here.

I think what you’re discounting is that Dunham connected with fans/alumni in a way Barnett never will. That made him better/ more enjoyable to me.

IMO, Ted Emrich would have been a much better replacement. Technically he’s just as good as Barnett, but he’s way funnier and more personable. Just listen to any segment that he’s on with The Ticket.

I get why we went with Barnett at the time (bigger name), but Emrich would be such a better fit. Fingers crossed he still gets a chance one day.

Mean Green Matt · August 15, 2021

6 hours ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

I think what you’re discounting is that Dunham connected with fans/alumni in a way Barnett never will. That made him better/ more enjoyable to me.

IMO, Ted Emrich would have been a much better replacement. Technically he’s just as good as Barnett, but he’s way funnier and more personable. Just listen to any segment that he’s on with The Ticket.

I get why we went with Barnett at the time (bigger name), but Emrich would be such a better fit. Fingers crossed he still gets a chance one day.

It’s quite possible I’m in the minority on this (never really discussed it at length with anyone) but I don’t see any issues with Barnett connecting with fans. I wonder how many people know he’s one of us.