Wren Baker to West Virginia

[UNTcrazy727]

3 minutes ago, NorthTexasWeLove said:

I mean, if it's clearly true does it still make it uninformed? 

What makes it "clearly true"? Because he wasn't fired last year like you wanted?

[TripleGrad]

I wish Wren well in his new journey.  While I wish he'd been more decisive about Seth, at the time of the original extension, given what we knew at the time, it was the right call.  Wren was instrumental in moving out of C-USA.  That alone was a tremendous achievement.  

Nobody could expect a G5 AD not to take a good P5 spot if the opportunity comes around.  

I hope the next AD here can build on the successes.

[Cougar King]

Congrats to Wren. Will be interesting to see what he can do at a place whose fans and administration fully support their athletics.

[UNTcrazy727]

11 minutes ago, Pellom said:

Take it for what you want, I’m just a guy talking on a message board. But I spoke with a well known college football reporter about Wren a month ago (or more) and he is the one who told me Wren wanted out of Denton and had been interviewing for every open AD job. I posted about it here when I was told that information. 
 

Part of the reason was the uncertainty around the football program. The exact verbiage I was told was “I’m not sure the AD makes that call in Denton.” 

Okay, but that's how a lot (if not most) of programs operate. Just the other week a story broke that Chris Del Conte wanted to bring Sonny Dykes to UT, but was overruled by donors. 

I'd love for our donors to step away and let the AD do his job, but sadly, that's not realistic. 

[wardly]

If you hire the right people they will move up the food chain. Baker was a good hire, and has moved on to a P5 program. Thanks to him for what he has done at UNT and best wishes for the future. Also, WVU has a pretty good basketball coach in place, and I think Baker is smart to get the lay of the land before making a decision on Brown. However new A.D,'s prefer to be able to pick their head football coach so I don't know what this means for Littrell other than UNT probably would like to avoid making a decision on him until a new AD is hired.

[Dannymacfan]

WVA coach is Bob Huggins but he is close to retiring: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2022/06/07/bob-huggins-opens-up-west-virginia-retirement-facing-xavier-cincinnati-big-12/7542639001/

 

[Pellom]

4 minutes ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

Okay, but that's how a lot (if not most) of programs operate. Just the other week a story broke that Chris Del Conte wanted to bring Sonny Dykes to UT, but was overruled by donors. 

I'd love for our donors to step away and let the AD do his job, but sadly, that's not realistic. 

Totally agree with you. It’s not uncommon. 
 

That’s why I believe the decision will be made to give Littrell an extension. He’s not been an unmitigated disaster. We’re in the conference title game (I know CUSA sucks). They won’t fire him with all of this uncertainty in the administration. 

[MGNation92]

Just now, Pellom said:

Totally agree with you. It’s not uncommon. 
 

That’s why I believe the decision will be made to give Littrell an extension. He’s not been an unmitigated disaster. We’re in the conference title game (I know CUSA sucks). They won’t fire him with all of this uncertainty in the administration. 

I certainly want him gone, and I hope the new AD hires someone more capable. If we do extend him I hope it's a short, incentive laden contract.

If we're attached to a massive buyout when he goes 6-10 in AAC conference play his first two years we're gonna be so much further behind the eight ball than we already are

[meangreenfaninno]

Edited November 30, 2022 by Coach Andy Mac

[TheColonyEagle]

Congrats to Wren. This is a good situation and we have a lot going on here “infrastructure” wise. There actually ARE better ADs out there than Wren Baker. Go get them. If it’s Jared Mosley great. But I would hope they do a big national search. 
 

As for Littrell, I think this for sure buys him another couple of years. By the time a new AD steps in, it’s too late to do anything about next season so Littrell will definitely be back next year. I could see Smatresk adding a couple of years to his deal to put that to rest and then get the new AD in here to evaluate. (Assuming Littrell doesn’t get a job somewhere else anyway)
 

So here’s the deal….if Littrell is here next year, he has a chance to turn it around. Either get a longer term deal here or a P5 offer. 
 

I'm not sad about WB leaving. Good for him. The timing is a little tough though given the football program situation. But let’s go get a really good AD and keep it going. 
 

 

[meanrob]

Embrace change. 

[El Paso Eagle]

23 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

promote Mosley. This changes the Seth situation 110% imo

In which direction?

[southsideguy]

he could have fired SL going out the door and he would not have to worry about the donors because he is out of here.  

the timing could not have been worse.

Edited November 30, 2022 by southsideguy

[Cooke County Kid]

Thank you Wren Baker, you did a Great job and you will be missed.

UNT is in much better shape than when Wren arrived.

I started UNT in 1976, things are light years away in so many ways and they are better and will continue to get better. Anyone for the Big West or Southland conferences?

We are going to a much better conference than we have ever been in and we need to step up our game and Wren laid the foundation.

Remember the phrase “trust in Wren”, it was accurate.

We need to get the best AD out there and pay him. 

BEAT THE roadkill
 

 

[MCMLXXX]

34 minutes ago, xyresic said:

From what I have heard the plan is to conduct a national search.

 

This is the same small time, "Old Denton", approach.

We need to conduct an INTERNATIONAL search!

 

[NorthTexasWeLove]

27 minutes ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

What makes it "clearly true"? Because he wasn't fired last year like you wanted?

Clearly true that he was looking? Well, he's gone. I was say that's pretty good evidence. 

[southsideguy]

if they want to give SL an extension than do with no buy out clause.  Maybe WB takes him to WVA to be the head coach since they have a bromance.

[Wag Tag]

50 minutes ago, Pellom said:

I’m not sure about the stuff you posted, but it’s definitely why we haven’t heard anything definitive on the Littrell front. 
 

Wren has been focused on getting out, not determining the future in Denton. 

What a BS ignorant statement. Thanks Wren best of luck!

[UNTcrazy727]

 

26 minutes ago, Cougar King said:

Congrats to Wren. Will be interesting to see what he can do at a place whose fans and administration fully support their athletics.

Administration? Sure

Fans? Be serious lol...UH and SMU compete every year for the worst fanbase for a winning program in the AAC. 

[southsideguy]

if we extend SL contract I am afraid we will have a big drop in attendance.  We cannot afford that with the few fans we have.  

[MeanGreenDan]

58 minutes ago, MeanGreen22 said:

Announcing an NIL then disappearing into a void. 

Also he had some fun on Twitter in the interim.

[Cr1028]

My recollection is that if Wren leaves, Seth Littrell’s buyout gets cut in half. Maybe @Brett Vitoor someone else can confirm?

[Cr1028]

4 minutes ago, southsideguy said:

if we extend SL contract I am afraid we will have a big drop in attendance.  We cannot afford that with the few fans we have.  

So you are saying that they stayed with him through 4-8, 4-6, 6-7, and now 7-5, but next season, next season is just too much.

[greengal]

Love you Wren!  Will miss you guys so very much.  Won't be the same place without you. 😢

[TheReal_jayD]

43 minutes ago, NorthTexasWeLove said:

If it's Mosley then it shouldn't change anything. Has he not been here for running years collaborating with WB on everything. 

This changes everything in regards to Justin Fuente being wren baker guy. Wren is gone now.