DRC Van Malone leaving Nt for AZ ST

OldTimer · February 3, 2006

Football: UNT assistant coach Malone leaving post

Defensive backs specialist may be headed to Arizona St.

09:27 AM CST on Friday, February 3, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas defensive backs coach Van Malone is leaving the Mean Green’s staff after one season.

Malone confirmed on Thursday that he has informed head coach Darrell Dickey of his intentions to take a job at another school. Malone said he is still not sure where he will work next season, but did say that he has interviewed at Arizona State. The Sun Devils have an opening for a defensive backs coach.

“I had a great experience working with coach Dickey and the staff,” Malone said. “I had a chance to work with [bruce] Bell before he retired, which was great.”

The departure of Malone leaves the Mean Green with two openings for assistant coaches. Bell served as a UNT assistant coach for a total of six years in two separate stints before leaving for a second time following National Signing Day on Wednesday. Bell served as UNT’s recruiting coordinator since 2003, when he was also the Mean Green’s wide receivers coach.

Bell spent the last two years coaching UNT’s running backs and helped convince Malone to join the Mean Green’s staff. Malone played for Bell at Houston Waltrip High and maintained a friendship with his mentor through the years.

Dickey was unavailable for comment on Thursday. He was at home resting after a two-night stay in the hospital following chest pains over the weekend, but he did say there would be changes in his staff following his press conference on National Signing Day.

“I don’t know what the changes are going to be yet,” Dickey said. “There are still a few things pending that might affect who and where.”

One coach who could be a potential replacement for Malone has already expressed an interest in returning to the Mean Green’s staff. Fred Bleil, who spent last season coaching San Diego State’s defensive backs and special teams units, has been on campus and said he is interested in talking with Dickey about rejoining UNT’s staff.

Bleil was the defensive coordinator at UNT in the 1996-97 seasons.

UNT ranked last in the Sun Belt in passing defense for the entire season with an average of 215.7 yards allowed a game last season, but improved as the year progressed under Malone, a former University of Texas standout and NFL veteran. The Mean Green finished second in the Sun Belt in passing defense during their seven conference games, when UNT allowed just 165.9 yards a game.

Malone also made an impact in recruiting during his one season at UNT by signing Kelvin Drake, an offensive lineman from Galveston Ball who was among the Mean Green’s highest rated high school recruits.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com

FirefightnRick · February 3, 2006

I thought a lot of coach Malone and wish him and his family all the best. This hurts the Mean Green as he brought a lot to the table in experience and it was obvious with the immediate impact he had in recruiting. I was looking forward to seeing how well he could do after having a crop or two of his own recruits here.

Rick

untbowler · February 3, 2006

after watching the poor play of our DB's for most of the year, except Weathers, not sure why a BCS school would pick him up but best of luck to him anyways, but Rick is right he did not have his recruits yet, he had a talker and a small converte kick returner playing CB and a young safety.

Edited February 3, 2006 by untbowler

untgirl04 · February 3, 2006

after watching the poor play of our DB's for most of the year, except Weathers, not sure why a BCS school would pick him up but best of luck to him anyways, but Rick is right he did not have his recruits yet, he had a talker and a small converte kick returner playing CB and a young safety.
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It mentions in the article that Malone is just interviewing for the Arizona St. job - he left North Texas without another coaching position. Did he decide to leave because his mentor, Bell, is leaving, or is he leaving because of something else?

mad dog · February 3, 2006

This could potentially be a really big loss. Not only did he bring instant credibility to the table with his participation in college and the pros, he harped on aggressive play and coming up with the ball and making the big play. The players responded very well to him (with one or two exceptions, i'll leave it up to you to guess who), and I think one or two more years here would have shown a dramatic improvement in how our DBs played.

To give you an idea, Aaron Weathers was the guy who responded to him best, and look at the season he had.

Edited February 3, 2006 by illuvius32

UNTBill · February 3, 2006

This could potentially be a really big loss. Not only did he bring instant credibility to the table with his participation in college and the pros, he harped on aggressive play and coming up with the ball and making the big play. The players responded very well to him (with one or two exceptions, i'll leave it up to you to guess who), and I think one or two more years here would have shown a dramatic improvement in how our DBs played.
To give you an idea, Aaron Weathers was the guy who responded to him best, and look at the season he had.
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I guess some of our coaches do get job offers from other D1 schools.

February 3, 2006

What caused this?

Does he already have the Arizona State and can't reveal it until the school makes the announcement? Is it because Bruce Bell is retiring? Does he not like some of his associates? Is it too hard to recruit in the Houston area? Is he disappointed in the material that he has to work with coming back? There are a lot of questions but no answers.

Of course, we wish him well but I, for one, hate to see him go. I don't know how effective he was overall but he, or someone, turned Weathers into one of the best safeties that I've seen at North Texas.

PHSCoach · February 3, 2006

There are no questions but one answer UNT $58,000 avg coach salary ASU $90,000 avg.

He knew before he took the job at UNT that Bell was leaving.

SilverEagle · February 3, 2006

Money certainly has a lot to do with a coach's decision, but other factors come in to play as well.

If coaches and their personalities were electrical systems, then from my observation of him, Coach Malone was wired for 220. He had very high energy, high expectations of his players, lots of enthusiasm, and an attitude that he was always going to win.

How many of the other coaches would you describe that way?

How many of the staff in the athletic dept, would you describe that way?

Administration?

Fans?

UNTLifer · February 3, 2006

We better find someone that is a known comodity in the Houston market. Flanigan can't/won't recruit DISD and now our two contacts to Houston, Bell and Malone, are leaving.

PHSCoach · February 3, 2006

Looking back at the new coaches I feel that all started as you say on 220 until the fans tell them that they are a pile of shit and the Admim. keeps cutting the budget.

It would be hard to stay jazzed.

ipEAGLE · February 3, 2006

Looking back at the new coaches I feel that all started as you say on 220 until the fans tell them that they are a pile of shit and the Admim. keeps cutting the budget.
It would be hard to stay jazzed.
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The stuff our coaches put up with at North Texas is a piece of cake compared to some of the other schools in this region.

THAT IS NO EXCUSE. PERIOD. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT... GET OUT OF IT. It happens at every school.

NT80 · February 3, 2006

Doesn't look like Malone is going to Arizona State....

.......................................................................................................

ASU Names Al Simmons Cornerbacks Coach

Simmons joins Dirk Koetter's staff after spending last season with San Jose State

Feb. 3, 2006

TEMPE, Ariz. - San Jose State University Cornerbacks Coach Al Simmons was named Cornerbacks Coach for Arizona State, according to an announcement by ASU Head Football Coach Dirk Koetter Friday. Simmons takes the place of Mark Carrier, who was named Secondary Coach for the Baltimore Ravens last month.

A 20-year coaching veteran, Simmons' diverse background includes coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. He has nine previous seasons of Division I coaching experience, including three at California (1998-2000), two at Oregon State (2001 and 2002) and one at San Jose State (2005). In addition, he has also served on the coaching staff of the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons and has participated in the National Football League's Minority Fellowship Coaching program in 1993 with the Oakland Raiders, in 1996 with the Arizona Cardinals, in 1999 with the San Diego Chargers and in 2000 with the Dallas Cowboys.

"Arizona State University is a place that I have always wanted to coach," says Simmons. "I am extremely excited to get back into the Pacific-10 Conference once again. I have always admired ASU for having a consistent football program. It will be great to work for Coach Koetter. I think the defensive staff and I are a good fit. There are a lot of good things in store for this program."

"We are excited and fortunate to have added a coach of Al's experience and reputation to our staff," says Koetter. "With Al, we have added a proven West Coast recruiter with contacts in Northern and Southern California."

UNTLifer · February 3, 2006

Looking back at the new coaches I feel that all started as you say on 220 until the fans tell them that they are a pile of shit and the Admim. keeps cutting the budget.
It would be hard to stay jazzed.
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I can think of two coaches that they negative posts have been pointed at, DD and RF, and they are still here.

The Admin is cutting NT's budget? Care to back that up with some facts.

Stan R · February 3, 2006

Looking back at the new coaches I feel that all started as you say on 220 until the fans tell them that they are a pile of shit and the Admim. keeps cutting the budget.
It would be hard to stay jazzed.
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That's a great spin until you ask the question "Why are the fans calling the coaching a pile of shit?" There are many valid reasons for that. Bad gameplans, bad recruiting, unprofessional comments and behaviors are all documented. But you've done a great job at highlighting a portion of the facts. Too bad you failed to include all of the relevant facts.

PHSCoach · February 3, 2006

after watching the poor play of our DB's for most of the year
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The man is leaving and still.........

Football budget:

2002 $3,651,852

2003 $3,185.530

2004 $2,976,279

2005 will be reported in Sept

Stan R · February 3, 2006

The man is leaving and still.........
Football budget:
2002 $3,651,852
2003 $3,185.530
2004 $2,976,279
2005 will be reported in Sept
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Where are you getting these figures? Any reason why the budget would be reduced like this? How are you directly linking this to Administration cutbacks? Because if you are, then you have some insider information and I'd like to know some more about your background please before I can believe a word you type.

PHSCoach · February 3, 2006

Well Stan the info is public go to the school and see for yourself. What is your background that I have to explain myself to you...........

February 3, 2006

Well Stan the info is public go to the school and see for yourself. What is your background that I have to explain myself to you...........
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How hard is it to give a straight answer?

Example:

Stan: "Where do you get this information?"

You: "Go up to the school and see for yourself. (sic) Jackass."

How about you just say, "I read the state of the Football program annual report when it came out in September. You can contact xxxxx person and ask to have it mailed to you."

Yes, I completely made that up, but it would be a lot more informational and direct.

ipEAGLE · February 3, 2006

The Budget might have been decreased alittle but look at all the improvements and new facilities that are being added or being built. It really is amazing.

Stan R · February 3, 2006

Well Stan the info is public go to the school and see for yourself. What is your background that I have to explain myself to you...........
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What is your background that I should believe your wild accusations about the Administration cutting back the budget?

GMoney · February 3, 2006

after watching the poor play of our DB's for most of the year, except Weathers, not sure why a BCS school would pick him up but best of luck to him anyways, but Rick is right he did not have his recruits yet, he had a talker and a small converte kick returner playing CB and a young safety.

Was that the coaching or the players he had to work with (which he didn't bring in)combined with bad schemes and no pass rush. My guess, probably a combination of the last three and not so much of the first item.

February 3, 2006

I really can't address the total football budget but I check each year the operating expenses and coaches' salaries as reported to Uncle Sam for Title IX Equity in Athletics and those salaries keep rising. On the 2004 report the average salary of the 15 assistant coaches was $55,283. I'd guess that the assistant coaches in football make higher than the average.

Anyway, since he didn't get the ASU job, salary wasn't the reason.

The only expenses that have been cut that any of us has heard about has been recruiting travel. But at least we had enough to get Malone to Galveston, where he recruited the jewel of the class (among freshmen).

Baby Arm! · February 4, 2006

DON'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT!!!!! Malone was DRIVEN away from UNT by Lee Jackson!. Yeah...that the ticket. LEE JACKSON is continuing his meddling in the athletic department. He wants to cut the assistant coach staff so he can roll their salary money into the UNT-Dallas budget. I have it on good authority from some nameless but well placed UNT alumnus (I"ll just claim someboy emailed me or PM'd me with the info). Anyway, this was all decided in a behind the scenes, closed door meeting between Jackson, Bobby Ray and the double secret Kansas State conspirators....

Edited February 4, 2006 by Baby Arm!

MeanGreen61 · February 4, 2006

DON'T YOU PEOPLE GET IT!!!!! Malone was DRIVEN away from UNT by Lee Jackson!. Yeah...that the ticket. LEE JACKSON is continuing his meddling in the athletic department. He wants to cut the assistant coach staff so he can roll their salary money into the UNT-Dallas budget. I have it on good authority from some nameless but well placed UNT alumnus (I"ll just claim someboy emailed me or PM'd me with the info). Anyway, this was all decided in a behind the scenes, closed door meeting between Jackson, Bobby Ray and the double secret Kansas State conspirators....
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Maybe the PCIA (Parker County Intelligence Agency) has a covert eavesdropping operation that is intercepting LJ-BR communications.

Edited February 4, 2006 by MeanGreen61