FW*Telegram DD expects to return Sat

OldTimer · October 25, 2006

NORTH TEXAS FOOTBALL NOTESDickey expecting to return to sideline Saturday

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - North Texas coach Darrell Dickey, who suffered a heart attack Oct. 13, said he expects to be cleared by his surgeon today to return to work full time.

Dickey did not coach the Mean Green at Arkansas State last weekend and instead watched the game at home, which he described as a "weird" and unpleasant experience.

Until this week, Dickey has been home for at least 23 hours a day since having a stent inserted to clear a 95 percent blockage in one artery. He has more energy and breathes easier, but it's taking his heart and body time to adjust to his old routine. As a result, he suffers from fatigue.

"Boy, when I get tired, it just kind of hits me," Dickey said. "It's a trade-off. My heart's trying to get adjusted to full [pumping] capacity."

Dickey has been checking his blood pressure twice a day. Before Saturday's game, his pressure was consistent at 100 to 115 over 65 to 75, considered low but still healthy.

As the game began, Dickey jumped to 145 over 110, "and it stayed that way the whole game."

His stress and anxiety, he said, usually lowers at game time because he's busy and involved in everything around him. That loss of control sent his heart racing Saturday, Dickey said.

Other than his redshirt freshman year at Kansas State when he didn't travel, Saturday was the first game Dickey, 46, had missed as a player or coach since he was in the 10th grade. He had a virus that kept him in bed for three days.

UNT (2-5, 1-2 in Sun Belt) plays at Troy (2-4, 1-0) on Saturday, and Dickey said he believes the surgeon will declare him well enough to make the trip.

Loren out

Starting strong safety Roy Loren had surgery Tuesday morning to repair a broken right hand and will not play against Troy. Darrell Dickey said he hopes Loren can return Nov. 4 against Louisiana Tech.

Loren was injured at Arkansas State midway through the first half but returned in the second half with his hand covered in a thick tape job or temporary cast.

Receiver Johnny Quinn had similar surgery on his hand earlier this season but played a game with a soft cast. Quinn, who missed Saturday's game with a sprained right ankle, was cleared to play but won't practice until Thursday.

Roderick Cotton, Steve Warren and Cliff Higgs will share time at Loren's spot.

It's official

Installed during the summer, a large brick sign at the entrances to UNT's athletic center and practice fields is no longer blank.

As of Tuesday, it reads "Jim McIngvale Practice Facility," recognizing the Houston furniture magnate and UNT alumnus who gave $1 million toward the $9 million athletic and practice facilities.

ONLINE: meangreensports.com

GAMEDAY

NORTH TEXAS AT TROY

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Troy, Ala.

Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM

Records: North Texas 2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt; Troy 2-4, 1-0

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Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com