Another Dickey article

Marty · November 17, 2006

Firing Dickey not an answer

By Bill Spinks

Herald Democrat

DENTON — Even well-removed from the rough-and-tumble world of the Bowl Championship Series, college football is a cruel business.

It’s a “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” profession in which all it takes is one “awshoot” to wipe out a thousand “attaboys.”

It’s true at Michigan State, North Carolina, Iowa State and other schools squarely in the limelight.

Sadly, the same appears true at universities such as North Texas which won’t sniff a national championship.

Four Sun Belt Conference championships from 2001-04, four New Orleans Bowl appearances in that time span and 26 consecutive conference victories weren’t enough to save Darrell Dickey’s job at UNT after one losing season and a not-yet-complete second one.

Last Wednesday, UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal, with the blessing of new university president Dr. Gretchen Bataille, pulled the trigger, informing Dickey that he would not return in 2007.

“Less than two years ago, we won a championship and were playing in a bowl game,” said UNT assistant head coach Kenny Evans, filling in for Dickey during Monday’s Sun Belt teleconference. “This was totally unforeseen ... Loyalty in this business sometimes is not two ways. That’s part of the profession, and part of your job is you have to handle that.”

At Tuesday’s weekly media gathering, Dickey tried to take the high road.

“All I want to talk about is our players, our teams, the previous game and the upcoming game,” Dickey said. “The kids tend to get lost in all that’s going on, and I think it’s best to devote attention to Florida Atlantic and the last game of the season. I want the focus to be on the players finishing the season as positively as possible.”

But while Dickey declined to talk directly about his firing, he made his feelings about the matter clear in subtler ways. And who can blame him?

On Tuesday, Dickey wore a long-sleeve T-shirt that read, “4 Time Champs Sun Belt Conference 2001 2002 2003 2004.”

He also had one barb to throw toward Villarreal and Bataille, while talking about this Saturday’s contest with Florida Atlantic.

“We’re 0-2 against them,” Dickey said, “but those games didn’t matter, just like apparently all our wins in the past didn’t matter.”

For a coach who had just passed Hayden Fry to become UNT’s all-time leader in wins, Dickey’s firing and his lame-duck status is an undignified way to go out.

But rarely do college coaches get to leave on their own terms. No matter the personal circumstances.

Only 44, Dickey has had a number of health setbacks this year. In February, right around signing day, he had a gallbladder attack and had surgery to have it removed. Following the surgery, Dickey lost 40 pounds and continued to lose weight until he found out he had type-2 diabetes.

Then on Oct. 13, Dickey had a mild heart attack and spent three days in the hospital. He missed the Mean Green’s game at Arkansas State, a 29-10 loss.

Under those circumstances and with what Dickey has accomplished, his firing could’ve been handled much better. At the very least, Dickey’s health would’ve provided a public excuse for him to leave at the end of the season with honor, which would’ve better served the program and preserved Dickey’s legacy.

Instead, “It’s time for North Texas to seek a new head coach to lead our football program to a position of prominence in the Sun Belt Conference and to a more competitive position at the national level,” Villarreal said after the firing.

What short memories we all have.

Dickey’s run of four conference championships did exactly what Villarreal said he was seeking: It put the Mean Green on the national map.

But it was not enough to secure a membership in Conference USA, even while similar programs at SMU and Louisiana Tech were firmly grasping the brass ring.

That seems to signal to me that Dickey was not the problem.

At least Dickey won’t be in a soup line anytime soon. Because his contract was extended three times during those championship years, it now runs through December 2009.

As a result, according to the university, Dickey will receive a $524,167 golden parachute based on their interpretation of the contract language.

So, now that Dickey is on his way out, who will replace him?

The Sporting News’ Tom Dienhart reported Wednesday that former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville, now serving as defensive coordinator at Hawaii, is interested in the UNT job.

Southlake Carroll’s Todd Dodge, who was offensive coordinator at UNT from 1992-93, keeps popping up in speculation. Dodge has said he’s interested in returning to coaching at the college level, but hasn’t said publicly whether he’d be interested in the head coaching position at UNT.

Texas-El Paso offensive coordinator Eric Price has also expressed interest in the job.

Will any of these potential coaches-in-waiting, or someone else, be able to lead North Texas to the promised land of college football?

Whoever it will be, he would probably have as equal a chance as Darrell Dickey would’ve had, had he been allowed to stay.

Eagle1855 · November 17, 2006

this is a stupid closing remark, partly because it doesnt really say anything, and also it makes a lot of assumptions.

Whoever it will be, he would probably have as equal a chance as Darrell Dickey would’ve had, had he been allowed to stay.
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Well, maybe so, but the question is, "do you think someone else would do a better job given similar opportunity" and many of us, including Rick and Dr Bataille feel like the answer is "yes".

Edited November 17, 2006 by Eagle1855

VideoEagle · November 17, 2006

First, this will all blow over in a few weeks. But during that time, NT is going to take a PR hit.

But, in what city is the “Herald Democrat” published?

UNTflyer · November 17, 2006

Four Sun Belt Conference championships from 2001-04, four New Orleans Bowl appearances in that time span and 26 consecutive conference victories weren’t enough to save Darrell Dickey’s job at UNT after one losing season and a not-yet-complete second one.
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Well, we already know this is a SECOND losing season. And unless we win out, we're not going to finish better than 5-7.

Of course it's a "What have you done for me lately" business. That's how the world works. If you won your company a big contract 3 years ago, that means nothing if you are inept today.

UNTflyer · November 17, 2006

But, in what city is the “Herald Democrat” published?
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The Herald Democrat

The local daily newspaper for the Sherman-Denison Texas area.

edcollopy · November 17, 2006

these coaches all know they are hired to be fired. He had a very long stay and made some very good money. He now gets 1/2 a mil to sit on his ass and get his health in order....which is a blessing for his family. He will get an asst job somewhere and be fine financially....and probably healthier.