Austin Radio 1300

[eeally]

Sports talk show in Austin has a blitz segment. Callers call in and say whatever is on there mind type deal.

Anyway:

North Texas fan called in and asked who will be the next coach Gerry Glanville or Todd Dodge?

Buckey and Aaron both said immediately "Todd Dodge"

Open vacancy is getting some play down here in Austin.

[rcade]

Is Todd Dodge as big a name in Texas football that he'd been mentioned this often? I figured all of the Dodge talk here was due to a couple of zealous fans of his high school program.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Is Todd Dodge as big a name in Texas football that he'd been mentioned this often? I figured all of the Dodge talk here was due to a couple of zealous fans of his high school program.

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Dodge is known nationally, not just around here and Texas. Some of what Gus Mahlzan uses at Arkansas he got from Dodge, and with the success he is having up there, there is bound to be more interest in guys like Dodge.

[Eagle1855]

Dodge is known nationally, not just around here and Texas.  Some of what Gus Mahlzan uses at Arkansas he got from Dodge, and with the success he is having up there, there is bound to be more interest in guys like Dodge.

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yeah and Im sure Todd Dodge will also be a great COORDINATOR whenever he starts out.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

yeah and Im sure Todd Dodge will also be a great COORDINATOR whenever he starts out.

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So here's your choice: Hire Dodge as your HC or lose him to Big school to be their OC. I seriously doubt he is going to leave SLC to be the OC here. For starters we don't pay our assistances near what we would need to get him to come here. Mahlzan for instance is being paid 160k this year which is almost what DD was making as the Head guy.

[Eagle1855]

So here's your choice:  Hire Dodge as your HC or lose him to Big school to be their OC.  I seriously doubt he is going to leave SLC to be the OC here.  For starters we don't pay our assistances near what we would need to get him to come here.  Mahlzan for instance is being paid 160k this year which is almost what DD was making as the Head guy.

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I think Dickey made about 100K more than that.

Secondly, as soon as someone can show me a time when a highschool coach going straight to head coach of a D1 program has worked, I will be on board. In fact, if someone can show me that it works out even 25% of the time I will be shocked.

Edited November 21, 2006 by Eagle1855

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I think Dickey made about 100K more than that.

Secondly, as soon as someone can show me a time when a highschool coach going straight to head coach of a D1 program has worked, I will be on board. In fact, if someone can show me that it works out even 25% of the time I will be shocked.

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Well what do you consider "worked out"? I am glad that Jerry Jones didn't use this theory when he hired Jimmy Johnson.

Edited November 21, 2006 by GoMeanGreen1999

[Eagle1855]

Well what do you consider "worked out"?  I am glad that Jerry Jones didn't use this theory when he hired Jimmy Johnson.

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want to explain your point? right now im inferring Johnson went from highschool to NFL?

im not up to date on every hiring the cowboys have made over the past 30 years.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

want to explain your point? right now im inferring Johnson went from highschool to NFL?

im not up to date on every hiring the cowboys have made over the past 30 years.

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Sorry, I should have explained it more. I am not disagreeing with you, because I am sure there is some point to the whole argument of coaches making transitions from one level to the next. I am sure there was the argument made that JJ couldn't make it at the Pro level coming straigh out of the college level. I think in most cases you are right about a guy making a move up from the high school level to the college level. However, I do think that there are certain coaches that "have it" and will be winners pretty much wherever they are at, especially those that have the "leadership" ability, one that I think Dodge has. That being said, what is the criteria that translates to "it worked"? Another words what does one have to do for you to consider that it worked?

Edited November 21, 2006 by GoMeanGreen1999

[VideoEagle]

Todd Dodge might be able to make the jump directly from high school to a D1A head coaching job. But, from what I’ve been able to find, only one guy has ever done that and gotten to a bowl game before he was fired. That was Gerry Faust. Here is the Wikipedia entry on him.

I haven’t been able to find any other coaches who got to a bowl before being fired. But, my search didn’t come up with Gerry either so thee might be someone.

Dodge sounds like a great coach, but one who lacks any current college experience. I’m not sure we are ready to take that much of a risk when there are a number of guys with current college backgrounds available. The West Texas guy for one, but there are others.

I know there are some who think “it just can’t get any worse than this, so why not.” They either weren’t around for Bob Tyler, or the entire 1AA fiasco, or just choose not to remember.

With a stadium being built, we need someone everyone will feel confident in, not someone we’re confident can learn the job.

Still, if you are going to try a high school guy, Dodge is the one to try.

[Stan R]

Dodge sounds like a great coach, but one who lacks any current college experience. I’m not sure we are ready to take that much of a risk when there are a number of guys with current college backgrounds available.

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Again, as has been said many times on this board, he was an OC at UNT. He has college coaching experience.

[Eagle1855]

Sorry, I should have explained it more.  I am not disagreeing with you, because I am sure there is some point to the whole argument of coaches making transitions from one level to the next.  I am sure there was the argument made that JJ couldn't make it at the Pro level coming straigh out of the college level.  I think in most cases you are right about a guy making a move up from the high school level to the college level.  However, I do think that there are certain coaches that "have it" and will be winners pretty much wherever they are at, especially those that have the "leadership" ability, one that I think Dodge has.  That being said, what is the criteria that translates to "it worked"?  Another words what does one have to do for you to consider that it worked?

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ok I see what you are trying to say about going from college to pros, but I dont think its the same thing. I would argue the jump from highschool to D1A has a lot more added job duties and responsiblity than a jump from college to NFL. Thats just my opinion. I dont think it is an accurate relative comparison.

For it to "work" i mean when was the last time a guy took a team to a bowl game? had successful seasons? I have never heard of it. I think theres something to be said for spending time as a coordinator before running the show. College is very different than highschool. In highschool, you do the best with what you are given with your zoning (granted places like Katy and Southlake have "recruits" of their own those are exceptions). In college, you have to sell the program, the school, the town and get them in there before you even get to talk about X's and O's. Its a lot more involved. I think the time (even if it is a short period- and more than ONE YEAR in the early 90s) spent as a coordinator, working with and seeing how a head coach handles his responsibilities, delegates power, prepares, etc is extremely valuable.

Im not saying Todd Dodge couldnt be the one exception that transcends all other highschool coaching hires and is the greatest thing we've seen since Hayden Fry, but I think this next hire is absolutely CRUCIAL to NT's future, and I wouldnt feel real comfortable rolling the dice on a hire with a typically lower rate of success.

Edited November 21, 2006 by Eagle1855

[GoMeanGreen1999]

ok I see what you are trying to say about going from college to pros, but I dont think its the same thing. I would argue the jump from highschool to D1A has a lot more added job duties and responsiblity than a jump from college to NFL. Thats just my opinion. I dont think it is an accurate relative comparison.

For it to "work" i mean when was the last time a guy took a team to a bowl game? had successful seasons? I have never heard of it. I think theres something to be said for spending time as a coordinator before running the show. College is very different than highschool. In highschool, you do the best with what you are given with your zoning (granted places like Katy and Southlake have "recruits" of their own those are exceptions). In college, you have to sell the program, the school, the town and get them in there before you even get to talk about X's and O's. Its a lot more involved. I think the time (even if it is a short period- and more than ONE YEAR in the early 90s) spent as a coordinator, working with and seeing how a head coach handles his responsibilities, delegates power, prepares, etc is extremely valuable.

Im not saying Todd Dodge couldnt be the one exception that transcends all other highschool coaching hires and is the greatest thing we've seen since Hayden Fry, but I think this next hire is absolutely CRUCIAL to NT's future, and I wouldnt feel real comfortable rolling the dice on a hire with a typically lower rate of success.

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I completely agree, and frankly that is where some of my flags are with Dodge. I like his style of offense and I think that type of exciting style is what we need here. Let's face it, all of us on this board are going to buy season tickets and go the games. It's the community that we need to sell this to, and many times if you have something exciting people like it and will come out to see it. I do like the guy from West Texas and he would bring his staff with him.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

I think Dickey made about 100K more than that.

---Secondly, as soon as someone can show me a time when a highschool coach going straight to head coach of a D1 program has worked, I will be on board. In fact, if someone can show me that it works out even 25% of the time I will be shocked.

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This is Spike Dykes third season at Texas Tech (with mostly his recruits) He had been there part of one fall until he took over from David McWilliams about Thanksgiving. Before then he had spent several years at Midland Lee and other West Texas high Schools.

Would you accept this results?

1989: 9-3-0 Texas Tech

Coach:

Spike Dykes

W Arizona

W New Mexico

W Oklahoma St.

L Baylor (TX)

W Texas A&M

L Arkansas

W Rice (TX)

W Texas

W Texas Christian

W Southern Methodist (TX)

L Houston (TX)

W Duke (NC) --- All-American Bowl (AL)

He was 6-4-1 his first year, 5-6 his second year and the Tech had been 4-7 and 7-5 the two prior years.

He coached at Tech 13 years plus a couple of games prior to that when McWilliams decided to return to his alma mater, UT. Dykes had only year with less than 5 wins (he won 4), Univ of Miami and Ohio State was on their schedule that year plus the usual SWC games.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

This is Spike Dykes third season at Texas Tech (with mostly his recruits)  He had been there part of one fall until he took over from David McWilliams about Thanksgiving. Before then he had spent several years at Midland Lee and other West Texas high Schools.

Would you accept this results?

1989:  9-3-0  Texas Tech

Coach:

Spike Dykes

W Arizona

W    New Mexico

 

W  Oklahoma St.

 

L    Baylor (TX)

W  Texas A&M

 

L    Arkansas

 

W    Rice (TX)

 

W    Texas

 

W    Texas Christian

W    Southern Methodist (TX)

L      Houston (TX)

W    Duke (NC) --- All-American Bowl (AL)

He was 6-4-1 his first year, 5-6 his second year and the Tech had been 4-7 and 7-5 the two prior years. 

He coached at Tech 13 years plus a couple of games prior to that when McWilliams decided to return to his alma mater, UT.  Dykes had only year with less than 5 wins (he won 4),  Univ of Miami and Ohio State was on their schedule that year plus the usual SWC games.

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I have to say for me personally, there is not much I like about TT's coaching situation. They have a gimmick offense that for sure this year, teams are shutting down in the second halfs and the TT team has very little defense. How many years has Leach been out there? They still don't have much of a defense to speak of. They also have some problems with player discipline too.

[Travis]

Secondly, as soon as someone can show me a time when a highschool coach going straight to head coach of a D1 program has worked, I will be on board.

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I think Houston's head coach was the head coach of Stephenville back in there glory days. He then took a year to be the runningbacks coach of Texas Tech and from then went straight to accepting the HC job at Houston. I think he has done an outstanding job taking a bad Houston team and making them better.

I really don't think that year made that much of a difference.

[CO Green]

Wasn't Dodge considered for a job by the Cowboys?

[Eagle1855]

I think Houston's head coach was the head coach of Stephenville back in there glory days. He then took a year to be the runningbacks coach of Texas Tech and from then went straight to accepting the HC job at Houston. I think he has done an outstanding job taking a bad Houston team and making them better.

I really don't think that year made that much of a difference.

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well, he actually spent 3 years at Tech as a running backs coach before taking the Houston job.

I agree, Briles has done a really good job with UH, ive seen them play a couple times this year, but you cant tell me that the time he spent at tech was of little value, or that he didnt learn things that have helped him at Houston

[OldTimer]

well, he actually spent 3 years at Tech as a running backs coach before taking the Houston job.

I agree, Briles has done a really good job with UH, ive seen them play a couple times this year, but you cant tell me that the time he spent at tech was of little value, or that he didnt learn things that have helped him at Houston

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I don't know if everyone read the FW*Telegram article on Dodge that I posted earlier. I will find it and bump it.

He had his HS team on 7 national TV games....hows that for publicity...name another HS coach with that record.

[Eagle1855]

I don't know if everyone read the FW*Telegram article on Dodge that I posted earlier.  I will find it and bump it.

He had his HS team on 7 national TV games....hows that for publicity...name another HS coach with that record.

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Im not disputing is effectiveness as a highschool coach. In fact, I would love for him to translate that success to the Div 1 level, and all the better if its at North Texas.

I just think everyone ought to tap the brakes a little bit on this love affair with a guy who has only proven he can win at the highschool level. Im not saying he wont someday be a great coach, Im not saying other organizations havent taken an interest in him because of his unparalled success at said level, its just the odds are not in his favor.

North Texas really needs this hire to be a homerun

Edited November 21, 2006 by Eagle1855

[HoustonEagle]

I want the Coach that can make things happen with regards to fundraising. Plain and simple. Rice's new Coach raised 6 million before he coached his first game for them. On top of that he is a great coach.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I want the Coach that can make things happen with regards to fundraising. Plain and simple.  Rice's new Coach raised 6 million before he coached his first game for them.  On top of that he is a great coach.

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Who is the new Rice coach?

[VideoEagle]

Who is the new Rice coach?

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His name is Todd Graham. He’s the kind of guy I hope we don’t overlook by paying too much attention to Todd Dodge. He’s not available, but this is the kind of guy with whom a lot of stadium donors will feel more comfortable. I know I would.

Before be became a D1A college head coach, he had 3 years as a D1A assistant at Tulsa, some time at East Central in Ada where he took them from nothing to an NAIA championship. Before that he was head coach at Allen H.S., getting a school with no district wins to five years of play offs.

There are a lot of solid guys Graham like this out there. Guys who have turned around programs at every level, not just had success at an already successful high schoo.

Todd Dodge might be the first guy since Gerry Faust to go directly from H.S. Head Coach to D1A Head Coach and get his team to a bowl before getting fired. But, let’s take a serious around before we announce the inexperienced guy the winner.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

His name is Todd Graham. He’s the kind of guy I hope we don’t overlook by paying too much attention to Todd Dodge. He’s not available, but this is the kind of guy with whom a lot of stadium donors will feel more comfortable. I know I would.

Before be became a D1A college head coach, he had 3 years as a D1A assistant at Tulsa, some time at East Central in Ada where he took them from nothing to an NAIA championship. Before that he was head coach at Allen H.S., getting a school with no district wins to five years of play offs.

There are a lot of solid guys Graham like this out there. Guys who have turned around programs at every level, not just had success at an already successful high schoo.

Todd Dodge might be the first guy since Gerry Faust to go directly from H.S. Head Coach to D1A Head Coach and get his team to a bowl before getting fired. But, let’s take a serious around before we announce the inexperienced guy the winner.

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Great post, thanks.

[Eagle1855]

There are a lot of solid guys Graham like this out there. Guys who have turned around programs at every level, not just had success at an already successful high school.

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this pretty much sums up what i was trying to say- in a lot less words