New Name has surfaced

The Fake Lonnie Finch · December 1, 2006

I seem to recall big problems at OU under Blake's watch. Shady football program, athletes' grades, etc.?
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Graduation rates come in six years after a freshman class enrolls. Blake's rate were fine, better than Gibbs' and Schnellenberger's. He also suspended players who got into trouble immediately instead of "waiting for the process to run it's course" - the lame thing many coaches do.

You're insuations that Blake did unethical things and didn't care about academics are flat wrong. Get your facts straight before you post. Blake took a sinking ship on and off the field, but could only right it in terms of what was going on off the field.

Blake was also only 34 years old when he took the OU job, and was in over his head in game planning back then. He's done a heck of a job with Nebraska's defensive line and bringing the Huskers some top recruits from around the country.

At OU, his recruiting classes included the following NFL or former NFL players:

Sammy Williams, OT, Harvey, IL - 1996

Brandon Moore, LB, Freeport, NY - 1997

Corey Ivy, CB, Moore, OK - 1997

Rocky Calmus, LB, Jenks, OK - 1998

Josh Norman, RB, Midland, TX - 1998

Trent Smith, TE, Clinton, OK - 1998

Roy Williams, S, Union City, CA - 1998

Andre Woolfolk, WR/CB, Denver, CO - 1998

Williams Bartee, S, Daytona Beach, FL - 1998

Stockar McDougle, OT, Deerfield Beach, FL - 1998

The 1998 class was impressive because OU hadn't had a winning season or appeared in a bowl game for three seasons.

I doubt Blake would come to UNT. But, if he did, he'd be fine.

Edited December 1, 2006 by The Fake Lonnie Finch

Cowtown · December 1, 2006

they also have him listed as a cantidate for Tulane.

Anyone notice that Patterson is on the list for Miami?

Smitty · December 1, 2006

I don't know nearly enough about Blake to make a judgment. But if he's a great recruiter, then he moves to the top of the list of potential head coaches.

It then falls to RV and his staff to address all the questions being raised - how Blake gets along with coaches and administrators, how he gets along with players, his coaching ability, discipline, etc. That can be done through confidential conversations with other coaches, ADs, former players, and administrators. First call I would make would be to Stoops to see exactly what Blake left him, from all perspectives. If the reports are bad, then you don't hire him. But if the reports are good - if he has matured or if he was falsely accused - if you believe he can coach, if you believe he can assemble a good staff, and if you know he's a great recruiter, then you offer him the job.

And maybe he would come here. Blake's name and reputation took a vicious beating from his days at OU and from criticism during his Cowboys' days, and clearly some of that sentiment remains. Building a winner at UNT would be an excellent rehab.

Edited December 1, 2006 by Smitty

Harry · December 1, 2006

I would think that Coach Blake has matured a lot in the last couple of years. I have to admit, his recruiting ability gets my interest. Let's face it, we may not be in the best conference, or have the biggest budget but we are located in a prime region for recruiting. The wealth of talent here is our biggest asset and we haven't been able to take advantage of it the last several years. I don't think we need an Vince Lombardi coaching here and the reality is there aren't going to be that many of them willing to come here. If we can just get our fair share of the Metroplex players we will be just fine. Sprinkle in some of the better Houston, West/Central/East Texas players and we could have a helluva program.

Blake with all of his past troubles has a huge upside in that his biggest strength is a perfect match for ours.

Eagle-96 · December 1, 2006

Yeah, Vic Trilli was a great recruiter who couldn't coach and we all know how great that turned out.

stebo · December 1, 2006

There was also the "Troy is gay" rumor that came from Switzer's people and was used by Skip Bayless in one of his Cowboys books. Aikman dealt with that clown regime with a remarkable amount of poise. I didn't realize until he began broadcasting how savvy he is. I just figured he was a hell of a quarterback who stayed away from the press because he was somewhat camera-shy. Clearly, he was carrying out a strategy to keep himself out of a bunch of Switzer-era BS.
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That doesn't mean that he isn'tr gay - he just has a beard. Not that there's anythign wrong with that!