A Big Difference In Team Discipline

[Green to the Bone]

Final score notwithstanding, TD achieved two things yesterday that I think many will see as important.

First, the team was in matching warmup suits when they arrived for the Mean Green March. No more of the sloppy thugware that a bunch of us complained about last year. I saw one guy with an iPod, but the earbuds weren't in. Much sharper, more dignified and dedicated appearance.

Second, after the game, every player stayed on the field in a group for "Glory to the Green." TD was there with them. I haven't seen that in a long time. Again, a little matter of loyalty and pride.

Having a leader who telegraphs team identity and school pride is a welcome change and a hopeful sign of good thiings to come.

[EagleMBA]

I noticed...and I appreciate it VERY much. The little things add up to and lead to big things.

[MeanGreengdub]

Final score notwithstanding, TD achieved two things yesterday that I think many will see as important.

First, the team was in matching warmup suits when they arrived for the Mean Green March. No more of the sloppy thugware that a bunch of us complained about last year. I saw one guy with an iPod, but the earbuds weren't in. Much sharper, more dignified and dedicated appearance.

Second, after the game, every player stayed on the field in a group for "Glory to the Green." TD was there with them. I haven't seen that in a long time. Again, a little matter of loyalty and pride.

Having a leader who telegraphs team identity and school pride is a welcome change and a hopeful sign of good thiings to come.

Touche.

[meangreendork]

You could see the difference in discipline and attitude at the Spring Game, and it's even better now. The team actually looks and acts like a team, from communication to discipline, to just the way they carry themselves now. Dodge has done a lot in such a short time, I'm incredibly anxious to see where he takes the team as they get better and as he gets better.

[MCMLXXX]

Agreed, and I think it will continue to improve both on and off the field.

[island eagle]

Agreed, and I think it will continue to improve both on and off the field.

The biggest thing that I see Dodge as doing is bringing back pride to the Mean Green. Hopefully, that is just the start of what he will accomplish.

[CorinthEagle]

How many personal foul penalties for after the play festivities have we had compared to last year? Maybe 1 or 2?

[newuntfan07]

Personally, I would like the players to leave the field after they shake hands after a loss and get to the locker room. No one wants to sing the school song or take off their helmet after a loss, they want to haul butt to the locker room and get off the field.

If I just lost a game, I would want to get off that field as quick as possible.

[KingDL1]

Agreed, and I think it will continue to improve both on and off the field.

I think the change in attitude and discipline is very noticeable and more. You can see it on the sidelines, after plays, how the team groups together and reviews plays. Dodge is setting right UNT from many sides and I really like what I see.

[newuntfan07]

TD has the players in unity, without a doubt. It will take him some time but TD will no doubt have these guys playing as one unit. TD and his staff do have a learning curve to go through and it will take them the rest of this season. By next year, you'll see a whole different quality of play.

[Green to the Bone]

Personally, I would like the players to leave the field after they shake hands after a loss and get to the locker room. No one wants to sing the school song or take off their helmet after a loss, they want to haul butt to the locker room and get off the field.

If I just lost a game, I would want to get off that field as quick as possible.

Sorry, but I think the vast majority of fans couldn't disagree more. These players are not professionals. They're students. They are "playing the game for the honor and fame and glory of UNT," as the fight song goes.

You don't stop being a part of the university, a part of the team that includes every alumnus for the past 117 years, as well as the students, the Green Brigade, the cheerleaders, and everybody else who gathers for the Alma Mater, just because you lost a game.

One of the lessons of college athletics is that you are supposed to hold your head high and act in a way that maintains your pride and dignity and self-respect, no matter what. I think Todd Dodge is teaching that lesson day in and day out.

[newuntfan07]

Will agree to disagree. I like A&M's tradition of never booing their own and #2 their fans stay after the game to practice their yells and and to represent the players and alumni. The players get their ass off the field. Just my opinion, and I for one, believe A&M has the best traditions in college football. They never boo, their students never sit down, and they pack the place in good seasons and bad.

But no football player wants to sing after a loss.

Edited September 24, 2007 by newuntfan07

[mad dog]

Sorry, but I think the vast majority of fans couldn't disagree more. These players are not professionals. They're students. They are "playing the game for the honor and fame and glory of UNT," as the fight song goes.

You don't stop being a part of the university, a part of the team that includes every alumnus for the past 117 years, as well as the students, the Green Brigade, the cheerleaders, and everybody else who gathers for the Alma Mater, just because you lost a game.

One of the lessons of college athletics is that you are supposed to hold your head high and act in a way that maintains your pride and dignity and self-respect, no matter what. I think Todd Dodge is teaching that lesson day in and day out.

I like it. At the end of the day, win or lose, I'm proud of my university. I think it's easy to smile sing about loyalty after a win. Doing so after a loss shows me that you mean it.

[DeepGreen]

Personally, I would like the players to leave the field after they shake hands after a loss and get to the locker room. No one wants to sing the school song or take off their helmet after a loss, they want to haul butt to the locker room and get off the field.

If I just lost a game, I would want to get off that field as quick as possible.

Not good. Win or lose, the players need to be loyal to the fans and the university. It's also called respect, and I think Coach Dodge will instill that in his players.

[GreenSquared]

Do things (large or small) right ..............all the time.

Oh is this going to be fun!

[meangreendork]

Not good. Win or lose, the players need to be loyal to the fans and the university. It's also called respect, and I think Coach Dodge will instill that in his players.

It's a sign of respect and thanks to the fans, and it's a matter of pride. You want to say that you're proud to wear your colors, the university, the fans, and if you lost, that you'll do your best to win just like you did today.

[EagleMBA]

That "get your ass to the locker room" is old-style football. I played for a hot-headed Irish coach from Massachusetts when I was in high school in Indiana. We were allowed to celebrate when we won...but when we lost it was like he was screaming "Bad Dog! Bad Dog! Get to your doghouse!". When we got to the lockerroom he would be all red in the face, shouting at us and telling us what loafers we were. He chewed on every guy in the room.

He dropped dead of a heart attack on the sideline during a game about ten years after I graduated.

[SLCoutsider]

It's a sign of respect and thanks to the fans, and it's a matter of pride. You want to say that you're proud to wear your colors, the university, the fans, and if you lost, that you'll do your best to win just like you did today.

Well put. Although, I thought that a few players went straight to the locker room. It should be obvious that TD has more of a positive reinforcement type of mentoring style. Losing hurts, but be a man, hold your head up and show some respect to the folks that came out to support you. It's kind of a life lesson thing that can prepare young men for other challenges they will face after football.