Breaking News -- Vizza To Transfer

greenjoe · January 12, 2009

Censored by Laurie · January 12, 2009

Good point

UNTflyer · January 12, 2009

Coach said anyone who was not on board with the way he does things can leave. Many players have left, including the Doobie Brothers.

And people can blame the coach for the discipline of his players, but these are still teenage boys playing football. They control their own attitudes, and I say if the Doobie Brothers didn't want to do things the way Dodge wanted, then good riddance to bad rubbish.

I'm going to say that the problems with this team are half coaching inexperience and half players' attitude. But I do believe that Dodge can and will adjust to the college game, and that if given the time to straighten out his personnel, he will lead the program to success.

SilverEagle · January 12, 2009

I'm going to say that the problems with this team are half coaching inexperience and half players' attitude. But I do believe that Dodge can and will adjust to the college game, and that if given the time to straighten out his personnel, he will lead the program to success.

Well, then by all means keep up the happy thoughts.

But while comments about the Doobie Brothers (which, BTW I think are rather funny) are being made, keep in mind that when Coach Dodge arrived he made a big deal of the character issue in his recruitment of players. So, in light of that, I would place more than half of the "responsibility" for this mess on the shoulders of Coach Dodge. There is also enough "responsibility" for this mess to go around to the administration as well.

But, being the pragmatist that I am, I will move on and look at what we have in the way of QB's ......and make one suggestion.

1. Nathan Tune

2. Riley Dodge

3. Assuming he signs, the QB from Glenn Rose.

3a....this young man..

Jeremy Phillips

# 45

Defensive Back - DB

Height: 6-3 Weight: 196

Freshman

Previous Affiliations

Waller HS

Waller, TX

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Courtesy: University of North Texas

Release: 08/05/2008

High School: In 2007, completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,538 yards and 14 touchdowns ... Also rushed for 1,223 yards and 12 scores ... Helped lead Waller High School to the 4A Division II, Region III finals for the first time in school history with Phillips under center and his dad, Jim Phillips, as coach ... Greater Houston Top 50 senior prospect by TexasPrepInsider.com ... Named Most Valuable Player for District 18-4A ... Houston-area top 50 by rivals.com ... Ranked as one of the top six "athletes" in the area by the Houston Chronicle ...

Put him in the mix this spring and see what he can do. Someone posted that Vizza's completion average in HS was 62%....so was this guy's.....against 4-A competition. What would be the harm in trying.

mad dog · January 12, 2009

I happen to believe that Rodge will be a damn fine QB and if he's not I'll take my lumps...

So noted.

To say that someone is "too good" for UNT is just one ridiculous example. Screw that. If a player (in this case Vizza) really believes that this is a program that cannot win, then it cannot. It's a self-fulfilling prophesy.

You are free to your opinion, and I am free to mine. I think Gio's records and ability speak for themselves; it is a circular argument to say that, because he believes the team cannot win, he doesn't. I can just as easily say that, because the team cannot win, he doesn't believe they can. Based on my observation of the guy, I happen to think it is closer to the latter. But, again, that is just my opinion.

...

I also believe it to be a bit of an over-reduction to say his leadership consisted solely of lowering his shoulder at the end of runs. He is a tremendously talented athlete who was an unquestioned leader during his run here. I don't think it took much to see that, even thirty yards away in the "good seats." The number one thing I read on the board during his time here was how much a leader he is, his fire toward the coaching staff when they wanted to "settle," and his willingness to take punishment week in and week out, despite the fact that no one else on the team looked like they cared.

Whenever something like this happens, you see a lot of over-reaction: either the player was so good that we might as well fold the program, or losing him was "no big deal" and he wasn't nearly as talented as we all thought he was when here. You either build the guy up or beat the guy down, depending on your personal preference.

I said he is too good for North Texas right now. North Texas, right now, is a one or two win team. If you happen to think that Giovanni Vizza is not as good as a one win team, then I can see how you might contest that point. However, I think his quality is far superior than the product we'll be putting on the field next year.

untjim1995 · January 12, 2009

Here are my thoughts on all of this:

1.) Vizza and his buddies from the "privileged" areas around the state are not a good fit here, in my opinion. IIRC, there was a really good thread about this a few months ago that talked about the kids from the rural schools and the inner-ciy schools being more tough-minded to deal with the situation here at UNT.

2.) Vizza is a great talent--he will do well at whatever school he attends because of the fact that he wants to be there and the coaching/talent at the other place will be much better. That leads to #3.

3.) Riley was probably going to be the starter here anyway...in other news, we need oxygen to breathe. Coach Dodge didn't bring his son here to not play QB. Whether he can or can't is to be determined, although I don't think anyone could succeed here at QB with the line play that we have.

4.) If we go 0-12 or 2-10 next year, both Dodges will be gone after next year--no way I can see Riley staying here if Dad is gone. But the problem won't ever go away here at UNT until the Board of Regents, the President, and the Chancellor beleive that the funding for the program needs to be increased dramatically. The head coach here should not make $250K when the two private universities that you recruit against down both sides of I-35 make $2Million or more. If you can't pay the head coach a package of at least $500k, the trend will continue. Remember that we don't get to be a part of a start-up conference again like DD got the benefit of doing in 2001-2004. Its gonna take a lot to CATCH UP to other SBC teams--I can't believe I just typed that. That alone is depressing and makes me wonder if we really will get back to beign a winning program again in the near future.

Censored by Laurie · January 12, 2009

Here are my thoughts on all of this:
1.) Vizza and his buddies from the "privileged" areas around the state are not a good fit here, in my opinion. IIRC, there was a really good thread about this a few months ago that talked about the kids from the rural schools and the inner-ciy schools being more tough-minded to deal with the situation here at UNT.
2.) Vizza is a great talent--he will do well at whatever school he attends because of the fact that he wants to be there and the coaching/talent at the other place will be much better. That leads to #3.
3.) Riley was probably going to be the starter here anyway...in other news, we need oxygen to breathe. Coach Dodge didn't bring his son here to not play QB. Whether he can or can't is to be determined, although I don't think anyone could succeed here at QB with the line play that we have.
4.) If we go 0-12 or 2-10 next year, both Dodges will be gone after next year--no way I can see Riley staying here if Dad is gone. But the problem won't ever go away here at UNT until the Board of Regents, the President, and the Chancellor beleive that the funding for the program needs to be increased dramatically. The head coach here should not make $250K when the two private universities that you recruit against down both sides of I-35 make $2Million or more. If you can't pay the head coach a package of at least $500k, the trend will continue. Remember that we don't get to be a part of a start-up conference again like DD got the benefit of doing in 2001-2004. Its gonna take a lot to CATCH UP to other SBC teams--I can't believe I just typed that. That alone is depressing and makes me wonder if we really will get back to beign a winning program again in the near future.

Its a short year so far...but we have a front-runner as we progress for post of the year...well put.

untbowler · January 12, 2009

Here are my thoughts on all of this:
1.) Vizza and his buddies from the "privileged" areas around the state are not a good fit here, in my opinion. IIRC, there was a really good thread about this a few months ago that talked about the kids from the rural schools and the inner-ciy schools being more tough-minded to deal with the situation here at UNT.

Well we can also say this about the SLC players jumping ship, Hager (Austin Westlake) and others. Maybe Dodge should start going for the kids with out the silver spoons and who want to play football.

Censored by Laurie · January 12, 2009

Well we can also say this about the SLC players jumping ship, Hager (Austin Westlake) and others. Maybe Dodge should start going for the kids with out the silver spoons and who want to play football.

So long as they're not from the hood.

mad dog · January 12, 2009

Wow...... as soon as I figure out how I'll put it in my signature as well.

It is under "My Controls" on the second bar (same line as "logged in as:____). The command you're looking for is "edit signature."

Cerebus · January 12, 2009

Everyone YOU want to be? I don't think anyone affiliated with this program is currently where they want to end up.

UNT90 · January 12, 2009

Its gonna take a lot to CATCH UP to other SBC teams--I can't believe I just typed that. That alone is depressing and makes me wonder if we really will get back to beign a winning program again in the near future.

Would you have typed that after the Dodge hire? The football program just keeps backpedalling and it really needs to stop.

Edited January 12, 2009 by UNT90

Green P1 · January 12, 2009

It is under "My Controls" on the second bar (same line as "logged in as:____). The command you're looking for is "edit signature."

Now we're twins.

:mellow:

ntsumgspe · January 12, 2009

Here are my thoughts on all of this:
1.) Vizza and his buddies from the "privileged" areas around the state are not a good fit here, in my opinion.

So what do consider Southlake ? :blink:

GO MEAN GREEN !!!

Edited January 12, 2009 by ntsumgspe

Got5onIt · January 12, 2009

I don't think that you can use a RS year to sit out, can you? You have 5 years to play 4 unless you go from a Div I to a Div I and than you lose one year of eligibility... if he were to go to a Div I-AA (FCS) then you don't lose the year, but that is part of your "punishment" for transferring. The other part can be that the school can choose to not release him from his ship, and he would have to pay his own way for one year until another school could offer him a ship. The contract goes both ways.

Yes, redshirt years can be used to sit out. Players are just as loyal to coaches as they are to schools, don't kid yourself. Recruits decommit all teh time & transfer due to coaches.

Good luck Vizza, personally, I thought you were a pretty decent QB. I'm so sorry you've had to endure ignorance & arrogance at the top of NT football. Like you, I'm too hoping for a coaching change for this program.

Edited January 12, 2009 by Got5onIt

Guido · January 12, 2009

I was vacationing. Far away from the internet and cell phones.
It was beautiful....

Vacationing...is that what you call your "arms smuggling" as a sidejob?

UNTflyer · January 12, 2009

I'm so sorry you've had to endure ignorance & arrogance at the top of NT football. Like you, I'm too hoping for a coaching change for this program.

I'm sorry coach had to deal with a bunch of players on drugs. Including *ahem* some starters.

e-bone ver2.awesome · January 12, 2009

It's interesting to see people's reactions to this. It's as if we were Florida and Tim Tebow just left for the NFL. Vizza was given a chance as a true freshman to be The Man and showed some promise, but made absolutely no progress last season. What more can a guy want than to start his true freshman and sophomore years at a D1 school that allows him to throw all game long? If that isn't good enough for him, then let him go. If he has to be coddled and assured there won't be any competition for his job going forward, despite seemingly regressing last season, then he obviously isn't a good fit here.

Another thing I am seeing is the mindset that this is okay because Vizza could see we aren't going anywhere and wanted to be in a better situation. Really? If you feel that then why do you support NT football? Why do we even have a football program? Things are down, there is no disputing that. But if you really think that it is okay for a kid to bail because everything isn't hunky dory then that is something I just don't understand.

The last issue I am seeing that I don't understand is everyone completely discounting Riley Dodge. This board was elated when he decided to switch from UT to come here, it was the biggest NT recruiting coup ever, and now you would think he is 5th string walk on that no one gives a chance from seeing everyone's reaction.

At least we know that this following season will be the litmus test if Dodge & Co. will work at UNT. He is in his 3rd year and has the prodigy as his starting QB. The Chosen One(Gary Deloach) has more time to coach up the defense. If there isn't marked improvement in 2009, then the coaching issue should be settled and RV should be looking for a new coach(and D coordinator). But like has already been brought up, if we don't stop paying D1 minimum wage, then it's going to be tough to find anyone to do much better.

Edited January 12, 2009 by e-bone ver2.awesome

Censored by Laurie · January 12, 2009

I'm sorry coach had to deal with a bunch of players on drugs. Including *ahem* some starters.

119 other guys managed to do it last season.

Got5onIt · January 12, 2009

I'm sorry coach had to deal with a bunch of players on drugs. Including *ahem* some starters.

Right, 119 FBS schools field mari-juwanna free teams. Oh wait a minute, college kids are all drug free. :rolleyes:

Great excuse for TD, "my players are not improving! It HAS to be drugs!!". <_<

UNTflyer · January 12, 2009

The last issue I am seeing that I don't understand is everyone completely discounting Riley Dodge. This board was elated when he decided to switch from UT to come here, it was the biggest NT recruiting coup ever, and now you would think he is 5th string walk on that no one gives a chance from seeing everyone's reaction.

Personally, I can't wait to see what Riley can do running the offense he knows so well. He's faster than Vizza on his feet, he knows the routes, he won't be struggling to learn the system, and he'll have a bigger offensive line to protect him.

greenminer · January 12, 2009

Personally, I can't wait to see what Riley can do running the offense he knows so well. He's faster than Vizza on his feet, he knows the routes, he won't be struggling to learn the system, and he'll have a bigger offensive line to protect him.

We had a QB that struggled to learn this system?

Got5onIt · January 12, 2009

Personally, I can't wait to see what Riley can do running the offense he knows so well. He's faster than Vizza on his feet, he knows the routes, he won't be struggling to learn the system, and he'll have a bigger offensive line to protect him.

Yep, the father son combo has worked so well at Colorado hasn't it? Hawkins to Hawkins, they know the offense like the back of their hands. <_<

Travis · January 12, 2009

Personally, I can't wait to see what Riley can do running the offense he knows so well. He's faster than Vizza on his feet, he knows the routes, he won't be struggling to learn the system, and he'll have a bigger offensive line to protect him.

I was wondering why so many people were bashing Riley... Perhaps they are in the know but what has he done to warrant this? The few times he played last season you saw some promise... I can't wait to see what he offers.

I would leave the vizza and todd dodge thing to vizza and todd dodge.

oldguystudent · January 12, 2009

I was wondering why so many people were bashing Riley... Perhaps they are in the know but what has he done to warrant this? The few times he played last season you saw some promise... I can't wait to see what he offers.
I would leave the vizza and todd dodge thing to vizza and todd dodge.

I think it's purely a PR thing. TD has garnered such pure hatred from some people that RD is simply guilty by association. The mob mentality of public opinion dictates that the two are inexorably linked and that they either walk on water while healing the sick or they are incapable of walking on the sidewalk and chewing gum at the same time. I've got my opinions on dad. The jury on the son is still out for me.