Check Vito's Blog

BIG DAWG · December 29, 2010

I can't link directly to his blog entry, but looks there was something to him not signing his LOI...Miami has jumped in and he is re-thinking what he wants to do. If we lose this guy, we are in some trouble.

KingDL1 · December 29, 2010

I can't link directly to his blog entry, but looks there was something to him not signing his LOI...Miami has jumped in and he is re-thinking what he wants to do. If we lose this guy, we are in some trouble.

Vito's Blog

KRAM1 · December 29, 2010

I think I would tell the kid that he has 48 hours to sign or the scholarship offer will be pulled. If he wants to pursue Miami let him, but he would have 48 hours to make up his mind or I'd look elsewhere with the scholarship. I hope he signs with the Mean Green as UNT could definitely use the guy, but if he is using UNT's offer as a "stop-gap" until or if he gets what he thinks is a better offer, then adios after the 48 hour deadline. UNT could play hard ball as well.

MeanGreenTexan · December 29, 2010

I think I would tell the kid that he has 48 hours to sign or the scholarship offer will be pulled. If he wants to pursue Miami let him, but he would have 48 hours to make up his mind or I'd look elsewhere with the scholarship. I hope he signs with the Mean Green as UNT could definitely use the guy, but if he is using UNT's offer as a "stop-gap" until or if he gets what he thinks is a better offer, then adios after the 48 hour deadline. UNT could play hard ball as well.

Kram, I admire your zeal, but you have to look at the situation a little closer. We're graduating our starting DTs and the guys we have returning are not going to get the kind of pressure we need. North Texas is not in a position to dictate when Wright makes a decision. We just have to wait and hope he picks us. I think if NT were to demand he sign within a certain timeframe, it would just make the choice a little easier for him, and it wouldn't be in our favor.

SilverEagle · December 29, 2010

Kram, I admire your zeal, but you have to look at the situation a little closer. We're graduating our starting DTs and the guys we have returning are not going to get the kind of pressure we need. North Texas is not in a position to dictate when Wright makes a decision. We just have to wait and hope he picks us. I think if NT were to demand he sign within a certain timeframe, it would just make the choice a little easier for him, and it wouldn't be in our favor.

I wouldn't be inclined to give him a time frame, but I would let him know that I was not sitting around waiting for his call (or faxed documents). I would let him know that I was going to go about the business of signing (JUCO and HS) players who REALLY WANTED TO BE AT NORTH TEXAS, and that I hoped that we would still have a ship available when he finally made up his mind.

TheTastyGreek · December 29, 2010

The healthiest relationships always start with waffling and sharp ultimatums. :wub:

KRAM1 · December 30, 2010

Kram, I admire your zeal, but you have to look at the situation a little closer. We're graduating our starting DTs and the guys we have returning are not going to get the kind of pressure we need. North Texas is not in a position to dictate when Wright makes a decision. We just have to wait and hope he picks us. I think if NT were to demand he sign within a certain timeframe, it would just make the choice a little easier for him, and it wouldn't be in our favor.

Sorry, Tasty...sorry Silver...I'll stand with the original post...I'd give the kid 48 hours to sign or not. Then I'd tell him we would still like to sign him IF a scholarship was available when he finally decided UNT was the place for him. Then I'd hit the trail in the search for a replacement. Why waste time waiting for the kid to find a "better offer"? If UNT isn't good enough for the kid, good luck to him. happy to sign him if he comes to his senses, but I'm not sitting around waiting any longer. It's 48 hours...well...24 now since one more day is gone and then I tell the kid no guarantee...sorry, we like you, but won't sit around any longer. If he signs, great...if not...well, I find another. There are kids out there that could fit just fine and who actually would like to sign with UNT.

TheTastyGreek · December 30, 2010

There are kids out there that could fit just fine and who actually would like to sign with UNT.

Really?

I think if there actually were a flood of viable college DTs ready, willing, and able to sign with North Texas... We wouldn't be in this situation.

KRAM1 · December 30, 2010

Really?

I think if there actually were a flood of viable college DTs ready, willing, and able to sign with North Texas... We wouldn't be in this situation.

Oh, sorry. Lost my head...this kid is the very last possibility in the country UNT has to land a DT. What was I thinking? Look, whoever is giving me minus points for this opinion, good for you, but I am sticking with the idea to give the kid a deadline. Doesn't mean he couldn't sign with UNT...do you really understand that? Just means that if you are not sure then we can't wait around hanging fire until you are sure. So, if you want to keep the scholly UNT offered you have "X" amount of time to sign. After that, we will pull the offer and start looking elsewhere. Seems to me this is the same thing the kid is doing to UNT. He says...UNT, you aren't good enough for me to sign now, but keep that scholly open for me as long as I want to string you along and if a better deal doesn't come along, I'll sign with you.

Right, that's not my idea of the way to handle this situation. All you who think otherwise, good for you, you have your opinion, but I'm staying with this one...works for me, and I'd darn sure play it out if I could at UNT. But, since this kid is the very last DT in the whole world that UNT could possibly sign maybe UNT had better play the "poor needy university" and let this kid string it along until a better offer develops.

I'd put on a full court recruiting press to find a different DT and offer the kid. Trust me, there really are others capable still uncommitted and unsigned...perhaps even some overlooked JUCO's.

TheTastyGreek · December 30, 2010

I agree we should draw a hard, firm deadline.

It should be January 15th.

Until then, as long as he's available... We sort of have to hope that he ultimately does decide to follow through and sign with us.

The coaching staff has decided (and that's usually an unimpeachable final decision for you) that this kid shouldn't be given an ultimatum. And if there's anyone else out there remotely in his league (or even both potentially interested AND worthy of a D-1 scholarship), they haven't found them or decided it's worth abandoning the hope to settle for Plan B.

Again... We sort of went through this with Shavod Atkinson. And I remember back in 1998, there was a huge article (more than half a page) in the Dallas Morning News where Spencer Stack was whining about how we were the only D-1 school to even offer him a scholarship despite his stats and the state championship. Even after he's already committed, he was complaining in print about how nobody else was interested and he felt insulted that we were his only D-1 option.

This sort of stuff happens. It has happened in the past, it's happening now, it'll happen in the future. I don't care if we're a last option, so long as the talented guys end up here, play well, and represent the school appropriately. I hope the day comes when immediate starter DTs are trying to elbow each other out of the way to sign LOIs with us. But trying to act like that day is already here does nothing but hurt the team. Fortunately, the coaches don't seem to share that perspective.

TheTastyGreek · December 30, 2010

One other semi-rhetorical question...

If the particulars of HOW and WHY a kid comes to play at North Texas are so important... If it's absolutely critical that he love us first, most, only, and to the exclusions of all others anywhere and everywhere... If an athlete taking any and all time available to make sure it's the right decision is such a grievous insult to our institutional honor that we ought to withdraw the option to join our football program...

Why would we ever take transfers? Or JUCO players at all, for that matter?

Green92 · December 30, 2010

Well stated, Tasty.

KRAM1 · December 31, 2010

One other semi-rhetorical question...

If the particulars of HOW and WHY a kid comes to play at North Texas are so important... If it's absolutely critical that he love us first, most, only, and to the exclusions of all others anywhere and everywhere... If an athlete taking any and all time available to make sure it's the right decision is such a grievous insult to our institutional honor that we ought to withdraw the option to join our football program...

Why would we ever take transfers? Or JUCO players at all, for that matter?

Well, first, the kid isn't taking the time to see if UNT is a good fit...he already made that decision and is now just waiting around to see if he gets a "better offer". Secondly, I am not a big fan of trying to build with JUCO's. They are JUCO players for a reason.

BTW...the 48 hours has now run out! See ya! Maybe that scholly will there be there when you make up your mind...maybe not, but I'm not hanging around waiting on you any longer. I'm out looking for one of Quoner's "fat kids" who "want to"! This is my position and I',m sticking with it!

UNT90 · December 31, 2010

Well, first, the kid isn't taking the time to see if UNT is a good fit...he already made that decision and is now just waiting around to see if he gets a "better offer". Secondly, I am not a big fan of trying to build with JUCO's. They are JUCO players for a reason.

BTW...the 48 hours has now run out! See ya! Maybe that scholly will there be there when you make up your mind...maybe not, but I'm not hanging around waiting on you any longer. I'm out looking for one of Quoner's "fat kids" who "want to"! This is my position and I',m sticking with it!

It's kinda simple. UNT goes out and tries to get other DL linemen committed that can help the program. If, by the time this kid decides he wants to sign, we have filled all of our DT spots in recruiting, well, sorry guy, should have signed sooner. But, untill we reach that point, we NEVER slam the door on a talented kid who wants to come here, even if it takes him until Jan. 15 to make that decision.

Side Show Joe · December 31, 2010

It's kinda simple. UNT goes out and tries to get other DL linemen committed that can help the program. If, by the time this kid decides he wants to sign, we have filled all of our DT spots in recruiting, well, sorry guy, should have signed sooner. But, untill we reach that point, we NEVER slam the door on a talented kid who wants to come here, even if it takes him until Jan. 15 to make that decision.

I agree. We need a talented DT or 4. We can't chase the kid away, but if we find other comparable DT's ready to sign, well, sorry. That said, I don't know we will find others of his caliber this late in the game.

Maybe we should try and have his Juco coach reason with him. It's very simple. "1. Come to North Texas and start for a few seasons, or 2. wait for Florida, maybe get an offer, and ride the pine for a few years, behind all of the talented 4 & 5 star recruits they already have". I'd take option one.

Edited December 31, 2010 by Side Show Joe

DeepGreen · December 31, 2010

It's kinda simple. UNT goes out and tries to get other DL linemen committed that can help the program. If, by the time this kid decides he wants to sign, we have filled all of our DT spots in recruiting, well, sorry guy, should have signed sooner. But, untill we reach that point, we NEVER slam the door on a talented kid who wants to come here, even if it takes him until Jan. 15 to make that decision.

Nah! Kid needs to sh1t or get off the pot!

GrayEagle · January 1, 2011

We should keep looking but good DTs are as scarce as hen's teeth. Even if we are able to uncover a couple Wright's still of the quality that we would want unless we have totally filled our allowed scholarships.

The reason that we want JUCOs is that they have more experience beyond high school than any of our roster players.

KRAM1 · January 1, 2011

It's kinda simple. UNT goes out and tries to get other DL linemen committed that can help the program. If, by the time this kid decides he wants to sign, we have filled all of our DT spots in recruiting, well, sorry guy, should have signed sooner. But, untill we reach that point, we NEVER slam the door on a talented kid who wants to come here, even if it takes him until Jan. 15 to make that decision.

Who said anything about "slamming the door" on the kid. I believe I constantly said I would tell him that if a scholly was still available when and if he finally made a decision, it would be his, but we would not be waiting around to play the "standby prom date" for him. Sometimes it is time to "negotiate" from a position of strength. I'm happy to have the kid sign and will welcome him as a member of the Mean Green Nation, but I'm not playing the "poor step sister" or "ugly duckling" for anyone. Time has run out for "guaranteeing" this kid a scholly. Good luck with that Miami thing. Hope you make up your mind before it's too late to actually sign with a great "up and coming" program with a super brand new stadium, a great new coach and an "awakening" fan base.

Too may good things are happening at UNT to be anyone's "standby prom date"! GO MEAN GREEN. It's my position and I staying with it even if I don't find one of Quoner's "fat kids" to take this guy's place.

You know, Mangus Hunt was one of those non-football playing "fat kids" that June Jones found around the SMU campus...seems Mangus Hunt has done pretty well for SMU at defensive end. Just a random "fat kid" that someone found and turned into a pretty nice first team D1 DE for SMU. Anyone see him block that PAT?

You happy playing the "standby prom date" role, fine...go for it. To me, UNT is too good for that! If this kid can't figure that out before Jan. 15th, I'll wish him well and he can hope the scholly is available on the 15th. As for me, I'm OK if it is or if it's not. The kid had the opportunity to sign with a great school.

stick82 · January 2, 2011

Who said anything about "slamming the door" on the kid. I believe I constantly said I would tell him that if a scholly was still available when and if he finally made a decision, it would be his, but we would not be waiting around to play the "standby prom date" for him. Sometimes it is time to "negotiate" from a position of strength. I'm happy to have the kid sign and will welcome him as a member of the Mean Green Nation, but I'm not playing the "poor step sister" or "ugly duckling" for anyone. Time has run out for "guaranteeing" this kid a scholly. Good luck with that Miami thing. Hope you make up your mind before it's too late to actually sign with a great "up and coming" program with a super brand new stadium, a great new coach and an "awakening" fan base.

Too may good things are happening at UNT to be anyone's "standby prom date"! GO MEAN GREEN. It's my position and I staying with it even if I don't find one of Quoner's "fat kids" to take this guy's place.

You know, Mangus Hunt was one of those non-football playing "fat kids" that June Jones found around the SMU campus...seems Mangus Hunt has done pretty well for SMU at defensive end. Just a random "fat kid" that someone found and turned into a pretty nice first team D1 DE for SMU. Anyone see him block that PAT?

You happy playing the "standby prom date" role, fine...go for it. To me, UNT is too good for that! If this kid can't figure that out before Jan. 15th, I'll wish him well and he can hope the scholly is available on the 15th. As for me, I'm OK if it is or if it's not. The kid had the opportunity to sign with a great school.

Hunt is not just some fat kid that was hanging around the campus. In 2006 he won and set a WR in the discus during the World Junior Championships. He was at SMU getting coached by the girls throw coach. During his track workouts coaches saw him and asked if he wanted to try out for the team. This worked out for him because he was paying his own way since SMU no longer has a mens track program. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuvHgWUTMzg&feature=related

Edited January 2, 2011 by stick82

DallasGreen · January 2, 2011

We should keep looking but good DTs are as scarce as hen's teeth. Even if we are able to uncover a couple Wright's still of the quality that we would want unless we have totally filled our allowed scholarships.

The reason that we want JUCOs is that they have more experience beyond high school than any of our roster players.

To quote a famous UNT coach--JCs are JCs for two reasons--1) too dumb 2) too much of an outlaw Both = major problems for your program. The two we had this year were big bellied, slow and easily juked when in position for a sack. A sweep against our D ends was good for six or seven yards anytime the opposition wanted it. A lot in lack of size can be overcome with good technique, qickness and desire. I saw too many of these slow footed fat boys playing for Wisconsin and Northwestern yesterday. Big and slow make work in the snow and muck of the Big Ten, but here in the South speed and qickness in a D lineman will trump fat boys every time. Give me a 6' 4" who can move and I'll take my chances on beating your 300 lb. + ever time.

drex · January 2, 2011

Well said Dallas Green. The only wizard at using jucos successfully coaches men's basketball.

UNT90 · January 2, 2011

To quote a famous UNT coach--JCs are JCs for two reasons--1) too dumb 2) too much of an outlaw Both = major problems for your program. The two we had this year were big bellied, slow and easily juked when in position for a sack. A sweep against our D ends was good for six or seven yards anytime the opposition wanted it. A lot in lack of size can be overcome with good technique, qickness and desire. I saw too many of these slow footed fat boys playing for Wisconsin and Northwestern yesterday. Big and slow make work in the snow and muck of the Big Ten, but here in the South speed and qickness in a D lineman will trump fat boys every time. Give me a 6' 4" who can move and I'll take my chances on beating your 300 lb. + ever time.

Dude, seriously??

Give me Wisconsins O line and D line and we go undefeated in Sun Belt play, and quite possibly undefeated for the season (last year).

glick1980 · January 2, 2011

Wisconsin ran the ball for almost 230 yards yesterday and opened massive holes against a team that had 9 men in the box. If it wasn't for horrible clock management at the end of both halves and a missed field goal they win that game easily. Throw in some improbable 3rd and long conversions by TCU and you have a close win by them. They played as well as they could but they lose that game 8 out of ten times.