I have been wondering this for a long time and have been asked about it more than once, but tonight it seems like the time has finally come to ask the question:
Is the honeymoon over for Todd Dodge at UNT?
Ever since Dodge arrived before the beginning of last season, he seemed to be able to do no wrong. When the Mean Green struggled last season, it was because of that evil Darrell Dickey and the bad batch of players he left behind.
I am not going to get into a debate over that one, but ever since the Mean Green fell to 0-4 after being shellacked by Rice 77-20 on Saturday, it seems like something has changed in the attitude among UNT fans. Not that I blame them.
Judging from my e-mail and the comments on the blog, it seems like people are starting to question what is going on with the Mean Green, and they are not being blasted for it by a horde of torch-carrying Dodge supporters.
Greg weighed in today with this gem:
“To all those who thought hiring a high-school coach was a good idea, I hate to say it: ‘Told you so.’”
Travis asked:
“I wonder if Todd Dodge is in over his head with things.”
The number of fans calling those people out for questioning Dodge has definitely dwindled.
It seems like it was only a matter of time. UNT is 2-14 in the Dodge era and was blown out by a Texas rival. As a member of the Sun Belt, opportunities to face Rice and other in-state rivals don’t come along all that often.
In coaching, it all comes down to wins and losses, and Dodge has very few of the former and a whole lot of the latter in his first season and change. He may very well turn this around and has a good opportunity to take a step in the right direction in a game against Florida International this week.
My feeling is most fans are still holding out hope that Dodge will turn it around this year. It appears as if the blind faith is gone, though. The honeymoon is over. Now the hard work, occasional bickering and reality of real life are settling in.
Am I wrong? Is the honeymoon still on? Post your thoughts on the blog.