Mean Green

North Texas pushed its number of early commitments for the Class of 2008 to three on Thursday with the addition of Vernon safety Darien Williams, a player who ranks among the better athletes in West Texas.

Williams is heading into his third year as a starter at Vernon and finished with 135 tackles in 15 games last season. Vernon coach Keith Hall described Williams as a vicious hitter and one of the smartest players on his team.

Williams is one of the players UNT probably landed thanks in large part to going after the top prospects in the area early on. Williams is scheduled to attend Rice's summer camp in a few weeks. TCU, Tulsa and Arizona were interested.

UNT offered Williams a scholarship and he decided to commit early.

Check out tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or our Web site www.dentonrc.com late tonight for a complete story on Williams that includes comments from Williams and Hall.

Longtime North Texas assistant women's basketball coach Janice Dziuk is leaving the Mean Green's coaching staff to take a job in the business world and will be replaced by former UNT player Shannon (Stephenson) Fears.

Dziuk spent nine years on UNT's staff and is the second longtime assistant to leave the Mean Green's staff since the end of last season. Angela Ortega left the staff after 15 seasons a few weeks ago.

Fears is a varsity assistant at Southlake Carroll and was a four-year letterman at UNT. She played from 1998-2002. She missed one season due to injury.

For more on Dziuk and Fears, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Vernon's Darien Williams said Thursday that he has orally committed to play for North Texas.

The 5-11, 188-pound safety was a first-team All-District 6-3A selection as a junior last season. He is also a member of the Wichita Falls Times-Record-News' Red River 22, a list of the top college prospects from the paper's coverage region.

UNT was the only team that had offered Williams a scholarship, but Arizona, TCU, Rice and Tulsa had shown interest.

For more on Williams, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

North Texas picked up a second commitment for its 2008 recruiting class in Celina lineman Troy Franklin on Wednesday and laid the foundation for what could turn out to be an impressive haul in the process.

Franklin is rated among the top 50 college football prospects in the area by The Dallas Morning News and fills an immediate need for the Mean Green. UNT landed just two offensive line prospects in its last recruiting class.

Franklin said the opportunity to play for new UNT head coach Todd Dodge was the key factor in his decision.

UNT now has two recruits in the fold for 2008 and both are prominent players in the area. Dallas Hillcrest quarterback Willie Taylor, who projects as a wide receiver in college, has also committed to UNT.

Momentum can play a big role in recruiting and UNT appears to be on a roll at this point. Top high school players want to go where they can win and play with the type of athletes who can help them maximize their potential. If those players are familiar foes from across town, that's even better. Both Taylor and Franklin talked about how attractive the prospect of playing with some of the Dallas' area's top players at UNT proved to be.

UNT's first two recruits in its 2008 class could help build on the momentum the program established with its 2007 class that included a host of Dallas-area players. Rivals.com rated Dodge's first class No. 114 in its national team rankings.

Getting commitments from Franklin and Taylor could be the first step in improving on that ranking next season. Franklin will be a highly rated player in the state and Taylor could also be a top prospect when the rakings come out later this year.

For more on Franklin, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or check our Web site at www.dentonrc.com late tonight.

The North Texas football team picked up its second commitment this week when Celina offensive/defensive lineman Troy Franlkin decided to play for the Mean Green.

Franklin's father confirmed that his son had decided to go to UNT on Wednesday.

Franklin also had an offer from Tulsa.

For more on UNT's second commitment, check back on the blog later today.

Dallas Hillcrest quarterback Willie Taylor visited North Texas when the Mean Green held its junior day a few weeks ago and jumped at the chance to make Denton his home beginning in the fall of 2008 this week.

Taylor said Tuesday that he was offered a scholarship by the Mean Green's coaching staff on Monday and quickly accepted an opportunity to play for head coach Todd Dodge.

Taylor's commitment is the first UNT has received for 2008 and marks a dramatic departure from the philosophy the Mean Green followed in the past. UNT didn't sign players early under former coach Darrell Dickey, who found the majority of his players late in the recruiting process.

Taylor's commitment is a sign that UNT intends to join the crowd and compete for players earlier in the recruiting process. Dickey found some gems late along the way, but one always got the feeling that UNT was missing out while other programs snatched some of the best players out of the Dallas area early on.

Only time will tell, but landing Taylor appears to be a big win for Dodge and his staff. Taylor has grown to 6-0, 165 and was a dynamic performer last season for Hillcrest at quarterback. Tulsa had offered Taylor a scholarship and Utah appeared as if it would offer later in the recruiting process.

Taylor will move to the slot at UNT, which continues to load up on wide receivers under Dodge. The Mean Green signed six wide outs in its last recruiting class alone.

Taylor played for new Mean Green wide receivers coach Clayton George at Hillcrest. Taylor said his relationship with George and the comfort level he found at UNT during his short time at the Mean Green's junior day were factors in his decision to attend UNT.

For more on Taylor, including comments from his new high school head coach Andy Todd, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or check our Web site www.dentonrc.com late tonight.

North Texas' Sun Belt Conference rival Florida International broke ground on its new football stadium on Friday.

The facility is expected to be ready for FIU's home opener against South Florida in 2008. The first phase of construction will give FIU 18,000 seats while the finished product will have 45,000.

The following is a link to the story on the FIU Web site.

http://www.fiusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=900295

North Texas head men's basketball coach Johnny Jones added what appears to be the last piece to his recruiting class after George Odufuwa made it official on Thursday and committed to play for the Mean Green.

Odufuwa said he also considered transferring to Alabama, but a number of factors led him to sign with the Mean Green instead, including UNT's location close to his home in Dallas and the prospect of playing a significant role after sitting out next season.

Jones now has five players in his class, including two who were rated in the top 20 in the Class of 2006 by Texashoops.com in Odufuwa and Brewster Academy shooting guard/small forward Tristan Thompson. Texashoops.com rated Midland College point guard Ryan McCoy No. 40 in the Class of 2005 while Baton Rouge, La., Christian Life point guard Josh White is rated No. 10 in Louisiana in the Class of 2007 by Rivals.com. Throw in one of the best 3-point shooters in junior college basketball in Mesa (Ariz.) Community College guard Adam McCoy and UNT has what could be the best recruiting class of Jones' tenure at UNT that is entering its seventh season.

Jones not only grabbed a host of talented players, he addressed his team's immediate needs. Ryan McCoy fills the glaring hole UNT had behind starter Ben Bell at the point guard spot, Thompson and Adam McCoy fill the void the Mean Green had on the wings after the graduation of Calvin Watson and Kendrick Davis. White is the Mean Green's point guard of the future and Odufuwa will take over in the post after Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams graduate after next season.

When all is said and done, this will be arguably the best class in the Sun Belt, not to mention one that ranks pretty high among those landed by mid-major teams across the country.

What made the outcome of UNT's recruiting efforts even more impressive was the Mean Green planned for the future and not just the present. The Sun Belt is a win-now league that is often filled transfers and JUCO players who make it hard to keep track of who is coming and going.

The McCoys will be two-year players, but Odufuwa will have three years to play at UNT. White and Thompson will have four. That's a pretty good core to build around. Considering UNT will have six players who will be juniors or seniors next season and just one sophomore on scholarship in shooting guard Collin Mangrum, finding a few players to develop was critical. Calvin Watson was a four-year player and finished his career as the Sun Belt Tournament MVP, while Davis spent three years at UNT, including a redshirt year. Williams had a breakout year in his third season with the Mean Green.

There were some rumblings that Jones wasn't capitalizing on UNT's NCAA Tournament berth early in the signing period. Those concerns appear to have been put to rest with the five players signed by Jones, who said he will keep open the possibility of adding another recruit to his 2007 class with UNT's last open scholarship if the right player comes along.

For more on Odufuwa, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or check our Web site www.dentonrc.com late tonight.

And feel free to post your thoughts on the blog. Did Jones take another step in advancing UNT's program with his latest recruiting class?

The complexion of the North Texas men's basketball team continued to change on Monday, when UNT officials confirmed that Jonathan Jackson has left the program after just one season.

Jackson was part of the two-man class of signees from Mineral Area (Mo.) Community College last season that also included Curtis Muse. Muse failed to meet NCAA standards to transfer to UNT and Jackson spent one injury-plagued year with the Mean Green.

Jackson played in just nine games and never was on the floor for more than seven minutes in a single contest. The 6-8 forward's prospects for playing time didn't appear as if they would get much better next season with front line starters Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams back and Harold Stewart and Justin Howerton coming off the bench.

The move should turn out to be a good one for both UNT and Jackson, as long as he can find another school at which to finish his career.

On the UNT front, Jackson's departure opens up a scholarship that the Mean Green could use to sign a Division I transfer who would sit out next season and then soften the blow UNT will take when Wooden and Williams graduate after next season.

All indications point to that player being George Odufuwa, a former Dallas Kimball standout who spent last season at Arizona State. Odufuwa has visited UNT's campus and multiple sources have indicated that he has all but made up his mind to play for the Mean Green.

The departure of Jackson marks another step in what has been a dramatic overhaul of UNT's roster during the offseason.

UNT has lost three key seniors from its NCAA Tournament team in Calvin Watson, Kendrick Davis and Rich Young and three other players who decided to transfer in Jackson, fellow backup Harold Edwards and sixth man Michael Sturns.

In their place UNT has added the 10th-ranked player from Louisiana in point guard Josh White, prep school standout Tristan Thompson and JUCO transfers Ryan McCoy and Adam McCoy.

Texashoops.com rated Thompson No. 18 on its list of the top players in Texas in the class of 2006, while Ryan McCoy was No. 40 in the class of 2005. Adam McCoy was among the best 3-point shooters in junior college basketball last season.

South Florida transfer Collin Dennis will also be eligible next season after sitting out the 2006-07 campaign.

Sturns was productive at times, but UNT has incoming players who should fill his roles as the Mean Green's backup point guard and sixth man. A combination of Ryan McCoy at the backup point guard spot and Adam McCoy off the bench could be a more productive and steady option than Sturns.

All the changes in the Mean Green's roster bring up the question of just where UNT stands in terms of scholarships. Jones has two left to give.

Here's a rundown of the players who will count against UNT's limit of 13 scholarship players next season:

Returning starters
Ben Bell -- Point guard will be back in the same role after big finish to season
Keith Wooden -- Center got better and better as he became healthier last season
Quincy Williams -- Power forward has potential to post a double-double any night

Bench players
Harold Stewart -- Backup power forward showed potential at end of season
Justin Howerton -- Backup center will be back in the same role
Collin Mangrum -- Backup shooting guard who could turn out to be a solid contributor

Transfers who will be eligible
Collin Dennis -- South Florida transfer seems destined to replace Davis at shooting guard

Recruits
Josh White -- Could play in the backcourt, but seems like a candidate to redshirt while overcoming injuries and adjusting to Division I level
Tristan Thompson -- Prep school standout could start at small forward
Ryan McCoy -- Appears to be a perfect backup for Bell at the point
Adam McCoy -- Could challenge to start at small forward or shooting guard, but appears to be a good fit as a sixth man because of his ability to shoot from 3-point range and play multiple positions

Scholarships available
UNT has two, including one that appears destined to go to Arizona State transfer George Odufuwa. It would be tough to find an impact high school player at this point. Another frontcourt transfer seems like a good fit.

For the third time since the end of the season, a member of the North Texas men's basketball team has decide to transfer to another school.

Jonathan Jackson, a 6-8 forward who played in nine games as a reserve last season, has left the program.

UNT head coach Johnny Jones confirmed that backup point guard Michael Sturns is planning to transfer on Saturday. Backup forward Harold Edwards also decided to transfer after the season.

For more on Jackson, check the blog later tonight or see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

I have received a few questions about Michael Sturns' departure from the North Texas basketball team and the circumstances surrounding it.

What made the whole situation unusual was not that Sturns left, but the way the scenario played out.

Sturns had been granted his release. UNT's coaches knew he was leaving, but didn't talk about it to give Sturns a chance to take his visits and find a new place to play. What came as a surprise was UNT's coaches found out where Sturns was headed from a press release from another school.

One would expect that a coach at Holy Family or Sturns himself would have let the coaches at UNT know where he was headed. Sturns spent a significant amount of time at UNT and had some good times with the Mean Green.

Jones said he planned to have a press release written to acknowledge Sturns before he left town. Who knows, Sturns might have wanted to let Jones know where he was headed and didn't get a chance before the release hit the Web site at Holy Family.

What really matters is UNT will have another scholarship available without Sturns, a talented player who was at times great, at others out of control with the ball in his hands. Sturns played a vital role in a win at Western Kentucky last season and made key contributions in several other big victories. At other times, he was a little too careless with the ball. He struggled in the NCAA Tournament against Memphis.

Without Sturns, UNT will have more playing time for recruits Ryan McCoy and Josh White at point guard behind starter Ben Bell. The sixth-man role will also be open for a player like incoming junior college recruit Adam McCoy, who can play shooting guard and small forward.

Sturns could also benefit from a new situation. He will join a team that finished 19-9 last season and will be eligible next season at the Division II school. He could be not only a starter, but also a star at Holy Family. Talent was never a problem for Sturns, harnessing it was a different story at times.

Being a little wild with the ball will prove less costly at Holy Family than against Memphis in the NCAA Tournament.

While Sturns was a little out of control at certain points on the floor and didn't always get along with his teammates, he conducted himself well in the public spotlight. If you needed a good quote, Sturns was the man to ask. He always had something to say and was willing to take the time to talk with anyone who wanted a minute of his time.

That fact made it seem odd that he left UNT in the quietest manner possible.

For more on Sturns, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

North Texas head coach Johnny Jones was as surprised as anyone when he heard on Saturday that Michael Sturns is headed to Holy Family in Philadelphia.

Jones gave Sturns his release a few weeks back, but wouldn't talk about his guard's departure until he had settled on a destination. Jones said he knew Sturns was considering Holy Family. He also visited Angelo State a few weeks ago. Former UNT assistant Fred Rike coaches ASU.

The departure of Sturns opens up a scholarship that appears to be a lock to go to Arizona State transfer George Odufuwa. Royce Johnson, a former UNT player who coached Odufuwa at Dallas Kimball, said Saturday that the 6-7 power forward was just waiting to hear from Jones to finalize his transfer.

Jones was on his way to the Sun Belt Conference meetings on Saturday afternoon.

For more on Sturns, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

George Odufuwa planned to sit down with his high school coach Royce Johnson on Thursday night to talk about where he might transfer, a source with knowledge of the situation said early Thursday. The source went on to say the former Dallas Kimball standout was leaning toward committing to North Texas and planned to make a decision in the next few days.

Johnson, a former Mean Green player, declined to comment other than to say UNT was high on Odufuwa's list. UNT hosted Odufuwa on a visit to campus earlier this week.

If the 6-7 power forward follows through and transfers from Arizona State to UNT, the Mean Green would have the big man it has been looking for to cap what would without a doubt be the best recruiting class of Johnny Jones' tenure at UNT that is entering its seventh season.

Odufuwa was ranked No. 19 in Texashoops.com's list of the top players in the state in the class of 2006. UNT has already secured a commitment from Brewster Academy guard/small forward Tristan Thompson, who was ranked No. 18 in the same class after his senior year at Angleton. Point guard Josh White is ranked No. 10 in the class of 2007 in Louisiana and Midland College transfer Ryan McCoy was No. 40 in Texas in the class of 2005. Throw in Mesa (Ariz.) Community College shooting guard Adam McCoy, who was one of the top 3-point shooters in the junior college ranks last season, and UNT would have a standout class.

Odufuwa would have to sit out a season after transferring, but would immediately fill the void in the Mean Green's frontcourt left by the graduation of Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams after next season.

UNT could play Odufuwa at the center spot with Harold Stewart at power forward and have Justin Howerton available to come off the bench.

Adding Odufuwa would leave UNT over the scholarship limit, a situation the Mean Green would have to work through in the next few months. Just don't expect that to be a deterrent if UNT can land a fifth player for its recruiting class.

Harold Edwards decided to transfer after last season and could be just the first of a few players who depart to find a school where they would get more playing time.

North Texas men's basketball coach Johnny Jones appears to be in good position to land a George Odufuwa as the crowning jewel of his latest recruiting class.

The 6-7 power forward who spent last season at Arizona State after a standout high school career at Dallas Kimball visited UNT this week.

Kimball coach Royce Johnson is helping Odufuwa go through the recruiting process for a second time and said Wednesday that UNT is definitely one of the favorites to land the former first-team all-state selection.

Odufuwa spent one season at ASU, played 4.8 minutes a game and averaged just 0.7 points an outing.

If there is one selling point UNT has with Odufuwa, it's playing time. UNT's starting frontcourt players Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams will be seniors next season when Odufuwa would be sitting out after transferring.

Odufuwa would have three seasons left after Wooden and Williams graduate and would make a potent combination with Harold Stewart, a 6-8 forward who would be a senior in Odufuwa's sophomore campaign. Stewart is more of a finesse player and could be a perfect fit with the 240-pound Odufuwa.

Johnson wouldn't comment on what other teams Odufuwa is considering, but it is interesting to note that Johnson is a former North Texas player.

North Texas softball Kelly Burns left the program after three years on Wednesday to become a high school principal in the East Texas town of Avery.

Burns didn't enjoy as much success as she or anyone else hoped for on the field, but will leave a legacy as a coach who helped get the Mean Green into a better position after the short and stormy tenure of Stacey Segal. UNT's first coach didn't make it through her first season before resigning.

Burns came in and picked up the pieces for a program that didn't have a field or much else to work with at the time.

UNT had its moments over the next three seasons, with wins over Big 12 teams including Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Just a few days ago, UNT upset nationally ranked Louisiana-Lafayette in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

Burns admitted UNT didn't make as much progress as she hoped for. The Mean Green went just 59-112 in her time at UNT.

What Burns and UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal both agreed on is the program is in better position than when Burns arrived.

It might not have been what UNT hoped for in the Burns era, but it's an aspect of Burns' legacy she said she is proud of.

For more on Burns, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

North Texas softball coach Kelly Burns has resigned after three years with the Mean Green to take a job as a high school principal at the Avery Independent School District.

Burns was the second full-time head coach UNT has had since the program was reinstated in the 2004 season. UNT also spent part of one season with an interim coach.

For more on the departure of Burns, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

George Odufuwa, a 6-7 forward who could be the big man North Texas needs to fill out its best recruiting class in several years, was on campus over the weekend and visited with the Mean Green's coaching staff.

The former Dallas Kimball standout originally signed with Arizona State out of high school. Texashoops.com rated him No. 19 on its list of the top seniors in the state following the 2006 season.

Ironically, Odufuwa ranked one spot behind Tristan Thompson on Texashoops.com's list Thompson recently committed to UNT after spending a year in prep school at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.

Odufuwa would have to sit out a season if he transferred to UNT, but would then have three years of eligibility remaining. He appears as if he would fill an immediate need for the Mean Green, which will lose Keith Wooden and Quincy Williams from its front line after next season.

Odufuwa averaged 18 points and nine rebounds a game as a senior at Kimball, despite battling an Achilles tendon injury for a large portion of the year.

Odufuwa played sparingly his freshman season ASU, averaging 0.7 points and 0.8 rebounds a game. UNT has already had success with one transfer from ASU in Wooden, who played a key role for the Mean Green last season after spending his first two seasons playing with the Sun Devils.

Here is a link to Odufuwa's player profile page on the ASU athletic department Web site:

http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/odufuwa_george00.html

North Texas picked up a player who appears to be its point guard of the future on Tuesday in Josh White.

White was one of the best players in the state of Louisiana last season and was still left on the board long after most of the top players in the country had signed their letters of intent. Did UNT need a post player more than another point guard? No doubt, considering it has starter Ben Bell back and JUCO standout Ryan McCoy on the way.

White was just too good for UNT to pass up.

This is a guy who was named the Class A state tournament MVP in Louisiana twice and the overall state tournament MVP last season. UNT head coach Johnny Jones said White might be the best high school player he has signed since he arrived at UNT.

Jones will now have Bell, White and McCoy at the point next season, not top mention a host of talented shooting guards and small forwards, including Collin Dennis.

Dennis, a South Florida transfer who sat out last season, is supposed to fill a large part of the backcourt scoring void left by the graduation of Calvin Watson and Kendrick Davis.

Right now it does not appear as if UNT will have extensive playing time for all three point guards and Dennis … and JUCO recruit Adam McCoy … and prep school recruit Tristan Thompson ... and Collin Mangrum … and Michael Sturns, who will be back at shooting guard after spending a year playing out of position at the point.

I have already received several questions about how UNT will make this work. My guess? Competition and attrition will take care of the problem for Jones, who has been in this spot before.

Remember a few months back when Keith Wooden, Quincy Williams, Justin Howerton, Jonathan Jackson, Harold Stewart and Curtis Muse were supposed to split time at what amounts to two frontcourt spots in a three-guard offense?

By the time the season rolled around, Muse was gone, Jackson was hurt and everything else worked out during a run to the NCAA Tournament.

Hopefully all of UNT's guards will find a role. Is that likely? Not really, but the Mean Green will be a better team in the long run because it grabbed perhaps its best high school recruit in recent years when it had the chance.

This isn't the last of the UNT recruiting news for the night. Check back later for some news on a potential big man and a full story on White.

A source close to the North Texas men's basketball program said Tuesday that Josh White, a 5-10 point guard from Baton Rouge, La. has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Mean Green.

Rivals.com ranks White No. 10 on its list of the top 10 players in Louisiana.

For more on White check the blog later today or tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Here is a link to White's page on Rivals.com:

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=41359&Sport=2

North Texas men's basketball coach Johnny Jones has added an old friend to his staff in Tic Price.

Price served as the head coach at McNeese State, Memphis and New Orleans and also worked as an assistant at Auburn, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech Chattanooga and Roanoke College.

Price is a former Southland Conference and Louisiana Association of Black Coaches Coach of the Year.

For more on Price, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or see or web site at www.dentonrc.com.

The North Texas board of regents approved a new contract for men's basketball coach Johnny Jones today.

Jones' base salary will be $170,000 for the duration of the five-year deal, but he will receive additional incentives that will boost his salary significantly over his previous contract. Counting Jones radio stipend, bonus for maintaining membership in the Sun Belt Conference and car allowance, plus a yearly 5 percent raise, he will make $266,811 in guaranteed income beginning Sept 1.

Jones made $205,811 in guaranteed income last season.

Jones will also receive a $100,000 retention bonus if he serves out the entire length of the contract.

For more on Jones' contract, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or check www.dentonrc.com late tonight.

The North Texas board of regents is expected to approve a new contract for head men's basketball coach Johnny Jones today at its meeting in Denton.

To review, here is what is known about the deal:

The term of the contract is five years with a base salary of $170,000 and a five percent raise each year. A $6,000 car allowance is included and there are a host of other incentives in the deal.

It's safe to assume that Jones will receive a stipend for appearing on his weekly radio/TV show and another lump sum for maintaining membership in the Sun Belt Conference.

Jones also has incentives in his current deal for season ticket sales, winning the regular season and postseason Sun Belt Conference titles and academic achievement among his players.

The monetary figures attached to those incentives are expected to go up. A few clues to what else could be in the contract can also be taken from the deal head football coach Todd Dodge signed when he arrived at UNT in December.

Dodge has essentially the same benefits written into his contract, but also has a $20,000 season completion payment and incentives for winning 10 or more regular season games.

UNT could take a similar approach with Jones, although his agent likely had a large influence in how the deal was written.

Information on what exactly is in the contract will be available by early this afternoon. Keep an eye on the blog for the news when it breaks.

It's no secret that North Texas men's basketball coach Johnny Jones is after a big man to round out his latest recruiting class that includes a pair of guards and a small forward.

Midland College coach Grant McCasland said Monday that big man won't be Utah transfer Nemanja Calasan.

Calasan played for Midland before transferring to Utah and seemed like he might be a good fit for UNT after he decided to transfer again. UNT has already signed Midland College point guard Ryan McCoy.

McCasland said Monday that Calasan is talking to a number of SEC and Big 10 schools and has no interest in UNT.

The North Texas board of regents is set to consider a five-year contract extension for men's basketball coach Johnny Jones on Thursday.

Here are a few details of the proposal the board will receive.

Jones' base salary would be $170,000 with an annual 5 percent raise. He would also receive a $6,000 car allowance and other incentives. The parameters are somewhat of a surprise considering Jones was set to make $168,852 in base salary before incentives next season.

With his automatic incentives for a radio show and maintaining membership in the Sun Belt Conference, Jones is making $205,811 this year. He is set to make $213,852 in the last year of his current deal, beginning Sept. 1.

The extra money in the proposed contract appears to be in the non-guaranteed incentives, which were not available.

Without the details of what incentives are in the proposal, it's tough to tell how good the deal is for Jones and UNT. Jones' agent said earlier this week both sides were happy with the contract.

When the details come out, expect Jones to have much higher non-guaranteed incentives. Jones only received a $25,000 for taking UNT to the NCAA Tournament. That might sound like a lot of money, but it really was a bargain considering how much national and local publicity UNT received for getting to the tournament.

For more on Jones' contract proposal and a comparison with the deal former South Alabama coach John Pelphrey had last season after taking the Jaguars to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle.

And feel free to post your thoughts on Jones' contract on the blog.

John Hamilton, the agent for UNT men's basketball coach Johnny Jones, said Friday that the contract he has been working on with the school is done and ready to be presented to the board of regents on Thursday.

Hamilton wouldn't go into detail about what is in the contract, other than to say it is a five-year deal.

I received a couple of questions recently about why UNT has had so much turnover lately among its assistant basketball coaches.

It's nothing all that unusual in mid-major programs and most of the moves at UNT lately make sense if one looks at it closely. The UNT men lost Chuck Taylor, while the women lost Angela Ortega. Both are leaving to work with old friends. Ortega is joining former UNT assistant Karen Aston at Charlotte, while Taylor is joining his old boss Ronnie Arrow at South Alabama.

Taylor will likely end up moving up to a higher position in the pecking order of assistants at South Alabama, while Ortega will be taking on a new challenge at Charlotte, a school where basketball is king. Ortega will also have security on a new staff that will be in place for at least a few years, something that isn't guaranteed at UNT.

If one looks around most mid-major leagues like the Sun Belt, turnover is just a way of life among assistant coaches. Slinker's staff has been more stable than just about any one could find at a school like UNT. Jones has had more turnover, and will need to find another coach who can be an effective recruiter to replace Taylor.

Jones is in a good position to do just that after making the NCAA Tournament after last season. Just don't expect UNT's replacement coaches to be in place forever. That's just the way life goes in the Sun Belt.

Longtime North Texas women's assistant coach Angela Ortega is leaving the program to become the recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach at UNC-Charlotte under former Mean Green assistant Karen Aston, UNT head coach Tina Slinker confirmed on Thursday.

Ortega has spent the last 15 seasons at UNT under Slinker and spent last year as the Mean Green's associate head coach.

For more on Ortega, see tomorrow's edition of the Denton Record-Chronicle or check www.dentonrc.com tomorrow morning.