Dodge and the Sun Belt's arms race
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July 2008
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The popular topic of conversation at Sun Belt Conference Media Days was the arms race in the league when it comes to facilities. I asked a few coaches, Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters and UNT head coach Todd Dodge about the issue for a story that will be in tomorrow's paper. I made the mistake of waiting until Day 2 to write it, but the most interesting part of the story is what Dodge had to say -- no big surprise there. Dodge expressed confidence in UNT's ability to build a new stadium last year and didn't back off this year. The kicker was Dodge said he was told when he was hired that UNT would have a new place by 2010. To me that is significant. If you hired a new coach with the assumption that a new stadium would be in place by a certain date and he went out and sold players on having a new facility by that date, it makes it pretty important to come through. Something will have to take place pretty soon for that to happen. In an interesting side note, Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger said the Owls are aiming for 2010 as well and will have to get something done in the next few weeks in the way of financing to make that goal a reality. Time appears to be of the essence for UNT. We will also have a notebook with more on Mack Cole -- I talked to his junior college coach today -- and the Sun Belt's new alternate bowl tie-ins in tomorrow's paper. |
Comments
Posted by GreenDawg @ 4:08 PM Wed, Jul 23, 2008
Todge is really setting UNT up for failure
there is no chance of a stadium by 2010 and if he gets into it with the AD and one or the other leaves then there is zero chance of a stadium by 2012.....especially if it is RV that leaves
a change in AD will be the excuse UNT needs to dump the stadium entirely and a change in coaches will cost UNT too much money and support to get a stadium going
catch the crying at www.gomeangreen.com/forums
Posted by GreenDawg @ 1:15 AM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Seems GreenDawg got the GMG panties in a bunch.....and he did not even mention 2-10!
well again if Todge pushes the issue.....and things go according to hoyle for unt.....then in 2010 Todge and RV will be at a crossroads because the stadium will be at least 1 year away
can UNT afford that...loss of an AD means things fall apart....loss of a coach cost money
the leadership is just not there for unt and it starts way above RV
Posted by Richard @ 10:14 AM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
"there is no chance of a stadium by 2010"
You will eat your words soon.
Posted by Zack T. @ 12:20 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Here's the funny thing, hypocritical really...Darrell Dickey got accused of whining when he spoke about the need for better facilities; Dodge mentions it, and people praise him. Yes, my alma mater's football fans are indeed that stupid and superficial...with memory banks equal to that of sheep. Wake me up when Dodge has four consecutive bowl teams. To me, a coach going 2-10 then running around giving his opinion about the stadium, etc...please. He's the moron who came in saying there'd be no excuses. Gee, things sure do look different from the drivers seat, eh, Todd? Dope.
Posted by Richard Bachman @ 2:56 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Dickey used the old facilities as an excuse for his poor performance towards the end, and he was classless when he pulled that black uniform stunt.
Dodge is merely putting the word out. He's not challenging Rick to deliver a stadium by 2010, or else. I believe he and Rick are coordinating this stadium talk to drum up support
Posted by GreenDog @ 2:56 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Real GreenDog up in here and not sure who this fake Gdawg is. Todge can get this building done himself by 2010 if he wants to....he knows how to lay a brick or two (like 2-10 rock me). Well unless todge is happy with an erector set stadium done on the cheap then I see no stadium for UNT by 2010
Posted by JD @ 2:58 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
I think it is how Dickey approached things as oppossed to Dodge. Dickey came across as bitter and never once shied away from poor mouthing the facilities. DD was also known to call supportive fans a two word derogatory comment immediately after said fans provided his team and coaches with BBQ.
Dodge is bringing this up because RV stated that he would have a new stadium by 2010 when RV hired Dodge.
I don't think anyone disputes the fact that NT needs a new stadium and other new facilities. The past university leadership did a poor job of supporting athletics, of building the bonds with alumni to fund, not only athletics, but academics and of creating an environment on campus that created pride in North Texas.
It is tough playing "catch-up" but this must be done to keep NT competitive, and it can be done while keeping NT as one of the most economical schools in the nation, which seems to be the directive or the administration.
Zack, DD's four year run was based upon one successful recruiting class, and he almost didn't get to acheive this run after starting the 2001 season 0-5. In fact, if it wasn't for the BOR stepping in, DD would have been let go at that time.
Let Dodge get his recruits in place, continue to implement his system and give him 5 years to succeed as Dickey was given and then compare the two. Right know you are comparing apples to oranges. I've yet to see Dodge place blame anywhere, while the previous coach couldn't make a comment without blaming something.
Posted by F_ Green @ 3:12 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Dickey came in March of 19998 and only recruited 3 classes when he went to his first bowl of 4 in a row - his class recruited in 2003 - was by the sole called experts the best,
They would be seniors last year and this year.
He was fired 1 and a half years after 4 championships.
When will the AD and Administration be held accountable??????
Posted by GreenDawg @ 3:15 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
True GreenDawg back online with the word. The word is...what happens with this big call out by Todge if the stadium does not show up in 2010. Does Todge back down from this call out and lose the support of the team and fans. Or does UNT back the coach, dump the AD and set progress further back on new football digz. Or does UNT have another coach unhappy with administration and the AD.......get ready for a team to play a coaches last game wearing southlake uniforms......all black has already been done ya know ;)
Posted by JD @ 5:01 PM Thu, Jul 24, 2008
Come on F-Green, DD was fired because he couldn't control his coaching staff, (OC going after a fan in the stands at Fouts and coaches fighting in the locker room), couldn't control his players, (arrests in New Orleans), couldn't keep his mouth shut in front of the media bad mouthing his employer and my university and was returning to the losing ways that marked the beginning of his career at North Texas.
The 2003 class was far from his best. Of the 24 players signed I would say four were solid contributers, Zach Muzzy, Maurice Holman, Michael Pruitt and Montey Stevenson and 13 were either grade casualties, didn't contribute, never set foot on campus or were career back-ups. Not sure what "experts" you are referring to, but this class didn't produce much.
The class I was referring to included Brandon Kennedy, Cody Spencer, Taylor Casey, Scott Hall, Johnny Quinn, Patrick Cobbs, etc... and led NT to the four straight conference championships/bowl games. You may notice that once the majority of these players graduated the success went away.
I love people that comment that can't even get the facts straight.
Posted by Greigns @ 11:10 PM Fri, Jul 25, 2008
"Todge is really setting UNT up for failure
there is no chance of a stadium by 2010 and if he gets into it with the AD and one or the other leaves..."
That's foolish. there's nobody more passionate about the stadium than RV, including Dodge.