I've been thinking about how coach Mac was able to change the culture at UNT and find success in his third season with the Mean Green. After looking carefully at the coaching staff, I realized something very interesting.

Way back in 2007, while I was suffering through a Todd Dodge lead 2-10 season, I remember watching South Florida play some very impressive games, and land the #2 BCS ranking in the first poll of the season. USF did stumble in the second half of the season, but still managed to finish 9-4 and play in the Sun Bowl that year.

It didn't take long to realize Dodge wasn't going to be the "Man" at UNT, and I remember thinking we needed to build a team and coaching staff like Jim Leavitt's.

The current North Texas team isn't the 2007 USF Bulls, but it does have some things in common...

Four of our current coaches were on that 2007 Bulls staff.
- Head Coach Dan McCarney was the DL coach
- OC Mike Canales was the QB coach
- OL Mike Simmonds was the OL coach
- Strength Coach Frank Wintrich was Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning

Our new DL coach was the USF DL coach in 2008

Is there another program with more coaches from the 2007 USF Bulls staff?

Personally, I believe coach Mac has brought many of the best aspects of the old USF program to North Texas. The North Texas defense was impressive in 2013, forcing turnovers and only giving up 17.8 points a game. The 2007 Bulls defense forced 42 turnovers and had a turnover margin of +9. They recovered 19 fumbles and had 23 interceptions. Also, the front seven only allowed 8 rushing TDs that season.

If coach Mac can keep these coaches together and improve recruiting, North Texas could be in for many seasons of success. Lets face it, Leavitt's staff at USF could coach.

I agree; the similarities between USF and UNT are overwhelming.

Hope we can recruit as well at North Texas. I think we'll find out this season.

BTW, has Leavitt surfaced anywhere? He was the guy many wanted to replace Dodge. But Mac is doing a good job for UNT.

(04-05-2014 05:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I agree; the similarities between USF and UNT are overwhelming.

Yikes

(04-05-2014 05:03 PM)Green Menace Wrote:  Hope we can recruit as well at North Texas. I think we'll find out this season.

BTW, has Leavitt surfaced anywhere? He was the guy many wanted to replace Dodge. But Mac is doing a good job for UNT.

Last I heard Leavitt was the LB coach for the 49ers. I was one of those people that wanted Leavitt, but I have to admit, I'm very happy with what Mac has done in his three season.

(04-05-2014 05:23 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 05:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I agree; the similarities between USF and UNT are overwhelming.

Yikes

What exactly do you mean by "Yikes"?

(04-05-2014 07:05 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 05:23 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 05:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I agree; the similarities between USF and UNT are overwhelming.

Yikes

What exactly do you mean by "Yikes"?

It's an exclamation of fear, or revulsion.

I'll try to explain it. Have you ever seen the episode of South Park where Cartman is trying to emulate the Cthulhu, and is singing songs about how great they are? He's just admiring and emulating them unabashedly, to the horror of everyone else. But he doesn't see what the problem is, and he is, in fact, a sort of junior Cthulhu, in his mentality and in the way he deals with others.

In the analogy I'm drawing, UNT is Cartman, USF is the Cthulhu, and the rest of us are the horrified townspeople.

(04-05-2014 07:28 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I'll try to explain it. Have you ever seen the episode of South Park where Cartman is trying to emulate the Cthulhu, and is singing songs about how great they are? He's just admiring and emulating them unabashedly, to the horror of everyone else. But he doesn't see what the problem is, and he is, in fact, a sort of junior Cthulhu, in his mentality and in the way he deals with others.

In the analogy I'm drawing, UNT is Cartman, USF is the Cthulhu, and the rest of us are the horrified townspeople.

Very funny post. Yes, what Andre says is what I meant by yikes. There I said it, I feel much better now.