More Bad News at UNT

[Drag Goon]

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/947023.html

UNT loses another receiver after sophomore quits
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STAR-TELEGRAM/STEWART F. HOUSE/Stewart F. House
UNT coach Todd Dodge will have to fill a big hole in the Mean Green's spread offense.


DENTON — North Texas receiver Sam Dibrell said he went to practice Tuesday knowing it would be his last. Dibrell informed UNT coach Todd Dodge afterward that for him, football was over.

“It’s time for me to go to the next phase of my life,” said Dibrell, UNT’s second-leading receiver who left the team late Tuesday. “It was my personal decision. There was no conflict between me and any of the coaches, just a decision I had to make.”

Dibrell, a sophomore who helped lead San Antonio Alamo Heights to a Class 4A state championship in 2006, leaves a gaping hole on the right side of UNT’s spread offense. At right outside receiver, Dibrell had 24 catches this season and 52 in two seasons.

Right inside receiver Casey Fitzgerald has 31 catches, and the next highest total for UNT is nine by Riley Dodge.

“It was definitely his choice,” Todd Dodge said. “He was not removed from this team. There was no suspension. What was said is between me and him, and I’ll not divulge that.”

Dibrell, a communications major who said he’s interested in the oil-and-gas industry, said he has no ambition about playing professional football. He said Dodge and quarterback Giovanni Vizza, a close friend and teammate at Alamo Heights, were understanding.

Asked about speculation that Dibrell violated team or school policy and faced a potential suspension, Dibrell said neither rumor was true and that he was set to start Saturday.

“At this time, I wasn’t necessarily happy with football,” he said. “It’s not what I wanted anymore. It’ll be painful watching the game Saturday, but I’ll get through that. I can’t say I’ll want to come back, though.”

Senior Roderick Johnson or sophomore Breece Johnson will start, and the two will share the right outside receiver spot. They have a combined seven catches this season.

“That’s the life we live as coaches,” Dodge said, having now lost seven receivers since fall camp. “You plug others in and go forward.”


Dwindling numbers at wideout

UNT has lost seven wide receivers since the beginning of fall camp:
Korey Washington Kicked off team

Evan Fentriss Career-ending injury

Jamel Jackson Injury

Forrest Rucker Injury

Marcus King Quit team

Evan Walker Suspended indefinitely

Sam Dibrell Quit team




Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

[tayb]

I must have missed the good news portion...

[theTrutHurts]

In a spread offense? Receivers quitting? You've got your high school QB throwing to you, and you quit? Those who quit will eventually regret it and think of what might have been. I suppose Dibrell simply felt that he did not have the talent or ability to play professionally. You never know....with hard work anything is possible....

Hard work beats talent if talent does not work hard

[DrEdward]

Who knows what is going on in this situation? I am glad that Todd honored the young man's privacy and would not discuss it further other than what he said. Of course, I would expect nothing less. For those who have never experienced college life while playing football, it is an extraordinary commitment of time and effort, especially if a player takes his academic work seriously. It could be something as simple as that and, if so, then while he may someday regret it, he at least has his priorities in order. We all see way too many college athletes forget that they are supposed to be student athletes first.

[twcpfan1]

Who knows what is going on in this situation? I am glad that Todd honored the young man's privacy and would not discuss it further other than what he said. Of course, I would expect nothing less. For those who have never experienced college life while playing football, it is an extraordinary commitment of time and effort, especially if a player takes his academic work seriously. It could be something as simple as that and, if so, then while he may someday regret it, he at least has his priorities in order. We all see way too many college athletes forget that they are supposed to be student athletes first.

Where did you play College ball, Doc? Could not have been at MIT. Although, did you not go to Virginia Tech too?

[DrEdward]

Where did you play College ball, Doc? Could not have been at MIT. Although, did you not go to Virginia Tech too?

Virginia Tech, a very long time ago - late 60s under Jerry Claiborne. My knees say it was even longer ago. I was sort of on a "Tech" theme. But MIT actually does have an intercollegiate football team. I helped out a bit there when I was on a post doc. I must admit, the practices and games in Cambridge were not like what I had previously experienced at VT.

[HebronHawk]

Virginia Tech, a very long time ago - late 60s under Jerry Claiborne. My knees say it was even longer ago. I was sort of on a "Tech" theme. But MIT actually does have an intercollegiate football team. I helped out a bit there when I was on a post doc. I must admit, the practices and games in Cambridge were not like what I had previously experienced at VT.

Could the MIT team win a game against a good Texas HS football team?

[Sakatha]

As easy as it is for everyone who isn't playing to say it wouldn't affect them, I assume getting 70 hung on you week in and week out is pretty heartbreaking... I wouldn't be shocked if he just flat out said 'enough is enough'...

It's depressing to know that your offense might score 60+ and still freaking lose...

~DnM

[farmerfan]

It's depressing to know as an alum that we still have a football team.
Maybe we need to drop football and put more focus on our music department or something. I'm sure they are underfunded.:mad:

[StrongDog]

I can understand coming from a championship high school team, and then playing for North Texas, who struggles to keep the game within 20 points every week. That would make players think about giving it up.

As a former player though I can't help but think he will regret it sometime later on. Dibrell was only a sophomore, Dodge might of turned things around later on. But Dibrell knew much more than I do about the program. All I'm saying is once my playing days were over, I wanted them back.

[chunky79]

Could the MIT team win a game against a good Texas HS football team?

mit could probably beat unt

[svhorns]

yea... that team is a disaster...

[dragonsdaddy]

Virginia Tech, a very long time ago - late 60s under Jerry Claiborne. My knees say it was even longer ago. I was sort of on a "Tech" theme. But MIT actually does have an intercollegiate football team. I helped out a bit there when I was on a post doc. I must admit, the practices and games in Cambridge were not like what I had previously experienced at VPI.
fify

[DragonFan0316]

yea... that team is a disaster...

They made a poor choice. Dodge was a mediocre HS coach before SLC. He needed more time as an underling in college before he got a head job. It is showing. Connecting with kids at one level doesn't mean you can connect at the next. Sports are full of these examples. He did get them nice looking uniforms.

[dragonsdaddy]

They made a poor choice. Dodge was a mediocre HS coach before SLC. He needed more time as an underling in college before he got a head job. It is showing. Connecting with kids at one level doesn't mean you can connect at the next. Sports are full of these examples. He did get them nice looking uniforms.

i beg to differ. he had mediocre results in each of his 2 year stints at previously rotten programs. he had relatively mediocre results(for slc) in his first 2 years there, too(5 losses each). what he needs are some athletes, as he proved at every stop so far.

[DrEdward]

fify

I still have stuff around here that says Virginia Polytechnic Institute on it, including my class ring and a notebook or two. Shoot, I even have some textbooks that still bear the stamp V.P.I.A.A. on them - a legacy of a time when text books were actually affordable and included as part of an athletic scholarship. (Really dates me doesn't it.) But the old letter jacket has the former VT monogram as does the helmet - both no longer used, like me.

[Firebird]

i beg to differ. he had mediocre results in each of his 2 year stints at previously rotten programs. he had relatively mediocre results(for slc) in his first 2 years there, too(5 losses each). what he needs are some athletes, as he proved at every stop so far.

And it's at least 1/2 of a great college coach's job to get those athletes. Coaching HS and being the exec of a college program are two different things. A completely different skill set. He did a good job with his first recruiting class, we'll see if he can keep the excitement up through this terrible season.

[GameTyme]

I agree getting 70 hung on you on a consistant basis might have had something. but ill take the kids word for it. As long as he finishes and gets his degree then I doubt he will regret anything.

[chhspantherfan]

I still have stuff around here that says Virginia Polytechnic Institute on it, including my class ring and a notebook or two. Shoot, I even have some textbooks that still bear the stamp V.P.I.A.A. on them - a legacy of a time when text books were actually affordable and included as part of an athletic scholarship. (Really dates me doesn't it.) But the old letter jacket has the former VT monogram as does the helmet - both no longer used, like me.

Humbled in your presence, sir. A true scholar athlete.

:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

As for TD and the UNT gig, lipstick on a pig anyone? Great uniforms does not a team make. Give him 5 years to recruit, 3 to figure it out and 2 to make it happen. That means this next year is his final learning curve year and we begin to see progress. Any other explanation does not give the man time to get it done at a school with more music tradition than football tradition.

[lonny23]

As easy as it is for everyone who isn't playing to say it wouldn't affect them, I assume getting 70 hung on you week in and week out is pretty heartbreaking... I wouldn't be shocked if he just flat out said 'enough is enough'...

It's depressing to know that your offense might score 60+ and still freaking lose...

~DnM
I hate losing, but you sure don't quit teams because you're losing. You just work harder to win.

[lonny23]

It's depressing to know as an alum that we still have a football team.
Maybe we need to drop football and put more focus on our music department or something. I'm sure they are underfunded.:mad:
UNT has the size and money to be one of the best Sun Belt teams. If they had stability, they could eventually move up to C-USA, the WAC, or MWC.

It takes time to change team philosophies and maybe they got the wrong coach. I wouldn't give up hope yet.

[the_phoenix612]

It's depressing to know as an alum that we still have a football team.
Maybe we need to drop football and put more focus on our music department or something. I'm sure they are underfunded.:mad:

we're building a brand new stadium:eek:

[chhspantherfan]

I hate losing, but you sure don't quit teams because you're losing. You just work harder to win.


while i agree with the premise, i find difficulty in the view of the modern day athlete. We have reduced the mentality to a pro or nothing perspective. Woe is us. Woe is us. The athletes that stil believe in virtue, practice, and performance; seek you goal and attain. For those so blemished by bling, study to find yourself educated. Sports are the proving grounds for leaders not celebrities. IMHO

[Sakatha]

I hate losing, but you sure don't quit teams because you're losing. You just work harder to win.

Look, I agree... As I *sit* here in front of a monitor and type it, I agree. I was on horrible teams when I played, but I never lost games where we scored 60 points, and I NEVER had my team give up roughly an average of 45-50/game... It's got to be disheartening..

~DnM

[TheBigPeach]

what happend to Fentris?

[dragonsdaddy]

what happend to Fentris?

bad knee injury. supposedly, career-ending.

[wesaxman34]

I didn't know my fellow Trojan, Marcus King quit....anybody know the story on that?

[theTrutHurts]

UNT has played four solid opponents thus far. They are a young team, and it is early in the season. Give Dodge some time; he'll figure it out.
The Navy game last year is 49-45 at half...you only score 13 in the second half....you're going to lose Navy puts up 29
Ark. ST - 31 -27.......21 - 7 at half UNT leading.... 2nd half 24-6

FAU vs. UNT 17 - 10 at half UNT leading.... 20 - 3 2nd half FAU wins 30-20

UNT vs. SMU 17 - 14 SMU leads at half..... 28 - 17 2nd half....SMU wins 45-31
UNT vs. LL 14-12 LL leading at half...... 24-17 2nd half....LL wins 38-29

Even in a game they won vs. LM 21-0 UNT leading at half 21-10 LL takes the 2nd half UNT wins 31-21

Midd Tenn - 30 - 21 at half MT leading 18 - 7 after half MT wins 48-28


The win over W. Kent is the only game in which the Mean Green outscored the opponent in the second half

So.....either the players aren't in shape....probably not....Coaches are adjusting better to Dodge and his play calling and the D is not the same as his SLC defenses and I would have to say that it is that the coaches are simply better at making adjustments in college at half where as they were overmatched in high school

Making adjustments at half time is obviously the key to winning in Division 1 football!

[ScottTSU4]

Guess I've been out of the loop. Didn't know that about Evan Fentriss. Why is Evan Walker suspended? Grades?

[chhspantherfan]

Guess I've been out of the loop. Didn't know that about Evan Fentriss. Why is Evan Walker suspended? Grades?

good question.

[HSFanatic]

They made a poor choice. Dodge was a mediocre HS coach before SLC. He needed more time as an underling in college before he got a head job. It is showing. Connecting with kids at one level doesn't mean you can connect at the next. Sports are full of these examples. He did get them nice looking uniforms.
Agree TD should have taken a job as offensive coordinator at a more prominant university (perhaps TA&M) where if he successfully installed a good spread offense, it would have boosted his career and set him up for a big time job much sooner. This failure at UNT is tarnishing his reputation so bad he may not get over it. Last year at least the offense scored at record levels and they were in close games. This year the offense is almost as bad as the defense.

As for the uniforms, they look identical to Carroll HS uniforms.

[slorch]

They made a poor choice. Dodge was a mediocre HS coach before SLC. He needed more time as an underling in college before he got a head job. It is showing. Connecting with kids at one level doesn't mean you can connect at the next. Sports are full of these examples. He did get them nice looking uniforms.

that's like having a really expensive suit to be buried in.

What difference did it make?:confused::D

[chunky79]

that's like having a really expensive suit to be buried in.

What difference did it make?:confused::D
:notworthy

[tayb]

Apparently the student body at UNT is being given a vote as to whether or not they want a new stadium. Regardless of how the vote goes they are going to "get" a new stadium but if they vote YES their tuition will be increased by $10 per hour starting in 2010. Doesn't seem like too much you are talking about $1,200 over a four year degree... per student...

I saw some concept images of the new stadium and for some strange reason it looked full...