University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: The Case For Todd Dodge
12/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Steven Bartolotta, December 4, 2009, 10:44 a.m.
Tuesday night a decision had been made. No white smoke came up from the North Texas Athletic Center signaling the decision. Boomer wasn't fired to alert the local villagers that Todd Dodge would be back at North Texas as the head coach.
Despite a wild flurry of reports and blogs (all wrong and inaccurate) from every corner of Denton County since last Saturday there will be no changes going into the 2010 season at the head coaching position and subsequent parts of his staff.
I for one agree with the move. It doesn't come without risks for all parties involved. Rick V has made a choice to back a coach that has won five games in three years. And I will guarantee you will see that number in print until North Texas plays at Clemson next year about 531 times. And you should.
For me, the reasons to let Dodge have a fourth year are numerous.
A coach on this staff said a few years back at one-time that "we just don't have enough thumbs to plug all of the holes."
He was right. In 2007 the Mean Green was a shell of what it is right now. Heading into the 2010 season the Mean Green finally has enough thumbs to plug a lot of holes, but more importantly start climbing the ladder of success.
Dodge has brought in the talent that the Mean Green has lacked for the last few years. Now it's his job to get the most out of that talent. That's code for start winning.
It has taken time for that to happen, too long for all parties involved, but the overwhelming feeling about this year was things were just a play or two away from progress indeed being shown.
No reason to bore you with a lot of chatter as to why North Texas will be better because everyone knows why.
On offense, there is going to be more talent in 2010 than there ever has been under Dodge. Across the board this offense has the potential to average 30 points or more a game. On defense, progress has been made, but a bigger leap forward is needed.
This biggest hurdle I think facing this team in 2010 isn't on the field. It's off the field and it's called apathy. I must confess, I was guilty of it this year. I was more dialed into what my high school alma mater was doing in the playoffs than my college alma mater.
That has to change in 2010. When Rick V speaks of everyone getting on board and supporting this staff and team in 2010 its not lip service, it has to happen. Sitting around and waiting for a train wreck to happen helps nothing in 2010 and beyond.
For North Texas to return to relevance in the college football world Dodge, his staff, and his kids, need everyone to climb on board. If not, this program will be what former Confederate soldiers (I'm a big history guy) said about the Civil War years later. A lost cause.
I don't know anyone who wants that to happen and it's no time for apathy to overrun what's being built right now. You can't hire a coach to a five-year contract and say we are only going to give you 60 percent of that time to fix things. He needs another season. Winning is the bottom line in this business and that is what 2010 has to be about.
