University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Opens McCarney Era Thursday
8/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
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DENTON, Texas - The wait is almost over and the Dan McCarney era at North Texas begins Thursday night as the Mean Green opens the 2011 season on the road at FIU. The game can be seen on ESPN3 and heard on the Mean Green Radio Network.
McCarney is back on the sidelines as a head coach for the first time since 2006. McCarney was the head coach at Iowa State for 12 seasons, taking the Cyclones to five bowl games.
He was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2004. He spent one season at South Florida in 2007 and three seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at Florida, helping the Gators win the BCS National Championship in 2008.
The Mean Green opens the 2011 season on the road against the defending Sun Belt Conference Co-Champions FIU Golden Panthers. The Mean Green is coming off a 3-9 season and a 3-5 record in Sun Belt Conference play. FIU posted a 7-6 record last season and won the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl over Toledo 34-32.
North Texas won the first two meetings of the series against FIU, but the Golden Panthers have won the last four matchups
The Mean Green opens the season on the road for the 10th straight season. It is the first time that North Texas is playing a conference opponent to open the year out since 2005. That year the Mean Green won 14-7 at Middle Tennessee.
North Texas is 37-55-3 all-time in the season debut. The Mean Green has won just two season-openers in the last 14 years, a 14-7 win at Middle Tennessee in 2005 and a 20-10 victory at Ball State in 2009.
The North Texas Athletics Department is hosting a watch party on Thursday night. Fans can watch the game at Apogee Stadium on Thursday on the videoboard. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the stadium will have the concessions stands open.
