North Texas: a football coaching history
See North Texas’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1953–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2025
Drew Svoboda Short tenure
2025 offense ranked in the 99th percentile nationally — elite
1-0
2023–2025
Eric Morris Steady ◆ COY
Eric Morris moved the Mean Green from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
2023 defense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad
+3.6 pts over 3 seasons · top 18% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Butch Jones’s Cincinnati run (2010–2012)
4th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Seth Littrell (2016–2022) · succeeded by Neal Brown (2026–now).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 5-7 | 6-7 | 11-2 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #98 | #70 | #112 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 50.8 | 59.3 | 48.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Jordan Davis | Jordan Davis | Jordan Davis | |
| DC | Matt Caponi | Matt Caponi | Skyler Cassity | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 75 | 59 | 99 | |
| Defense | 1 | 26 | 26 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 50.8 | 58.1 | 45.1 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 50.8 | 51.9 | 45.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 60.4 | 58.5 | 61.3 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
+32.9 pts
#11 of 208 · top quarter
Defense vs. talent
-27.9 pts
#196 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A portal-built roster.
Portal arrivals
69
3.0★ avg rating
Portal departures
100
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-31
#31 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′1″, 231 lbs
across 56 of 69 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
-2.1 lbs
#243 of 255 · bottom quarter
Avg. class year
Jr
#18 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: TX (28), CA (4), LA (4), MI (3), MS (3)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
53.7
position-weighted
Talent lost
57.4
position-weighted
Net
-3.7
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Chandler Morris (QB) from TCU
Biggest loss: Chandler Rogers (QB) to California
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
203 lbs
6′1″ avg · #635 of 767 · bottom quarter
Running back
204 lbs
5′11″ avg · #509 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
187 lbs
5′11″ avg · #650 of 791 · bottom quarter
Tight end
235 lbs
6′4″ avg · #667 of 731 · bottom quarter
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
301 lbs
6′4″ avg · #667 of 779 · bottom quarter
D-line
272 lbs
6′2″ avg · #628 of 753 · bottom quarter
Linebacker
228 lbs
6′1″ avg · #389 of 772 · middle half
Cornerback
183 lbs
5′11″ avg · #693 of 771 · bottom quarter
Safety
194 lbs
6′0″ avg · #244 of 346 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Edge via the portal
86%
#7 of 208 stints
Buys Safety via the portal
71%
#21 of 218 stints
Postseason detail2024: Lost to Texas State 28-30 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Coach of the Year: AAC Coach of the Year (2025)
+3.6
22-16
2016–2022
Seth Littrell Steady
Seth Littrell moved North Texas from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 7 seasons.
2020 defense ranked in the 0th percentile nationally — historically bad
+2.2 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 49% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Bill Cubit’s Western Michigan run (2005–2012)
6th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Dan McCarney (2011–2015) · succeeded by Eric Morris (2023–2025).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 5-8 | 9-5 | 9-4 | 4-8 | 4-6 | 6-7 | 7-6 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #102 | #115 | #101 | #75 | #68 | #80 | #116 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | 51.3 | 50.0 | 52.3 | 53.4 | 43.1 | 38.1 | 44.5 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||
| OC | Graham Harrell | Graham Harrell | Graham Harrell | Bodie Reeder / Tommy Mainord | Tommy Mainord / Mike Bloesch | Tommy Mainord / Mike Bloesch | Tommy Mainord / Mike Bloesch | |
| DC | Mike Ekeler / Troy Reffett | Troy Reffett | Troy Reffett | Troy Reffett | Clint Bowen | Phil Bennett | Jim Gush / Phil Bennett | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | 25 | 80 | 54 | 20 | 81 | 43 | 85 | |
| Defense | 56 | 18 | 55 | 32 | 0 | 68 | 10 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 50.2 | 48.1 | 49.7 | 49.0 | 38.9 | 29.2 | 39.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 35.6 | 40.8 | 51.1 | 51.6 | 31.0 | 26.0 | 36.8 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 41.9 | 42.2 | 34.8 | 36.1 | 39.4 | 58.7 | 42.5 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+13.4 pts
#54 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-9.1 pts
#145 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
21
2.9★ avg rating
Portal departures
41
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-20
#118 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′1″, 213 lbs
across 15 of 21 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
-0.6 lbs
#240 of 255 · bottom quarter
Avg. class year
Sr
#1 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: TX (9), SC (1), NV (1), KS (1), LA (1)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
48.8
position-weighted
Talent lost
51.8
position-weighted
Net
-3.0
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Grant Gunnell (QB) from Memphis
Biggest loss: Jason Bean (QB) to Kansas
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Graham Harrell → Bodie Reeder / Tommy Mainord (co) · 2019
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 49.7% → 49.0% (-0.7 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 84% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Bodie Reeder / Tommy Mainord (co) → Tommy Mainord (co) / Mike Bloesch (co) · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 49.0% → 38.9% (-10.1 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 49% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Mike Ekeler / Troy Reffett (co) → Troy Reffett · 2017
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Troy Reffett → Clint Bowen · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: Clint Bowen → Phil Bennett · 2021
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
214 lbs
6′2″ avg · #333 of 767 · middle half
Running back
206 lbs
5′9″ avg · #440 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
194 lbs
5′11″ avg · #336 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
242 lbs
6′3″ avg · #484 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
304 lbs
6′3″ avg · #581 of 779 · middle half
D-line
279 lbs
6′3″ avg · #498 of 753 · middle half
Linebacker
228 lbs
6′1″ avg · #413 of 772 · middle half
Cornerback
184 lbs
5′11″ avg · #672 of 771 · bottom quarter
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Quarterback via the portal
75%
#5 of 206 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2016: Lost to Army 31-38 Zaxby's Heart Of Dallas Bowl2017: Lost to Troy 30-50 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl2018: Lost to Utah State 13-52 New Mexico Bowl Presented By Progressive2020: Lost to App State 28-56 Myrtle Beach Bowl2021: Lost to Miami (OH) 14-27 Frisco Football Classic
1 NFL Draft pick: Jaelon Darden (2021)
1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Jaelon Darden (2020)
+2.2
44-44
2011–2015
Dan McCarney Steady
Dan McCarney moved the Mean Green from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
2015 offense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad
+5.1 pts over 5 seasons · top 13% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Hal Mumme’s Kentucky run (1997–2000)
7th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Todd Dodge (2007–2010) · succeeded by Seth Littrell (2016–2022).
| Season | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 5-7 | 4-8 | 9-4 | 4-8 | 0-5 | |
| Postseason | — | — | W bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #109 | #100 | #118 | #103 | #94 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 42.0 | 44.0 | 42.3 | 41.3 | 48.3 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | — | — | — | Mike Canales | Mike Canales | |
| DC | — | — | — | John Skladany | Chris Cosh | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 15 | 6 | 44 | 14 | 1 | |
| Defense | 36 | 34 | 65 | 39 | 12 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 35.5 | 28.8 | 34.0 | 36.0 | 40.2 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 39.1 | 28.7 | 22.2 | 29.8 | 37.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 31.4 | 19.0 | 20.0 | 10.3 | 32.5 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
-40.7 pts
#207 of 208 · bottom quarter
Defense vs. talent
-30.8 pts
#198 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Mike Canales → Mike Canales · 2015
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 36.0% → 40.2% (+4.2 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 72% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: John Skladany → Chris Cosh · 2015
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2013: Beat UNLV 36-14 Heart Of Dallas Bowl - Pres. By Plainscapital Bank
+5.1
22-32
2010
Mike Canales Short tenure
No outlier style signal this stint
2-3
2007–2010
Todd Dodge Steady
Todd Dodge slid the Mean Green from Regional Program V to Regional Program VI in 4 seasons.
Swung 20.0 points of pass rate — #35 of 449 FBS coaching stints since 2004
−4.5 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 39% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Rick Neuheisel’s Colorado run (1995–1998)
9th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Darrell Dickey (1998–2006) · succeeded by Mike Canales (2010).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 2-10 | 1-11 | 2-10 | 1-6 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #92 | #57 | #100 | #117 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 59.2 | 58.1 | 49.6 | 39.3 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 11 | 50 | 50 | 45 | |
| Defense | 57 | 36 | 44 | 40 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 50.6 | 52.1 | 45.0 | 32.5 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 47.7 | 47.4 | 33.3 | 38.2 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 61.8 | 40.0 | 27.3 | 30.4 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tackle from high school
100%
#198 of 223 stints
Grows Interior line from high school
100%
#198 of 224 stints
−4.5
6-37
1998–2006
Darrell Dickey Steady
Darrell Dickey moved North Texas from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 9 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
+6.7 pts over 9 seasons · top 28% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jeff Brohm’s Purdue run (2017–2022)
5th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Matt Simon (1995–1997) · succeeded by Todd Dodge (2007–2010).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 3-8 | 2-9 | 3-8 | 5-7 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 7-5 | 2-9 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | #85 | #98 | #108 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33.7 | 40.7 | 36.7 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 9 | 18 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 38 | 58 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31.9 | 52.8 | 31.0 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2001: Lost to Colorado State 20-45 Bowl2002: Beat Cincinnati 24-19 Bowl2003: Lost to Memphis 17-27 Bowl2004: Lost to Southern Miss 10-31 Bowl
1 NFL Draft pick: Cody Spencer (2004)
+6.7
42-64
1995–1997
Matt Simon Steady
Matt Simon held the Mean Green at Regional Program V for 3 seasons.
8th-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Corky Nelson (1982) · succeeded by Darrell Dickey (1998–2006).
Regional Program V
11-22
1982
Corky Nelson Short tenure
2-9
1973–1978
Hayden Fry Steady
Hayden Fry moved the Mean Green from Regional Program II to National Program III in 6 seasons.
+2.7 pts over 6 seasons · top 49% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Shawn Elliott’s Georgia State run (2017–2024)
3rd-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Rod Rust (1967–1972) · succeeded by Jerry Moore (1979–1980).
1 NFL Draft pick: Reginald Lewis (1979)
+2.7
38-25-3
1967–1972
Rod Rust Builder≈
Rod Rust raised the Mean Green from Regional Program IV to National Program III.
+13.8 pts over 6 seasons · top 10% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Urban Meyer’s Florida run (2005–2010)
1st-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Followed Odus Mitchell (1953–1966) · succeeded by Hayden Fry (1973–1978).
7 NFL Draft picks: Joe Greene (1969), Charles Beatty (1969), Cedrick Hardman (1970), Ron Shanklin (1970), Steve Ramsey (1970), Leonard Dunlap (1971), Willie Parker (1971)
+13.8
29-32-1
1953–1966
Odus Mitchell Steady
Odus Mitchell held the Mean Green at National Program III for 14 seasons.
2nd-best North Texas tenure of 9 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Rod Rust (1967–1972).
National Program III
69-63-7