A long time ago, a lanky good-looking fella from Odessa, Texas, wandered into the Park Cities area of affluent north Dallas and shook things up.
In 1962, coach Hayden Fry unveiled seemingly a five-year plan that would transform the SMU Mustangs back into football greats—a greatness that was shared by such legends as Doak Walker, Forrest Greg, and Raymond Berry.
As if on cue, the 1966 season proved out Fry's patience. The Mustangs went 8-3 in a tough Southwest Conference while setting offensive records, thanks to players like Chuck Hixson (QB) and receiver Jerry Levias, the second Afro-American player to take the field in the Southwest Conference.
Years later, both Fry and Levias would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame...together.
A five-year plan...hmm?
In Mesquite, Nevada, a retired and healthy Hayden Fry lives the good life with his wife Shirley. After a long and tough battle against prostrate cancer, Fry has allowed himself to be thankful and knows what the word "fortunate" entails.
Out of coaching 10 years now, Fry is nothing short of a miracle. In his first 69 years on earth, Coach Fry made and fulfilled countless promises to schools, colleges, and most of all, players and parents.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Even now, retired and out of coaching at Iowa, Hayden spends untold hours and days helping those stricken with the same demon that he beat recently—prostrate cancer. His contribution alone in this scope is a story all to itself.
A five-year plan...maybe?
If there was a market that took investments on the "college football futures," I have this "hoodoo voodoo" plan that transcends logic and good sense. My thinking is based on a retired super coach and a pair of coaches who both got to their present locations as fast as they could!
If this lanky, good-looking West Texan could inspire both of these young coaches, it would only seem like the closure of a great circle.
For the record, my "college football futures" money goes towards Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas.
You see, the coach with a common denominator is our aforementioned Hayden Fry. Yep, he coached at North Texas also, but by his fourth season there, his Eagles went 10-1!
A five-year plan...it's in the bank!
At SMU, enter new coach June Jones. Inked to a contract at two million dollars a year, Coach Jones inherits a state of the art on-campus football stadium, a very active and passionate alumni, and a deal with AD Steve Orsini that mentions a "five-year plan."
Jones is represented legally by agent Leigh Steinberg and apparently has Orsini's attention. Last week, Orsini said "no" to a deal which would have made him the AD at...Notre Dame.
Entering his second year at North Texas, Todd Dodge has had an influence on his Mean Green's 2008 schedule. After going 2-10 in '07, Dodge has decided to face Kansas St on the road, Tulsa at home, and a pretty good team from Baton Rouge by the name of LSU...on the road.
Look for a vastly improved offense this year, but keep an eye on 2010 and 2011. A new multi-million stadium is on the horizon, and recruiting is on the upswing. Todd Dodge knows that a tough schedule now translates into better players signing that dotted line in spring.
What would Hayden Fry think? Now in full retirement, he has time to watch his Mustangs, Mean Green Eagles, and Hawkeyes. One master, and two building programs not 30 miles apart.
Check the AP poll in 2011. I will be busy counting my "college football futures" money!
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4 months ago
Nice article on Coach Fry, but you may want to check your facts about Jerry Levias being the first "Afro-American" player to participate in a game in the south. Mr. Abner Haynes and a few others from North Texas would dispute that having taken the field almost 10 years earlier.
4 months ago
I believe Jerry Levias was the first African American player to play in the Southwest Conference.
4 months ago
Nice article on the great Hayden Fry. However, know that Abner Haynes(Kansas City Chiefs) and Leon King of the University of North Texas were the "first Afro-American player's to take the field in the South(State of Texas) in a major college game. In fact they preceded Jerry Levias of SMU by 10 years.
Rick
4 months ago
There was a non-scholarship Black player at Baylor by the name of Westbrook who preceded Jerry Levias in playing in the SWC.
from 4 months ago
Yup, John Westbrook. He played one week before Jerry Levias did. Not that anyone seems to care. Sad story, Westbrook. Still, Fry was the first to actively and successfully recruit a black football player to the SWC.
4 months ago
LeVias was the first black player to receive a scholarship in the SWC.
And while I agree with a lot of it, I don't see UNT and SMU being on the same footing in 5-10 years. If that happens there is something seriously wrong with the program at SMU and maybe they should just shut it down for good.
from 4 months ago
I understand your thinking on this. Honestly, the alumni of SMU can outduel UNT 10 - 1! SMU has a tradition that includes very successful programs in the past.
I do know personally Todd Dodge and I won't put anything past him, given a little time. We know that June is a proven commodity that will bring a winner back to The Hilltop.
Both schools depend on a similar demographics concerning recruits. Dodge took the college job in Denton knowing the staff and the community would give him 5 years. i think that Jones at SMU will prevail quicker than Dodge...but once UNT can taste a winning record, they can dominate their conference.
Randy
4 months ago
SMU has a tradition made on buying players and cheating. They had failed miserably for years until the 80's Pony Express. How ironic that the original Pony Express carried mail across the West, while SMU's carried bags of money.
Jones may be a proven commodity, but his overall record at Hawaii was not that impressive. I just don't see SMU ever reaching the heights their alumni think they deserve. They will never be on par with Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Texas Tech, etc... and will have trouble ever rising above a TCU program that is 30 miles to the West. Outside of the Highland Park/Park Cities area, Dallas doesn't support SMU.
North Texas, in my opinion, has far more potential being a public university, third largest in Texas, and a huge alumni base in the immediate area. If the administration continues with the committment to improve facilities, build a new football stadium, introduce baseball and increase budgets across the board, then there is no reason North Texas should not dominate their conference and be prepared should another conference come calling.
4 months ago
I am a Tech alum, but John sounds like your typical jealous NTS guy. They may get a new stadium in Denton, but to compare SMU's tradition and history with NT, is laughable. NT is still viewed as a comuter school, why else would they still be playing in the worst Division 1 stadium in America, if their alumni base cared? Go Red Raiders!
from 4 months ago
Yes Craig, the Athletic Director as well as Coach Todd Dodge have to be a little starry eyed as they try and gaze down the next 4 years. Knowing Dodge and his MO, I have to think he is going to have success not seen since the mid 70's.
3 months ago
As a current UNT student, a few things stick out here:
1) The new football stadium is being built in place of the new baseball team. No word on when the baseball team will happen now.
2) The offense is not what needs to be improved this year, whether you meant to say offense or defense I don't know. The offense was one of the best last year, mostly because of the spread offense
3) The recruiting class for this year was extremely good for any sun belt school. It was good for any other school.
from 3 months ago
Hey Ryan...funny, I played baseball there in 1977. Yes, Dodge had a great off season recruiting nice players! More to come!
On the offense...I think that it will improve for 2 reasons. One, the defense will step up and improve, giving the offense better opportunities. Second, when you look at a offense during their second season running a new offense scheme, they almost always improve greatly.
Randy
from 3 months ago
oh I didn't say it wouldn't improve, I'm just saying it was already pretty good. I agree with what you said, its all going to come down to the defense
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