Got a little too involved in last night's men's basketball game and forgot to throw up here that UNT running backs coach Shelton Gandy will take on additional duties as special teams coach next season. Todd Dodge said earlier this week that whoever replaces departed Robert Drake as defensive tackles coach will tend only to that position, not special teams as Drake did.
Gandy has some previous special-teams coaching experience at two other schools, and he must get UNT to not look like a bad high school unit anymore. They're the reason UNT was tagged, statistically, by the NCAA as last (119th) in scoring defense, though UNT's actual defense allowed 71 TDs to Washington State's 72 (yes, we're splitting hairs). UNT allowed three scores on kickoff returns and two on punt returns. Credit UNT's offense with giving up two TDs on interception returns.
Who will work specifically with UNT's punters and kickers is on hold. Kicking-game coordinator Chris Seroka, who doubled as roving strength coach for the entire athletic department, has moved to full-time strength trainer for non-football sports. UNT this week hired football-dedicated strength coach Aaron Ausmus, so Seroka's job has taken on new descriptions, including many related to men's basketball.
Seroka's knowledge as a former college kicker came in handy, but it remains to be seen if he'll continue to lend it. He and Gandy are close friends, so best guess is he might find the time if it's there. As a former running back, Gandy lacks any kicking expertise.
Good luck to Mark Barrow, who departed as UNT's director of football operations to return home to California, which he left two years ago to work at UNT. Barrow's brother is well-known CBS Sports producer and Colleyville resident Lance Barrow. I remember the first time I met Mark Barrow, the day he said I couldn't enter Fouts Field for a closed fall scrimmage in 2007 after some, well, miscommunication. After that, I actually got to know him. He never, once, missed a chance to stop, say hi and chat about whatever. Enjoy the beach, Mark.
--Troy Phillips
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