COACH: Dan McCarney — At North Texas: 5-7, 1 year
OVERALL: 61-92, 13 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Canales
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: John Skladany
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2004
LAST BOWL: 2004, New Orleans
RETURNING STARTERS: 13; 8 offense, 3 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Derek Thompson, WR Brelan Chancellor, LB Zach Orr, P Will Atterberry
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: With so many starters back, it would seem as though the offense could be North Texas’ strength. Offense has never really been coach McCarney’s forte, but that side of the ball could be ahead of the defense next year.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: North Texas’ stats, on both sides of the ball, were among the worst in the nation. That can’t happen again if North Texas is to improve. McCarney has said he’s already seen significant improvement over last year. Whether that’s enough to get his team into bowl contention is another story.