PonyFans.com

from The Tennessean Newspaper; by Maurice Patton.

If one of Kacy Rodgers' friends mentions ''dream job,'' they aren't referring to the ESPN show.

That's how the Humboldt, Tenn., native thinks of the football coaching vacancy at Tennessee State.

''Everybody that knows me would say something like that,'' said Rodgers, now defensive tackles coach with the Dallas Cowboys. ''I've always said that as long as I've been coaching.''

A former player at the University of Tennessee, Rodgers is in his first season with the Cowboys after previous stints at Arkansas, Middle Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe and Tennessee-Martin.

However, he plans to pursue the opening created by the Nov. 27 firing of TSU alumnus James Reese, who posted a 24-33 record over five seasons.

''All the tradition there, all the great players that came out of there — I'd think it'd be an attractive situation for anyone,'' the 37-year-old said. ''I remember one time I lost a kid I was recruiting to them, and they didn't even have a head coach.

''It's just a case where I've always kept an eye on the program and always kept up with it.''

Rodgers is hardly alone in his thoughts about the TSU position.

North Texas assistant Ramon Flanigan, who at age 30 is the youngest offensive coordinator in NCAA Division I-A, is among others who are fascinated by it.

''As you watch different programs throughout the country, the idea of a predominantly black program in a conference that is not is intriguing,'' Flanigan said as the Mean Green prepares for its New Orleans Bowl appearance against Southern Miss. ''It's a great area and a great recruiting base, and with the administration that's in place there, it's got great potential for success.''

Prior to joining the North Texas coaching staff, Flanigan starred at Southern Methodist from 1992-97 and as a senior led the Mustangs to their only winning season since 1986.

''I've been on a fast track, on and off the field, to a leadership position,'' he said. ''I've been placed in some good situations by my head coach (Darrell Dickey), and that's gotten me a little ahead of the curve.''

Meanwhile, North Carolina assistant head coach James Webster confirmed Tuesday he has applied for the vacancy.

''I feel it's an excellent opportunity for someone to come in and work hard and get it turned around,'' said Webster, 54, whose Tar Heels face a Dec. 30 matchup with Boston College in the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte.

''If you go back and look at the history of the school and the history of the program — everybody wants to be involved in a program that has had success. Mrs. Phillips (Athletics Director Teresa Phillips) and everybody in connection with the program wants to have success, and that's where it all starts.''

Others that have expressed interest in the position, which will close next week, include: NFL and collegiate coaching veteran Hubbard Alexander; Southwest Missouri State assistant Ron Dickerson Jr.; Florida A&M Coach Billy Joe; North Carolina A&T defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee; Grambling interim coach Melvin Spears; and Bacone (Okla.) College defensive coordinator Mike Vite.

http://www.tennessean.com/sports/tsu/ar ... D=62525416

...not sure Ramon would be a good communicator...I've had to read his first quote 3 times, and I still don't know what he means....

It means a black school in a conference that is not made up of black schools is interesting.

Ramon would be a fantastic coach.

Great quote on your signature line, leopold. Some of the good stuff, right?

Why would Ramon be a fantastic coach?

HixsontoLeVias is a racist. It’s a shame he says some of things he does. As an outsider I’m sorry for SMU.

Hixonto Levias,

Ramon would be a great coach. Look what he has done at UNT, it would have been smart for SMU to bring him on board as the Off Coordinator last year, but then again, that would have made too much sense. And by the announcement made yesterday we don't tend to do anything that makes alot of sense.

That's right, I'm a racist. for sure.......glad you have finally acknowledged that..now, go away, so I can continue my racist ways.....

Its pretty funny that a guy who has never written a complete grammatically correct sentence on this board under several monikers questions the communication skills of Ramon Flanigan. Have you ever read your own trash?

It seems strange that you would suggest someone whose moniker is Hixon to Levias (the first black football player in the SWC) is a racist. I think we are a bit oversensitive. My take was that he was just questioning his quote.

And what the heck does "Insider lookin in" mean?

I'm just wondering where his usual 'tag line' of "Long live (insert an SMU coach or player name here)" went!!!!!!!!!! Did he run out of names?

Stallion, you kill me...why don't you go down to Stan's, munch on a pickled egg, and hang out with all the friends I saw you with at the Tulsa game, or, maybe you could go over to Cockrell and give a "changing your sheets" lesson to the freshman class.