Meyer says McCarney has "a proven track record as a head coach'' as North Texas makes it official
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 | Football, Scott Carter
The sight of Dan McCarney taking his normal afternoon walk up and down the stairs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is a familiar one in the fall.
McCarney has new stairs to climb next season.
North Texas made it official on Tuesday, introducing McCarney as the program's new head coach. McCarney has spent the past three seasons as an assistant for Gators coach Urban Meyer.
“I'm happy for Coach McCarney and his family,'' Meyer said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. “He has a proven track record as a head coach and we were fortunate to have him on our staff for the last three years. He did a great job with our defensive line and I fully expect him to be successful at North Texas.''
McCarney leaves UF to take over program that is opening a new $78 million stadium next season.
This is McCarney's first head-coaching job since a 12-season stint at Iowa State from 1995-2006.
“The ability to help start a new chapter in this tremendously proud program is exciting and I am looking forward to returning it to a championship level,'' McCarney told North Texas' official website. “I will pour my heart and soul into this job and I will wake up every morning and go to bed each night proud to be a member of the Mean Green family.''
McCarney is keeping a familiar face on his staff: former USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales, who went 2-3 as North Texas' interim coach following the firing of Todd Dodge. Canales, who just completed his first season at North Texas, will be McCarney's offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and associate head coach.
McCarney and Canales served on Jim Leavitt's staff together at USF in 2007.
