The 2023 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas as a member of American Athletic Conference (The American) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Eric Morris. The Mean Green played their home games at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas. The North Texas Mean Green football team drew an average home attendance of 17,761 in 2023.

Previous season

The 2022 team, the Mean Green's last season as a member of Conference USA (C-USA), finished the regular season with a record of 7–5, going 6–2 in C-USA play to finish second in the conference, tied with Western Kentucky. North Texas was selected for the C-USA Championship Game based on tiebreakers, having defeated Western Kentucky 40–13 in the regular season and played at UTSA (who would also be departing C-USA for the American), losing 27–48. Two days after the championship game head coach Seth Littrell was fired. The Mean Green were invited to the Frisco Bowl with defensive coordinator Phil Bennett serving as the team's interim head coach for the bowl game. North Texas played Boise State in the bowl game, losing 32–35 to finish the season with an overall record of 7–7.

Offseason

Coaching changes

After 7 seasons, on December 4, 2022, the Mean Green fired head coach Seth Littrell.

On December 13, 2022, the Mean Green hired Eric Morris to be their next head coach, he will be the team's 20th head coach. He was previously the offensive coordinator for Washington State.

On December 28, 2022, the Mean Green hired Chris Gilbert as their assistant head coach he will also coach the tight ends. Also on December 28 they added Drew Svoboda as their special teams coach and associate head coach, Patrick Cobbs as the running backs coach, and Sean Brophy as the quarterback's coach. Additionally, they hired Rolando Surita as their chief of staff.

The next day on December 29, 2022, the Mean Green made five hires. They hired Matt Caponi as their defensive coordinator and cornerback's coach, Jordan Davis as their offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, and Colby Kratch as their linebacker's coach. They also named Bryan Kegans the Director of Strength & Conditioning, and Justin Owens as their Director of Recruiting.

And on December 30, 2022, the Mean Green made the last of their hirings naming Clay Jennings as their safeties coach and Demerick Gary as their defensive line coach.

Schedule

North Texas and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) announced the 2023 football schedule on February 21, 2023.

Game summaries

vs California

at FIU

at Louisiana Tech

vs Abilene Christian

at Navy

vs Temple

at No. 23 Tulane

vs Memphis

vs UTSA

at SMU

at Tulsa

vs UAB

References


North Texas Football in 2023 Football program, Football recruiting

North Texas, ESPN resolve dispute over “Mean Green” name used in promo

North Texas Mean Green Football Tickets 202526 North Texas Schedule

North Texas Football Looks to Rebound with the Mean Green Traveling to

North Texas High School Football 2023 Week 6 Highlights