What Is 2014 North Texas Mean Green football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 3-9 overall record under head coach Dan Lanning. They competed in Conference USA's West Division and played home games at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas.

Key Facts

Team finished with a 3-9 overall record in the 2014 season
Played in Conference USA's West Division
Head coach Dan Lanning led the team
Home games held at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas
Scored 239 total points (19.9 per game)

Overview

The 2014 North Texas Mean Green football team represented the University of North Texas during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in Conference USA’s West Division, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Dan Lanning, who was in his first full season, the Mean Green aimed to rebuild the program after previous struggles. The season was marked by offensive challenges and defensive lapses, with the team scoring just 19.9 points per game on average while allowing 35.8 points per contest.

Overall record: The team finished 3-9, marking one of the more difficult seasons in program history due to poor offensive execution and defensive breakdowns.
Conference performance: North Texas went 2-6 in Conference USA play, placing fifth in the West Division behind teams like Louisiana Tech and Rice.
Head coach: Dan Lanning served as head coach in 2014, taking over after the departure of previous coach Todd Dodge, but resigned mid-season due to performance issues.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas, which has a seating capacity of approximately 30,000.
Scoring output: The Mean Green scored 239 total points across 12 games, averaging 19.9 points per game, one of the lowest in the conference.

Season Structure and Performance

The 2014 season followed the standard NCAA FBS schedule, with a 12-game regular season and no postseason bowl appearance due to the team’s losing record. The Mean Green opened the season with a loss to Ball State and never secured a winning streak.

September 6, 2014: Suffered a 41-17 loss to Ball State in their season opener, setting a tone of defensive vulnerability early on.
October 4, 2014: Secured their first win by defeating Florida International 35-20, showcasing brief offensive improvement.
November 8, 2014: Lost 52-31 to Southern Miss, highlighting ongoing struggles in containing high-powered passing attacks.
Defensive stats: Allowed 429.6 yards per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in total defense.
Offensive leaders: Quarterback Alec Morris threw for 1,136 yards and 7 touchdowns, leading a turnover-prone offense.
Season finale: Ended the year with a 48-10 loss to UTEP, finishing with a four-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 North Texas Mean Green compared to other Conference USA West teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
LA Tech	8-5	6-2	34.8	25.6
Rice	7-6	5-3	27.2	28.9
UTEP	7-6	5-3	25.8	24.2
North Texas	3-9	2-6	19.9	35.8
Tulane	3-9	1-7	20.3	33.1

The table illustrates that while North Texas was competitive in scoring with Tulane, their defense allowed the second-most points per game in the division. Their offensive inefficiency and lack of depth contributed to their low win total compared to peers.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a pivotal year for the North Texas football program, highlighting the need for major changes in coaching, recruiting, and player development. The poor performance led to a coaching overhaul and set the stage for future rebuilding efforts.

Coaching changes: Dan Lanning’s struggles prompted a mid-season reevaluation, eventually leading to the hiring of new leadership in subsequent years.
Recruiting focus: The team intensified efforts to attract junior college talent to improve depth and immediate competitiveness.
Program reputation: The losing season affected fan attendance and morale, with average home game attendance dropping below 20,000.
Conference standing: North Texas’s poor record weakened their influence within Conference USA’s scheduling and media negotiations.
Player development: Several underclassmen gained experience, laying groundwork for future seasons despite the losing record.
Long-term impact: The 2014 season became a benchmark for measuring future improvement, culminating in a bowl appearance just two years later in 2016.

Ultimately, the 2014 campaign served as a low point that underscored the urgency for structural changes, eventually contributing to a more competitive era for the Mean Green in the late 2010s.