Clint Bowen will not return as North Texas's defensive coordinator, the program announced Friday.
“Clint and I had some discussions and decided together that the best move for all involved was to part ways,” head coach Seth Littrell said in a statement. “This was a difficult season to navigate for everyone, and that was no different in our case. I think Coach Bowen is very good coach, but sometimes, for a variety of reasons, things don’t work out the way you plan. I want to thank Coach Bowen for what he put into our program this past year, and wish him and his family the best in the future.”
Bowen completed one season leading UNT's defense. The new coordinator will be the fourth in Littrell's six seasons in Denton; Mike Ekeler ran the unit for one season, Troy Reffett for three and then Bowen.
Bowen has now deposited two one-year stints as North Texas's defensive coordinator, having also run the defense for the 2011 season. A former Kansas player, he has been on the Jayhawk staff for all but four seasons of his 25-year career.
North Texas finished 122nd in yards per play and 125th in scoring this season, allowing 42.8 points per game. The Mean Green closed the year by surrendering 56 points and 500 rushing yards in a Myrtle Beach Bowl loss to Appalachian State.
Littrell exchanged both coordinators after the 2019 season, installing himself as offensive coordinator. That move worked, as the Mean Green went from 59th to 22nd in yards per play despite losing Mason Fine, the best quarterback in school history, after the 2019 campaign.
But the defense has been UNT's Achilles heel in recent years. The program is 8-14 over the past two seasons after going 18-9 in 2017-18.
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