Canales Close to Deal with North Texas

Posted Jan 27, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jan 27, 2010 at 01:20 AM

Former USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales has had a difficult month.

He lost his job when new USF head coach Skip Holtz took over the program, and his wife Carol’s father has been seriously ill in Mississippi.

However, it appears Canales will be named new offensive coordinator at North Texas once a deal can be finalized, which is expected by the end of the week.

The Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle is reporting multiple sources close to the program are saying the deal is done.

Canales’ name has been linked to openings at Minnesota, Arizona and Florida International since his status became uncertain when USF fired Jim Leavitt on Jan. 8.

After grooming redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels last season at USF, Canales will have another young quarterback to work with at North Texas, whose head coach is Todd Dodge.

Dodge’s son, redshirt freshman QB Riley Dodge, initially committed to Texas, but when his father took over the Mean Green, Riley Dodge opted to play for his dad at tiny North Texas despite being considered one of the nation’s top QB recruits.

In his first season as the Mean Green’s starter, Riley Dodge threw for 1,975 yards and nine TDs.

Former North Texas offensive coordinator Todd Ford resigned Jan. 13 to become head coach at Cedar Ridge High in Round Rock, Texas. Dodge’s 2009 salary was $93,700 according to USA Today, so money is believed to be the primary hold-up.

Canales made $200,000 last season at USF. Dodge, who just completed his fourth seaosn at North Texas, made $280,000 in 2009. Dodge’s defensive coordinator, Gary DeLoach, was North Texas’ highest-paid assistant in 2009 at $105,300.

Stay tuned.