Fred McCain (’48, ’49 M.S.), a major force in the development of the athletics program at UNT, died Feb. 26 in Denton. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned as quarterback for North Texas, playing on the 1946 team that went to the Optimist Bowl and leading the 1947 team to an appearance in the Salad Bowl and a 10-win season that is still a school record. He served as a football coach from 1950 to 1971, and as an assistant coach under Odus Mitchell helped break the color barrier by recruiting Abner Haynes and Leon King to the football program in 1956. He served as director of athletics in 1972 and again from 1982 to 1987, helping turn the football program around when he hired coach Corky Nelson. He also was director of the UNT Coliseum from 1973 to 1982. McCain was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. Survivors include his wife, Mary (’48, ’52 M.S.).
Fred McCain (’48, ’49 M.S.), a major force in the development of the athletics program at UNT, died Feb. 26 in Denton. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned as quarterback for North Texas, playing on the 1946 team that went to the Optimist Bowl and leading the 1947 team to an appearance in the Salad Bowl and a 10-win season that is still a school record. He served as a football coach from 1950 to 1971, and as an assistant coach under Odus Mitchell helped break the color barrier by recruiting Abner Haynes and Leon King to the football program in 1956. He served as director of athletics in 1972 and again from 1982 to 1987, helping turn the football program around when he hired coach Corky Nelson. He also was director of the UNT Coliseum from 1973 to 1982. McCain was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. Survivors include his wife, Mary (’48, ’52 M.S.).
