Question

[Mickey]

If SMU is so young and inexperienced with 41 frosh on squad, why dont we sign some JUCOS? We have been young for the last 15 years. I am tired of that excuse! Fix the problem and sign some JUCOS. The coaches are supposed to have all kinds of contacts in this arena.

[This message has been edited by Mickey (edited 09-20-2003).]

[Ikus]

Coach Bennett is a big believer in signing HS players who can play for four years. A few JUCOs might be a stopgap measure, but it's sort of like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole.

[Stallion]

IKUS that simply not true-he is blowing smoke up your [deleted] because he can't get them into school. Honestly, do you guys really believe everything you are told by this school? Heck Jim Gush is a former JC Head Coach who was brought to K-ST because of his connections. Phil Bennett has always coached and coordinated at programs that use a heavy dose of JC players.

[Ikus]

True, but if you work for Bill Snyder and he hands you a roster full of JUCOs, of course you're going to coach them if you want to stay employed. No, I don't believe everything I'm told by this school - been around it way too long to be that naive. But I had a conversation with Coach Bennett once, and he detailed his preference for high school recruits. He said he "might" add a JUCO or two if the circumstances were right, but was adamant about the fact that that was not the way he preferred to build a program.

[Stallion]

Yeah he preferred to do it that way SO HE CAN KEEP HIS JOB. He has never ever worked at a job that had anything but minimum NCAA requirements at each of his 5-6 stops.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 09-21-2003).]

[Charleston Pony]

Bennett can afford to believe in building the program with H.S. players because doesn't he have a 5 yr contract? That's how long it's going to take to compete with top 25 programs and that's assuming he can continue to bring classes like last year's.