Over All Problem

[pony63]

Am I the only one who questions whether or not we have the right Ath. Dept. leadership to take us farther in Fball and Bball? The TCU AD came in and turned their programs around in a reasonably short time? We have not gotten any better over the years. Don't mean to sound critical, but have to ask the question.

[MrMustang1965]

If you ask the question, at least have an answer, too. What would you do?

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"Winning ain't everything...but it's a lot more fun than the alternative!" S.M.U. SPIRIT: IT STARTS NOW!

[GoRedGoBlue]

Again, Fran inherited better athletes than Bennett.

Sullivan had the 3/4th best classes in Texas several times, especially in 1997. SMU was lucky to get 7th best during that same period.

Copeland hired CAVAN which at the time seemed like a good hire by most accounts.

The basic premise of changing the AD is that the hiring practices would have been different and those differences would have resulted in better recruiting and/or better coaching.

This forgets the underlying cause for the futility at SMU: the rediculous academically stringent recruiting processes and procedures instilled post-DP - which the AD had NO CONTROL over.

Dr. Turner's presence allowed this to change in 2001 for the 2002 signing class.

[Charleston Pony]

as a private university without a huge endowment and athletic booster fund to work with, SMU will always be at a competitive disadvantage. Both the WAC and CUSA allow their members to recruit partial and even non-qualifiers, which generally includes some very fine athletes who were passed over by BCS programs as "academic risks". Being a public institution with lower tuition and more degee programs to choose from helps our competition both get these kids admitted and keep them eligible.

That's a FACT and it's why SMU has to commit to 4 yr players who have a good chance of staying in the program 4 yrs. It will take time but Bennett is showing early on that he just might be the salesman who can finally restore SMU to a competitive level...once his recruits become upperclassmen, which doesn't happen until 2005 for his 1st recruiting class. I know everyone is tired of the "wait til next year" excuse, but I don't see it happening that quickly for this program. Bball is farther along with Dement and a top recruit or two away from being very competitive.

If CUSA recognizes SMU's commitment by way of Ford Stadium and the hiring of Bennett, give Turner and Copeland credit, but make no mistake...we will become a doormat in CUSA just like we have been in the WAC unless we maintain continuity in our programs. TCU's "commitment" started several years before SMU's administration woke up.

[pony63]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GoRedGoBlue:
<B>Again, Fran inherited better athletes than Bennett.

Sullivan had the 3/4th best classes in Texas several times, especially in 1997. SMU was lucky to get 7th best during that same period.

Copeland hired CAVAN which at the time seemed like a good hire by most accounts.

The basic premise of changing the AD is that the hiring practices would have been different and those differences would have resulted in better recruiting and/or better coaching.

This forgets the underlying cause for the futility at SMU: the rediculous academically stringent recruiting processes and procedures instilled post-DP - which the AD had NO CONTROL over.

Dr. Turner's presence allowed this to change in 2001 for the 2002 signing class.

</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Your points are good and informative. That is why I asked the question. Thanks.