SMU's Bennett knows the meaning of giving
Robert Cessna
Eagle Columnist
Southern Methodist University head football coach Phil Bennett believes it's better to give than to receive, even if the person you help turns around and beats you.
Bennett and the Mustangs opened up their campus to the Tulane football team in wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Bennett even gave Green Wave head coach Chris Scelfo and his staff SMU's recruiting lists and computer files.
It's not like Bennett needs to be giving a fellow Conference USA team assistance. Bennett, who was 6-29 heading into the season, is working around the clock just to keep his job.
Bennett, however, certainly understands life's more meaningful issues. Six years ago, Bennett's wife was struck by lightning. She died 17 days later.
The coaching community and those connected with Kansas State, where Bennett was an assistant, opened up their arms to Bennett, who was left to raise two small children.
"[You] find out how many good people are out there that are wanting to help you and are willing to help you," Bennett said. "I think Chris and Tulane are finding that out."
Tulane's football team is relocating to Ruston, La., but the Green Wave players are still on the minds of the SMU coaches and players.
Moments after Saturday night's 21-10 victory over Texas Christian, the program's biggest triumph in a decade, the Mustangs thought of Tulane.
"I told them after the game, as happy as we are, I want you to be very thankful for what we're able to do," Bennett said. "I asked them to think about the Tulane players who have been uprooted and have been in a roller coaster for ever."
Ironically, SMU will play host to Tulane on Sept. 24. The Mustangs will donate a portion of the gate to the Green Wave.
"I hope we can get our fans out and raise money for their program," Bennett said. "This is not normal circumstances. We want to do anything we can to do our small part to help. If you've ever been in need of help like they are right there, then you have a better understanding of what they are going through, and I have."
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Bennett, who starred at A&M from 1974-77, will be going against his alma mater for the first time as a head coach.
"I have great admiration for Texas A&M," Bennett said. "It helped me grow up. It's a place I'll always be loyal to. They have great people down there. I would lie to you if I said I wasn't excited about the opportunity to go down there and hope my team plays hard and plays well."
A&M was 36-11 in Bennett's four years as a defensive end, making three bowl trips. He was part of a great turnaround. The Aggies had won 36 games in the previous decade with only one bowl trip.
Bennett was an assistant at A&M for Tom Wilson from 1979-81, making two more bowl trips. He was R.C. Slocum's defensive coordinator in 1995-96. The Aggies won the Alamo Bowl in 1995, but Bennett was fired after A&M's 6-6 season in 1996.
Bennett is 0-9 as an assistant against A&M - 0-4 at LSU (1991-94), 0-2 at KSU (1999-2001), 0-1 at Oklahoma (1998), TCU (1982) and Iowa State (1983-86).
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The Texas State at Texas A&M game on Sept. 24 will not be televised. It will start at 6 p.m.
ABC picked up Colorado at Miami next week for an 11 a.m. kickoff.
Fox Sports Net will broadcast SMU-A&M this week along with Rice at Texas at 6 p.m. ABC-TV will televise Oklahoma at UCLA at 2:30 p.m.
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SMU had Conference USA's offensive (DeMyron Martin) and defensive (Jamey Harper) players of the week.
Martin, a redshirt freshman, scored three touchdowns in a 21-10 victory over TCU. He rushed for 118 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns on 26 carries and had a 22-yard touchdown catch. Harper intercepted two passes and had seven solo tackles.
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Here are A&M's team NCAA statistical rankings - rushing offense, 10th (248 yards per game), passing offense 110th (110 ypg), total offense 73rd (358 ypg), rush defense 86th (183 ypg), pass defense 52nd (213 ypg) and total defense 75th (396 ypg).
