Rick Hart on Morris negotiations

[PonyPride]

SMU director of athletics Rick Hart visited with PonyFans.com after the press conference at which he and SMU president R. Gerald Turner announced Chad Morris as the Mustangs' next football head coach. A couple of thoughts:

• The negotiations, Hart said, were not rushed — they were handled deliberately and thoroughly.

"Because we had the time that we did, it happened over stages," Hart said. "We respected his focus on Clemson, which is the way it should have been. But there was never a point — at least on our end, because I don't want to speak for Chad — that it felt like we were moving in opposite directions.

"This was a great process. We got the guy that we wanted, and he got what we all believe will be a great job for him and his family. We never once felt bad about the process, and we got the result that we wanted."

• There was nothing in the negotiating process about the construction of an indoor practice facility or other systemic demands that might alter Morris' interest in the job.

"There was nothing conditional at all," Hart said. "It was never about that. It's about the level of commitment to the vision we share for the program — his commitment and ours. We wanted to aim high, because we have pretty audacious visions for this program.

"The commitment isn't changed for (Morris). It's an evolutionary process on our part. Steps have been taken in the past, and more steps will be taken going forward to make this the best program it can be. Any time you have a leadership change, you get a different perspective on some things, but what hasn't changed is our goal to make this program successful.

"He met with the team (Monday) morning, and he did an unbelievable job. We want him to be himself, and he was, and what he is is a winner and an outstanding coach and leader. It's like he said (in the press conference): we're going to have to tell him 'woah' before we have to tell him to go. He's always on the go. He has amazing energy and passion for what he does, and what he believes in."

[StallionsModelT]

Well done Rick. Well done.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Thanks.

I love his use of the word "audacious". Sounds great to me!

[stangsup4]

I wish there was a conditional agreement on an IPF... really my only complaint about everything that has gone on so far.

Otherwise it has all been perfect.