The biggest decision in Orsini's tenure

[Big10Ponyfan]

Our new athletic director has some hard choosin' to do over the next couple of days.

Here's what we know about Phil Bennett:
1. The record is 17-41 in five seasons.
2. The record is 11-12 in the last two.
3. The CUSA record is 8-8 in the last two.
4. The contract runs through 2009.
5. The buyout is about $1 million.

The good of his era
1. More media savvy (minus The Ticket issue on Saturday)
2. Has grown to become a better head coach instead of being a micromanager.
3. Landmark wins over TCU and Tulsa.
4. Program has been on national television.
5. Has improved the talent from where it was when Cavan left him.
6. His players have his back. Or at least they talk like they do.

The bad of his era
1. 0-12 in 2003 where a couple of wins could have been found.
2. Defensive prowess that he brought has been average.
3. The offensive execution has been poor.
4. He just watched Rice first-year coach Todd Graham take his program to a bowl.
5. Several instances where the team has not shown up to play, see North Texas.
6. He told SMU's fans we should expect a bowl game this year. That likely will not happen.

Given those circumstances, I have no idea what Steve Orsini wants to do. It sounds likes the masses are divided on whether to keep Bennett or to release him.

Obviously, Orsini has put together a list of people who he would like to talk to.

Frankly, I don't know how Bennett survives this.

Personally, I'd like Bennett to stay because I'm tired of changing coaches every five years where the continuity is disrupted, the system could be different and the players inherited may not fit and we're right back where we started.

And if we don't think we can beat TCU, Baylor and whoever else next year, then fine. I think our talent is better. It might be a case where putting players in a position where they will succeed.

The only thing that keeps Bennett here is a new offensive coordinator/defensive coordinator. Someone is going to pay for this year. I think we can all agree on that.

With all that, I'm going to trust Orsini on this. If he feels like something new is needed and that Bennett can take you only so far, then fine. If he wants to hang in there will Bennett, then I'm OK with that too.

As disappointing as Saturday was, it's life. We'll go on. I had a good night of sleep. Woke up and saw my girls who were smiling. And because they were smiling. I smiled too.

I think my oldest took it really hard when I told her we lost.

[perunapower]

Our new athletic director has some hard choosin' to do over the next couple of days.

Here's what we know about Phil Bennett:
1. The record is 17-41 in five seasons.
2. The record is 11-12 in the last two.
3. The CUSA record is 8-8 in the last two.
4. The contract runs through 2009.
5. The buyout is about $1 million.

The good of his era
1. More media savvy (minus The Ticket issue on Saturday)
2. Has grown to become a better head coach instead of being a micromanager.
3. Landmark wins over TCU and Tulsa.
4. Program has been on national television.
5. Has improved the talent from where it was when Cavan left him.
6. His players have his back. Or at least they talk like they do.

The bad of his era
1. 0-12 in 2003 where a couple of wins could have been found.
2. Defensive prowess that he brought has been average.
3. The offensive execution has been poor.
4. He just watched Rice first-year coach Todd Graham take his program to a bowl.
5. Several instances where the team has not shown up to play, see North Texas.
6. He told SMU's fans we should expect a bowl game this year. That likely will not happen.

Given those circumstances, I have no idea what Steve Orsini wants to do. It sounds likes the masses are divided on whether to keep Bennett or to release him.

Obviously, Orsini has put together a list of people who he would like to talk to.

Frankly, I don't know how Bennett survives this.

Personally, I'd like Bennett to stay because I'm tired of changing coaches every five years where the continuity is disrupted, the system could be different and the players inherited may not fit and we're right back where we started.

And if we don't think we can beat TCU, Baylor and whoever else next year, then fine. I think our talent is better. It might be a case where putting players in a position where they will succeed.

The only thing that keeps Bennett here is a new offensive coordinator/defensive coordinator. Someone is going to pay for this year. I think we can all agree on that.

With all that, I'm going to trust Orsini on this. If he feels like something new is needed and that Bennett can take you only so far, then fine. If he wants to hang in there will Bennett, then I'm OK with that too.

As disappointing as Saturday was, it's life. We'll go on. I had a good night of sleep. Woke up and saw my girls who were smiling. And because they were smiling. I smiled too.

I think my oldest took it really hard when I told her we lost.

I'm very impressed with your level-head about all of this. In a time where many Pony fans have lost their minds and they start bringing out the guillotine, you have made a thoughtful, meaningful post.

[78pony]

A big decision for sure. But one I suspect that is a whole lot easier to make (either way) very early in his tenure, especially since he has distanced himself from the coaching staff since he arrived. I did think it interesting that S. Orsini never made it to any of the Monday lunches with PB.

[gostangs]

I REALLY like PB and thinking it is not entirely fair if he is canned given the recruiting shackles that continue to plague us - but I think this decision has been made already and it is not going to go his way. This AD is going to swim or sink with his own guys running the money sports. He is shopping as we speak I would guess.

[BRStang]

What recruiting shackles? Be specific please. Does Rice have less recruiting shackles than we do?

[93Mustang]

Big10,

Well said. It is a really tough call, but I think staying with PB is the thing to do. This season was disappointing thanks to the NTSU choke and the UTEP give away. However, there were some bright spots including a great home record and the rise of some good young players - Willis, Sanders, Mapps, McCann. Add an almost intact O-Line and a healthy D-Martin along with V. Chase, Givens, Dorsey and we look strong on offense next year. On defense, we'll have McCray, Hawkins, Carrington, Muse, and Lindley to lead. We'll need someone to step up on the D-line with the losses of Rogers and Haywood and we'll also need someone to step up at safety. Losing Harper to graduation killed us this season.

To summarize, while we lose some warriors (Rogers, Sturdivant, Haywood, Pellerin, Warren, B. Chase), the cupboard is not bare. Moreover, while our 07 schedule lacks the cupcakes we had this season, Rice is exhibit "A" for proving you can play a tough non-conference schedule and compete for a bowl in C-USA. As Craig James pointed out, there is no reason why we shouldn't be well over .500 in C-USA every year.

Unless Orsini and the money guys have someone lined up who has serious credibility (I'd say Kragthorpe, Neuheisel, Dodge - more risky, but may have the most upside), the smart play is to bring back Bennett. Give the guy a chance to build on the positives of this season and show us what he can do with a decent returning starting QB for the first time in his tenure. I also what the decision to come quickly so Bennett or whoever we have coaching us next season has time to sign some JCs at defensive line and secondary positions . . . maybe a Bobby Chase sized receiver too.

[smu diamond m]

Recruiting shackes? I can name one: the lack of our staff to call plays that score points instead of making futile attempts at "protecting" a lead.

[Big10Ponyfan]

The other thing I would consider an issue is that while Phil has grown in some areas as a head coach, he still doesn't delegate like he should. In other words, coaching your coaches and trusting the sytem they implement is a critical element.

We can rip Burns/Gush all we want, but if Bennett isn't allowing them to put in everything they want, then things have a chance to run afoul. You don't want to hire coaches that you may feel threaten you. Instead of hiring coaches that will be head coaches some day, you hire people who you feel are inferior to you.

We don't know everything. But more than some of us have heard that story run around the Ford Stadium offices.