SMU, the Model

[Water Pony]

Now that I have your attention, could we spend (post) more than the boring threads that "all is lost?" Talking about a waste of pixels.

Phil Bennett gave his all (save the "I guess that wasn't much" line or "I have forgotten more about FB than XXXX, etc. during your time at Junior High recess.) I thank him for his commitment. But, the cheap shots are more than boring, they say more about the poster than about Phil, the team, administration, faculty, DP, etc. zzzzzzzzzz) This isn't about sunshine, but the world as it exists.

The model to be discussed is our situation, which ain't good (thx professors)! However, the situation is our reality, i.e. (1) a priviate university (in a sport controlled by $tate, BCS schools) with revenue possibilities (despite that demand that someone else write checks to fix it) that are and will be limited, since we are non-BCS and have a smaller enrollment and alumni base. Second, (2) in twenty years we haven't figured out to correct two major mistakes. First, the DP as a lethal punishment, and, second, what we have done about it.

I am afraid the changes needed will be more dramatic and risky than what would have solved the problem and taken us out of purgatory 15 years ago. The next move will need to big: coaching choice, assistants, salaries, and recruiting effort. Hard to imagine such a step, but we have no alternative. We are either in or out of college football and we only have one more realistic chance of returning to prominence/revalency.

That said, the future should and must be promising because of who we are (Tradition), what it would mean to this market/CUSA/non-BCS alternatives, where we are (only Div. 1A school in Big D), when we return to prominent (story of the year, etc.) and how we will do it!

The how is the MOST important one, since we will succeed despite being non-BCS, despite our enrollment, despite our recent (almost generational) performance, despite the apathy of the recent and current students and despite the cynics.

With the right coaching hire$, SMU will be rewarded. It will be true for all of us and, especially, for those who accept one of the biggest challenges in college FB. I believe the right candidate will be excited by the possibilities (and recent problems) and, most importantly, driven to excel here of all places.

This ain't sunshine. This is a statement of fact and the promise of a terrific story. Perhaps the right coach (without being too naive) will view this as a destination job or with big success, a springboard. Either way, he will need to knock the cover off.

The alternatives to this line of thinking are too depressinng to image. I have no alternative to supporting my team, but the pain needs more than hope, it needs the right coach, staff and game plan (read Model)

I know Steve Orsini is up to the task. This is why he came and why he will pursue the above path.

In the meantime, let's take the air out of the Golden Hurricanes.