Best HC fit for Willis or best fit for SMU?

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:23 am

Can anyone deny that Turner Gill would be the best coach for Justin Willis? IMO, if Gill is hired, Willis has the best chance of developing into the best QB he can be, a la Tommie Frazier. On the other hand, I don't know that Gill has the gravitas to come in and push through administrative and curriculum changes the way that a Doherty can or a more established HC would be able to.

That being said, what if Gill does come to SMU? Could we overcome some of the challenges with the 'model' if Willis does turn into another Frost or Frazier or Gill? Would the program's profile be raised enough to command interest from higher level recruits simply by what is accomplished by and through the development of our greatest asset, our current starting QB?

George S. Patton · Post by **George S. Patton** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:42 am

Here is what Buffalo is doing this year:

4-5 overall but 4-1 in the Mid-American East. They have huge game with Miami (Oh.) Sat. for basically the division championship. They have games left with Bowling Green and Kent St.

Their non-conference losses are to Penn St., Rutgers, Baylor and Syracuse. Played the 'Cuse pretty well and lost 20-12.

Their QB Drew Willy has completed about 67 percent of his passes for about 1800 yards. Offense is averaging about 340 yards -- not great for today's college standards but not awful either.

Leading rusher is over 700 yards. Couple of receivers are over 400 yards.

It may not look all that pretty but considering Buffalo is a hell-hole and Gill is doing this much, could make him attractive.

Our job needs to turn into stepping stone for bigger jobs not a career ender.

Insane_Pony_Posse · Post by **Insane_Pony_Posse** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:55 am

would Turner Gill being able to land and get some
local kids like michael crabtree in school at smu?

chillinfool · Post by **chillinfool** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:00 am

I just read up on Gill and he looks like he can turn a program around quickly, which is what SMU needs. He also seems to be flying under the radar since his name isn't mentioned much in the national media. Now my dream would be Gill as head coach and he somehow convinces Singletary to come be his def. coordinator!

D1Football · Post by **D1Football** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:05 am

I say go after head coach Chris Petersen of Boise State.

J.T.supporta · Post by **J.T.supporta** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:07 am

as a husker lifer...im very offended that you think gill can turn willis into a frost or frazier...willis can be better but will never be on the same level of those National Championship winning QBs

Bergermeister · Post by **Bergermeister** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:23 pm

Willis will probably be in a band by the end of the spring semester anyway.

bigdaddy08091 · Post by **bigdaddy08091** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:33 pm

J.T.supporta wrote:as a husker lifer...im very offended that you think gill can turn willis into a frost or frazier...willis can be better but will never be on the same level of those National Championship winning QBs

He is better, just on a sorry team. Will be the all time leader in passing touchdowns at SMU during the UH game as a redshrit soph. So you tell the rest of the board that we have sucked all these years or JWill is not as good as Frost and Frazier who played in front of 320lbers and had a host of running backs. Goood God man. You have to remember Frost and Frazier played on National Championship Teams, not SMU. You think they would have done the same thing at SMU? Now drink some more hateraide and LEAVE JWILL ALONE! Thank god we have him. It is about team and obviously you have no understanding of that.

PonySoprano · Post by **PonySoprano** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:56 pm

Mike Leach would be a good coach for JWill.

OC Mustang · Post by **OC Mustang** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:12 pm

D1Football wrote:I say go after head coach Chris Petersen of Boise State.

What is the impetus for him to come to SMU? Money?
He's already proven he can recruit good enough talent, coach up that talent, and consistently put up wins against pretty tough teams, including the greatest college game I have ever seen played vs. Oklahoma, hands down.

Not knocking the Hilltop, but the only impetus that I can think of to persuade Peterson to come to SMU is coin. No?

D1Football · Post by **D1Football** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:42 pm

OC Mustang wrote:
D1Football wrote:I say go after head coach Chris Petersen of Boise State.

What is the impetus for him to come to SMU? Money?
He's already proven he can recruit good enough talent, coach up that talent, and consistently put up wins against pretty tough teams, including the greatest college game I have ever seen played vs. Oklahoma, hands down.

Not knocking the Hilltop, but the only impetus that I can think of to persuade Peterson to come to SMU is coin. No?

Petersen has done an excellent job recruiting kids to a place that majority of America can't place on a map. With his recruiting expertise, he can sell Dallas a lot easier than Idaho. Plus, Petersen is not taking a demotion going from the WAC to CUSA like most other conferences and plus, he might consider this position as a stepping board to an opportunity to coach in the Big 12 or SEC. I hope he would stay at SMU forever, but we have to be realistic. Of course, his salary would have to be generous. I know it's a longshot, but I would like to see an active, successful coach take over instead of someone who has been out of the game for years.

mrydel · Post by **mrydel** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:08 pm

Petersen has a ton of JC kids on his roster according to the analysts who broadcast their games. I do not have the numbers but I remember them showing a graphic of how many from several California JCs. I doubt he could do that at SMU.