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by **BUS** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:41 am

It's the Model. Like the commercial " It's the mirrors "

SMU does not play on the same field as other schools. WHY in the heck would a GREAT, Good or even up and coming coach want to wear handcuffs and jump into a fight.

Face it folks. We want but Turner and the Faculty Senate and I guess the Board of Regents to step out and agree to run the school by NCAA standards. I just do not see it.

Come on, Even RICE has that other Rice for some degree programs.

At least be honest with yourself and look for a 2nd tier coach for this second tier model program.

Oh, keep sending in your money. I sure hope Orsini can change some things before we are playing SFA, Texas State, LaLa and the like.

More next week and WOW after 7 weeks we might have a coach.

GSS

by **ponyte** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:13 am

SMU has the Pye model. That model has been the cornerstone of SMU's Commitment to Failure. To overcome two solid decades of Commitment to Failure will take a mighty effort.

The big money supporters have come through with a substantial financial commitment to improve the coaching area. This is a signal that at least these supports are no longer willing to accept the Commitment to Failure. They are committing substantial resources into winning.

Orsini has demonstrated a tremendous desire to overcome the Commitment to Failure. Coach Doh was one example and Orsini's effort to find the best coach (Mr. Right and not Mr. Right now) is also a positive. We have an estimated two million dollars a year available for a coach. One can imagine that Orsini could have found somebody by now. Instead, he is looking not for just anybody but the absolute best.

Commitment to failure is not an easy thing to overcome. And it certainly isn't overcome in one coaching search effort. However, the coaching search is one important step and we must be patient to get the absolute best. Do we want a Caven like hire early to save one recruiting season or do we sacrifice one recruiting season to get the next Bear Bryant like hire?

by **Water Pony** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:16 am

C'mon, Bus, let's not do the "why bother routine". Your posts are normally spot on.

by **Water Pony** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:20 am

[quote="ponyte"] .... The big money supporters have come through with a substantial financial commitment to improve the coaching area. This is a signal that at least these supports are no longer willing to accept the Commitment to Failure. They are committing substantial resources into winning.

..... (Mr. Right and not Mr. Right now) is also a positive. We have an estimated two million dollars a year available for a coach. One can imagine that Orsini could have found somebody by now. Instead, he is looking not for just anybody but the absolute best. [quote]

ponyte, I agree. Twenty years in the desert requires more than hiring a coach. Steve O has apprently convinced the right folks that we will need to step up. Without that, Steve can easily find better fields to play in.

by **NavyCrimson** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:52 am

" ... Do we want a Caven like hire early to save one recruiting season or do we sacrifice one recruiting season to get the next Bear Bryant like hire?"

Well said.

by **BUS** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:45 am

And I believe this is spot on also.

The model has to change. SMU does not have any more time to experiment.

by **BRStang** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:56 pm

This whole thing about "waiting" to get the right guy doesn't have any credence anymore. There are a few "right guys" that Orsini could have had weeks ago. He does not have a crystal ball and cannot say that any other candidate would be a better fit than Barnett or Bowden. And both of them are available and were available.

Instead, he is keeping everyone in the dark about who his prospects might be, which is ridiculous at this stage, and we are losing out on a whole recruiting year. SMU cannot afford that like other schools can.

I am disappointed in Orsini's handling of this search. It could not have gone worse in my opinion. Same ol' SMU.

by **BUS** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:01 pm

I can not come out and say that Orsini has done anything wrong. He is selling the heck out of SMU.

Face it. THIS MODEL IS HARD TO SELL... Even for Orsini.

I love SMU and the longer this drags on the worse.

The reason we let PB go so early was to get the first pick of the litter.

Well - Somethings up.

by **NavyCrimson** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:12 pm

You're absolutely right, BUS. Orsini is playing the cards he's been given. The blame lies squarely at the "Pye Model", the board, Turner, & the faculty.

GOD HELP ORSINI!!!

by **EastStang** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:05 pm

We also made the firing early so that Orsini could start raising money for a warchest to go after someone good. We couldn't go out and offer the same old $500K and get a coach any different from Bennett.

by **Charleston Pony** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:02 pm

the issue at this point is whether the bar has been set too high...seriously. SMU needs to realize this is a stepping stone job. It's simply not a "destination" job and hasn't been since the BCS "haves and have nots" was born.

That doesn't mean SMU can't attract a quality guy for about $1 mil/yr. We just can't expect him to stay if he is successfull

Get a quality guy who appreciates having $$ for his staff (hopefully that $2 mil would still be available for the entire staff of coaches)

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