A lot of news off the field in 08-09

[George S. Patton]

Since the Steve Orsini saga has ended, it marks nearly the end of a very active time for SMU athletic news off the field.

Since football workouts started in August, 2007, this is what has happened:

1. Head football coach Phil Bennett is fired with 4 weeks to play in the season in late October.
2. Men's and women's basketball sign their classes in November.
3. Athletic Director Steve Orsini forms the Circle of Champions to get the funding needed to pay a top salary to a football coach.
4. The 71-day coaching search ends in a shocker with the hiring of Hawaii's June Jones in January.
5. National Signing Day produces a class that is considered decent for a staff with only a few weeks on the job.
6. The $13 million Crum basketball center opens to rave reviews in mid-February.
7. The new tennis center opens in March.
8. Spring football workouts start in March and QB Justin Willis is suspended from the team along with several others including Bryce Hudman. Willis is eventually reinstated.
9. Season football ticket sales move at brisk pace. Estimates are they are selling at a rate of 40 percent faster than they were last year.
10. In May, Mustang Club announces change in membership tenure and announces it has $1 million in pledges.
11. Late signing period for men's bb in May produces two guards. That causes November signee Jarred Dubois to ask for his release.
12. Men's basketball team travels to Africa in late May/early June.
13. In mid-June, Men's soccer coach Shellas Hyndman leaves after 24 years to take FC Dallas job.
14. New rowing center opens in July.
15. Jarred Dubois is granted his release in mid-July.
16. On July 11, SMU announces Athletic Director Steve Orsini is staying after he is considered a finalist for the Notre Dame AD position.
17. New men's soccer is XXXXXXX.......

The good news is that I don't remember reading anything about players or coaches being in trouble with the law.

Indeed, there was a lot to discuss. If you can think of anything I've missed, be sure to include it.

Now, let's have more activity on the field than off it.

Go Mustangs!!

[untitled]

Women's basketball team wins 24 games, is crowned C-USA tournament champs, and is granted an NCAA tournament bid.

[George S. Patton]

I know, but I am only writing about what happened off the field. As far as on-the-field athletics go, the women's basketball team's great run was the story for 2007-08.

[diamond_tom]

The golf team gets a new home at the DAC.