JJ post game press conferences

[kent dorfman]

I havent listened to any of them. Can we get any sense of how JJ is handling this season? Does he seem extremely disappointed or do you get the sense that although he may be frustrated, he didnt really expect this team to do much this season. I havent heard him speak since before the season started so I am just curious.

[PonyPride]

Based on his postgame press conferences and his Monday media briefings, I'd say he is disappointed that the turnaround hasn't happened more quickly, but considering the competitor he is, I'd bet the team could go 11-1 and he'd be disappointed not to go 12-0.

With that said, he clearly is as confident he'll turn things around as he was during the spring or during two-a-days. He also talks constantly about the learning process. He has pointed out many times that there's a difference between learning plays and knowing the system. A receiver might know that on a certain play, his assignment is to run a particular route ... with the understanding that based on what the defense does, there are adjustments that the quarterback and receiver need to make simultaneously. Sit a player down in a film room and show him a particular defensive assignment, and these guys are bright enough to know that Route A should change to Route B.

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.

[Bergermeister]

Based on his postgame press conferences and his Monday media briefings, I'd say he is disappointed that the turnaround hasn't happened more quickly, but considering the competitor he is, I'd bet the team could go 11-1 and he'd be disappointed not to go 12-0.

With that said, he clearly is as confident he'll turn things around as he was during the spring or during two-a-days. He also talks constantly about the learning process. He has pointed out many times that there's a difference between learning plays and knowing the system. A receiver might know that on a certain play, his assignment is to run a particular route ... with the understanding that based on what the defense does, there are adjustments that the quarterback and receiver need to make simultaneously. Sit a player down in a film room and show him a particular defensive assignment, and these guys are bright enough to know that Route A should change to Route B.

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.

Excellent post. Good assessment of where we're "at" and what will happen when we get where we're goin'.

[PoconoPony]

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.[/quote]

JJ has also been quoted to the effect that Colt Brennan still did not understand the offense and the R & S system after his first and very successful season. This falls exactly into the excellent presentation set forth supra by Pony Pride.

[kent dorfman]

Based on his postgame press conferences and his Monday media briefings, I'd say he is disappointed that the turnaround hasn't happened more quickly, but considering the competitor he is, I'd bet the team could go 11-1 and he'd be disappointed not to go 12-0.

With that said, he clearly is as confident he'll turn things around as he was during the spring or during two-a-days. He also talks constantly about the learning process. He has pointed out many times that there's a difference between learning plays and knowing the system. A receiver might know that on a certain play, his assignment is to run a particular route ... with the understanding that based on what the defense does, there are adjustments that the quarterback and receiver need to make simultaneously. Sit a player down in a film room and show him a particular defensive assignment, and these guys are bright enough to know that Route A should change to Route B.

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.

Ah yes thanks, PonyPride. That was more than I was expecting. Very enlightening. It's just going to have to be one big struggle for awhile I guess. I am also noticing that while there are times JJ gets red in the face when the guys arent playing well, I have never seen him become irate. He seems to be very steady and patient, especially with BLM.

[Water Pony]

"eventually, the light will come on,"

That was my thought during the second half of the Tulane game. In New Orleans it was a tale of two halves. If the game had lasted more the 60 minutes, the outcome would have been better.

I am not suggesting that the light will always been on or that it is bright enough, but it was a glimpse into our future. BTW, I don't consider these comments "sunshine", just the necessity of immersing the players into JJ's game and their path to unconscious competence.

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes." Mahatma Gandhi

[bigdaddy08091]

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.

JJ has also been quoted to the effect that Colt Brennan still did not understand the offense and the R & S system after his first and very successful season. This falls exactly into the excellent presentation set forth supra by Pony Pride.[/quote]

Thats well said, but do we now have to deal with yet another recruiting hurdle. Being in a small market is one, academic restrictions two, and now we have to recruit these system players who fit the run and shoot? I hope this works.

[Water Pony]

But one of the terms heard most often from this coaching staff is "suddenness." We've all heard coaches talk about getting their players to a level of comfort where they don't think — they react. In conversations with Coach Jones and his staff, that's a big part of playing "with suddenness." Coach Reinebold has talked about former Hawaii receiver (and current Miami Dolphin) Davone Bess, who was the most famous of the Hawaii receivers. Coach Reinebold said Bess never ran faster than a 4.6, and said SMU has several receivers who are faster, but the Mustangs are still thinking. When Coach Jones says "eventually, the light will come on," it's easy to interpret that as the result when players are so comfortable in the system that they no longer have to react — they just play.

JJ has also been quoted to the effect that Colt Brennan still did not understand the offense and the R & S system after his first and very successful season. This falls exactly into the excellent presentation set forth supra by Pony Pride.

Thats well said, but do we now have to deal with yet another recruiting hurdle. Being in a small market is one, academic restrictions two, and now we have to recruit these system players who fit the run and shoot? I hope this works.[/quote]



Academic restrictions? Please, JJ won't have an issue with it. Johnson at Vanderbilt doesn't, Fitzgerald at Northwestern doesn't, Cutliffe at Duke doesn't, Wies at Notre Dame doesn't, Carroll at USC doesn't, Grobe at Wake Forest doesn't, ...

[RGV Pony]

Being in a small market is one, academic restrictions two, and now we have to recruit these system players who fit the run and shoot? I hope this works.

I don't think Dallas is a small market.

I'm also under the impression that we've had improvement in the academic restrictions arena.

System players, I guess we'll have to see. That 'system,' though, is what allowed JJ to produce some All-American types and NFL players out of a bunch of two-star and no-star players in Hawaii.

[HB Pony Dad]

Academic restrictions? Please, JJ won't have an issue with it. Johnson at Vanderbilt doesn't, Fitzgerald at Northwestern doesn't, Cutliffe at Duke doesn't, Wies at Notre Dame doesn't, Carroll at USC doesn't, Grobe at Wake Forest doesn't, ...

Do you really believe that the Football Players would be admitted as normal students to any of the above without Football skills?

Major Universities' are such farces when it comes to revenue producing athletics!

[Water Pony]

Academic restrictions? Please, JJ won't have an issue with it. Johnson at Vanderbilt doesn't, Fitzgerald at Northwestern doesn't, Cutliffe at Duke doesn't, Wies at Notre Dame doesn't, Carroll at USC doesn't, Grobe at Wake Forest doesn't, ...

Do you really believe that the Football Players would be admitted as normal students to any of the above without Football skills?

Major Universities' are such farces when it comes to revenue producing athletics!

No, I agree and SMU is comparable. Turning a blind eye is a prequisite at all Div. 1 schools, including State universities. I just don't think we are victims concerning this topic any more.

However, non-revenue sports are a different question.

[CalallenStang]

Academic restrictions? Please, JJ won't have an issue with it. Johnson at Vanderbilt doesn't, Fitzgerald at Northwestern doesn't, Cutliffe at Duke doesn't, Wies at Notre Dame doesn't, Carroll at USC doesn't, Grobe at Wake Forest doesn't, ...

Do you really believe that the Football Players would be admitted as normal students to any of the above without Football skills?

Major Universities' are such farces when it comes to revenue producing athletics!

No, I agree and SMU is comparable. Turiing a blind eye is a prequisite at all Div. 1 schools, including State universities. I just don't think we are victims concerning this topic any more.

However, non-revenue sports are a different question.

I read something a few years back that said something like Stanford and the University of Virginia had the highest academic requirements for athletes. Here's an article from 2004 alluding to high standards at Notre Dame (but with no concrete facts to back it up):

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1772368

[HB Pony Dad]

I read something a few years back that said something like Stanford and the University of Virginia had the highest academic requirements for athletes. Here's an article from 2004 alluding to high standards at Notre Dame (but with no concrete facts to back it up):

I'm sure the Stanford Football team members would have been admitted without Football skills!

I've also got a sure fired can't fail "Suicide Bunt" play for you!

[CalallenStang]

I read something a few years back that said something like Stanford and the University of Virginia had the highest academic requirements for athletes. Here's an article from 2004 alluding to high standards at Notre Dame (but with no concrete facts to back it up):

I'm sure the Stanford Football team members would have been admitted without Football skills!

I've also got a sure fired can't fail "Suicide Bunt" play for you!

I never said they would be admitted without football skills...I just said that some universities do have (probably slightly) higher standards than others...