ESPN Gameday lists PB as #1 to replace Snyder

[DiamondM75]

We need Phil Bennett to interview for the KSU job.

I doubt he would be picked, but it sure would help hush the "SMU is a coaching graveyard" scenario. I hope KSU ask for permission to talk with PB and Copeland better give them permission. We need Bennett to go as far in the KSU interview process as possible.

The more a coach looks desirable to BCS schools, the more it helps SMU.

[BRStang]

Diamond M75 wrote:

We need Phil Bennett to interview for the KSU job.

I doubt he would be picked, but it sure would help hush the "SMU is a coaching graveyard" scenario. I hope KSU ask for permission to talk with PB and Copeland better give them permission. We need Bennett to go as far in the KSU interview process as possible.

The more a coach looks desirable to BCS schools, the more it helps SMU.

Are you kidding? Yeah, that's what we need, potential recruits worried about whether Bennett is going to be here next year. I'm sure they'd all opt for what's behind mystery door number 1.

On another note, it seems the K-State job is not one that is very coveted due to its location in the middle of no-where. That could limit the number of potential candidates and be the thing that pushes Bennett to the front of the list.

Copeland better have a long, hard talk with Bennett just in case so we don't get caught with our pants down around our ankles come January.

And let me say this, with the 4 wins we've gotten (3 against quality opponents), I actually want Bennett to stick around at least for another year.

[SMUFan]

I want him to stick around, too.

I do, however, agree that if he gets pursued publicly for the job, it will be beneficial for the school. And if anything, I would think recruits would be impressed that a Big 12 school shows interest.

[DiamondM75]

Are you kidding? Yeah, that's what we need, potential recruits worried about whether Bennett is going to be here next year. I'm sure they'd all opt for what's behind mystery door number 1.

You totally missed my point, and maybe I didn't make myself clear. If Bennett makes the interview process at KSU, then filling the job at SMU with a quality coach will be an easier process. Currently, SMU is a coaching graveyard. Take the job at SMU and your coaching future is finished. If Phil can attract personal interest from bigger programs, then our program does not look like a career ending job. As for future recruits, all programs go through coaching changes. The best position for any program is to be in a position to attract quality coaching, so if Phil leaves, recruits will know a quality coach will be his replacement. Would we lose some recruits? Yes. But on the other hand, we would probably pick up other recruits that like the new coach. It is a give and take situation, if you can attract another quality coach in the future.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't want Phil to leave. I think he is doing a pretty good job of getting this program on the right track. Is he a great college coach? I don't know. Maybe someday he will be given the chance to prove he is, and the day he leaves, I want to be able to attract an experienced head coach, not a gamble like Cavan and Bennett. So getting interest from major programs makes the SMU job more attractive.

[Nacho]

I would love to see Bennett get the KSU job. It would be a first. In the history of college football no head coach has ever gone to another school to become their head coach without at least one winning season. Congrats!

[Kappas Are Yummy]

Imagine you're K-State fan and they give the job to Bennett. I bet you'd be pretty mad if they bring in a guy with as poor a head coaching record in soft conferences like the WAC and CUSA.

On the other hand, from SMU fan's perspective it'd be awesome. Not only would we be rid of Bennett, but we'd have an opportunity to pursue Houston Nutt without having to buy Bennett out.

[Hoop Fan]

sounds great until you realize Houston Nutt won't take this job and you end up with some no-name.

[Water Pony]

This is a very strange thread. Playing games by encouraging interviews for some preceived advantage would unnecessarily confuse fans, recruits, etc. Spinning issues is never a good idea.

Either you support Phil or not. Since he will be back for 2006, give it a rest. We don't have the luxury of playing games.

On the flip-side, either Phil is committed or not to SMU and our rebuilding. If he takes an interview, then he is not.

[BRStang]

I agree with Water Pony.

Anybody here think Bennett will accept an interview?

[MrMustang1965]

I agree with Water Pony.

Anybody here think Bennett will accept an interview?

...better yet: anybody here think that Bennett will get an offer to interview?

I say: no.

[abezontar]

If he somehow got an interview he would be stupid not to accept it, even if he has no plans to leave or knows that he won't be seriously considered he should accept it, interview and then pull his name out of the hat. As much as some of you decry trying to spin issues, it is something you have to do to be sucessful in this world, and to get ahead in college football.

[BRStang]

MrMustang1965 wrote:

BRStang wrote:
I agree with Water Pony.

Anybody here think Bennett will accept an interview?

...better yet: anybody here think that Bennett will get an offer to interview?

I say: no.

MM65: And those following this whole thing should go with your analysis over Kirk Herbstreit's because...?

[MrMustang1965]

I just don't think K-State will even come calling. Just my opinion. Lots of other folks around here have 'em, too.

[EastStang]

Bennett's probably on their list, but probably down the list. I suspect that Patterson will get a long look from them (he's a K State alum). But if Patterson and others turn it down, they might turn to Bennett. I have to believe that Patterson will be a much more palatable choice to K State alums. As far as getting a name coach, Gene Stallings (are you kidding) is older than dirt. Yeah, he has a name, so what. Lou Holtz (he told his son to stay away from the SMU job), right? If Bennett leaves, mark my words, we'll be batting around the virtues of guys who have never been a head coach ever at the 1-A level because those guys will be our candidates. SMU won't touch damaged goods name coaches and shouldn't touch old fossils like Stallings or Holtz.

[BRStang]

MM65: Don't get me wrong...if you told me before Saturday morning that Bennett would even be mentioned in the same breath as the K-State opening, I'd have laughed at you. BUT THEN...

First, CBS Sportsline mentions Bennett as a possible replacement. No big deal. But then, Chris Fowler of ESPN Gameday mentions Phil Bennett by name, and Herbstreit then said it would be his first choice or pick to fill Snyder's shoes on National TV in front of the largest college football fanatic viewership. And then the DMN writes an article in Sunday's paper on it.

Shouldn't there be at least some concern that Bennett might leave? What do you think Copeland would do in a lurch? Trust me, we'd be [deleted] next year about ol' Rusty Burns filling the catbird seat.