According to the DMN....Copeland to retire

[Eddie P]

There is no "done deal' of any sort whatsoever.

[Stallion]

First thing I would do is give Brad Thomas the chance to turn it down. When he does then ask him for his input on the top marketing people in the game. The last thing we need is another pencil-pusher. Of course, if the schools not going to fund that type of effort then we can go get another Copeland and nothing will change.

[Pony_Fan]

I guess we already knew this. I am hoping the sooner the better.

I heard he was fair to coaches but it's time for a change. However, the same people making decisions are going to make this hire which scares me b/c they seem perfectly fine with mediocrity.

[PonySoprano]

I assume that there will be a "search committee" established for the new AD hire. I am curious as to how that committee will be structured and if there is any way we can make sure that people who won't accept the status-quo will be part of that committee.

[mrydel]

Do we suspect Dr. Slocum will be on the search committee?

[mrydel]

First thing I would do is give Brad Thomas the chance to turn it down. When he does then ask him for his input on the top marketing people in the game. The last thing we need is another pencil-pusher. Of course, if the schools not going to fund that type of effort then we can go get another Copeland and nothing will change.

No problem with Brad Thomas input at all. I would like to pursue someone like the Asst. AD at USC, Miami, or some other school that we could build a model like. Now be assured that I do not know the actual status or experience of those 2 individuals, it is the concept I am suggestiing. We need for the Board to decide first that they are willing to invest the money and open up their eyes to the need to "massage" the model under which we now work, and go get someone that knows how to do it. Now is not the time to be content with the slow progress that is being made, but rather use this opportunity to do things that either Copeland could not get done or was not supported in doing. This is a key time in the future of SMU athletics. I personally like Jim Copeland. He has chosen to retire. The opening is there and we need to take advantage of this time and take a major move forward or we will be stuck where we are for another 20 years. This could be one of the biggest hire decisions in SMU's history, in that a wrong move could be our last move in big time athletics. A right move could put us on track to the recovery that should have occured several years ago.

[jtstang]

First thing I would do is give Brad Thomas the chance to turn it down. When he does then ask him for his input on the top marketing people in the game. The last thing we need is another pencil-pusher. Of course, if the schools not going to fund that type of effort then we can go get another Copeland and nothing will change.

No problem with Brad Thomas input at all. I would like to pursue someone like the Asst. AD at USC, Miami, or some other school that we could build a model like. Now be assured that I do not know the actual status or experience of those 2 individuals, it is the concept I am suggestiing. We need for the Board to decide first that they are willing to invest the money and open up their eyes to the need to "massage" the model under which we now work, and go get someone that knows how to do it. Now is not the time to be content with the slow progress that is being made, but rather use this opportunity to do things that either Copeland could not get done or was not supported in doing. This is a key time in the future of SMU athletics. I personally like Jim Copeland. He has chosen to retire. The opening is there and we need to take advantage of this time and take a major move forward or we will be stuck where we are for another 20 years. This could be one of the biggest hire decisions in SMU's history, in that a wrong move could be our last move in big time athletics. A right move could put us on track to the recovery that should have occured several years ago.

Wow. But other than that, there's no pressure at all.

Seriously, though, couldn't agree more.

[PonyTime]

Not to suggest that this is the answer for SMU - BUT - there is another small private school who is having success in Football in the SEC for the first time in many years and who is becoming a regular contender in SEC Basketball (and will be back in the NCAA tourney again this year in Mens and Womens hoops).

This is a University that ELIMINATED the Athletic Director position.

I am of course talking about Vanderbilt, who just pulled in their strongest football recruiting class in years after beating Tennessee this past year.

Imagine all of the other things that the high $$$ AD salary could be used for . . .

A serious contender for AD may have to be No AD at all . . . and I suspect that Dr. Turner may very well converse with Vanderbilt Chancellor Gordon Gee regarding the feasibility of this option at SMU.

[Hoop Fan]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. This is a big decision.

[mrydel]

First thing I would do is give Brad Thomas the chance to turn it down. When he does then ask him for his input on the top marketing people in the game. The last thing we need is another pencil-pusher. Of course, if the schools not going to fund that type of effort then we can go get another Copeland and nothing will change.

No problem with Brad Thomas input at all. I would like to pursue someone like the Asst. AD at USC, Miami, or some other school that we could build a model like. Now be assured that I do not know the actual status or experience of those 2 individuals, it is the concept I am suggestiing. We need for the Board to decide first that they are willing to invest the money and open up their eyes to the need to "massage" the model under which we now work, and go get someone that knows how to do it. Now is not the time to be content with the slow progress that is being made, but rather use this opportunity to do things that either Copeland could not get done or was not supported in doing. This is a key time in the future of SMU athletics. I personally like Jim Copeland. He has chosen to retire. The opening is there and we need to take advantage of this time and take a major move forward or we will be stuck where we are for another 20 years. This could be one of the biggest hire decisions in SMU's history, in that a wrong move could be our last move in big time athletics. A right move could put us on track to the recovery that should have occured several years ago.

Wow. But other than that, there's no pressure at all.

Seriously, though, couldn't agree more.

Oh yeah, we need someone to monitor the seating at Ford!!!!!

[Hoop Fan]

well done mrydel, you are on top of your game today sir.

[Stallion]

we need an AD who has the balls to ask Morgan Fairchild and Cheryl Tiegs to Homecoming-no really just kiddin' but it really would be great to have someone who thinks a little bit out of the box like Brad Thomas. I'm tired of hearing "it really can't be done" when I witnessed it first hand already

[SMU Football Blog]

What I think is interesting is that this will be Turner's first AD hire. Copeland was hired before Turner (by a matter of months).

I think Mrydel has the right idea about where to be looking. I think getting rid of the AD position a la Vanderbilt is a bad idea. Vanderbilt had its best football year in decades and that is largely on the back of its QB who very well may be a top 5 pick in the draft this year; they won't be that good next year.

[abezontar]

Why are you kidding, I think we should invite them, and the regardless of your political beliefs, invite the Bushes too. Hell, get them to come to the game, and I can bet we will have a sellout crowd at homecoming. In fact, why not give the job to GW, come January of 09 he will be out of a job, let's get someone here now who understands he will be an interim AD, then bring in the money raising machine that Bush assembled for his presidential and governorship bids. Plus it will enhance our chances of getting the library.



I'm not kidding.


I really think it could work, we could even start cheating again to get players, do you really think the NCAA is going to take on Bush, Cheny and Rove?

[mrydel]

I have not been subject to throwing out names earlier since the retirement was only mentioned and not set with a time. But now I am going to throw out 1 name. I do not think we would go after him, but if we wanted him, I would imagine we could get the support of enough of our local nabobs to make a good run. Then we would have to convince him that it is a job he could enjoy, have freedom to run and have fun. That would be Jimmy Johnson. I think he is a little too married to Miami, but he did have a life in Dallas before and from what I understand enjoyed it. He has done all he can do in broadcast and coaching. This could be a step toward a semiretired life while still being able to use his type A personality to produce what he did everywhere he has been.

Pipedream? Sure, but this is the type of person I would like first, and secondly would like whomever has ever worked for him and would be recommended by him.