Bennett proponents--Answer this:

[EastStang]

First, the Willis transfer question, makes throwing Bennett under the Bus something that really needs thought. Because if he goes, we're back to Bennett's first two years no matter who is coach. The Defense is losing experience on the line next year, but has some players in the system who might do the job. His recruiting has been better than Cavan's but we are still deficient talent wise compared to teams like UH and ECU. (Of course they can admit almost anyone who can spell their name). I have been one of the most conflicted about Bennett. My concerns are the ones you mentioned above, as well as the failure to make adjustments to your game plan (Rice 2nd half and ECU entire game). But, I am also concerned however, that we won't get a coach any better than him. Do you think for a minute that a Shula or Coker will come here? And would we want them? Coker failed at a University not too dissimilar to SMU. Miami went from superstar to a weak sister in the ACC (a weak football conference). Shula had to bring Alabama back from the mini-death penalty they got and failed. And they're the best of the lot. The rest are high school coaches, retreads, college coordinators, 1-AA coaches all of which are in the been there done that variety for the past 20 years. So, before you throw Bennett under the bus, think hard about whether your star will stay and whether we will upgrade our coaching position. Bennett is not stupid and has been learning on the job. He's far from perfect. Should he stay or should he go? The risks associated with firing him are in my view too high, unless we have a committment from a truly great replacement. If we don't, we keep him and let him deal with a much tougher schedule next year.

[BRStang]

No school (NOT EVEN SMU) will be held hostage by a hothead freshman player who makes threats to leave. Don't get me wrong, I like JW as a player and QB, but if he wants to be the AD, then he needs to study up and graduate and get about 20 years of athletic department experience.

Eastang, you are pretty level-headed most of the time, and have been here a while. Do you honestly think what JW thinks should even remotely be considered in whether to keep PB?

Also, do you think JW is going to go sit out a year somewhere or go play at Po-Dunk State Junior College if a decent new coach is brought in here?

[35straight]

This whole Justin thing is stupid. It was a hot-headed comment and there is nothing behind it. He is just a player that is rightfully loyal to his coach. If anything does happen I'm sure that Bennett, wanting was is best for his players will have spoken to JWill and all of this will be forgotten. Lets let everyones emotions run their course and when its all said and done we can start work on, dare I say it"Next Year".

[ACHall]

JW won't transfer. He's loyal to his coach, that's great, but you give him a real coach and he'll change his tune. That and I don't think he wants to sit behind Bomar at SHSU. Reminds me of when our "Star Point Guard" threatened to go pro.

[EastStang]

There are a lot of 1-AA colleges out there that are far from PO-Dunk. SHS is one. I'm just saying that we need to factor that possibility into the equation. If he leaves, then we'll be 1-11 next year. Book it. Just don't complain about the new coach going 1-11 if that happens.

[35straight]

He is not going to leave. He is a smart kid and understands that his teammates depend on him. Anyways all of this talk is a little premature. Last I heard Bennett is still the Head Coach.

[OC Mustang]

BR makes a very compelling post-mordum agenda for going over with Coach Bennett. Period. Strategically, though, I think MexMustang makes as solid a point, particularly in regards to his comments regarding the caliber of coach necessary to continue building on what Bennett has done.

Guys, Bennett is a step up from Cavan...period. Cavan was a step-down from Rossley...period (although at the time, we did not know that).

I had trouble saying this in my earlier post about it (2AM posts just go that way), but I guess I am concerned, like MexMustang, with the probability that Orsini makes a bad hire. His history suggests he won't; however, let's be real. He does not know Texas, does he? So the possibility, no, the probability exists that his hire is 50-50 at best (given the variables of "who wants to coach at SMU?", etc.).

That said, Orsini has to ask the question, even if he were leaning toward Bennett. There has to be IMPROVEMENT; that requires change, even if Bennett remains.

This all may be a moot point now or in the future, but I guess where I stand on the issue is that we have to be moving forward, whether that's with Bennett and staff changes or a new coach with more star power, better recruiting skills, and perhaps just a better coach on the field.

But I suppose the big question is, "is there anybody better than Bennett who will come to SMU?"

[BRStang]

however, let's be real. He does not know Texas, does he? So the possibility, no, the probability exists that his hire is 50-50 at best (given the variables of "who wants to coach at SMU?", etc.).

Orsini spent time in Texas with the Cowboys. Also, his first two significant hires have shown him to be light-years ahead of Copeland (who came from Virginia) in the critical thinking department.

[bigdaddy08091]

None of you has answered my original question #1: How do you explain the fact that Graham and Rice are able to make such a dramatic turnaround in ONE YEAR? How are Rice's recruiting standards any less stringent than SMU? Coaching matters.

#2: When Phil Bennett says SMU fans should "expect a bowl game", and he fails to deliver on this, doesn't he get a FAILING GRADE BY HIS OWN MEASURING STICK? Should SMU fans just forget this and move on?

#3: When a coach fails to get above .500 in FIVE SEASONS in a mid-major conference, especially when he promised championships right away, do you consider that a failure to attain a goal? Can you think of any other D-1A program that would accept this kind of failure or Bennett's record as a head coach here?

#4: Don't incessant turnovers and penalties at key moments fall at least partially on the coaching staff? Isn't this a discipline/focus issue? Hasn't this been a problem for as long as you can remember under Bennett? Can you think of another team that has fumbled the opening kickoff twice within 3 games leading to quick scores?

#5: Is there any excuse but play calling for failing to convert on 2 1st and goal situations from the 1? How about the numerous 4th down and short failures over this season, where we chose not to take the 3 points?

#6: Isn't the "firing Bennett will set the program back 5 more years" argument inconsisent with your position that he has done great things for this program? If that were the case, wouldn't that be an admission that he has done nothing to advance this program?

#7: Do you disagree in any way that the overall caliber of Bennett's recruiting classes have gotten worse, not better, every year he has been at SMU?

#8: Do you believe that 6-6 with this year's schedule and a loss to NTSU and a blow-out loss to ECU is something to be proud of? Do you consider it progress from last year? Do you honestly believe that with the loss of so many key seniors on defense, we have a shot at being better under PB with next year's schedule?

#9: What do you believe is the appropriate standard by which a D-1A coach should be measured? Is it wins and losses? Or is it something different--maybe "graduation rate", for instance? What do you believe is at the core of "The Commitment"? Winning? Something else? I dare say that if the answer to the above is not WINNING, then all hope is lost, and this program better go back to running a daycare instead of a football team, like someone else so eloquently put.

Attack me all you want, but I want SMU to win. Anything else is pointless. If SMU doesn't want to win, it should not be playing and wasting my time and energy. I think PB did a decent job of making key baby steps in a number of different areas. But, I think he's done about as much as he can do at this point. Let's let someone else pick up the ball and run with it for a change.

I will attack!!

Ask your wife how many times in the heat of the moment she wanted to fire you?? Everything you mentioned happens every Saturday to some college football program. If it was ONLY about wins an looses we would have a revolving door of coaches, oh, we have had a revolving door of coaches, sorry. For the last 22 years we have searched and searched for the right coach and to no avail some of you think. We found the right man for the job. We need to support PB until his contract is up. Copeland signed him through 2009 for a reason. Maybe he wanted PB to sit around an make 1/4 mill a year and do nothing, while we pay someone else to rebuild the program AGAIN!! How much money do you idiot have? Orsini and Turner need to get in the box and spectate and let PB do his thing with what he has to work with. It will take time and those of you who will die before it happens have witnessed death before!!!!!!!!!

[Ponymon]

JW won't transfer. He's loyal to his coach, that's great, but you give him a real coach and he'll change his tune. That and I don't think he wants to sit behind Bomar at SHSU. Reminds me of when our "Star Point Guard" threatened to go pro.

Brian Morris transferred with the change in basketball coaches. Of course, it doesn't look like we miss him given the way the team is playing under Doherty. Willis might transfer, but it would be a BIG mistake. Next year, he will be the heads-on favorite to start at SMU. Anywhere else he redshirts and will probably have to compete for the job with someone who will also be experienced the next year.

[Col. Nathan R. Jessep]

.... YOU HAVE TO WONDER HOW THESE THREE FATAL FACTS WILL PLAY INTO HIS CALL (BY THE WAY, IF ONE OF THESE THREE "SITUATIONS" FALL THE OTHER WAY WE ARE BOWLING):

1) UNT LOSS --- PB has to answer what the hell happened that night

2) Keeping Willis out of UTEP Game --- While i like his call did it hurt the overall direction of the program by preventing our 7th win?

3) Two 1st and Goals and no Touchdowns --- How do you explain

Those I believe will be the 3 things that define the season of 2006.

I remain sick over the entire situation....

--

I'm sick over the situation, too. But...

are you saying # 2 (above) was PB's decision?

I don't believe you can beat PB with this point-- the decision to send Willis home was not his (PB) call.

How ironic would it be if #2 was Orsini's decision & that loss kept
SMU from the bowl PB guaranteed?

[gostangs]

Morris was grades - he did not leave because of the coach change

[78pony]

BRStang - The proverbial nail on the head! You hit it. On each and every point. I suspect you know as much about the Phil(y) background as anyone and it must be painful to say what you've said.