Back off!

[Big Hoss]

I have read more and seen more about SMU in the last 2 months than in the last 20 years. No matter how this ends, SMU has gotten national publicity from this whole thing. If JJ does not come here we still have 2 or three nationally known coaches in the wings. So what on this ******* earth do you guy's want???? SO may be the best AD in the country. He will be gone if this school does not Pony up. They will, and he will eventually get back to ND. Hang on to him as long as you can.

But how much of that publicity has been favorable? Not much. I think the point most of these guys make is that we can't afford to have such bad press given where our program has been in the last 20 years.

At this point, Jones is the only hire that we can make where it looks like we don't have egg (or worse) on our face. Even then, I don't know if it's worth the wait given that we could have had one of several great coaches a few weeks ago, and we wouldn't have jeopardized our recruiting efforts for 2008.

It's a matter of opinion, and everyone is entitled to have one. Personally, I think the hits we will continue to take (mainly in recruiting) by extending this search far outweigh any potential benefit that some may think we gain by hiring Jones vs. any of the other candidates. What will happen from this extended search remains to be seen. But know that taking this long really puts the next coach in a deeper hole to start from.

[OC Mustang]

Beanman, I agree that SO probably isn't going to disclose his tactics, but if you think SMU lost PJ because some dorks (myself included) found the airplane bringing him to town, I wonder about more than your managerial prowess at hiring and firing. He shopped us, dude. Any suggestion otherwise ignores the obvious regardless of the numbers of people you've hired and fired.

Again, net-net, I think Turner is responsible for this mess. I tried to tell everybody over a month ago that the fact that the seach committee had only met once was indicative that SMU hadn't even interviewed anybody in earnest...the President and AD and Major Donors and Board did something that nobody going through fraternity/sorority rush is ever advised to do...suicide one greek organization...or in this case...one coach.

I don't care if you think we are nuts for not liking that...the fact is that it is a stupid idea...it was stupid when I was in school, and it is stupid now.

If Orsini doesn't like the fact that we think that, guess what, I don't care. This isn't a company, and I'm not required to smile quietly without rolling my eyes. And if I didn't think PonyPride would delete my post, I'd bring out the "Up Yours" emoticon to express how I really feel.

[Hoop Fan]

and there is no assurance that Jones will even succeed here. His resume has several holes as far as a restrictive academic instititution located in Dallas, Tx. Yes, that means recruiting, not play calling.

[PonyDogg]

and there is no assurance that Jones will even succeed here. His resume has several holes as far as a restrictive academic instititution located in Dallas, Tx. Yes, that means recruiting, not play calling.

That is ridiculous. There is no assurance than anyone will win here or any where! We/they though Bennett would win here. The Redskins thought Spurrier would win there....There is no guarantee. Good grief.

[Big Hoss]

and there is no assurance that Jones will even succeed here.

Could not agree more! Who is also to say that any one of the number of currently available coaches wouldn't have been a better choice, given that they could have had a few weeks of staff selection and/or recruiting under their belt by now.

[Hoop Fan]

Beanman joined this board in November of 2007. Ponydogg joined in October... of 2007. Longevity does not validate an opinion, but you have to wonder where all these new posters come from. Are you guys who change your screen name constantly because you are unwilling to stand behind your comments, even by a mostly anonymous screen name? You really have to wonder. Pick a name, have an opinion you will stand behind and stick to it when the going gets tough.

[Stallion]

We are trying to punch a square peg into a round hole just like with Bennett and just like with Johnson. He doesn't want this job. Its stated standards goes against everything his record clearly states he believes in. He has criticized SMU for its academic standards. 35 Transfers, best players have criminal backgrounds, his recruiting prowess is based on JUCOs, transfers and about 78 Pollynesians. Wow! what are PERFECT choice for the SMU job. Yes he can coach-I have no problem with that but he doesn't fit. He knows that and only a huge bribe will get him to take this job. What is so damn hard about realizing that he ain't going to take this job if Hawaii makes even a feeble attempt to keep him-which they will because now they have to.

[Hoop Fan]

and there is no assurance that Jones will even succeed here. His resume has several holes as far as a restrictive academic instititution located in Dallas, Tx. Yes, that means recruiting, not play calling.

That is ridiculous. There is no assurance than anyone will win here or any where! We/they though Bennett would win here. The Redskins thought Spurrier would win there....There is no guarantee. Good grief.

of course not, THAT is the point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why wait for June Jones when chances are remote that he will accept and even if he does that he will succeed given his lack of experience at a restrictive academic institution and lack of experience and connections in recruiting Texas? Hire Fran, or Gill or whomever, but do it by December 15 and make a run at real recruiting class.

[Phxfan]

I have read more and seen more about SMU in the last 2 months than in the last 20 years. No matter how this ends, SMU has gotten national publicity from this whole thing. If JJ does not come here we still have 2 or three nationally known coaches in the wings. So what on this ******* earth do you guy's want???? SO may be the best AD in the country. He will be gone if this school does not Pony up. They will, and he will eventually get back to ND. Hang on to him as long as you can.

But how much of that publicity has been favorable? Not much. I think the point most of these guys make is that we can't afford to have such bad press given where our program has been in the last 20 years.

At this point, Jones is the only hire that we can make where it looks like we don't have egg (or worse) on our face. Even then, I don't know if it's worth the wait given that we could have had one of several great coaches a few weeks ago, and we wouldn't have jeopardized our recruiting efforts for 2008.

It's a matter of opinion, and everyone is entitled to have one. Personally, I think the hits we will continue to take (mainly in recruiting) by extending this search far outweigh any potential benefit that some may think we gain by hiring Jones vs. any of the other candidates. What will happen from this extended search remains to be seen. But know that taking this long really puts the next coach in a deeper hole to start from.

I think there is a saying out there that bad publicity is better than none at all. Look, these guy's at rumermil.com and the rest have no clue. They have been way behind the folks posting on this board. SMU has probably been on every board in this country as far a football. SMU will be on every board in this country soon for another reason. Maybe tomorrow the nightmare will end. I hope, I really hope JJ takes this offer. SO has done as much for SMU as Doak Walker.

[PonyDogg]

Beanman joined this board in November of 2007. Ponydogg joined in October... of 2007. Longevity does not validate an opinion, but you have to wonder where all these new posters come from. Are you guys who change your screen name constantly because you are unwilling to stand behind your comments, even by a mostly anonymous screen name? You really have to wonder. Pick a name, have an opinion you will stand behind and stick to it when the going gets tough.

This post is absurd. I have just as much of a right to post on this board as you do. Congratulations on your longevity. Would you like a certificate or a flag flown over Dallas Hall to show what a great poster you are? You picked a name and I picked a name as well. I do not apologize for when I started posting. Stick to the subject, sir.

[Big Hoss]

[quote="PonyDogg]The Redskins thought Spurrier would win there.[/quote]

As a loyal Redskins fan since birth, I will go on record with the following:

1) Not all Redskin fans thought he would be successful there, myself included.
2) Dan Snyder thought he would be successful and/or he wanted the big name hire because he is a media whore.
3) Dan Snyder is not only an idiot, he is also one of the main reasons why that franchise has not been very successful since the day he bought it.
4) Dan Snyder might be, just maybe, the anti-Christ. I can't say for sure, but all I am saying is that I have never seen Dan Snyder and the anti-Christ in the same room at the same time. Just putting 2 and 2 together.

[Hoop Fan]

We are trying to punch a square peg into a round hole just like with Bennett and just like with Johnson. He doesn't want this job. Its stated standards goes against everything his record clearly states he believes in. He has criticized SMU for its academic standards. 35 Transfers, best players have criminal backgrounds, his recruiting prowess is based on JUCOs, transfers and about 78 Pollynesians. Wow! what are PERFECT choice for the SMU job. Yes he can coach-I have no problem with that but he doesn't fit. He knows that and only a huge bribe will get him to take this job. What is so damn hard about realizing that he ain't going to take this job if Hawaii makes even a feeble attempt to keep him-which they will because now they have to.

Yes, spot on. It appears that Orsini and Turner are playing checkers and have been all along. This is chess. But not freakin rocket science. Good freakin grief is right Ponydogg. What will your screen name be next year?

[giacfsp]

He doesn't want this job.

Depending on who you listen to.

He has criticized SMU for its academic standards.

He has? When/Where? I read where he acknowledged that Coach Bennett faces tough challenges that not all coaches have to deal with, but I never saw that he criticized SMU for its academic standards. If that's actually accurate, that's a legitimate concern.

... and about 78 Pollynesians.

Why does that number keep going up every time you mention that?

... he ain't going to take this job if Hawaii makes even a feeble attempt to keep him-which they will because now they have to.

That's my fear - that UH will meet him halfway and he'll decide that's good enough.

[PonyDogg]

[quote="PonyDogg]The Redskins thought Spurrier would win there.[/quote]

As a loyal Redskins fan since birth, I will go on record with the following:

1) Not all Redskin fans thought he would be successful there, myself included.
2) Dan Snyder thought he would be successful and/or he wanted the big name hire because he is a media whore.
3) Dan Snyder is not only an idiot, he is also one of the main reasons why that franchise has not been very successful since the day he bought it.
4) Dan Snyder might be, just maybe, the anti-Christ. I can't say for sure, but all I am saying is that I have never seen Dan Snyder and the anti-Christ in the same room at the same time. Just putting 2 and 2 together.[/quote]

I did not mean to digress. I could care less about Spurrier and the Redskins. My point is there are no assurances even when you hire the "big" coach early or late. Let's focus on the Ponies.

[Big Hoss]

I think there is a saying out there that bad publicity is better than none at all. Look, these guy's at rumermil.com and the rest have no clue. They have been way behind the folks posting on this board. SMU has probably been on every board in this country as far a football. SMU will be on every board in this country soon for another reason. Maybe tomorrow the nightmare will end. I hope, I really hope JJ takes this offer. SO has done as much for SMU as Doak Walker.

Just because there is a saying like that doesn't make it accurate and it doesn't mean it applies to every situation. In this case, it does not apply.

SMU is not only the laughing stock on rumor sites, it's also the laughing stock of most sports media outlets as well.

And easy on the comparisons of Orsini to Doak Walker.