Dickerson the Whiner

[Ranger19]

ED has disparaged SMU. He is a grown man. He and CJ should be STATESMAN for everything SMU. There is a statesmanly way to expressing dissatisfaction; ED didn't choose that route. He failed to act with class. We expect CLASS from everything and everyone associated with SMU. Man up ED. Man up CJ. Be statesmen for your school; don't whine like children.

[MustangAlum05]

Wow!! The audacity and arrogance of SMU fans never seems to amaze me. I read PonyFans on a daily basis and never felt the urge to respond, but this is getting ridiculous. Outside of the great Doak Walker, ED and the Pony Express are the most important figures in the history of SMU football, maybe SMU sports. Yeah, I agree his opinion was harsh..But I was always told the truth hurts.

Let's be honest, if you think you can get the same kids into SMU as Texas, A&M, TCU, and even Baylor, you're lying to yourself.
Also, if think these schools don't bend the rules slightly, hahaha, that's laughable and be for real. Cheating is big part of success. Believe it or not Baylor is one of the biggest cheaters out there and I know this from personal experience. Listen SMU is living in fear, largely due to the death penalty. Yeah as fans we want our alma mater to compete with the big boys, but WE (alums, students, Administration) do not want to do what is necessary to get US there. We have to force students to attend football games to be eligible for b-ball tickets. At other universities football games are part of the college experience, I don't care how bad the teams are. I have a friend who went to a Purdue game in 30 below degree weather in a packed stadium to watch them get their doors blown off! We talk about June Jones and recruiting. He probably could have given a little more effort, not disputing that. But imagine how difficult it would be to recruit top athletes with 5K fans in the stands. Even in our recent bowl seasons, we couldn't fill the stands. Do we need to go undefeated to get fans to show up on a consistent basis? If so, that's ridiculous!
Oh and the administration....Thank you for putting revenue over the success of the team. We should not be playing Baylor or A&M, but it's big money, so why not. Forget that it will ruin the confidence of the players and start the season off on a bad note year after year. Why not use the Boise State approach, play a bottom feeder P5, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest. Success does not come in one big win, it takes time.

OK, I'll hop off of my soap box and fade to the back....But one more thing for you administration defenders....wait until you see what's about to happen to our beloved basketball team. You think Mudiay didn't come to SMU for money reasons??? Eligibility concerns???hahaha yeah right - Remember Larry Johnson?

Peace and PonyUp!!

[couch 'em]

So your argument is what? That ED's whole argument is about the lack of cheating at SMU? That's more plausible than what he actually said, because we know the academics argument is totally BS.

On recruiting, sure it is hard. It was hard for Larry Brown. June could never had LB's success obviously, but he could have put in the effort. Even local high school coaches were calling June Jones and staff out for not ever even recruiting them. Let that sink in. That's straight up not trying.

[GoMustAAngs2007]

Where to begin...

Let's be honest, if you think you can get the same kids into SMU as Texas, A&M, TCU, and even Baylor, you're lying to yourself.

As Stallion and others have pointed out numerous times, SMU's admissions standards are no longer an issue. We are on par with our FBS peers. Do you have examples of recruits who were not admitted to SMU that ended up on the field for one of those schools?

But imagine how difficult it would be to recruit top athletes with 5K fans in the stands. Even in our recent bowl seasons, we couldn't fill the stands.

Totally agree with you here. Fixing attendance and recruiting top athletes with 5K in the stands will be two of the numerous challenges our next coach will face. This will continue to be a problem because the new coach will need significant roster turnover in order to have any hope for a 9-10 win AAC Championship level season. Hopefully he is up to the task.

We should not be playing Baylor or A&M, but it's big money, so why not.

We don't get any money from playing Baylor and A&M. We benefit from the attendance at our home games plus the chance to play a former conference rival, but that's about it.

OK, I'll hop off of my soap box and fade to the back....But one more thing for you administration defenders....wait until you see what's about to happen to our beloved basketball team. You think Mudiay didn't come to SMU for money reasons??? Eligibility concerns???hahaha yeah right - Remember Larry Johnson?

Until I see evidence proving otherwise, I will continue to believe Mudiay didn't come to SMU because of some shady activity with Prime Prep/Under Armour. It wasn't anything SMU did or didn't do. We gave his brother a scholarship. This year's basketball team will be the most talented team in basketball or football that SMU has rolled out since the death penalty and I can't wait for November 14th. Until then, I am going to support SMU as we search for a new football coach and blissfully ignore the upcoming beatdowns from A&M and TCU.

[MustangAlum05]

Nope, it's not completely about cheating, although that is an aspect of it. Cheating is part of the game and it's not exclusive to paying players, admissions plays into it as well. Now I appreciate the fact that my degree holds weight, because of the academic standards of SMU. But let's not think that any kid can get into SMU. Baylor is a private school, why don't they have the same problem getting athletes?? They changed their approach on admittance. They were getting dump-trucked in the Big 12 less than 10 years ago.....They also started paying players a little more, but that's a different story.

And I'm not disagreeing that June didn't recruit the Dallas area. That's a well known fact. Our rosters should be full of Dallas players, but it's not. They don't even venture to the southern part of the city, like Lancaster, Desoto, Cedar Hill which makes no sense. Honestly, before Larry Brown there hasn't been any SMU coach (football or basketball) with a presence within the Dallas community since the Mike Dement days. But we're talking about Larry Brown, a legend. He can recruit strictly off of his name. The real test will be if we can continue the momentum after he retires. So to compare his ability to recruit vs. JJ is not even on the same level. But I get your point and I agree, that JJ didn't even put forth the effort.

My point was maybe ED was trying to light a fire under the butts of the administration, because our current approach to football is not working. I'm sure he and other former players would love to see the team be successful with or without JJ.

[couch 'em]

Nope, it's not completely about cheating, although that is an aspect of it. Cheating is part of the game and it's not exclusive to paying players, admissions plays into it as well. Now I appreciate the fact that my degree holds weight, because of the academic standards of SMU. But let's not think that any kid can get into SMU. Baylor is a private school, why don't they have the same problem getting athletes?? They changed their approach on admittance. They were getting dump-trucked in the Big 12 less than 10 years ago.....They also started paying players a little more, but that's a different story.

And I'm not disagreeing that June didn't recruit the Dallas area. That's a well known fact. Our rosters should be full of Dallas players, but it's not. They don't even venture to the southern part of the city, like Lancaster, Desoto, Cedar Hill which makes no sense. Honestly, before Larry Brown there hasn't been any SMU coach (football or basketball) with a presence within the Dallas community since the Mike Dement days. But we're talking about Larry Brown, a legend. He can recruit strictly off of his name. The real test will be if we can continue the momentum after he retires. So to compare his ability to recruit vs. JJ is not even on the same level. But I get your point and I agree, that JJ didn't even put forth the effort.

My point was maybe ED was trying to light a fire under the butts of the administration, because our current approach to football is not working. I'm sure he and other former players would love to see the team be successful with or without JJ.

We have admitted more academically horrible athletes with shockingly low SATs than just about anyone. The academics argument has been a myth since June arrived. We can admit anyone that passes the NCAA

[footballdad]

Nope, it's not completely about cheating, although that is an aspect of it. Cheating is part of the game and it's not exclusive to paying players, admissions plays into it as well. Now I appreciate the fact that my degree holds weight, because of the academic standards of SMU. But let's not think that any kid can get into SMU. Baylor is a private school, why don't they have the same problem getting athletes?? They changed their approach on admittance. They were getting dump-trucked in the Big 12 less than 10 years ago.....They also started paying players a little more, but that's a different story.

And I'm not disagreeing that June didn't recruit the Dallas area. That's a well known fact. Our rosters should be full of Dallas players, but it's not. They don't even venture to the southern part of the city, like Lancaster, Desoto, Cedar Hill which makes no sense. Honestly, before Larry Brown there hasn't been any SMU coach (football or basketball) with a presence within the Dallas community since the Mike Dement days. But we're talking about Larry Brown, a legend. He can recruit strictly off of his name. The real test will be if we can continue the momentum after he retires. So to compare his ability to recruit vs. JJ is not even on the same level. But I get your point and I agree, that JJ didn't even put forth the effort.

My point was maybe ED was trying to light a fire under the butts of the administration, because our current approach to football is not working. I'm sure he and other former players would love to see the team be successful with or without JJ.

Baylor lucked into Briles and RG3, nothing more, nothing less. They went out on a limb and hit a home run. Hopefully we have a little of the same luck with this new hire.

As far as ED lighting a fire, he should have done it privately by going to the powers that be to voice his concerns, and also by opening his wallet if he really wants to help. All he has done with his antics are turn a large portion of the SMU football community against him, as well as 100% of the players. At this point I would keep him far away from the SMU sidelines because he is certainly not welcome there.

Great strategy genius.

[JasonB]

Just a point of discussion: Keith Frazier.

LB had to go to bat to get Keith Frazier into SMU. It was a really, really tough fight that LB ended up winning against the Provost. Luckily, LB had Turner on his side.

So, on one had, 5 years ago nobody would have had a shot at getting KF in.

On the other, at Baylor the head coach wouldn't have to fight that hard to get him in.

Taking that example forward, is it reasonable to think that June maybe didn't want to fight that hard? Or that Turner wouldn't have his backing? Yeah, those are possibilities.

Is it possible that the Provost could have threatened to take a hard line stance on Mudiay, forcing a LJ situation? Yeah, that is possible too.

I totally get that JJ was full of s*it a lot of the time. But everyone on this board has the same goal - to get SMU back to the upper tier. My philosophy is that where there is smoke there might be fire. I would rather us dig into it and see if there is anything that needs to be resolved still before we bring the next guy in, so that we can set ourselves up for success as much as possible.

It is up to us as alumni to put as much pressure on the Mustang Club and the school to ask the hard questions and get the program in the best position possible for success.

[Rebel10]

I don't think LB had a tough fight for Frazier as you are making it out to be. Did you talk to LB about it or something. If you recall President Turner took the lead and KF was admitted before he even passed the clearinghouse. He got admitted early enough to go to summer school. As far as football is concerned if Kitchen ad Gamble got admitted they can get anyone that passes clearinghouse in.Just saying.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com ... oday.html/

[sbsmith]

Wow!! The audacity and arrogance of SMU fans never seems to amaze me. I read PonyFans on a daily basis and never felt the urge to respond, but this is getting ridiculous. Outside of the great Doak Walker, ED and the Pony Express are the most important figures in the history of SMU football, maybe SMU sports. Yeah, I agree his opinion was harsh..But I was always told the truth hurts.

Let's be honest, if you think you can get the same kids into SMU as Texas, A&M, TCU, and even Baylor, you're lying to yourself.
Also, if think these schools don't bend the rules slightly, hahaha, that's laughable and be for real. Cheating is big part of success. Believe it or not Baylor is one of the biggest cheaters out there and I know this from personal experience. Listen SMU is living in fear, largely due to the death penalty. Yeah as fans we want our alma mater to compete with the big boys, but WE (alums, students, Administration) do not want to do what is necessary to get US there. We have to force students to attend football games to be eligible for b-ball tickets. At other universities football games are part of the college experience, I don't care how bad the teams are. I have a friend who went to a Purdue game in 30 below degree weather in a packed stadium to watch them get their doors blown off! We talk about June Jones and recruiting. He probably could have given a little more effort, not disputing that. But imagine how difficult it would be to recruit top athletes with 5K fans in the stands. Even in our recent bowl seasons, we couldn't fill the stands. Do we need to go undefeated to get fans to show up on a consistent basis? If so, that's ridiculous!
Oh and the administration....Thank you for putting revenue over the success of the team. We should not be playing Baylor or A&M, but it's big money, so why not. Forget that it will ruin the confidence of the players and start the season off on a bad note year after year. Why not use the Boise State approach, play a bottom feeder P5, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest. Success does not come in one big win, it takes time.

OK, I'll hop off of my soap box and fade to the back....But one more thing for you administration defenders....wait until you see what's about to happen to our beloved basketball team. You think Mudiay didn't come to SMU for money reasons??? Eligibility concerns???hahaha yeah right - Remember Larry Johnson?

Peace and PonyUp!!

Bye June, don't be a stranger.

[Rebel10]

OK, I'll hop off of my soap box and fade to the back....But one more thing for you administration defenders....wait until you see what's about to happen to our beloved basketball team. You think Mudiay didn't come to SMU for money reasons??? Eligibility concerns???hahaha yeah right - Remember Larry Johnson?

Peace and PonyUp!!

You sound like one of those people that are wishing that the basketball team has bad things happen to them so that you can say "See I told you June was done in by the administration."

[Oldmins]

Wow!! The audacity and arrogance of SMU fans never seems to amaze me. I read PonyFans on a daily basis and never felt the urge to respond, but this is getting ridiculous. Outside of the great Doak Walker, ED and the Pony Express are the most important figures in the history of SMU football, maybe SMU sports. Yeah, I agree his opinion was harsh..But I was always told the truth hurts.

Let's be honest, if you think you can get the same kids into SMU as Texas, A&M, TCU, and even Baylor, you're lying to yourself.
Also, if think these schools don't bend the rules slightly, hahaha, that's laughable and be for real. Cheating is big part of success. Believe it or not Baylor is one of the biggest cheaters out there and I know this from personal experience. Listen SMU is living in fear, largely due to the death penalty. Yeah as fans we want our alma mater to compete with the big boys, but WE (alums, students, Administration) do not want to do what is necessary to get US there. We have to force students to attend football games to be eligible for b-ball tickets. At other universities football games are part of the college experience, I don't care how bad the teams are. I have a friend who went to a Purdue game in 30 below degree weather in a packed stadium to watch them get their doors blown off! We talk about June Jones and recruiting. He probably could have given a little more effort, not disputing that. But imagine how difficult it would be to recruit top athletes with 5K fans in the stands. Even in our recent bowl seasons, we couldn't fill the stands. Do we need to go undefeated to get fans to show up on a consistent basis? If so, that's ridiculous!
Oh and the administration....Thank you for putting revenue over the success of the team. We should not be playing Baylor or A&M, but it's big money, so why not. Forget that it will ruin the confidence of the players and start the season off on a bad note year after year. Why not use the Boise State approach, play a bottom feeder P5, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest. Success does not come in one big win, it takes time.

OK, I'll hop off of my soap box and fade to the back....But one more thing for you administration defenders....wait until you see what's about to happen to our beloved basketball team. You think Mudiay didn't come to SMU for money reasons??? Eligibility concerns???hahaha yeah right - Remember Larry Johnson?

Peace and PonyUp!!

You know from "personal experience" that Baylor is a cheater. Why don't you go on and tell us how you know this and just what Baylor did.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

You guys need to relax. Eric Dickerson loves SMU and he's extremely frustrated. . . that's all. (1) SMU gets blown out by UNT in the ultimate humiliation; (2) less than 48 hours later Eric hears that his good friend June Jones just got fired; (3) right then some reporter calls him up and asks him how he feels; and (4) Eric blows up. It happens. . .don't make more of it that it is.

SMU starts winning again and I guarantee you that Eric will be right there with the rest of SMU nation cheering on the team.

[JasonB]

I don't think LB had a tough fight for Frazier as you are making it out to be. Did you talk to LB about it or something. If you recall President Turner took the lead and KF was admitted before he even passed the clearinghouse. He got admitted early enough to go to summer school. As far as football is concerned if Kitchen ad Gamble got admitted they can get anyone that passes clearinghouse in.Just saying.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com ... oday.html/

I told you what I know. You told me what you read in the paper.

[PerunaPunch]

Just a point of discussion: Keith Frazier.

LB had to go to bat to get Keith Frazier into SMU. It was a really, really tough fight that LB ended up winning against the Provost. Luckily, LB had Turner on his side.

So, on one had, 5 years ago nobody would have had a shot at getting KF in.

On the other, at Baylor the head coach wouldn't have to fight that hard to get him in.

Taking that example forward, is it reasonable to think that June maybe didn't want to fight that hard? Or that Turner wouldn't have his backing? Yeah, those are possibilities.

Is it possible that the Provost could have threatened to take a hard line stance on Mudiay, forcing a LJ situation? Yeah, that is possible too.

I totally get that JJ was full of s*it a lot of the time. But everyone on this board has the same goal - to get SMU back to the upper tier. My philosophy is that where there is smoke there might be fire. I would rather us dig into it and see if there is anything that needs to be resolved still before we bring the next guy in, so that we can set ourselves up for success as much as possible.

It is up to us as alumni to put as much pressure on the Mustang Club and the school to ask the hard questions and get the program in the best position possible for success.

So far, Frazier is a one-time experiment that hasn't trickled over to any other sport yet –– or at least not into football. So yes, while we have come miles, admissions and academics is still something of an issue. Yes, yes, we now have the CDSA and a school of education, but we're really just on first or second base compared to what is offered at some of the larger universities.

I'm very proud of my degree and don't necessarily want athletes to get a rubber-stamped auto-diploma. All I'm saying is that with our limited curriculum (i.e. lack of blow-off classes), CORE requirements, gpa requirements to get into many majors, it is more challenging to get into the school and make progress toward your degree to stay eligible to play.