Barnett article in DMN....

[Stallion]

I'm not so sure about this Conventional Wisdom that Terry Bowden is Mr. February-its really been too long to check(Prehistoric days before the internet) but my recollection is that he was an average recruiter at best although I concede that may have been affected by Auburn's 2 year probation. I think we might want to send an envoy to Auburn's message board to check that Conventional Wisdom. In my mind recruiting is a big questionmark with Bowden as is Coaching Staff since he's been out of Coaching for so long. I'd be willing to bet Barnett could get a better Coaching Staff assembled who know Texas recruiting and Barnett would be the superior recruiter Further, Barnett has more scalps on his resume and in at least 3 occassions has overcome astounding odds to win those championships. This guy wins Championships not just bowls.

[Phxfan]

I'm not so sure about this Conventional Wisdom that Terry Bowden is Mr. February-its really been too long to check(Prehistoric days before the internet) but my recollection is that he was an average recruiter at best although I concede that may have been affected by Auburn's 2 year probation. I think we might want to send an envoy to Auburn's message board to check that Conventional Wisdom. In my mind recruiting is a big questionmark with Bowden as is Coaching Staff since he's been out of Coaching for so long. I'd be willing to bet Barnett could get a better Coaching Staff assembled who know Texas recruiting and Barnett would be the superior recruiter Further, Barnett has more scalps on his resume and in at least 3 occassions has overcome astounding odds to win those championships. This guy wins Championships not just bowls.

Reading the articles today re: Barnett. There seems to be this long, and it just looks long, about indiscretions, allegations etc. etc. etc. Not saying he wouldn't be a good hire, and allegations are only that. Just seems to make me a little uncomfortable. If SMU can get over the allegatons he would be a good fit. Can they get over them??

[icehawks18]

Matt, Mike, whatever. when he gets us to a NIT berth, much less an NCAA berth, i'll remember his name.

[George S. Patton]

Beware of Coaches using the SMU job for publicity-but come on he's the best football coach on our mythical list.

Normally, I would agree with this. But given Barnett's age, I don't think Gary has the options like other people would have who are out there lobbying.

He fits the profile of big-name coaching falling on hard times who may not be able to get back into the club.

[Statler]

I'm not so sure about this Conventional Wisdom that Terry Bowden is Mr. February-its really been too long to check(Prehistoric days before the internet) but my recollection is that he was an average recruiter at best although I concede that may have been affected by Auburn's 2 year probation. I think we might want to send an envoy to Auburn's message board to check that Conventional Wisdom. In my mind recruiting is a big questionmark with Bowden as is Coaching Staff since he's been out of Coaching for so long. I'd be willing to bet Barnett could get a better Coaching Staff assembled who know Texas recruiting and Barnett would be the superior recruiter Further, Barnett has more scalps on his resume and in at least 3 occassions has overcome astounding odds to win those championships. This guy wins Championships not just bowls.

Stallion,

Even though you and I disagree on the model (being the end all) (to some extent), I have changed my thoughts on who we need to hire. IF (and I mean IF) the DMN is correct and Barnett wants to come here, I don't see what we are waiting on. Hire this guy, load up the truck, and Let's go.

Man, even Darth is starting to get excited again!

[KnuckleStang]

To me, Barnett is the best choice. But SMU will not hire him. And that is a shame.

[George S. Patton]

To me, Barnett is the best choice. But SMU will not hire him. And that is a shame.

Just let the process play itself out. Whatever you do, how about crafting a song in tribute to the new coach?

[FWMustangGirl]

I'm not so sure about this Conventional Wisdom that Terry Bowden is Mr. February-its really been too long to check(Prehistoric days before the internet) but my recollection is that he was an average recruiter at best although I concede that may have been affected by Auburn's 2 year probation. I think we might want to send an envoy to Auburn's message board to check that Conventional Wisdom. In my mind recruiting is a big questionmark with Bowden as is Coaching Staff since he's been out of Coaching for so long.

In talking to friends who are Auburn alums, they think Bowden was a great recruiter and would be a fantastic match for SMU.

[Ponymon]

Here is Bowden's overall history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Bowden

[Longtime]

The thing about Barnett's troubles at CU: Denver is a two-newspaper town and any hint of scandal at CU got overplayed. They have columnists fighting for attention/circulation and they would regularly rip Barnett to shreds.

Also, CU/Boulder is a liberal state school in a very liberal, although wealthy, town. Athletes were targets at CU. Not quite the same setting as SMU and Dallas.

Barnett made some mistakes, but nothing serious was ever pinned directly on him. He kept winning despite media-fueled controversies. They couldn't fire him until CU lost about 100-0 to Vince Young and Texas - in the Big 12 Championship Game.

He's a young 61. He doesn't look 61 and he's still smart as a whip. Even then, what you have to realize is that head coaches don't really recruit. They close the deals, but the backbone of recruiting is assistants. You have to have young, energetic assistants to recruit well.

[PK]

Hey Longtime, the majority of folks 61 are still smart as a whip. Take Mrydel for instance. Senility usually doesn't strike until you approach mid 80's.

[mrydel]

Hey Longtime, the majority of folks 61 are still smart as a whip. Take Mrydel for instance. Senility usually doesn't strike until you approach mid 80's.

Huh? Take me where? What's going on, I just woke up? Which way does my clock go and why do we keep messing with the sun?

[awatson23]

I am sure someone on this board can answer this - What are the recruiting standards at Northwestern? I know it is a great school, but do they have relaxed admission standards for athletics? If not, and they are somewhat similar to SMU, I think that would make Barnett a great choice. Not only is he a proven coach, but he also did it a school with high academic standards.

For those of you that are worried about his problems at CU, you need to look no further than Mike Price at UTEP.

As for NU standards. They are about the highest in Div. 1 football. An par w/ Stanford

[Pony81]

Lets hope and pray they hire Barnett. He would get us back to respectability and more importantly HE WOULD STAY AFTER HE WAS SUCCESSFUL.

Bowden wins at SMU and he is gone.
Tomey wins at SMU and his gone.
Same with Gill, Fran, Mason ect.

We want a proven D1 coach who can turn around programs and then is at a point in his career where he will stay for "only" 1 mil a year.

[Stallion]

Geez Tomey is 70 years old-you're right he's probably gone after the SMU job. RIP