Rick Hart on "Division Four"

[Greenwich Pony]

I think the jury is still out on Hart, though I do have to say that the lack of evidence one way or another is a little disturbing. There does seem to be a lack of fire and confidence which is more than a little disturbing. There seems to be no sense of an overall plan in the athletic department, its all "wait and see" for everything.

We have a problem with attendence. No way around that one. But our situation is far from unfixable. SMU has all the elements for success and a good national image: actively improving academics, a good memorable logo, a storied history, a beautiful campus, and even has had some good cultural placements that it has failed to capitalize upon, etc. The school needs to some brand unification and a better PR outreach, not just from the athletics perspective, but university-wide. We can and should be a solid national education/athletics brand but our administration does not seem to be able to execute a coherent unified national branding and PR program. They are great a raising money, but our brand marketing has been woeful for years and having worked with several large companies (and universities) this is not a difficult fix. It may be the thing I find most frustrating as an alum. For a university so image-conscious, we always come off as amateurs.

Anyway, rant over.

[AusTxPony]

"our (attendance) situation is far from unfixable". No one seems to have done it in 25 years. That being said, we do now have some success going for us. I think JJ and Turner have something to do with that. Larry Brown is a jewel. The Boulevard was brilliant idea. The campus looks great, plus the Bush Library. We just have to plow ahead with vigor. I'm doing what I can to help by buying season tickets and attending games. Go Ponies.

[mustangxc]

The way I remember it, Orsini was vehemently against hiring Larry Brown. As HoopmanX has stated repeatedly, he is a great football AD, but does not know what he is doing in basketball. That said, I am extremely happy we have Brown as our basketball coach but would like to have Orsini around to make the football hire when June steps away. I think it is too early to judge Hart, but he doesn't give me the impression that he has the necessary demeanor to attract and retain the type of coach to get us to the next level. If basketball becomes a consistent NCAA tournament team and football consistently attracts 25,000 SMU fans then it will have been a worthwhile hire.

[Treadway21]

Orsini lucked into June Jones also- ED made it happen. He was against hiring LB, and some of his other coaching hires weren't all that good. Not that I am bagging on him. He did us a lot of good.

[AusTxPony]

Haven't we been hiring some pretty good coaches in the Olympic Sports, like tennis and golf. Are those Hart's choices?

[Grant Carter]

I remember mrydel's version. Hart is not a football or basketball coach. An AD needs to let the Head Coach run his program for the most part. I like what he did with the young alumni and lettermen sections-that's more the role he plays in the Program. This is his first season that he could possibly have an affect on the "appearance" of the program because he was hired so late. I'm going to start judging him on what I see THIS YEAR. First "low bar"-SMU has to at least get to 10,000 season tickets.

I agree with this too. However, as I am judging him this year he already starts off with a big negative since he cancelled the Baylor game.

[RGV Pony]

One thing often harped on- and that has to be improved in order to help w attendance IMO - is game presentation /gameday experience.

As of mid august, there will be 5 new full time employees focused on things like sound, video, etc.

[that's great raplh]

Bon

[PonyKai]

some of you people crack me up. Mr. Rydel is spot on.

[mrydel]

And although I am sure Hart made the deal, I blame the dropping of the Baylor game on Jones. I am sure he insisted on a lighter schedule and the inability to drop A&M left us with dropping Baylor. But regardless of who made the decision I personally believe the dropping of Baylor was beyond foolish from a fan and local drawing perspective.

[RGV Pony]

And although I am sure Hart made the deal, I blame the dropping of the Baylor game on Jones. I am sure he insisted on a lighter schedule and the inability to drop A&M left us with dropping Baylor. But regardless of who made the decision I personally believe the dropping of Baylor was beyond foolish from a fan and local drawing perspective.

Agree

[PK]

And although I am sure Hart made the deal, I blame the dropping of the Baylor game on Jones. I am sure he insisted on a lighter schedule and the inability to drop A&M left us with dropping Baylor. But regardless of who made the decision I personally believe the dropping of Baylor was beyond foolish from a fan and local drawing perspective.

AMEN!

[Hoofprint]

Montana State is not the draw that Baylor is. No question about that. But have to win before we start AAC games, and the switch gives us a better chance to do that.

Besides, I go to the games to see SMU, regardless of who the opponent is.

[PonyKai]

Besides, I go to the games to see SMU, regardless of who the opponent is.

Okay, so that's like you and.......1,499 other people. WOW, LOOK THE STADIUM IS ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY.

[SMU2007]

Besides, I go to the games to see SMU, regardless of who the opponent is.

Okay, so that's like you and.......1,499 other people. WOW, LOOK THE STADIUM IS ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY.

+1