Hart Emails

[redpony]

I do,however, expect our AD to have a plan for the future and to communicate those action items to fans, alums, and supporters of the program. If I had to guess, that is what most pony fans want to hear about.
It is not out of bounds to ask (or even demand) from our AD the following: What are our goals, and what do we need to do to reach those goals? Brown and Co haven't done anything except recruit and win the games they're supposed to--- but we see the plan in action and recognize the upward trajectory of the program.

PNC- exactly. IIRC one of our posters from S.A. gave a good outline of what UTSA's plans were and how they expected to get to their goals. Hard to understand why casper can not communicate our plans in a similar manner unless he doesn't really have a plan.
However, I expect that RGT's plan is rather obvious from the downgrading of our AD position.

[ponyinNC]

Let the man do his job. Time will tell whether he is successful in what he is doing. But please quit the complaining that he does not spell out answers for you in public forums or private emails unless you are a spoke in the wheel that drives the program.

I think we may be taking about 2 different things. Nobody (at least not me personally) is asking for some "answers" as to specifics about Jones contract extension. Especially not in public

The way you make it out would be that Hart is the great and powerful Oz-- pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!

I want a blueprint or a model of our goals in football and how to reach them. How can you measure success if you have no specific goals or expectations? What you suggest would mean us fans should go along for the ride and "trust" our AD because.....well, tell me why again?

You made the analogy to your workplace. In the same way, if a reporter calls me to ask specific questions about an issue with my company, they would get bullet point answers and BS. If the Board asked me the same questions, they get the truth.

So it is a matter of who your "customer" is. I'd argue that, as donors and fans or alums of smu, we are the customer. Not the 10-20 or so "super donors". I'm not even looking for specifics in that regard- just tell me what your definition of "success" is so that I can figure out if I want to follow this program any longer.

For instance, if harts ideas of success is 6 wins every year and a bowl, that is fine. Just let me know now!!

[mrydel]

Let the man do his job. Time will tell whether he is successful in what he is doing. But please quit the complaining that he does not spell out answers for you in public forums or private emails unless you are a spoke in the wheel that drives the program.

I think we may be taking about 2 different things. Nobody (at least not me personally) is asking for some "answers" as to specifics about Jones contract extension. Especially not in public

The way you make it out would be that Hart is the great and powerful Oz-- pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!

I want a blueprint or a model of our goals in football and how to reach them. How can you measure success if you have no specific goals or expectations? What you suggest would mean us fans should go along for the ride and "trust" our AD because.....well, tell me why again?

You made the analogy to your workplace. In the same way, if a reporter calls me to ask specific questions about an issue with my company, they would get bullet point answers and BS. If the Board asked me the same questions, they get the truth.

So it is a matter of who your "customer" is. I'd argue that, as donors and fans or alums of smu, we are the customer. Not the 10-20 or so "super donors". I'm not even looking for specifics in that regard- just tell me what your definition of "success" is so that I can figure out if I want to follow this program any longer.

For instance, if harts ideas of success is 6 wins every year and a bowl, that is fine. Just let me know now!!

We are not the board.

And I would imagine as time goes by you will learn more and more abut our vision. I just do not think Hart needs to cater to ponyfans demands.

[redpony]

mrydel- so IMO what you are saying is that unless you are a multi-million dollar donor you have no business knowing what the plans for success (or failure) of SMU athletics is. Hmmm. kind of a unique approach. I have never heard of an organization that felt it's donors/supporters had no business knowing what it's future plans were.

[stc9]

The egos of some of our ponyfans brothers amazes me. You really think that Hart has any obligation to tell you what is going on in negotiations? Please.

No one on this board has any idea what the extension says and until it plays out we will not. You can email him all day long and he will respond all day long, but he is not going to detail anything to you.

Write the $10,000,000 check and sit in the room with the ones that do know what is going on.

My post wasn't about my hubris. I don't think Rick Hart must confer with me about every decision or contract negotiation. It would be nice, but impractical - I jest, I jest.

What I want is for him to act like any successful leader and share his vision. We want to believe! We want to buy in! We could have run away screaming decades ago. Yet, we are still here. The decision to extend JJ might fit perfectly with Hart's vision for SMU. Hart needs to act like a leader today. Give us a vision to believe in and we will find ways to support the program and the team. Right now, we are in a vacuum and taking counsel of our own fears. Worse for a school with a microscopic fan base, we are talking about finally leaving.

[Stallion]

SMU has a history of acting as if we have "no business knowing the truth" especially if they "didn't see a bible in the room". Now carry on.

[mrydel]

State of the program discussions usually occur after the first of the year.

[mrydel]

mrydel- so IMO what you are saying is that unless you are a multi-million dollar donor you have no business knowing what the plans for success (or failure) of SMU athletics is. Hmmm. kind of a unique approach. I have never heard of an organization that felt it's donors/supporters had no business knowing what it's future plans were.

No, but coming to the campus once every 2 or 3 years and saying to fire everyone as your only solution does not mean you should be the first one told. I have confidence he will address his plan for all sports, remember he is not over just football, when it is the right time.

But in the mean time everyone should send him nasty emails so he will act more quickly.

[redpony]

[ No, but coming to the campus once every 2 or 3 years and saying to fire everyone as your only solution does not mean you should be the first one told. I have confidence he will address his plan for all sports, remember he is not over just football, when it is the right time.

Actually, I used to make it a point to attend at least 2 games each year plus the lunches etc. And I usually brought enough family to account for about 16-18 tickets per year.. After he screwed SMU by recruiting players for ASU when he was still on our nickel I quit supporting him (and his total lack of ethics) and going to games..
Regarding your comment about 'not just over football" is even more telling about his incompetence. I.e. look at our men's soccer program- it has been in in the crapper for years and has gotten to the point of being embarrassing, yet he has refused to make a change. IMO that happens to be in his realm of authority without permission from the CofC. Great leadership in action.

[mrydel]

I know you are a supporter and I agree the soccer program needs repair. I just believe you need to give him a little time. Yes the soccer program has been dipping for quite a while, but Hart has not been here that long. He has a lot on his plate that needs to be done. I am still holding confidence that he will make headway in due time. Is positive change ever fast enough?

[redpony]

As an old boss used to tell me: yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here. today is the day to do it!!!..