According to the DMN....Copeland to retire

[McClown27]

Relax, M27. Coach Bennett will not be hand-picking the next AD. They might ask him his opinion on someone, if they know each other, but he doesn't have the clout here to hand-pick anyone. Seeing the struggles the athletic department has had with some on the academic side of the school, I'm not sure ANY coach, even someone of Forrest Gregg's stature in SMU history, would be able to hand-pick the new AD.

Oh, I didn't mean to sound alarmist about Bennett picking the A.D. Honestly, I kind of hope he does. I think with Bennett, we would get an assistant from a Big 12 program (which I would be fine with) or Secules (if Bennett likes him, which I think he does). Our fate is stuck to Bennett, so I hope he gets someone who change the model to compete fairly with our rivals ( ). I hope Bennett is a sounding board. In other words, I don't want the A.D. from SFA or any other D2 school.

[PlanoStang]

Not to suggest that this is the answer for SMU - BUT - there is another small private school who is having success in Football in the SEC for the first time in many years and who is becoming a regular contender in SEC Basketball (and will be back in the NCAA tourney again this year in Mens and Womens hoops).

This is a University that ELIMINATED the Athletic Director position.

I am of course talking about Vanderbilt, who just pulled in their strongest football recruiting class in years after beating Tennessee this past year.

Imagine all of the other things that the high $$$ AD salary could be used for . . .

A serious contender for AD may have to be No AD at all . . . and I suspect that Dr. Turner may very well converse with Vanderbilt Chancellor Gordon Gee regarding the feasibility of this option at SMU.

Hmmm, how does that happen? Each head coach become the AD for
their sport?

How much does Copeland make? Is it more than Bennett? Is it more than
Mack Brown's $300,000 raise this year? Guess Bennett's $50,000 is a
COLA with the stipulation he takes over scheduling, travel, marketing,
etc. for the football team as AD next year.

Sounds good to me. Maybe with the savings, we can resurrect a top 10
track team.

Then again, what is that Mustang Maniac Brad Thomas doing now?

[ALEX LIFESON]

Copeland gets around 350k.

[couch 'em]

Yeah, why would we hire someone that helped turn the program around? Who has working relationships with two pretty good coaches?

I assume you are talking about him at another school? Surely you don't consider one almost-winning season a turn around! Basketball hasn't really been "turned around", soccer was good long before Copeland/Secules. Track definantly was "turned around"...

[couch 'em]

OK, I'm going to say it, and I know it won't be very popular. But it fits several criteria - would bring big publicity, cares about winning, would fight against those who would oppose us (faculty) - Eric Dickerson

[BUS]

I'll through out a name. One that loves Dallas, Is acceptable to the Dallas Media, Is easy to accept as a true athletic Icon and loves SMU.
If you do not think that Scott Secules is SOOOOOO much better than Copeland
( nothing against Jim ) but more energy, more aproachable and more driven to championships...

OK I have shown my desire.

SMU has come a long way since Jim came here, We have a long way to go, and Scott can ethically and morally get SMU to the Promise land.

This my be my end but I am a believer.
Peace Out
George

[Diamond Girl]

I think Pres. Turner will make a thoughtful decision about AD. He goes to all the games, not just the football games. He's on the blvd. every home game. I believe he really would like the football program to succeed. If he could get some support from the Faculty Senate, that would be a big help. I wish he would hold a town hall sort of meeting with the Mustang Club, the coaches, and other interested fans to get some realistic input as to who would be good candidates as well as those who would actually take the job.

[westexSMU]

Nothing against Scott, but we need to seriously consider bringing in a completely new A.D. and staff. We have got to SUCCEED at raising our Attendence for Football Etc. Our lack of support is slowly becoming the cancer of our program. Copeland's staff has tried hard but frankly has not been sucessful in this regard. Is it going to be easy ? We all know the answer, however like RUSS POTTS recently said, " SMU could have a popular sports programs again. " We need a marketing Genius like Potts to pull it off.We need fresh ideas. This potential AD change will make or break SMU's future in sports like football. Mustang Mania was started by getting ALL of Dallas involved in the Jerry Lewis Marithon. Remember ? We can do it again, without the sins of the past, if we start with the Heart. Fresh ideas will be the only way. It is time for a change.

[MrMustang1965]

In other words, I don't want the A.D. from SFA or any other D2 school.

SFA is a Div. 1-AA school, not Div. II. I agree. I don't want the Lumberjerks' AD at SMU, either.

[OC Mustang]

Search will probably be run by Korn Ferry...I think Bill Funk, who is the managing director of the Dallas office and really pioneered higher education searches nationally for Korn Ferry, was retained and is responsible for at least 3 deans, President Turner, and Copeland in the last 10-11 years.

I believe he does coaches as well, but I am not sure. I know he does ADs in addition to academic officers.

If anything like search committee I sat on, will have at least one and probably two alums on it in addition to probably two students. It is these 2-4 individuals that have to be "packed" as the saying goes. The Student Association President taps the students, usually one undergrad, one graduate (probably law school or mba). The students will probably be active in Student Association. Alumni Association will probably be the alums, or perhaps the Mustang Club (but they will be pro-Turner, and you can bet they will side with him if he asks for them to do so).

There will be several administrators, including VP Finance, Provost, & Turner, and perhaps a dean or two. And then there will be faculty. They are the x-factor. If Turner is fair about it, the faculty senate will tap the faculty. If Turner is not "fair" about it (if he takes a strong position on a particular candidate), he will do what he can to stack the deck without overtly causing the faculty to come unhinged.

Bottom line, if any of you ever really wanted to influence policy vis-a-vis SMU, particularly athletics, then this is as good a shot as you are ever going to get. If you know Turner or anybody close to him, you should be howling at them both to make sure that they understand our general points of view, varied though they may be. If you find yourself acquainted with anyone on the search committee, do yourself a favor and take them for a drink somewhere. They are not supposed to talk about it, but that doesn't mean that one can't impress upon them the importance of where we are right now.

And if you know Bill Funk, then by God, get on the horn and take him out for a drink.

Good night...I'm officially bombed.

[McClown27]

SFA is a Div. 1-AA school, not Div. II. I agree. I don't want the Lumberjerks' AD at SMU, either.

Sorry, the distinction slipped my mind.

[McClown27]

I'll through out a name. One that loves Dallas, Is acceptable to the Dallas Media, Is easy to accept as a true athletic Icon and loves SMU.
If you do not think that Scott Secules is SOOOOOO much better than Copeland
( nothing against Jim ) but more energy, more aproachable and more driven to championships...

OK I have shown my desire.

SMU has come a long way since Jim came here, We have a long way to go, and Scott can ethically and morally get SMU to the Promise land.

This my be my end but I am a believer.
Peace Out
George

Totally agree, we need Scott Secules here.

[SMU Football Blog]

I posted my thoughts on the blog (forgot I had one). I hope some people check it out. "Don't cost nothin'."

[Bergermeister]

Of the AD possibilities mentioned in the local "newspaper" this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see Butch Worley's name. Native of Leonard, Texas and Austin College alum. Been on the 40 Acres about 10-11 years. We need a guy like him and would be very fortunate to have Butch as the AD at SMU. Hopefully, he is interested in the job and will get an interview. He is probably making more $$ than Copeland was paid, but I'm sure SMU will up the ante for the right person.

[HorsePower]

President Turner is quoted in the DMN about wanting "experience" and saying he prefers a "sitting (current) AD," although that's not necessarily required. If that's the case, I would think Secules and Cooper would be in the "runner-up" category.

And couch'em: I usually agree with a lot of what you have to say, and you're right, Eric Dickerson would draw a few headlines. But he has no administrative experience, we have no idea about how he hires at his company in L.A. (i.e. could he choose a coach?), every nickel he raised would be scrutinzed by the NCAA and after the basic one-finger salute he's given SMU since he left, I don't want him running anything. If he wants to start giving money to the school and making public comments/endorsements/appearances on behalf of the school, then I'd be willing to re-think this. Until then, his picture on the wall is enough.