Should SMU seek a new president?

[smupony94]

This thread is a joke. College athletics from BC$ to mid-majors is in trouble because of inane supporters, who feel we can only value our degrees and self-worth based on a FB program. Get a life.

I'm sorry nobody cares to watch swimming.

Ah, I think Couch'em is wrong

[EastStang]

Up until the Observer article hit, no one had any inkling that JJ was getting antsy about all this. His public pronouncements were of the variety that we're working to solve the problem we need to do better. That sounds positive. But now, when you hear that he hasn't signed the extension and he's not getting the support he was promised, that's starting to look like real trouble. We knew from his Hawaii days that academic strength of players was an issue even there. I was a bit surprised that he came to SMU knowing his past and hoped that he and the Administration had a pretty good understanding of the parameters regarding admissions and academic help to football players. Apparently there were no clear guidelines ever agreed to. As a result, you get ad hoc decisions, students-athletes who flunk out, and a coach who is not happy. If JJ, Turner, Tunks, a faculty rep, and hopefully a few members of the Circle get together, they can come up with some clear guidelines for helping athletes succeed and what athletes will be accepted and what athletes won't be accepted. Then JJ knows where the bright lines are.

[jtstang]

Up until the Observer article hit, no one had any inkling that JJ was getting antsy about all this.

Not true. Several posters on here alluded to Jones being pissed about this, Big Al for one. I don't think anyone realized he had not accepted the extension offered, though.

Typical SMU--Two steps forward,three steps back.

[davidpaul123]

We can always get another president... there isnt another June Jones.

[couch 'em]

Up until the Observer article hit, no one had any inkling that JJ was getting antsy about all this.

This is untrue on many levels. Have you been reading the board? The unsigned contract extension, the possibility of Jones leaving, etc. has all been discussed on this board over the last couple weeks.

Unfortuately, when some people read information they don't WANT to believe, they just ignore it or try to discredit it.

[NavyCrimson]

Stang: "...We knew from his Hawaii days that academic strength of players was an issue even there..."

Isn't that college football in general these days? It's everywhere.

All we have to do is go south & look at TU as a sterling example.

IMHO, the sting about this one is that they waited soo $%$# late in advising the families. That's totally unexcusable & the admissions committee doesn't want to accept responsibility. How cold can you be??!! But then again, that's the gov't & colleges these days. WHAT ARROGANCE!!!

[One Trick Pony]

Hell give Bob Sharp a couple of beers and send him in as president. At least he won’t have to pretend like he like’s football.

[Samurai Stang]

I'm sorry nobody cares to watch swimming.

Ah, I think Couch'em is wrong[/quote]

Swimming is not a revenue sport.

[Samurai Stang]

We can always get another president... there isnt another June Jones.

Interesting how this argument has returned.

[b_caesar]

We can always get another president... there isnt another June Jones.

Interesting how this argument has returned.

Indeed. Yeah, ditching R. Gerald Turner as President will really help SMU get a winning football program (along with an IPF). And better academics (with students who can handle the tougher classes). And more donations from alumni. And grow the endowment fund. And build a new aquatics center (and a new band hall). And increase the number of undergrad and grad programs and departments. And become a Tier 1, Top-50 University...that'll work SO well.

[Samurai Stang]

We can always get another president... there isnt another June Jones.

Interesting how this argument has returned.

Indeed. Yeah, ditching R. Gerald Turner as President will really help SMU get a winning football program (along with an IPF). And better academics (with students who can handle the tougher classes). And more donations from alumni. And grow the endowment fund. And build a new aquatics center (and a new band hall). And increase the number of undergrad and grad programs and departments. And become a Tier 1, Top-50 University...that'll work SO well.

Your whining is noted. As is your lack of an intelligent argument. Strangely reminiscent of ontheedgeofmyseat. No, not strangely. Predictably.

[stc9]

My 2 Cents... I think Turner should retire and become President Emeritus. His true strength is running around and shaking the money tree. He is really, really good at it. As President Emeritus that is what he should be focusing on, leveraging the relationships that people already have with SMU. I would like to bring in some new blood. Not to favor the athletic department or the football program in particular, but a new dynamic leader. I want this new President to forge new relationships and grow our footprint in the Metroplex so TCU is really "Who? Aren't they that vocational school over there in West Texas?". With the current economy you can only leverage old relationships so far before they break.

I no longer live in Dallas, but as an outsider with a pre-existing relationship with SMU, looking at the Athletic Department makes me scratch my head. It seems like they don't have a comprehensive plan on what they want to accomplish. Or they have no idea how to implement it. Outside of two e-mails when JJ first arrived on campus, SMU hasn't communicated with me at all regarding athletics. I have received more communication from an old Meadows Professor than I have from the Athletic Department. I still stroke a check every year (granted not a large one... alright already... it might only get them a cup of coffee as long as they don't go to Starbucks.)

As to the dispute regarding admissions: I don't want my degree devalued. That being said, there is a huge supply of talent in the State and surrounding states. If we need to devalue the degree for 4 or 5 classes I am OK with that. Once we make "our bones" again, let's make sure we recruit kids that can graduate. Once we are re-established we won't need to get JUCOs to fill in the immediate talent gaps so that problem should diminish.

The fact that this discussion keeps coming up tells me there are real leadership issues at the helm. Just my two cents. Take it for what it is worth.

[Samurai Stang]

As to the dispute regarding admissions: I don't want my degree devalued.

Better schools than SMU use minimum NCAA standards. Using a minimum standard for admission for athletes is not the same as lowering the standards in the classroom. Degrees will maintain their value as all students must complete the same required work at the university level.

[stc9]

As to the dispute regarding admissions: I don't want my degree devalued.

Better schools than SMU use minimum NCAA standards. Using a minimum standard for admission for athletes is not the same as lowering the standards in the classroom. Degrees will maintain their value as all students must complete the same required work at the university level.

That is a valid point.

On the other hand, unlike many FBS schools, SMU doesn't have a "Travel and Liesure" (UF), "Bakery Science" (KSU), "General Studies" (UM) or "Golf Couse Management" (UCF) Major to hide marginal students in. Do I believe in giving these kids every opportunity, absolutely! My larger point was, once we re-establish our football reputation we will have many, many more options in recruiting. This will not be the "street fight" that it is now.

[Stallion]

I would say no more than 30% of the schools ranked above us on the US News & World Report AT THE MOST take all minimum NCAA qualifiers and quite frankly if you are talking about kids scoring less than 700 SAT I think its likely less. In fact, I can't say for sure any of them would. I can state quite confidently that about 18 schools that rank above do not take what you refer to as all minimum qualifiers Here's the list that MIGHT:

Maybes:

Miami x (since Randy Shannon)
Ohio St x
USC
Illinois
Wisconsin x
Florida x
Syracuse
Purdue x

x means a school that based on Grad rates and APR rates cited below that I can't say with much certainty would definitely admit all minimum qualifiers

I further think SMU under Jones takes more academically marginal players than just about any school on that list.


http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandrevie ... ngs/page+3