SMU Looks West For Plan For Success

[NickSMU17]

Thats because you sucked....

Eventually you will suck again and they will not be there...

Everyone likes a winner...

[ponyboy]

Given the title of the article at the head of this thread, I'd really be interested in the degree to which we actually are looking at TCU as the model. I don't think June Jones gives them even a sideways glance, as he has his own way of doing things. Said another way, like 99% of college teams, we want their *results.* But we're not necessarily following in any significant way their actual plan.

[NickSMU17]

Given the title of the article at the head of this thread, I'd really be interested in the degree to which we actually are looking at TCU as the model. I don't think June Jones gives them even a sideways glance, as he has his own way of doing things. Said another way, like 99% of college teams, we want their *results.* But we're not necessarily following in any significant way their actual plan.

This is the complaint...where have you been? Are you drunk when you write on this board?

[ponyboy]

Is the TCU way, assuming it can be replicated by SMU, the only way to get there? Hasn't June Jones demonstrated already at another stop or two that he can scale the same mountain via a different route?

[NickSMU17]

No he hasn't....

Last time I checked Hawaii was hoping for a mountain west invite and TCU was going to the big east to earn 20mil a year in extra tv revenue...

[RGV Pony]

Is the TCU way, assuming it can be replicated by SMU, the only way to get there? Hasn't June Jones demonstrated already at another stop or two that he can scale the same mountain via a different route?

depends on what the outcome/goal/destination of "there" is. JJ has said that the Sugar Bowl for Hawaii, his only college stop, was a "once in a lifetime deal;" which doesnt necessarily mesh with building a program with an eye toward longterm success. TCU has been to back to back BCS games and won one. Granted, JJ left Hawaii after the Sugar Bowl, so we cant definitively say that BLM wouldnt have led Hawaii to more BCS games, though some can probably muster a guess I suppose.

Disclaimer: I say the above with the acknowledgement that there is little argument that JJ was the right guy at the right time for SMU. What's in the mirror and what's behind the wheel and what's down the road are related, the same, and different all at once, but they must all be considered.

[ponyboy]

Good thoughts. So is it fair to say the immediate "there" is to replicate what June Jones accomplished in his time at Hawaii before we worry about getting to where TCU is now?

[NickSMU17]

One is building the florida marlins, the other is building the yankees....

Loose analogy but fairly accurate...

[ponyboy]

Ok, but here's another analogy for you. You need to get a load to the Artic Circle via 18 wheeler. There are going to be at least two phases. First phase is to hire a proven guy who can get you to the Canada border, a guy who knows the roads and has proven he can do this. Now, he may not take the interstate like everybody else, but you know he damn well knows how to get a load from here to the border. Once we're there, we look at next steps and ask whether we need a different driver for the next phase.

With June Jones, we're in Kansas and you're whining about how he's not following your map. Let the damned guy drive the way he sees fit to drive. This is what he does, rescue programs. Maybe we move to another guy once June gets us to Canada, rescues the program, and loses interest.

[NickSMU17]

Have a lot more issues with JJ than how and where he is driving the truck...

Traditions, colors, interviews, ect...


Basically re-read RGV's statement...I agree with that...

Right guy right time...going forward at 2.75 mil we have every right to question the direction...this is year 4 not year 2....

[ponyboy]

It takes drastic measures to turn around this train wreck of a program. Do you forget where we've come from? You don't have that short a memory, do you? Except for the time before when Doak walked off campus after the 1949 season -- and the very, very short glory years of the early 1980's -- we've been AT BEST a mediocre program and at worst one of the most dreadful excuses for a program in the history of college football. If he's got to mess with a couple of marginal traditions to get this done, I say go for it.

While we're at this, let's look at TCU for a minute, who they are. They were arguably a better program than SMU -- at least as good -- early in their history. Our early golden years were their early golden years. Like us, they've sucked the rest of the time EXCEPT they've now outdone our Pony Express days with their run over the last decade or so. Our highest final ranking is theirs and they have done it for longer.

Bottom line is let's let June get to the Canada border -- hell, let's let him get out of this recruiting season -- before judging how he's done. Next stop is winning conference and slipping into the Top 25. Being TCU, and therefore replicating the Pony Express, is so far over the horizon, there is no use getting worked up about it yet.

[NickSMU17]

If you don't push, don't expect a response....

No coincidence that certain coaches have actually made an attempt on the trail, and that Klemm is offering numerous 2013 dallas area recruits....

This is the best 1 or 2 Non-bcs jobs in the country, start having some expectations....

[ponyboy]

Do you actually believe you've personally changed the recruiting plan for this veteran staff by crying and moaning on a fan board? I can hear it now at the latest staff recruiting meeting: "Next up on the agenda, we've got to start recruiting locally or Nick is going to make a big stink out there on Ponyfans."

You strike me as the kind of guy who just enjoys complaining, whether it has the potential to help or not. If so, carry on. I'll filter accordingly.

[ponyboy]

And, while we're at it, I do have some expectations. I expect to get to the point in the next couple of years where we're winning conference and getting some top 25 rankings. When we get there, it will be a huge leap from where we've been and June Sheldon Jones will have earned every penny we gave him. Do Not Forget History.

[NickSMU17]

You strike me as a beat off...so continue accordingly...