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With this latest humilitiang loss, can we please move On?

I don't see it happening. Who is willing to pony up more than $2 mil/yr to pay both Bennett his severance and a proven head coach (and staff) to come in here and start all over again? That's realistically what it will take. Everyone is frustrated and I'm sure the coaches and players are way beyond what any of us can imagine, but like it or not, Bennett has to at least get next year (hopefully with a healthy Carrington, Lee, Muse and Phillips back on the field). If next year's team doesn't improve, rather than backing up as this group appears to be doing during the season, then I would not look for any contract extension and/or vote of confidence. Another season like this one and Bennett might not see that 5th year.

Gotta remember than even next year, we could have an offensive backfield of Phillips (soph), Dorsey (soph), Martin or Henderson (RS Fr), Massey (soph) or McKinney (RS Fr). They will have maybe one senior lining up in front of them on the OL. We are still a long ways from knowing whether the current roster of guys will be winners at SMU, but it's definitely time to start showing improvement and that they belong in Division I-A. After all, at this point of the season we are getting whipped by mid level WAC teams, not top 25 powerhouse programs.

These guys (players and coaching staff) need to step it up and at least show us they can compete against Tulsa and Nevada at home. I can't be optimistic about UTEP at this point.

I will add one comment: If Bennett can't get it done here, then the next guy they bring in needs a 1st year schedule of S.F.Austin and La-Monroe to go with the TCU non-conference game. Give these guys a chance to taste some early success and build some confidence in themselves and their ability to win. I think we are going to see that from this year's bball team.

Charleston Pony wrote: .... I don't see it happening. Who is willing to pony up more than $2 mil/yr to pay both Bennett his severance and a proven head coach (and staff) to come in here and start all over again? That's realistically what it will take....

That's probably about right. And it's not happening. In the meantime, I want more than anything to see Coach Bennett and his guys pick up a win at Homecoming next week!

Charleston Pony wrote: .... Everyone is frustrated and I'm sure the coaches and players are way beyond what any of us can imagine, but like it or not, Bennett has to at least get next year (hopefully with a healthy Carrington, Lee, Muse and Phillips back on the field). If next year's team doesn't improve, rather than backing up as this group appears to be doing during the season, then I would not look for any contract extension and/or vote of confidence. Another season like this one and Bennett might not see that 5th year....

You're right on that. This year stinks .... for coaches, players and fans. As much as we suffer with this team, imagine how the coaches and players suffer. They deserve to taste a little success.

Charleston Pony wrote: .... Gotta remember than even next year, we could have an offensive backfield of Phillips (soph), Dorsey (soph), Martin or Henderson (RS Fr), Massey (soph) or McKinney (RS Fr). They will have maybe one senior lining up in front of them on the OL....

Can't wait to see those guys back. That is, if nothing else, a serious infusion of speed and athleticism. Add to that list more fast guys: CB LaCori Johnson, DB David Haynes, DE Kyle Griffin, etc. There's more speed coming, thanfully.

Charleston Pony wrote: .... We are still a long ways from knowing whether the current roster of guys will be winners at SMU, but it's definitely time to start showing improvement....

That's true. It's tough to be patient this long, but I give them until next year. I'm admittedly a Bennett guy, but next year is the year to show major improvement. I want to believe this staff can win here, as you say, next year we'd better start to see evidence.

Charleston Pony wrote: .... These guys (players and coaching staff) need to step it up and at least show us they can compete against Tulsa and Nevada at home. I can't be optimistic about UTEP at this point....

Agreed. I want to sit here and say we'll win the home games, but I feel the same disappointment everyone else feels. We need to at least compete. UTEP has moved to the next level.

Charleston Pony wrote: .... I will add one comment: If Bennett can't get it done here, then the next guy they bring in needs a 1st year schedule of S.F.Austin and La-Monroe to go with the TCU non-conference game. Give these guys a chance to taste some early success and build some confidence in themselves and their ability to win. I think we are going to see that from this year's bball team.

Thank goodness hoops is coming, huh?

Let's at least fire Copeland! Someone needs to take the responsibility for this. Bennett should have the guts to resign. His big mouth raised our expectations, his record dashed our spirits...

I'm not sure about Copeland.
But Coach Bennett deserves to see his guys reach their senior years.

If you want Bennett gone, Pony up the $4 Million or so it will take to buy him and his staff out and to hire a new coach and staff. Money talks, BS walks.

EastStang wrote:If you want Bennett gone, Pony up the $4 Million or so it will take to buy him and his staff out and to hire a new coach and staff. Money talks, BS walks.

Are assistant coaches not just on one year contracts?

Often, but not always. I can't say for sure about our assistants.

Go Mustangs!

EastStang wrote:If you want Bennett gone, Pony up the $4 Million or so it will take to buy him and his staff out and to hire a new coach and staff. Money talks, BS walks.

You don't have to have $4 million that you can contribute to be able to express your opinion about what should be done. Expressing your opinion is not necessarily BS, it's just an opinion. If we used your rule, there would be very little posting on this board.

I guess we know what most of the opinions here are then.

Mexmustang wrote:Let's at least fire Copeland! Someone needs to take the responsibility for this. Bennett should have the guts to resign. His big mouth raised our expectations, his record dashed our spirits...

Copeland isn't going to get fired if the school wins conference titles in other sports.

IF SMU fails to win another game, Bennett would have to go... even if it means paying $2MM for his severance and another staff.

IF SMU wins another game, I would imagine that Bennett would be retained and get the 1996 Rossley ultimatum: 2005 winning season or you're fired.

I hear Ron Zook's looking for a job.

The way I see it.

If we win one of the last three games Bennett is safe for another year.

If we lose all three, Bennett may or may not get fired....probably not.

If we get blown out in all three of the last games Bennett will be fired.

So really it boils down to "how" we get beat if we lose the last three that will determine Bennett's fate.