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No big surprise here but I didn't see this posted anywhere....

Ex-players critical of SMU football

01:46 PM CST on Wednesday, November 3, 2004


By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News



UNIVERSITY PARK – The recent struggles of SMU's football program have raised concerns among several prominent former Mustangs, including the school's all-time leading rusher, Eric Dickerson.

"That program is a joke, and it will always remain that way," said Dickerson, who with running back Craig James and quarterback Lance Mcllhenny formed SMU's famed Pony Express backfield in the 1980s. "It’s really sad, pitiful."

Dickerson, who played at SMU from 1979-82, said athletic director Jim Copeland is partially to blame for the problems, adding "that man has got to go."

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Other former players say they support the program and coach Phil Bennett but are unhappy with the football team's results.

In three seasons under Bennett, SMU is 4-28, including 23 double-digit losses. In five seasons under the previous coach, Mike Cavan, SMU lost 19 games by double digits. With three games remaining, SMU is 1-7 this season and has lost 19 of its past 20 games.

"When teams play SMU now, it's become stat day," Dickerson said. "Yes, they have the facilities, but they are not going about recruiting in a right way. They need to get some tough kids who will fight, spit and slap the opponent in the face. Jim Copeland is the reason for a lot of these things. He's got no ties to Dallas or SMU. That man has got to go."

Copeland and Bennett said Dickerson is misinformed about several issues concerning the program, specifically recruiting standards.

"For Eric Dickerson to sit back in California and complain about things to me is irresponsible," Copeland said. "He is not trying to help us."

Dickerson said he would not give money to SMU because he felt it wouldn't go toward helping the athletic program.

Said Bennett: "We are making inroads in recruiting. We are now competing with the Oklahoma States and the Arkansas for some of these kids. In the past, that wouldn't be the case. This whole thing just didn't start three years ago. When we lost the SWC, we lost our recruiting base. This program is a workover. I know they [former players] are frustrated, let's be honest. I've been disappointed, but I'm not going to back down."

James has attended several SMU functions over the years, including the announcement last spring that the school is leaving the Western Athletic Conference for Conference USA. But James, a college football analyst for ABC, is embarrassed by the program's lack of success. He said he is apprehensive about letting his son, Adam, a leading receiver at Celina, seriously consider SMU.

"I have a difficult time talking about SMU," said James, who played for the Mustangs from 1979-82. "I like Phil Bennett. But we got shut out by TCU [44-0] this season."

Mcllhenny, who played at SMU from 1980-83, is a former Mustang Club and Lettermen's Club president.

"Naturally, it's frustrating," he said of the mounting losses. "I'm at most of the home games, and I'm trying to figure it out. Again in time, we'll have a good product."

Donald Mitchell, an SMU defensive back from 1995-98 who was on the Dallas Cowboys' roster the past two seasons, said the players lack confidence.

"I see the players are playing hard, but I also see frustration in their eyes," said Mitchell, who said he likes Bennett. "I don't know if it's talent level, but I see a lot of things that are not good. I can understand where Eric is coming from on some issues."

Craig Swann, a former SMU linebacker who led the SWC in tackles in 1996, has been the SMU radio analyst the past five seasons. Last week during a sequence in which two players failed to tackle a Fresno State player, Swann called it "pathetic" on the air.

Swann said he supports Bennett but wonders when things will turn.

"It's the million dollar question," he said.

Now we're getting somewhere-but let's raise that cannon just a tad higher. Notice how Big Jim is so quick to bring up "recruiting standards" when Dickerson never actually mentioned them. Was he defending himself due to the "recruiting standards" or defending himself by saying "recruiting standards" had changed. Big Jim I guess missed his big opportunity to explain in his column.

If they fire Copeland, I nominate Roy Bailey to be the new AD.

If Copeland goes, we need to hire a real "people person".

Someone that is a real salesman for the program, we can hire others to deal with the X's & O's of the sports program.

We need a super salesman to jumpstart this program......SMU has way to much to offer to be sitting at the complete botton of college football.

Eric Dickerson was smart enough to get Bootsie Larsen to fill his wallet and his hard earned vehicle, but, other than that, he doesn't sound very smart judging from his comments. He's definitely "past tense" and of no value to SMU.

Bergermeister wrote: He's definitely "past tense" and of no value to SMU.

He is the most recognized SMU athlete in the country and he is remembered as greatness at both the college and professional level. He is our most recent (and maybe our final) entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the first name that comes to people's minds around the country when SMU football is mentioned. He is hardly past tense and of no value to SMU.

With that said, I have to agree with EastStang re his appearance on MNF.

Just remember how erudite ED was on those Monday Night Football games, what a train wreck that was. I was embarrassed to say he went to SMU. He had trouble speaking a coherent sentence.

All right!!!!!-here comes Copeland's litt' pals throwing the greatest player in SMU history under the bus. At least Dickerson wasn't the one who hired Dement, Cavan and Bennett. We may start getting some answers once we start ruffling some feathers in the expensive seats. I'm looking forward to Jim Copeland's Big Response entitled "Exactly What Eric Dickerson Doesn't Know About SMU's Recruiting Standards". Copeland brought it up-what does Eric the Great need to know about recruiting standards that might explain your poor choice in Head Coaches and a 1-20 record, No Bowls and No NCAA Tourney's over the last decade.

As has been said, some things still need to improve, change, develop.

We have talked about RICE or the other Rice university. Thet can play the game.

WE have talked about accepting transfer hours.

WE have talked about Athletically friendly majors ( Like Mine PE )

WE have talked about JUCO players.

SMU will never be a football harlot but we do need to be approachable.

Every time I read something from Copeland, all I can think of is Kevin Bacon's character in Animal House screaming "Remain calm. All is well!"

wasn't he the one who was eventually shot in Battle by his own soldiers?

No, that was Neidermeyer.

Copeland never explains- he just complains if people don't like him. He should be next to go if this isn't turned around starting next year. There is no excuse for the total ineptness of this program. Some of our disadvantages are well documented but no one is worse than we are over the past 2 years. No one. I find it difficult to believe that we are the most restricitive D-1 school in the USA. I don't even think Stallion says that.

Nice to know other alumni think you guys are morons. Are you gonna now tell me Dickerson and James know nothing about football?

Dickerson and others like him have earned the right to be frustrated and say what they want on the subject. If it hits a nerve, so be it.

your level of comprehension is quickly becoming legendary. READ CLOSELY. Dickerson says: "that program is a joke and it always will be". Then he blames Copeland explaining that they aren't recruiting the right kind of player. Dickerson's GOT IT RIGHT-you don't. It is an institutional problem rather than merely a coaching problem.