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Copeland, Dickerson to hash it out

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News

SMU athletic director Jim Copeland and former running back Eric Dickerson were to meet today for breakfast to discuss the direction of the football program.

Last year, Dickerson, one of the greatest players in school history, expressed frustration that the football team has had one winning season since returning from the NCAA-mandated death penalty in 1989. Dickerson called for Copeland to be fired and for the program to recruit better players.

"I'm open to talking with him," Dickerson said during Tuesday night's Doak Walker Awards at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas. "I don't know the man but I want to hear what he has to say."

Copeland said it wasn't fair for Dickerson to be critical of the program because he is not involved with SMU on a regular basis.

"We'll have to wait and see how things go," Copeland said. "I hope everything goes well."

Copeland and Dickerson sat at the head table at the presentation.

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I think this is a great move by both men, agreeing to get together. Don't know who's idea this was, and it doesn't matter. Maybe each is eating a little crow here (Dickerson for blasting his alma mater and subsequently getting torched for it, Copeland for defending the status of the football program and thereby alienating the greatest player - in my opinion - in the school's history.)

However this came about, it has the potential to be a boon for the program. If we can somehow get Dickerson to believe in the direction the program is headed, in Coach Bennett and his staff, and in the young players on this team, maybe he would show up once in a while in a positive way, or even show up at a game and talk with recruits or something. It's far from a done deal, but I think this is a great first step.

Saw in the paper that it also said that Dickerson talked on his cell phone the whole time that dinner was being served.

Yes, it would be nice if ED could see the what is going right and then he could hammer some points about what else needs to be done.

Mr. Copeland ( I like him ) has taken a thousand small steps to improve SMU athletics. What many want are BOLD moves that create attention. Faster changes for a return to at lest a MORE level playing field. We still have far to go.

I would love to see what SMU does get more atention and that NEEDS to improve. We need to have a personality and relationship with the media - MAybe Scott Secules takes the lead in this.

Number 19 busts a long one against the T-Sips

ponyboy wrote:Number 19 busts a long one against the T-Sips

Ain't that a pretty sight!!!!!!

Copeland needs to go, "small steps" are an overstatement. Let's get someone in there is an SMU lifer.

MM, I can tell you that sight was a whole lot prettier in person.

If indeed Copeland did say it wasn't fair for Dickerson to be critical of the program because he is not involved with SMU on a regular basis; that is a totally bogus response. Our record speaks for itself; it is pathetic. I guess Copeland feels nobody in the national media can be critical of our program as well because they are not involved on a regular basis. Maybe Big Jim should forward this sage advice to President Bush the next time our national media questions his actions.

And Bus, as much as I want us to succeed, I will say the following. Our most recent FB class moves us in the wrong direction. Most feel we will win 3 or 4 FB games next year. Our BB team is not competing for a championship this year, nor will they next year. In fact, I am hard-pressed right now to say the next 5 years of our BB program will be any better than ’98 – ’02 run when we were entertaining but incapable of winning any titles. So I can’t really see any dramatic improvement, although I sure want to. Add to it that we recently shut down our successful track program and I have to tell you that until we finally do take these bold steps, I see more of the same, which by SMU standards, is not encouraging.

Was that your motivational speech, SoCal?

Seriously, I understand completely your frustration. I too saw many times #19 run fluidly around end after the pitch from McIlhenny. You're right that the recruiting class was not as good as it could have been. But it's better than it should have been given our recent w/l record. We got potential immediate contributors in the JUCO signees and a few to put in the cellar. If they turn out busts, that will play out in three or four years from now not next year.

This is a crucial time right now. Crucial for Phil Bennett to have that breakthrough season with the talent he's been seasoning for this moment. Crucial for Jimmy Tubbs to bring in that talent that will take us to the next level. I think they'll both satisfy. And remember we've got a new conference that upgrades us immeasurably, placing us on tv and with local rivals. That will reap big dividends.

I wouldn't be shocked if we were to hear later that ED no-showed the meeting.

Since it made the papers, ED will show up, but I bet JC had to pick up the tab for breakfast.

Wonder if ED purchased his banquet ticket. Too bad he wasn't taught any manners... he would have left the dinner to talk on the phone. That's not as rude as it is weird.

BUS wrote:We need to have a personality and relationship with the media - MAybe Scott Secules takes the lead in this.

Secules has been there for years. Why hasn't he "taken the lead" already?

I always thought that in the past, the Sports Information Director (SID) was responsible for media relations. Now that we don't have an SID (cost cutting move a few years back), its my understanding that Brad Sutton is in charge of media relations.

PonySoprano wrote:I always thought that in the past, the Sports Information Director (SID) was responsible for media relations. Now that we don't have an SID (cost cutting move a few years back), its my understanding that Brad Sutton is in charge of media relations.

You are correct, Soprano.