Cavan outperformed Bennett

[ponyparent]

So why does Bennett's significantly worse record warrant more patience?

[PonySnob]

and the bigger paycheck he is getting!

[Pony4Life]

Nobody - myself included - is content with the team's record this year or over Coach Bennett's tenure. But the improvements made under Coach Bennett (talent, recruiting restrictions, JUCO transfers, etc.) are lightyears ahead of anything done under the previous regime. That's not a slam against Coach Cavan - he could only do what he could do - but the foundation for improvement is vasyly improved. And with the exception of the A&M and Tulane games, the team has been greatly improved this year, even over last year's team. I wish there was a way to accelerate the progress, just as everyone else does. But the evidence of progress is clear.

[ponyparent]

The improvements made under Coach Bennett, then, are improvements made for Coach Bennett, not by Coach Bennett. Wish we had made them for Cavan - we'd be way ahead of where we are now.

[abezontar]

maybe so, but without the change a lot of the restrictions might not have been lifted....that may be a reason to change now, to get the rest of the changes necessary to have a competitive model in place so that we can compete.

[ponyparent]

Agree. Let's go for it. Cutcliffe? Slocum? Nutt?

[Hoop Fan]

Agree. Let's go for it. Cutcliffe? Slocum? Nutt?

I think Bennett deserves one more year and will get one more year at least. As for Cutcliffe and Slocum, they are too old and/or tired for this job. It takes somebody with passion and energy, both things Bennett does have. Cutcliffe and Slocum are just names. Even a blind squirrel finds a nutt once in a while, but Houston Nutt aint coming here.

[Billy Joe]

Bennett probably gets one more year. Why? A coaching change would suggest another failed hire by Copeland and his buddies. There also is an issue about where the money will come from to buy out his contract. Cavan v. Bennett? Cavan won with players Rossley recruited from being in the SWC. He competed in the WAC with SWC leftovers. He had the luxury of Flannigan (a six year senior QB with experience). Bennett's first year had no experienced QB and a very small and untalented senior class. The comparison's are not fair. I am not endorsing either but the facts are the facts. Neither coach has taken us to a bowl game. Period. End of story.

[The PonyGrad]

If you want to beat this drum why not at least wait until after our next two games. They will have a bearing on Bennett's evaluation.

[Stallion]

Yes Yes I don't believe the winning coach of the Texas State Division 1A-II Championship has ever been fired. He could still win Coach of the Year honors.

[jtstang]

I am truly starting to enjoy the updates on the Texas State Div. 1A-II Championship standings. God I bet it kills TCU that they are out of the running due to the @ss-pounding they took from dear old SMU.

[Stallion]

perhaps you would like to pre-order a T-Shirt?

[ponyrider1947]

No, Billy Joe it is not end of story. Every time somebody comes on here and raises some legit issues re Bennett, there's always someone who quickly comes to his rescue. Personally, I do not think Bennett had a 'bad' senior class when he came to SMU. I do think there was a lot of inexperience on the coaching staff's part that is just now getting a 'little' better....i.e. that first Navy game, no mixing it up between passing and running, etc. etc. Serious moral issues over how some people were treated - if you talk to past and graduated players.

I will concede that it might have taken several failures to get the SMU Administration to slowly ease up on admissions, JUCO's, etc.

But give me a break. This is a discussion of both pros and cons...and not just a "Let's all Make Excuses for the Coaches and team" discussion board. If we were winning, this board would be a different story, but in the meantime, at least let dissenters discuss freely without trying to shut them down (or up).

[abezontar]

wait......in order to discuss pros and cons, you have to have people presenting both pros and cons, if you don't want the people from the other side to reply to you and show why they think you are wrong and something else is right then don't come onto the message board.

[jtstang]

perhaps you would like to pre-order a T-Shirt?

Will it feature the new "lunging" Mustang?