At the gentle urging of Bobby Sharpe, I return...

[RodeoDC]

My absence from the Pony Web is over, friends. For 4 long years, I have lived and labored here in the nation's capitol, though never once forgetting my former life on the Hilltop.

Alas, old friend/mentor Bobby Sharpe, he of the Spirit Shop, suddenly contacted me a few nights ago, and told me of the news of Copeland's demise. At this, that mad glint returned to my eyes, and I felt the blood rekindled in my veins as thoughts of being the preiminent antagonist on the Hilltop suddenly coarsed to and from my brain and soul. So, I return, never to leave again.

Thoughts: Copeland's reign brought us nothing but heartache in the gym and on the gridiron. Our FB and BBall programs won't miss him. However, I must confess that I met him personally during my time in the program, and he was the genuine article, and he certainly desired to turn around the big ticket programs. But, alas, he could not.

His ultimate inability to return us to our old glorious past might not have been his fault, anyway. Afterall, as a nameless athletic genius on the Hilltop once instructed me, "You can't make chicken salad out of [deleted]." Truer words were never spoken.

So, as my Mustang pride now bubbles inside me, I am inclined to seek answers that will return us to our former FB glory. I can think of only one, real option...an option that will return us quickly to the top. That is this: cash payments, subsidized "boost girls", on-site narcotical assistance centers, and automated curriculum completion policies...all of this given by the University to our beloved football team.

I ask all of you to ask yourselves this question: What price will you pay to return us to our former glory? Short of giving your own life, your answer to that question should be "anything."

[westexSMU]

RodeoDC: Where is Russ Potts these days ? Isn't he in Virginia ? Would he be interested in givimg advice on the AD job ?

[RodeoDC]

Westex, I ain't an expert on picking NCAA Div. 1 athletic directors. I am, however, an expert on athletic greatness, and speaking from that position, here is my observation of the situation at hand.

First, this Athletic program is doing pretty well, minus the FB program and the men's hoops (even it's coming along). So, it would appear to me that we don't need to kill an ant with a sledge hammer - we don't need to have someone come in here and blow up the program and start over. The soccer program is great. The swimming, same thing. Golf is good. Etc.

What we need is a football guy who can return us to glory, someone who knows college football inside out, who will make his biggest impact on the activities at Ford Stadium. Leave Hyndman and Rompola and Old Man Tubbs the hell alone. They're doing fine. What we need is a tutor for Bennett. Hell, I don't know if Bennett is the answer at all. Ain't paid much attention since his 0-fer a couple of seasons back. But, he's got pedigree (Kstate), and it would seem he just needs an AD willing to back him and do ANYTHING to get the program back up on its feet.

To that end, I'd say how about a Dallas-ite like old Charlie Waters? I know we looked at him for head coach a couple of times in the last 10 years. Why the heck not bring him in as AD? He's a goddang SB champ - he'd know to leave the rest of the program alone (minus the requisite oversight) and concentrate hardest on Bennett's boys. And, he's a damn winner, someone who knows how to jumpstart things.

That's my two cents. If you don't like it, good riddance.

[RedRiverPony]

He was brought up during your hiatus. President Turner has said he wants someone with AD experience -- which eliminates Waters -- and supposedly said last week that he'd like a current AD to take over. Waters has a lot of good attributes, but based on the criteria laid out by Turner, I doubt he'll be a serious candidate.

[McClown27]

Forget Charlie Waters--both you and Stallion. I would take him as the strength coach though.

[RedRiverPony]

Am I missing something there? Is Charlie a strength coach?
I know he was an athlete, but .... strength coach?

[abezontar]

What is wrong with Chuck Faucette?

[Pony4Life]

Nothing that I know of, although per the DMN last week, his contract runs out at the end of May. I get the sense that McClown27 was merely suggesting Charley Waters might make a good strength coach. If there was anything more to the statement, I missed it.

[Stampede]

It is great to see you on here again, Rodeo! SMU is proud of its' allumni and particularly those who expect the Mustangs to WIN in all sports. Keep up the good work and spread the "Good News on the Hilltop" to all.

However, mu best guess is the "purple people eaters" in Cowtown will not welcome your return to this board

[RodeoDC]

Stampede, are there any DevilToads who dare show themselves on this board after all this time??

[WorldStang]

not too often.. but that doesn't mean you can't go kick the hornets nest at killerfrogs.com - always fun.

[RodeoDC]

On my way to killerfrogs.com right now.

[MrMustang1965]

Stampede, are there any DevilToads who dare show themselves on this board after all this time??

ReedFrawg, FrogFever and Ponysnob, to start.

[EastStang]

RodeoDC, What are you doing in my neck of the woods? I'm across the river in that quaint colonial town, Alexandria.

[RodeoDC]

I work at a PR firm in Old Towne, actually. The wife and I live out in Fairfax. Class of 2000