SMU Coaches Bring Added Flavor to J.T. Davis Tournament

[MrMustang1965]

J.T. Davis asked Phil Bennett how he shot Monday, and the Southern Methodist University football coach replied with a smile by saying "we're having fun, and isn't that what it's all about?"

Bennett, first-year SMU basketball coach Matt Doherty and SMU assistant athletic director Carlton Cooper played alongside Bill Gant, Charley Jackson and Randall Lewis during the second day of the 15th annual J.T. Davis Golf Tournament.

Cooper, a Paris native, brought the coaches to town in support of the tournament named after the successful Paris High golf coach and SMU alum. He kept in touch with Davis and wife Karol after the three met at last year's homecoming game and the golf tournament came up in conversation.

"I got to catch up with some people here, and it was a lot of fun," Cooper said. "I wanted to come and support the young people of Paris with this being my hometown, and giving kids higher educational opportunities is what it's all about."

Bennett, entering his fifth season as SMU's head football coach, led the Mustangs to their most successful season in eight years and was one win shy of a bowl game. He coached the team to a 21-10 win against rival TCU, SMU's first win against a ranked team since 1986 and went 3-1 against bowl teams.

A Marshall native, Bennett was excited to make a trip to northeast Texas and even changed his calendar to attend the J.T. Davis golf event. He's no stranger to Paris having recruited current Mustang Jessie Henderson out of Paris High School.

"Paris reminds me so much of my hometown," Bennett said. "The further I got in the country, the better I felt, and this was a great day for a great cause. This is something I strongly believe in, because it's about helping the kids. There were a lot of SMU people here too."

Doherty was named men's head basketball coach on Apr. 24 after successful stints at Notre Dame, alma mater North Carolina and Florida Atlantic.

A member of the 1980-84 North Carolina teams, Doherty played alongside Michael Jordan and James Worthy and helped lead the Tar Heels to a national championship in 1982 under Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith. He became only the second player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to record 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a career.

Doherty was impressed with what he saw in Paris.

"I loved spending time here today with some good guys and good people in a great community," Doherty said. "I love Texas, and it's such a great state. The families here are so friendly, and the kids are so respectful.

"I wouldn't have been here without Carlton. He's from Paris and loves it here. I'm pleased he asked me to come along."

No one knows what Cooper, Bennett and Doherty were thinking on their way to Paris, as there were thunderstorms Monday morning.

Once the 15th annual J.T. Davis Golf Tournament came to a close, the trio was happy to have taken part, and their presence brought even more attention to what has been and will continue to be a successful event in the years to come.

http://web.theparisnews.com/story.lasso?wcd=27092

[Bergermeister]

Paris is Raymond Berry, Sammy Morrow country... anybody see them?

[WorldStang]

Raymond Berry is retired just outside of Nashville, TN.