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I look at this game as a must win for Phil, a win and he lives another day, a loss and I think we let orsini go get his guy (obviously after the season). It seems to be paying small dividends with Coach D on the basketball side.

I think we go out and kill North Texas, but if for some reason we don't it is time to start looking elsewhere.

A loss means he's done? Say we lose to North Texas and still make the first bowl game in 20 years. Still want to run him out of town?
Of course not. Nobody wants to see a loss Saturday, but let's play a few games before unleashing the vultures over Coach Bennett's head.

Given what Orsini's said and done so far, my guess would be bowl game or see ya.

The Q wrote:A loss means he's done? Say we lose to North Texas and still make the first bowl game in 20 years. Still want to run him out of town?
Of course not. Nobody wants to see a loss Saturday, but let's play a few games before unleashing the vultures over Coach Bennett's head.

A loss in the next 3 games may mean that Bennett is around long enough to even make it to bowl game.

Not that I have something out for Bennett, but given Orsini's history I would like to think he could land us someone with a big enough "name" to recruit at a whole new level.

First, let me say that I want to see Phil stay here a long time.

In speculating what would cause Orsini to pull the plug on Bennett, you need to factor economics into the decision. I believe Phil has two years left on his contract (including this year), so that would mean that there would have to be a buy-out, plus money to bring in a new coach. Given that Coach Doh just signed a healthy deal and we are in the middle of fund raising for the Basketball Practice Facility, I can only assume that money is tight around the athletic department as it has been for the last several years.

I don't see PB leaving anytime soon. I also don't see a season meriting his departure.

After keeping the Tech loss near the handicap spread, it is too early to start our annual dump the coach campaign. There is nothing to indicate yet that SMU will blow the next three games. We don't need to borrow trouble. Let's just take it one game at time for now. Our losing history understandably breeds pessimism. Sunshine is not the answer either. Let the record speak for itself after the games are played. I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him. And so it goes.

I would guess he would get one more year if we go 2-10 or 3-9. He would have to make changes to his staff.

PonySoprano wrote:First, let me say that I want to see Phil stay here a long time.

In speculating what would cause Orsini to pull the plug on Bennett, you need to factor economics into the decision. I believe Phil has two years left on his contract (including this year), so that would mean that there would have to be a buy-out, plus money to bring in a new coach. Given that Coach Doh just signed a healthy deal and we are in the middle of fund raising for the Basketball Practice Facility, I can only assume that money is tight around the athletic department as it has been for the last several years.

I doubt his contract is guaranteed, and I think ORSINI could get the CASH if he needed to.

Best case scenario is for us to win the next 4 games.

McClown27 wrote:I would guess he would get one more year if we go 2-10 or 3-9. He would have to make changes to his staff.

If SMU doesn't win 7 games with this schedule, then bah-bye Bennett

Sam I Am wrote:After keeping the Tech loss near the handicap spread, it is too early to start our annual dump the coach campaign. There is nothing to indicate yet that SMU will blow the next three games. We don't need to borrow trouble. Let's just take it one game at time for now. Our losing history understandably breeds pessimism. Sunshine is not the answer either. Let the record speak for itself after the games are played. I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him. And so it goes.

I Agree. I really don't understand what has come over some people. SMU lost a game it was expected to lose by the margin many were expecting against a top 25 team. Sure, the offense could have looked better, but seriously, wtf?

Some were spectulating about him getting fired at end of last season if he had a bad year, they spectulated about what it would take for him to get fired the spring, and the same in the weeks leading up to the start of this season, what would make you think that would change after a loss to a very good team?

I fully expected this type of reaction. Every time we lose a game, the fire Bennett inuendos start. Yes, the offense was as plain as oatmeal. Tech prepared for us to run the ball and we did not ask for our new QB to overtax himself. This week againt UNT, I fully expect to see Burns pull out some plays that will get us going and fully expect to see us execute. I think this week you're going to see a high scoring game from both teams.

EastStang wrote: I think this week you're going to see a high scoring game from both teams.

I suspect you are wrong about that. NTSCC averaged just over 14pts per game last season.

SMU Football Blog wrote:I really don't understand what has come over some people. SMU lost a game it was expected to lose by the margin many were expecting against a top 25 team. Sure, the offense could have looked better, but seriously, wtf?

It's the knee-jerk reaction that many seem to find funny. Speculation has swirled around Coach Bennett since his arrival, and while his record is not what any of us want, he has built the program the right way. Slowly, but he has the foundation in place for steady progress. To even discuss his job security after a road loss to a nationally-ranked team is embarrassing.

Here's an idea: how about encouraging Coach Bennett and his players as they get ready to go beat the hell out of UNT?