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Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:37 pm**

my brother who is a big iowa state fan just emailed me stating that Bennett initiated contact with the iowa state ad about their opening. he said Pollard (the isu ad) was in dallas and they had an informal visit. he made sure to mention that this was an unsubstantiated contact.

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:17 pm**

I see a few possible explanations for this speculation:

1. B.S.
Coach Bennett has fought hard just to keep his job, and he's on the cusp of a bowl game. He's dealt with lost games, recruiting restrictions, threats about his job security. He has a son who's a freshman on the team, and a daughter who is in high school here. By all accounts, he and his family love living in Dallas.

2. He and the Iowa State AD are friends
Coach Bennett has as many friendships and contacts in college athletics as anyone. At the annual coach conventions, the stories I've heard suggest that he holds court like Elvis has reappeared. How many times have we heard him say "Coach So-and-so and I have been friends for ever, I'm looking forward to competing with him, etc."? It's quite possible that he and Pollard are friends, and simply talked on the phone to say hello, or had dinner because they're friends. Was Pollard there when Coach Bennett was an assistant coach there?

3. Bennett was a resource for Pollard
Coach Bennett knows (or at least knows about) nearly every coach on the planet, or so it seems. It's not unusual at all for coaches to give their advice and opinions about candidates with whom they have worked in the past.

You really think Coach Bennett is looking to leave now? I seriously doubt it. After we WIN Saturday, he's going to be hailed as the coach who got us back to a bowl game, an accomplishment many have said for two decades would never happen again. He makes a good living here, and his kids are happy in school here, and we all know family is his top priority. I would be absolutely floored if there's anything to this report at all. My guess is that either it never happened at all, or if it did, it was nothing more than a casual conversation between old friends.

Now .... all together .... BEAT RICE!

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:26 pm**

Check this out. Apparently, this is not as far-fetched as some would like to believe. The overall assessment by outsiders is that PB has been impressive in his quest to turn the program around.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=110&p=2&c=592459

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:31 pm**

I was already about to say that I have seen some independent verification of this rumor on the internet. Of Course, he will be looking. SMU has't even confirmed he'll be back next year. Fair game

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:57 pm**

I think I'd be a little upset if I was in Bennett's shoes. You bust your rear end to turn a program around, finally appear to be making progress and getting excited about where SMU might be within the next couple of years...and you get no vote of confidence from your new boss. Can't blame him if he is putting out some feelers.

Of course, from the bosses' perspective, we put together a schedule designed to generate 7-8 wins and a bowl bid and here we are in a MUST WIN game against Rice (a program that has done an amazing turnaround in their new coaches' 1st year) to make that bowl happen. Not to mention the fact that attendance remains a MAJOR issue...

All I know is that Bennett does appear to be making progress. The question is whether progress is being made at the expected pace...and whether Orsini has another Doherty type hire waiting in the wings. I can't imagine who that would be.

At least this will give us something to gossip about - win or lose at Rice

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:00 pm**

Stallion wrote:SMU has't even confirmed he'll be back next year.

And WHY would this be necessary? He does have a contract that runs for a few more years and the only speculation that he might be gone has occurred earlier in the year on THIS board by posters frustrated with the early losses. PB would have a VERY nice payday should Orsini decide to make a change. After last game's win and Orsini's quote in the paper, I think any chance of a change has been SEVERELY diminished. I see no reason why this should have to be confirmed in the press by Orsini other than to assure any recruits that any idle rumors are false.

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:26 pm**

Good for him

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:32 pm**

Stallion wrote:I was already about to say that I have seen some independent verification of this rumor on the internet. Of Course, he will be looking. SMU has't even confirmed he'll be back next year. Fair game

If that's your idea of independent verification, then you believe the CIA, Cubans, FBI and the mob all conspired to assassinate Kennedy. When the DMN or Des Moines Register breaks something, then we've got something to talk about.

This might be one of the worst sources to adhere to. These "insiders" do not have the credibility as beat writers do. And read this guy's list of candidates. He's using more rationale behind why he thinks this guy would be a good fit. Sounds like NBC's Andrea's Kramer, "Some of the 49ers told me...''

I'm not suggesting Bennett and the ISU AD haven't talked because of their connection. But this was the same thing as the KSU job. He's going to have a hard time selling Phil's record. Steve Kragthorpe is easier, CUSA title last year, Liberty bowl win over Fresno. Another bowl game this year.

That could change if we get to a bowl because he will be known as the guy who turned SMU around. But Phil would be lower on the list.

This will not happen.

P.S.
I wish the author of this posting could actually use some punctuation when writing instead of using run on sentences. Absolutely poor grammar.

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:39 pm**

Charleston Pony wrote:I think I'd be a little upset if I was in Bennett's shoes. You bust your rear end to turn a program around, finally appear to be making progress and getting excited about where SMU might be within the next couple of years...and you get no vote of confidence from your new boss. Can't blame him if he is putting out some feelers.

Of course, from the bosses' perspective, we put together a schedule designed to generate 7-8 wins and a bowl bid and here we are in a MUST WIN game against Rice (a program that has done an amazing turnaround in their new coaches' 1st year) to make that bowl happen. Not to mention the fact that attendance remains a MAJOR issue...

All I know is that Bennett does appear to be making progress. The question is whether progress is being made at the expected pace...and whether Orsini has another Doherty type hire waiting in the wings. I can't imagine who that would be.

At least this will give us something to gossip about - win or lose at Rice

Hasn't gone at the expected pace!?! Bennett said when he took the job to both Turner and Copeland that it would take 4-5 years to turn the program around the right way. It is happening just as expected. Rice and SMU had totally different circumstances. You cannot say well Rice went from 1-10 last year and now they are battling for a bowl, why couldn't we make a one-year turnaround? I've said this before and I still mean it, I want this program to be a lasting power in NCAA football (e.g. UT, USC, etc.), not a one-year wonder like UCF or a few years.

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:14 pm**

Charleston Pony wrote:I think I'd be a little upset if I was in Bennett's shoes. You bust your rear end to turn a program around, finally appear to be making progress and getting excited about where SMU might be within the next couple of years...and you get no vote of confidence from your new boss. Can't blame him if he is putting out some feelers.

Of course, from the bosses' perspective, we put together a schedule designed to generate 7-8 wins and a bowl bid and here we are in a MUST WIN game against Rice (a program that has done an amazing turnaround in their new coaches' 1st year) to make that bowl happen. Not to mention the fact that attendance remains a MAJOR issue...

All I know is that Bennett does appear to be making progress. The question is whether progress is being made at the expected pace...and whether Orsini has another Doherty type hire waiting in the wings. I can't imagine who that would be.

At least this will give us something to gossip about - win or lose at Rice

Getting blown by an awful North Texas team will do that!!

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:06 pm**

PB FOR CUSA COACH OF THE YEAR

Posted: **Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:08 pm**

perunapower wrote:
Charleston Pony wrote:I think I'd be a little upset if I was in Bennett's shoes. You bust your rear end to turn a program around, finally appear to be making progress and getting excited about where SMU might be within the next couple of years...and you get no vote of confidence from your new boss. Can't blame him if he is putting out some feelers.

Of course, from the bosses' perspective, we put together a schedule designed to generate 7-8 wins and a bowl bid and here we are in a MUST WIN game against Rice (a program that has done an amazing turnaround in their new coaches' 1st year) to make that bowl happen. Not to mention the fact that attendance remains a MAJOR issue...

All I know is that Bennett does appear to be making progress. The question is whether progress is being made at the expected pace...and whether Orsini has another Doherty type hire waiting in the wings. I can't imagine who that would be.

At least this will give us something to gossip about - win or lose at Rice

Hasn't gone at the expected pace!?! Bennett said when he took the job to both Turner and Copeland that it would take 4-5 years to turn the program around the right way. It is happening just as expected. Rice and SMU had totally different circumstances. You cannot say well Rice went from 1-10 last year and now they are battling for a bowl, why couldn't we make a one-year turnaround? I've said this before and I still mean it, I want this program to be a lasting power in NCAA football (e.g. UT, USC, etc.), not a one-year wonder like UCF or a few years.

I actually believe Bennett was quoted as saying he expected to win championships in his first year, and that there was no reason why we shouldn't. He didn't back off of that until his second or third year.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:40 am**

I hear there is an opening at UNT. That is a bad joke and I want Coach Phil to be here for many many years to come.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:52 am**

abezontar wrote:I actually believe Bennett was quoted as saying he expected to win championships in his first year, and that there was no reason why we shouldn't. He didn't back off of that until his second or third year.

Bennett said he wanted to compete for a championship his first year, and that every time he goes to the stadium, he expects to win. I wouldn't have any other attitude from my coach, and I'm glad Coach Bennett feels that way.

Posted: **Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:57 am**

I suppose Coach Phil could be gone if he wins or loses.

If he wins somebody like Iowa State may think "wow, he has turned SMU into a bowl team lets hire this guy".

Or if he loses Orsini probably fires him.

A bit weird either hero or anti-hero he could be gone.

I just hope we beat Rice!

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