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Former star tight John Hampton has joined PonyFans.com as a guest columnist, as the Ponies gear up for summer workouts and the 2007 season. Please check out his first column (on the home page -- linked above), and check back regularly for more!

This is why, in my total sunshining opinion, that SMU not only goes to a bowl game this year, but wins the C-USA West division. There is no other team in our conference that is working as hard as we are, or performing the workouts that we are. We will not roll out the most talented 22 players onto the field, but we will roll out the 22 hardest working.

every little bit counts - and having vic back is a huge boost to the program

Great article. I'm interested in seeing what we can put on the field. I know that the guys that were out on the field for the spring game were bigger than what I've seen in a while. I know Vic will make them functional as well. Go Stangs.

Vic clearly is a great addition to the athletic department.

Based on Column 1, Hampton is going to be a great addition to the site, too. Looking forward to his game analysis during the season.

After reading that, it's clear that Hampton understood BOTH halves of the term "student-athlete" when he played at SMU. Welcome, John.

After watching a practice during my freshman year, my dad pointed out, "If you cant make it to class with the women on that campus, it might be time to get a pair of work boots"

Well said John.

My best subject was "Comparative Anatomy"

BUS wrote:Well said John.

My best subject was "Comparative Anatomy"

That's a course that gets a lot of post graduate activity. Currently working on my PHD.

Sideline wrote:After watching a practice during my freshman year, my dad pointed out, "If you cant make it to class with the women on that campus, it might be time to get a pair of work boots"

JH,
Two sets of questions:
Is Viloria any good at coaching positions? Might he assist in that regard (I am so thinking special teams)?

Will Viloria be involved in any way with the high school/grade school camps on campus in early June? (if he is that good, sell it to the prospects)

Thx.

Great story John, thanks, and welcome aboard!

OC:
Vic is the Chuck Norris of strength coaches.

It's not that Vic doesn't possess the knowledge and experience to be able to coach some special teams and LBs, but he was brought in to be a strength coach and I think that's about as far as his voice goes on the practice field. When the players are in the weightroom or enduring his workouts, however, and what makes him so effective, is pointing out to this particular punt team guy or that linebacker of the importance of specific drills and technique that transfers to the field. But he does that for all positions. (It's rumored that Vic played all 22 positions, deep snapped, held, and kicked extra points for John Curtis Jr. High in 1994, so his knowledge of a quarterback's 5 progression read is on par with the perfect angle of how to set the ball on the tee for kickoffs.)

As for summer camps, just like every time the team takes the practice field or game, Vic will lead all stretching and pre-practice warm ups. He isn't in a position to necessarily "sell" anything, just show up and do the things he typically does and his program and staff sells itself. I'm willing to bet there isn't another strength coach in the region that will grab more kid's attention this summer.

If I'm not mistaken, it also would be illegal (circumventing the NCAA-allowed number of assistant coaches), wouldn't it?

WOW! Adding Hamp to the coverage provided by the world reknown PonyPride is just a freakin' great addition to the site!!

Will this be the year the Mustangs can finally shove the ball down somebody's throat??

Who knew TE's could write?

PerunaPunch wrote:
Will this be the year the Mustangs can finally shove the ball down somebody's throat??

Doubt it, I don't know that Bennett knows how to call that type of play.

PerunaPunch wrote:Who knew TE's could write?

I would guess that John Hampton knew that TEs could write.