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SMU

We have our first opening. And, I will say this: There is a lot of interest, as the post comes up often in my conversations with coaches and agents.

I would expect SMU to go after a proven coach after Phil Bennett failed to deliver in his first run as a head man. Ask yourself this: Can SMU afford to turn over the program to an unproven coach? I say "no." Guys whom I think should get looks are Gary Barnett, Mason and Bowden.

Still, don't be shocked to see Alabama offensive coordinator Major Applewhite mentioned as a candidate.

There is no reason why SMU can't be successful. But the program hasn't been to a bowl since coming back from the death penalty in 1989. The folks I talk to love the facilities and money at SMU. Plus, it sits in a good recruiting base.

For what it's worth, A.D. Steve Orsini came to SMU from Central Florida and also had stints at Georgia Tech and Navy. And Orsini, who will use a search firm, is a Notre Dame grad.

I understand that we are the only program to have announced the firing of its head coach, but I'm very impressed with the national attention we are getting and the overall quality of names that might be interested in us. I'm not so sure so many people see us as a coaching graveyard as many might think.

You would be wrong

OR-See-Nee wrote:I understand that we are the only program to have announced the firing of its head coach, but I'm very impressed with the national attention we are getting and the overall quality of names that might be interested in us. I'm not so sure so many people see us as a coaching graveyard as many might think.

i have had several members of national media tell me more people want this job than you would think

I hope you're right, but my first degree contacts tell me otherwise. We shall soon see, won't we.

Most of the talk on the board for the past couple of days has been pure rank speculation, of course, except for the learned pronouncements from BigDaddy90210.

We will see if this position is viewed as a coaching graveyard or not. But I don't think a vacancy at Louisiana-name-your-city-school would generate this much chatter on ESPN, SI, etc. That's all I was trying to say.

OR-See-Nee wrote:I understand that we are the only program to have announced the firing of its head coach, but I'm very impressed with the national attention we are getting and the overall quality of names that might be interested in us. I'm not so sure so many people see us as a coaching graveyard as many might think.

There's no reason we can't win. We just need a good coach who will build the program the right way.

PonyNGalveston wrote:

OR-See-Nee wrote:I understand that we are the only program to have announced the firing of its head coach, but I'm very impressed with the national attention we are getting and the overall quality of names that might be interested in us. I'm not so sure so many people see us as a coaching graveyard as many might think.

There's no reason we can't win. We just need a good coach who will build the program the right way.

seriously, its Conference USA, aka the conference of punching bags for bigger schools

But the job also pays good money and that should attract good candidates regardless of graveyard reputation.

mustangbill67 wrote:But the job also pays good money and that should attract good candidates regardless of graveyard reputation.

Sure, if the candidate is one who doesn't mind going to the grave (or has one foot in it already).