A sampling...

[dcpony]

of what some Navy fans think of PJ possibly coming to SMU...Can't say that I disagree with some of their points. The comments were pulled from the CBSsportsline story' comment page. The second post in interesting and notable.

never say never, but if he does go to SMU, it will be a huge mistake. Noone, I mean noone, gives a damn about that program. Hell, they couldn't get fans in the stadium in '82 when they were # 2 in the country. They are a psuedo elite private college that does not have any kind of Dallas following. Noone outside of SMU's small, phony elitist alumni care at all about even the school, much less its athletic program. SMU needs to go to I-AA or whatever they call it now.


You are so wrong and don't have any facts to back up your conjecture and guesswork. The relevant facts are as follows: Steve Orsini (SMU's AD) is very close to Jack Beale who surprise surprise happens to be not only George O'leary's (Orsini's huge hire at UCF) agent but also Paul Johnsons. Not to mention Jack Beale's son just graduated from SMU and Mr. Beale has attended several games at SMU's brand new, state of the art ,175mm on campus stadium and athletic complex. Mr. Beale is very impressed with the direction SMU is headed with the commitment to facilities and potentially large salaries. Look at the SMU basketball program Orsini is behind. He made a huge name hire with Matt Doherty and has a 20mm basketball training complex under construction. These two events allowed SMU to land the 24th ranked basketball recruiting class in the U.S.. Orsini has stated SMU WILL be a top 25 program in football and he has the money and administration behind him to do it!!! This hire makes sense and will be announced on Monday. Johnsons work at Navy was phenomenal and now it is time for him to move on to his next challenge. You can take it to the bank, and I'll talk to you on Monday????

Now that Johnson and Navy have finally broken the losing streak against Notre Dame, there is nothing left for PJ to accomplish at Navy. Assuming they beat Army this weekend, which they will, he has won the Commander-In-Chiefs trophy 5 years straight, been to a bowl game for a 5th consecutive year, and ended a 43 year losing streak. He was also named 2004 Coach of the year when he led the team to its first 10-2 record in some 50 years. He has done everything he can possibly do as a coach at Navy. I don't care how much Navy tries to up his salary, if he wants to improve his coaching career more he's going to leave Navy. Now I agree, that are far better jobs that Johnson should be considered for, and hopefully he will find himself at a school like Georgia Tech and not at SMU. We love you PJ!


SMU is garbage. They struggle to maintain D-1 status. No one goes to the games and no one cares. It would take more years than Paul Johnson has left to create any respect for that program. Navy is a MUCH better program. The fan base is huge, and spread nationwide, even worldwide (they played ND in Dublin a few years back and had a huge Navy following there for the game). Any bowl would jump at the chance to have Navy, and you can't argue that an undefeated service academy would be a shoo-in for a BCS game. If Paul Johnson leaves Navy for SMU, it will be a huge mistake.

I went to SMU and my brother went to USNA. On SMU game days, I bet I couldn't find one fellow alum that could even tell me who SMU is playing. In contrast, my brother is in Florida and is having 50+ USNA alums to his house to watch the Army-Navy game. There is no flavor at SMU, no one cares now and never will... it's like wealthy people at a polo match... they are at the game to be seen and don't give a rat's butt who wins. If Johnson goes, he's simply selling out. I agree with another poster that Georgia Tech or somewhere some with real tradition (no one has more than Navy) would be better for him.

[Junior]

Can't argue with all of it. But I really wishi I could. If I were a TOTAL elitist, rather that the SEMI-elitist that the posts say i am, I'm sure I could come up with something wittier. Or pay someone to.

[Charleston Pony]

ouch...the truth hurts.

For SMU to be successful long range, I agree with a comment that Orsini made early in this process...diversity is important.

Let's hope Hawaii beats Washington tonite and Ty Willingham gets fired.

Gotta figure out a way for Dallas to get interested in SMU. The Doherty hire was a step in that direction. Willingham would do the same.