Assessing the candidates...

[TheJumpShooter]

Jones, Fran and Coker. I didn't include Johnson because he is already at Tech and the talks between he and SMU brass seem like it was so long ago that Copeland hired Bennett at the conclusion of that search.

Coker -- Not sure exactly why he is/was being considered...does fit the mold of Orsini's other big hire at SMU Matt Doherty in that he was national coach of the year...another similarity he shares with Doh is that he took an elite program in his sport and ran said program into the ground...of the three, I'd rank him third but I would look a lot farther and wider if Nos. 1 and 2 didn't work out.

Jones -- Remarkable turnaround at Hawaii...entertaining offense...not sure if he fits SMU as he wouldn't be able to get the kind of kids that he brought into the Hawaii program in at SMU...not sure why he would leave there for SMU but if he does, I would think that SMU is in the process of solving some of its infrastructure/model problems...he is the only candidate that doesn't leave egg on Orsini's face...I would approve of his hiring but would rank him second.

Fran -- Proven he can win at every place he has been...turned around programs at New Mexico and TCU...would be able to hit the ground running recruiting the state of Texas...would be able to assemble a staff fairly quickly...frankly, I'm not sure why the guy wasn't offered the job the Sunday after A&M beat UT...if he is hired the week of Jan. 7, Orsini looks foolish as he could have been hired six weeks prior...my top choice to replace PB.

Regardless, of whether Fran, Jones or anybody else is selected, don't expected a one-year turnaround, PonyFans. The bottom line - contrary to what many Mustang fans believe - is players win games and aside from a couple of segments on the roster, SMU is severely lacking at many positions. Fran, Jones or whoever gets hired won't be able to 'coach the boys up' to 7, 8 or 9 wins next year.

[Big Hoss]

SMU is severely lacking at many positions. Fran, Jones or whoever gets hired won't be able to 'coach the boys up' to 7, 8 or 9 wins next year.

I disagree. Did Rice players all of a sudden get rapidly better just for the 2006 season? At least enough so they could win 7 games and go to a bowl game? And was it sheer coincidence that it just so happened to be the one year that Todd Graham was their coach?

We don't have the best players up and down our roster, but we certainly have enough players to make a dent in CUSA (which seems like a soft conference based on bowl outcomes in the last couple years). You need to think in terms of who we compete with year-in, year-out, not teams in BCS conferences.

[TheJumpShooter]

Hoss, I appreacite your opinion but that is the exception not the rule. the team with the better players is going to win about 80-90 percent of the time.

SMU's defense is going to be a mess next year and the OL won't be much better.

[SWC2010]

Although Fran would be a quality hire today on talent/experience/recruiting, you must be willing to watch him sneak out the back door in 2 years.

FRAN will not stay for 5 years-- which is probably how long it will take to get this program back to respectability.

So, he's not my choice. I want some longevity in the next hire.

[mrydel]

Although Fran would be a quality hire today on talent/experience/recruiting, you must be willing to watch him sneak out the back door in 2 years.

FRAN will not stay for 5 years-- which is probably how long it will take to get this program back to respectibility.

So, he's not my choice. I want some longevity in the next hire.

Not me. I want a coach that will be so successful that he will be a hot commodity next year. I will worry about that then. Why do some of you worry that our coach may be successful. We have not had a coach go to a better coaching position (if able to get a job in coaching at all), since Ron Meyer. If we have a coach leaving due to success, we will not have a major problem in hiring another one.

[ponynut]

I agree SWC2010. I am sick and tired of five year programs and then starting over again.

[mrydel]

I agree SWC2010. I am sick and tired of five year programs and then starting over again.

But the only reason they last 5 years is because they have sucked.

I will repeat what I have said earlier. I would wager we could go out today and sign Phil Bennett to a lifetime contract. Would that make you happy?

[Stallion]

Beat-Head-Against-Wall

[TheJumpShooter]

At Fran's age -- he'll be 57 when the 2008 season kicks off next fall -- I'm not sure he he'll be getting a call from somewhere else in 3-5 years. And if in three years he had the Pones in a bowl game and the program on solid footing, who cares if he left.

SMU is never going to be a top of the food chain job for a head coach. It is a stepping stone. There is nothing wrong with that, provided that coach is moving on to bigger and better things with the program in better shape than he found it.

[Big Hoss]

SMU's defense is going to be a mess next year and the OL won't be much better.

Agreed. We lose 3 seniors on our O line, with only 1 name I can think of that shows potential to step up (LeRibeus, but I don't think he played a down this past season). Defense will definitely be suspect. But having said that, we were in the hunt in several of our games this season because of the parity in CUSA.

Just remember, when you make absolute statements, you have to anticipate someone to give you the exception to the rule. Do I think we'll be great immediately? No, but to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber, "so you're saying there's a chance."

[couch 'em]

SMU is never going to be a top of the food chain job for a head coach. It is a stepping stone. There is nothing wrong with that, provided that coach is moving on to bigger and better things with the program in better shape than he found it.

Don't try to explain this to these people. The same ones who don't want a coach who will move on are the same ones who want a coach who is "a good person" or "a nice guy".

[mrydel]

I am just glad we never get any of those players that are so good they leave before their senior years. I want nothing but 5 year guys. Thank goodness we did not have Jamaal Charles. Another ship jumper. Whew!!

[mrydel]

SMU's defense is going to be a mess next year and the OL won't be much better.

Agreed. We lose 3 seniors on our O line, with only 1 name I can think of that shows potential to step up (LeRibeus, but I don't think he played a down this past season). Defense will definitely be suspect. But having said that, we were in the hunt in several of our games this season because of the parity in CUSA.

Just remember, when you make absolute statements, you have to anticipate someone to give you the exception to the rule. Do I think we'll be great immediately? No, but to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber, "so you're saying there's a chance."

Don't worry. We will be good by the end of Spring Practice and great by the end of 2-a-days. It is the actual season that makes us bad.

[OC Mustang]

In order of preference:
1) Fran - recruiting, recruiting, recruiting...faster boots on ground too
2) Bower - recruiting & among most consistent successful CUSA coaches
3) Coker/Jones - tie - good coaches, but fit at SMU? Big recruiting "?s"

[Big Hoss]

I am just glad we never get any of those players that are so good they leave before their senior years. I want nothing but 5 year guys. Thank goodness we did not have Jamaal Charles. Another ship jumper. Whew!!

HA! Greatness. I compare that to complaining that you slept with Heidi Klum, but only once.