Is JJ really the main story here?

[Beanman]

Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited about JJ as our coach, but what about:

20 alums putting out $100,000 per year for 5 years

An attitude of going after the best, beyond what the naysayers think that we can get

A shift in recruiting practices and limitations....maybe

In general, a stated desire, backed with action, that SMU is going after more

And lastly, excited fans.

[ponyinNC]

post of the year.

[ThadFilms]

Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited about JJ as our coach, but what about:

20 alums putting out $100,000 per year for 5 years

An attitude of going after the best, beyond what the naysayers think that we can get

A shift in recruiting practices and limitations....maybe

In general, a stated desire, backed with action, that SMU is going after more

And lastly, excited fans.

I think all of what you have said is the story, June Jones gives us a name for the story.

[Ponyx2]

It's all the same story...and that story is Orsini

[planoponyfan]

I agree completely. At the start of this process who really thought we'd get a coach that just coached in a BCS bowl? I didn't. I'd have been happy with Paul Johnson. But June Jones has accomplished far more.
I've been a defender of Steve Orsini on this board because it just seemed to me that this guy had a track record of getting things done. The length of this search was hard to swallow, but I figured it wouldn't go this long unless it was worth it. I hope it's worth it. I think it's worth it.

Clearly there has been a sea-change in attitude at the top of the line at SMU over the athletics program - and the football program in particular. I think hiring Jones is the biggest sign to the rest of the world that we're committed to winning THE RIGHT WAY.

Read up about Jones for a bit and you'll see that we're getting a real good guy - not just a great football coach.

[ponyboy]

How about Steinberg's quote on what sold JJ on SMU: "singular vision and commitment from the top to the bottom"

You gotta like that.

[Arkpony]

As I reported elsewhere, Hawaii radio says SMU told Jones if he wanted to sign any NCAA qualified athlete, SMU would not stand in the way.

[78pony]

Seems to me it's a story of an administration that decided to play ball when they hired Orsini, the legitimazation of the SO hire through his hiring of Doh, and the final piece of a work in progress where we can now see that our AD, president, and Board have worked together to put SMU back in the game.

In a nutshell, kudos to all involved!

[Roach]

It's all the same story...and that story is Orsini

If the NCAA had an executive of the year award, Steve-O should get it as soon as the ink is dry on Jones' contract.

[Mustangs35SMU]

This is exactly what Orsini wanted. People are talking about SMU...not only in Dallas right now but in Hawaii.

Great job Orsini!!

[crazy horse]

Stallion/Biggin/Bigdaddy90210 all must be working. They have been strangely absent from the board today.

Great job Orsini and friends!!!

[mrydel]

Stallion/Biggin/Bigdaddy90210 all must be working. They have been strangely absent from the board today.

Great job Orsini and friends!!!

I guarantee you Stallion is happy if the hire means equal recruiting.

[crazy horse]

I certainly hope so. We've seen glimpses of "happy Stallion" before, it would nice to read more of that.

[Cheesesteak]

Beanman - very good post.

[SoCal_Pony]

Agreed Bean.

About half the posts on this board over the past couple of months regarding SO were WAY over the top.

He is committed to winning. That quote about getting qualified athletes tells me ours days of being the worst program in America are officially over.

Our goal should now be to become one of the Top 4 programs in Texas.