Thursday's Dallas Morning News

[Dooby]

The banner on the DMN website reads:

One winning season since 1986. No wins in 2003. Is there hope for SMU football? Calvin Watkins takes a look in Thursday's Dallas Morning News

Brace yourselves. I suspected something like this was coming; I figured it was a matter of time. Lord only knows what it is going to say.

I suppose it could be overwhelmingly positive.

[Sam I Am]

Just the facts, Jack. The truth hurts. But SMU can come back. Thank goodness we are going into the C-USA. :hmm:

[DallasDiehard]

And SMU will come back. Between Coach Bennett's recruiting ability, the move to CUSA with its new regional rivalries and the growth and maturation of the young players who are going through their growing pains now, brighter days are ahead.

Go Ponies! Beat Rice!

[Mike Damone]

That kind of crap can hurt recruiting.

[DallasDiehard]

True - recruits read this board. (Attention recruits: Sign with SMU, and be a part of building something great at SMU. This is a program that's getting ready to shock a lot of people.) I hope the coaches and athletics officials have shown the reporter how it can (and will be better) and that he gives us a fair shake. Not asking for a creampuff "everything is perfect at SMU" piece, but I don't want to see a hatchet job, either.

<small>[ 11-12-2003, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: DallasDiehard ]</small>

[Dooby]

I don't really expect a hatchet piece. I think that, all in all, it will be positive. But for the SMU detractors, there will be some ammunition.

[MizterTea]

Originally posted by DallasDiehard:
True - recruits read this board. (Attention recruits: Sign with SMU, and be a part of building something great at SMU. This is a program that's getting ready to shock a lot of people.) I hope the coaches and athletics officials have shown the reporter how it can (and will be better) and that he gives us a fair shake. Not asking for a creampuff "everything is perfect at SMU" piece, but I don't want to see a hatchet job, either.

Man - most of these 18 year old suckas barely read their homework - STOP FLATTERING YOURSELVES - by thinkin' the give a DAMN 'bout your JIBBA JABBA

... that is silliness to believe that some kid is gonna agree to come to an 0-11 program, then flake out 'cause he thought Stallion was a bit "too negative" on some fan board

<img src="http://www.cloudnet.com/~dietzt/youbestnot.jpg" alt=" - " />


I need to throw you sucaks helluva far... maybe knock some sense into ya !

[Stallion]

The DMN article has been posted-its basically a comparison of the programs at K-State, NTSU, NIU and Hawaii-why those schools turnarounds are even remotely similar to SMU I'm not sure. June Jones has the most condemning statement that he thinks the criticm of Bennett is unfair and that he thinks SMU is simply not competing on an even playing field. Funny, the Hawaii Coach says that it is almost as if Bennett is on an "Island"-that's coaching parlance for saying that he doesn't have the commitment of the administration.

[DallasDiehard]

Originally posted by MizterTea:
... that is silliness to believe that some kid is gonna agree to come to an 0-11 program, then flake out 'cause he thought Stallion was a bit "too negative" on some fan board....

Yes and no - it's true that few recruits would care what Stallion or you or I or anyone else on this board thinks. But if there's an overwhelming sense of doom - not necessarily about what happened in last week's game, but for the overall future of the program, then it does make an impression. I've talked to recruits before, and they do know about our board and check it regularly (maybe because there's more information on SMU sports here than anywhere else). Whatever the reason, they check out this site. Maybe they hear the promos at the games - who knows. What I do know is that recruits read this board, and that we need to consider the ramifications before we speak.

[Nacho]

Bottom line I got from ther article: We aren't on a level playing field. Until that is changed expect more of the same.

[Dooby]

There is a lot more in the article than that:

1) There have been some changes made;

2) Still not a level playing field;

3) We ain't bringing in a lot of jucos any time soon;

4) Bennett gets three full recruiting classes to prove himself. That means two more years;

5) Copeland is a masochist (no scheduling softies).

[MustangFan]

"4) Bennett gets three full recruiting classes to prove himself. That means two more years;
5) Copeland is a masochist (no scheduling softies)."

Those were the two that jumped out at me, too. Now we can end all discussion of the uncertainty of Bennett's future. He's not going anywhere, and he shouldn't go anywhere.

And I, for one, am glad Copeland isn't signing us up to play D-II's and D-IAAs. I respect him for the schedule we have. Yes, we need to play well to compete. But that's the goal, anyway. We're not playing the Sooners. We're playing teams that at least are in the same stratosphere.

[Johnny Rock]

The article confirms what many of us have been saying. Until SMU is playing by the same set of rules as the rest of Division 1 , we will not be competitive. And did I read the article correctly in that Copeland wants to play A&M and Texas? Are you f'in nuts!! We cannot even compete with teams in the WAC. Why in the hell other than attendance purposes would you want to play the top teams in the country! You have humiliated us enough Copeland. Do us all a favor and resign now. I also gather from the article that Bennett will be fired in two seasons. Great job Turner and Copeland. You really now how to ruin a football program. My solution is simple. Quit going to games and quit giving money.

[Sam I Am]

The tone of the DMN article was positive in that it did not beat iup on a dead horse about the
0-10 season. If anything it connoted more support for Bennett than I would have given him. What was missing were player comments that they have hope for the program. Usually when a really good coach is at work, there will be positive vibes from the team. Where are they?

[INFINITYRR]

Johnny Rock-TwentyThree good football players made a commitment to SMU last year. How about you do the same and support them in helping to rebuild the program? If you have a problem about admission standards call Turner, call Copeland call Bennett. Stop stabbing the players in the back.

Sam I Am- If you want to know how the players feel about Bennett why don't you ask them?