Our Esteemed JJ

[SoCal_Pony]

Is 31-35 lifetime as HC of SMU.

Of those 31 wins, more than half have been against D2a opponents or teams that averaged less than 3 wins (think CUSA bottom feeders such as Memphis and Tulane).

He is 6-25 against teams with winning records.

He is 2-14 against former SWC mates Houston, A&M, Baylor, Tech and TCU. His 2 victories being against a 5-7 Houston team ranked #108 and a 11-2 TCU team ranked #20. That TCU victory was his signature win at SMU.

He is 2-8 against BCS opponents. His 2 victories being against a 2-10 Washington St team ranked #79 and a 6-7 Pitt team ranked #69.

rankings based on Sagarin

Conclusion - Top 25 talk is laughable, JJ's DIR recruiting strategy gets exposed when we play opponents that are even moderately successful.

[Rebel10]

I guess the facts speak for themselves. I just think he will be here until next year even of he goes 0-12. I know you are not suggesting he should be fired but simplifying looking at the facts regarding the overall performance. Good research. If we can somehow beat aTm and/or TCU after we put a beat down on Montana State that could help. Should be a fun next few weeks.

[Lebanese4Life]

those stats tell the whole story. the football program will not improve until he's shown the door. the sooner the better.

[Pony^]

Is June Jones on the hot seat?
Kevin Sherrington: Not unless Larry Brown leaves before basketball season starts. SMU is a hoops school now.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-tech-red-raiders/20130904-sherrington-tech-could-make-noise-in-weak-big-12-smu-s-a-basketball-school-now.ece?ssimg=1171613

[fifty]

Speaking of Sangarin, we are #72 now. No bueno.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2013/team/

[Mustangsabu]

Those stats do not tell the whole story at all. This has been beaten to death time and time again. June has been very short on marquee wins, but this witch-hunt is degrading and embarrassing to us as a fan base. June believed that if he brought a winning team to the Hilltop the crowds, and the recruits would follow. I think he overestimated his own cache to some extent but it has been very frustrating for him seeing the apathy in the community. He has taken the team to four straight bowl games in 5 years. The truth is that in many ways that is all you need to know, though I know we all want to know where we go to from here. He also had us very close to the Top 25 but even that 5-1 start didn''t bring the fans. That was something of a watershed moment for JJ and while I totally believe he should have been fired for the ASU debacle, I can rather understand why he might decide to walk away. It is obvious that we are not attracting recruits of sufficient talent to take the next step with any certainty (in as much as one can be certain about these things) but I also think that June has shown that he is an excellent teacher of football and his staff is designed with that in mind.

June was clearly very disappointed by the Tech loss, he felt we could and should win that game. Those who say we should be competitive with BCS programs in year 6 of his regime should be reminded that on the evidence of Friday we are competitive. For the millionth time, wait until the season is over and then judge the program. It helps no-one to moan about the standard of players and recruits during the season. Right now the kids taking the field for our school deserve to be supported.

[ponyte]

For all our Star Chamber babble, others see Jones as pulling a miracle turn around at SMU. In Arkyland, folks notice SMU now. They see we make it to the post season. They never had expectations of taking a dog dead program from the crypt to top 25. And folks from other schools constantly tell me that Jones has done great.

I long for the good old days of top 20 te4ams year in and year out. And having been part of the rebuild, from my perspective, it is incredibly hard to do. Especially if the program is clean.

Jones may or may not be the man. One would hope that one would wait till all the facts are in, say at the end of the season, to begin accessing future directions and needs. And that is what Hart gets paid the big bucks to do.

[PK]

It is obvious that we are not attracting recruits of sufficient talent to take the next step with any certainty (in as much as one can be certain about these things) but I also think that June has shown that he is an excellent teacher of football and his staff is designed with that in mind.

I don't disagree with much of what you have said. The biggest point that I have trouble with is the one above in red. I think June has been under the delusion since he got here that recruits were going to come running to SMU because he is here. Generally, you don't attract recruits, you go out and RECRUIT them. You go find them and convince them this is the place they need to be. I think he is having a hard time dealing with his delusion...like for 5 years now.

I agree whole heartedly with you that "Right now the kids taking the field for our school deserve to be supported."

[ponyinNC]

abu-

Like a failed marriage, the fault can usually be spread to both parties. But this crap about attendance is weak sauce.

We are a small private in an exclusive part of dallas. We are never going to get the crowds that big state schools get. Period. Ever. The end. 5-1 against weak opponents is not going to bring the fans out from casual dallas. Even a "signature" win against TCU must be sustained in order to build a fan base. It took TCU 10 freaking years to build theirs - and they've consistently gotten better - from lower-tier bowls, to middle, to BCS and ultimately to Rose Bowl.

We've gone to 4 bowls - a huge accomplishment compared to the last 25 plus years. But we have not shown any signs of growth - we are a middling team at best. 6 wins gets a bowl these days and 50% of schools go.

Many coaches/programs win big games with small crowds - and the crowd should have absolutely ZERO effect on the play on the field.

I am thankful that JJ took over when he did - otherwise we would be RICE at this point. He took us from bottom 10 (espn) to middle of the road, 6-7 win teams. A gigantic accomplishment all things considered.

I am, however, hesitatnt to say that he can take us where we need to be. I question the coaching decisions. I question the passion. And most importantly, I question the staff and recruiting ability of most of the coaches (JP/Mason excluded).

Like a failed marriage, it is not solely one person's fault. Why can't we mutually agree to end it - no hard feeling on either side. JJ can be grateful for the $10+ million. We can be grateful for the rise in status and the bowls.

But unless the staff changes to get done what we need to get done - I think it may be time to end it.

[gostangs]

Very good post. There is good reason to put this out right now since it is likely there are at least preliminary conversations about an extension. There is no way that we go into the spring recruiting season without knowing if June is here past 14 or not - so they will of course be talking about it now. Also - if he is not with us after 14 and you think you need someone from outside the current staff, than the best time to grab them is right around bowl season.

Agree that there is a disparity among the outsiders and the SMU faithful. We all remember Pony express days and want that back at any cost. Everyone else remembers the death penalty and wonders why we aren't grateful for average.

[PlanoStang]

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

Our 20 somethings who think firing 4 coaches in a row after 5 years is the solution to everything
probably also don't get the above.

[malonish]

It's not just the 20 somethings that want him fired so quit using that excuse. In response to "Our 20 somethings" I say:

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst BROKEN RECORD sssssst

Turnabout is fair play.

[redpony]

As has been pointed out- you have to get top recruits to build a good/winning program. This is a major area where JJ has failed and a big reason why many feel we will struggle to move much higher.
IMO no staff changes= no future progress.

[Mustangsabu]

It is obvious that we are not attracting recruits of sufficient talent to take the next step with any certainty (in as much as one can be certain about these things) but I also think that June has shown that he is an excellent teacher of football and his staff is designed with that in mind.

I don't disagree with much of what you have said. The biggest point that I have trouble with is the one above in red. I think June has been under the delusion since he got here that recruits were going to come running to SMU because he is here. Generally, you don't attract recruits, you go out and RECRUIT them. You go find them and convince them this is the place they need to be. I think he is having a hard time dealing with his delusion...like for 5 years now.

I agree whole heartedly with you that "Right now the kids taking the field for our school deserve to be supported."

I would agree. He more or less said when he got here that the tapes would come flying in. He totally thought he would attract recruits rather than have to actively and competitively recruit them. But in his mind he wants kids who want to play for him and his system can make them succeed. I just wish he would combine his system with more aggressively recruited guys. I think that could be a huge winner.

[ponyboy]

The answer has been given over and over and over again. Either JJ hires young agressive recruiters of DFW talent or we fire him and get someone who will. As founding president of the JJ statue club, I'm thankful for what he's done here -- and want him to stay. But there's your answer.