Vanderbilt hires Derek Mason as HC
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Re: Vanderbilt hires Derek Mason as HC
by dirtysouthpony » Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:51 pm
Great hire for Vandy. A defensive minded coach will work well for them. Stanford pedigree also helps.
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Re: Vanderbilt hires Derek Mason as HC
by Water Pony » Wed Jan 22, 2014 10:56 am
I agree that Derek Mason with his Stanford lineage is a good hire for the Commodores. He should maintain or build on their recent success.
With the rebuilding at Duke of all places, it reminds me of the transformation that has taken place at Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Stanford in the last decade. Each of these schools emphasizes the value of their degree and sees challenging academics as a virtue. Granted they are all in Power Five Conferences, but they appear to embrace their circumstances and are now attracting quality recruits and coaches.
With the recent hiring of Chris Collins as the BB coach at Northwestern, which has beaten Illinois, Indiana and Purdue in his first season, all of them have strong BB programs and traditions, as well. This has added to the enthusiasm of the student body and alumni for all their sports programs.
Granted these universities are in Power Five Conferences, it still begs the question on how SMU returns to FB relevance from where we are? Stating that we need to get into the P5 or start writing (someone else's) checks is frustrating since we have yet to earn such an invitation or incent others to send money. What does SMU need to do for itself?
SMU's reputation outside of FB is growing and we can be one of the more unique destinations for our academics, quality of life and sports. I reject any feeling of entitlement, despite our now distant history and tradition in football.
I see a possible path in embracing our university's place as comparable to the schools above. Rather than lament our situation or how we got here, I would sell the Hilltop as preferable to any school in the Southwest; one that is a national player for all the best reasons.
The alternative is to accept the status quo. We need a new game plan and then execute on it.
With the rebuilding at Duke of all places, it reminds me of the transformation that has taken place at Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Stanford in the last decade. Each of these schools emphasizes the value of their degree and sees challenging academics as a virtue. Granted they are all in Power Five Conferences, but they appear to embrace their circumstances and are now attracting quality recruits and coaches.
With the recent hiring of Chris Collins as the BB coach at Northwestern, which has beaten Illinois, Indiana and Purdue in his first season, all of them have strong BB programs and traditions, as well. This has added to the enthusiasm of the student body and alumni for all their sports programs.
Granted these universities are in Power Five Conferences, it still begs the question on how SMU returns to FB relevance from where we are? Stating that we need to get into the P5 or start writing (someone else's) checks is frustrating since we have yet to earn such an invitation or incent others to send money. What does SMU need to do for itself?
SMU's reputation outside of FB is growing and we can be one of the more unique destinations for our academics, quality of life and sports. I reject any feeling of entitlement, despite our now distant history and tradition in football.
I see a possible path in embracing our university's place as comparable to the schools above. Rather than lament our situation or how we got here, I would sell the Hilltop as preferable to any school in the Southwest; one that is a national player for all the best reasons.
The alternative is to accept the status quo. We need a new game plan and then execute on it.
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