Mike Dement...

[CoxSMU]

Castro and Simpson were very good high school players that have shown "flashes" of playing at the talent level in high school. I believe Castro was a "super prospect" according to CollegeSports and Simpsons was Colorado's player of the year. I am not saying these guys are incredible, but they were both top 150 and highly respected high school players. Dement has had the talent, but we have had a huge lack of results.

[OldPony]

I don't think you will find Castro in anyone's top 150 players in the country when he was being recruited. Don't get me wrong- I like Simp and Castro but Simpson and BHop are the only top recruits we have on this team. Our talent is such that we are now playing above our level. These guys got a lot of playing time in their first 2 years and it is paying off. Dement has coached them well and it is showing. We can not play man to man with this group. We have to pack a zone. We get beat if the other team hits their 3's. We win if they don't. Simple as that. The O looks good when BHop is hitting or assisting. When he does neither, we lose. There is not one player on our team who could start for KU yet you guys think we should compete with them and those of that stature. Dement is a good coach. Get off his back. Besides, there isn't anyone out there better who would come to SMU and don't start the Tubb's cr&p.

[Pony_Fan]

OP - you would extend his contract? I am just ready for fresh blood after his contract is up. Yes, the administration still needs to help out the coaches. How many games have you been to at Moody in the last couple of years?

If TU has a bad season this year, I bet JP is gone. They don't tolerate losing up there at all. I don't think they have had a losing season in 10+ years.

This will be a tough year for Dement despite our big win. UTEP is playing well after a crappy year last year, Boise, Rice, and Nevada are all capable of fighting to win the WAC.

[OldPony]

I live out of state now but have watched or listened to most games for the past 8 years. I was in Dallas for Dement's first 3 years and went to almost every home game. The difference in his teams was unbelievable comapared to the ridiculous antics of Shumate.
I've met Dement and seen him recruit. He does an outstanding job of getting to know the partents of the athlete and selling SMU.
Renewal? I believe his contract runs through next year. I will decide at that time. I do know that SMU owes a debt of gratitude for the way he has rebuilt this program. Next year should be his best team ever and we look pretty good for the following year too which is about as far as anyone can see for college sports. I don't see anyone on SMU's doorstep begging for the job. This is not a prized basketball coaching job. If Dement is let go, we will probably get a top assistant who will use SMU at a stepping stone. Maybe it will work out-maybe not.
Dement has sunk deep ties into Dallas area high schools and, assuming the program continues to get better, he would most likely stay and continuity is important to recruits. Let's just give him the time Copeland promised him with his last contract, support him in the interim, and then decide. If SMU doesn't make the NCAA's next year, I would lean toward getting someone new. However, right now he is our coach and I think we will dance next year and possibly even this one. I really just get tired of many who knock him continually and act as if they know more about basketball than he does. He has been a basketball junkie his entire life and knows the gmae inside out. Sorry for the long response but firing the coach every year isn't the answer to SMU's football or basketball dreams. Stallion can tell you the real problems although I think coaching matters more than he does.