Page 1 of 2

Getting it right about Ronnie Morgan

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 1:21 pm
by Big10Ponyfan
That appears to be a problem the DMN had when it came to covering what Ronnie Morgan's status was with us. Of course, he signed with La. Tech.

Calvin didn't follow DMN policy. When looking in the archives, I could find nothing to suggest that Morgan said he committed to us. The only things were in the story when Tubbs got fired, it suggested that Morgan was coming to take his visit the following weekend.

Then in the sidebar story when Doherty was hired, Calvin quoted SOC coach James Mays saying Morgan committed to us. That's a big NO NO.

The DMN has a policy on commitments that if it is going to print them, it must come from the athlete NOT the coach or family member.

So based on what we know, it was not reported that Morgan committed to us. Maybe his visit could have sealed a commitment but that was off since Tubbs was fired.

If Calvin is pushing the DISD coaching agenda with the Tubbs situation, he should have been more careful to write one thing and then write something else. He needed to get it from Ronnie. He created more confusion on this than anything else.

And I for one, don't buy into commitments heard through the grapvine. They mean something when they are reported in the newspaper or any other media outlet with the athlete talking about it.

Best regards,

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:06 pm
by Stallion
I'm pretty sure you are the one with an agenda. SMU's chances of signing Morgan over Louisiana Tech(where he eventually signed) with Tubbs as Coach were very very good. He didn't report that Morgan had committed but that Mays said he had committed. This is not uncommon AT ALL in recruiting.

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:08 pm
by Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex
Honestly, who cares? The fact of the matter is the guy didn't sign with us. It's over.Done.Let's just move on.

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:17 pm
by Stallion
[deleted]. The first confirmed report on this site concerning the commitment of a player we offered and visited the school is plainly relevant. Why don't you go talk about the best Burgers in town over on the other link.

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 9:39 pm
by gostangs
Dont try to ruin stallions grumpy party by saying what he lives for is not important.

PostPosted: Sat May 06, 2006 10:53 pm
by Pony Fan
Stallion wrote:[deleted]. The first confirmed report on this site concerning the commitment of a player we offered and visited the school is plainly relevant. Why don't you go talk about the best Burgers in town over on the other link.



Yet again, big boy stallion showing his class........

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 12:48 am
by PonyPower
Sounds like Big10 is a DMN employee, if he's citing company policy.

Regardless, to suggest Calvin Watkins is "pushing the DISD agenda" is amusing, but ridiculous. He has absolutely no reason to. The fact is that if Mays told Calvin that Darrell Arthur was coming to SMU, we wouldn't be questioning Calvin's connections -- we'd be nominating him for a Pulitzer for getting the story we all want to hear.

I can't think of a single reason to doubt that Mays told Calvin that Morgan had committed to SMU.

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:35 am
by mustangbill67
Did Morgan sign with LA Tech before or after Doh. If after, I wonder if Doh had any interest in Morgan or if he believed he could do better.

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:36 am
by mustangbill67
Did Morgan sign with LA Tech before or after Doh. If after, I wonder if Doh had any interest in Morgan or if he believed he could do better.

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 12:46 pm
by Stallion
....there ain't anything left unless he goes the Division 1A transfer, late qualifier or JUCOs attempting to graduate route. Morgan would have been a nice not great pickup. It may be that SMU has self imposed scholarship restrictions upon itself.

PostPosted: Sun May 07, 2006 3:16 pm
by Corso
mustangbill67 wrote:Did Morgan sign with LA Tech before or after Doh. If after, I wonder if Doh had any interest in Morgan or if he believed he could do better.
After Tubbs, before Coach Down & Doherty.

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:58 am
by McClown27
Stallion wrote:It may be that SMU has self imposed scholarship restrictions upon itself.


Two scholarships would seem to be the logical self-imposed penalty.

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:17 am
by PonyPride
"Coach Down & Doherty"?

Very nice, Corso

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:43 am
by SMU Football Blog
PonyPower wrote:Sounds like Big10 is a DMN employee, if he's citing company policy.

Regardless, to suggest Calvin Watkins is "pushing the DISD agenda" is amusing, but ridiculous. He has absolutely no reason to. The fact is that if Mays told Calvin that Darrell Arthur was coming to SMU, we wouldn't be questioning Calvin's connections -- we'd be nominating him for a Pulitzer for getting the story we all want to hear.

I can't think of a single reason to doubt that Mays told Calvin that Morgan had committed to SMU.


This post is kind of funny. I am about as big a defender of the DMN as there is, but anybody that thinks reporters, even the the beat writers, don't have agendas is fooling themselves.

Edit: The better question is why does the DMN have the policy of confirming commitments with the player (and they do, it is on their website.)? The reason is coaches, family members, everybody, have their own agendas, too. And does anyone want to doubt that Mays has an agenda?

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:44 am
by Stallion
Morgan did not sign before Doherty became coach-he signed I believe last Thursday.