Next Year is the YEAR

[Pony81]

Matt gets his 5 years at SMU - if only because there is no buy out money to get him out early.

His last year (year 5) will have the enthusiasm of a funeral IF next year he:

1. Loses to a marketedly worse team. IE: UAPB, USC-Up State.
or
2. Does not go at least 500 in conference play.

Fortunately he has recruited a few players who are D1 atheletes - McCoy, Otis, Malone (yes Malone. His freshman year he looked like a talent), who the next coach can mold as seniors.

[papawasamustang]

Matt gets his 5 years at SMU - if only because there is no buy out money to get him out early.

His last year (year 5) will have the enthusiasm of a funeral IF next year he:

1. Loses to a marketedly worse team. IE: UAPB, USC-Up State.
or
2. Does not go at least 500 in conference play.

Fortunately he has recruited a few players who are D1 atheletes - McCoy, Otis, Malone (yes Malone. His freshman year he looked like a talent), who the next coach can mold as seniors.

After watching the video of the last couple of seconds of the UAB game I feel even stronger now than ever before that Doh must go.
Can you imagine the negative feedback if that was UNC vs Duke?

[EastStang]

If we follow normal patterns, this is the year that the assistants are printing out their resumes.

[RGV Pony]

If we follow normal patterns, this is the year that the assistants are printing out their resumes.

with the possible exception of Farmer, what kind of skins do our assistants have? passengers on a downward spiral on the Hilltop?

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

The team is not where anyone wants it. . .that is clear. However, I feel like Doh should be given the full 5 years before he is judged. What I mean is that he inherited a program that was SO flat on its back that I think SMU just needs to take the approach of "Doh, you've got 5 years. . .we'll leave you alone during that time. . .after 5 years we will re-evalutate whether the program is headed in the right direction."

It's not like we were just a year away when Doh took over. He inherited a program with little talent, crappy facilities, unrealisting admission standards, an NCAA investigation, rock-bottom relations with local HS coaches, and just about zero winning tradition during the lifetime of today's players. All that being said, I'm willing to leave him alone for the full 5 years and then see where we are. Frankly, when you consider where this program was when Doh took over, he has made measurable progress. Maybe not in Ws and Ls, but in a lot of other ways.

[SoCal_Pony]

The team is not where anyone wants it. . .that is clear. However, I feel like Doh should be given the full 5 years before he is judged. What I mean is that he inherited a program that was SO flat on its back that I think SMU just needs to take the approach of "Doh, you've got 5 years. . .we'll leave you alone during that time. . .after 5 years we will re-evalutate whether the program is headed in the right direction."

I do not buy that argument if he continues to recruit projects like Julius Omoniurhie....what, we are suppose to wait around another 3 years to see if JO and players like him develop?

The pressure is on Coach Doh NOW to bring in better talent that can contribute immediately.

He made a huge tactical mistake with his class of 7. Long time followers of SMU would have told him as much. Really have no idea what his thought process was on that one.

[MustangStealth]

1. Loses to a marketedly worse team. IE: UAPB, USC-Up State.
or
2. Does not go at least 500 in conference play.

3. Provides laundry detergent or a hamburger for a player.

[LA_Mustang]

He made a huge tactical mistake with his class of 7. Long time followers of SMU would have told him as much. Really have no idea what his thought process was on that one.

they are all improving...that is obvious. Don't ask me to give specific examples...just know that they are. But seriously, Doherty's coaching ability aside, that class will be his undoing.

[mr. pony]

... Frankly, when you consider where this program was when Doh took over, he has made measurable progress. Maybe not in Ws and Ls, but in a lot of other ways.

We're winning less. What's your point?

[Cardinal Puff]

Doh cannot play out 5 years. His contract either needs to be extended in the next year or bought out. SMU would not be giving recruits confidence if they saw the coach going in to a final contract year. I know this team has improved and the new players this year can make us competitive in Conf-USA. Hope that the W's catch up with the effort.

[George S. Patton]

The message for 2009-2010 --- SHOW MARKED IMPROVEMENT OR ELSE!

[EastStang]

Next year is the do or die year for Doh. We can't extend him if the program looks like it does today. And thus, the next to the last year of a contract is in essence the last year because you don't want to have him dangling while trying to recruit. That just puts us further behind the 8 ball.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

[quote="EastStang"]Next year is the do or die year for Doh. We can't extend him if the program looks like it does today. And thus, the next to the last year of a contract is in essence the last year because you don't want to have him dangling while trying to recruit. That just puts us further behind the 8 ball.[/quote]

That's a good point.

[LA_Mustang]

I know this team has improved and the new players this year can make us competitive in Conf-USA.

again. what do you see that makes you think this team has improved?? That is the same chatter people were throwing out last year at this time. I see a very good freshman playing on raw talent, McCoy, and a bunch of other guys that show up about once every third game....but I definitely don't see a team that is improving.

[PoconoPony]

Next year is the do or die year for Doh. We can't extend him if the program looks like it does today. And thus, the next to the last year of a contract is in essence the last year because you don't want to have him dangling while trying to recruit. That just puts us further behind the 8 ball.

That's a good point.

I agree. We have concerns on two fronts. First, Doh does not appear to have recruited sufficient talent thus far to be competitive. The cupboard was bare and he really needs more time. Big problem is that there are no currently known recruit prospects who appear to be in the pipe line to infuse the team with the toughness and scoring/defense to immediately augment the team next season. Without the infusion of help next year the prospects for a successful season are dismal. The second issue is whether or not Doh is developing the talent he has and providing them the game time coaching they need. I believe the consensus thus far is that the current kids are not developing, and may be regressing, his game coaching is not sufficient and the subject to considerable concern from from every aspect. Hence, EastStang is right on point.