Shouldn't Orsini Be Held Accountable?

[CoxBizGrad]

It seems like Orsini is not taking any heat regarding his huge mistake in hiring Doh, including putting the university in the position of paying Doherty $450K for the next year with the extended contract, while running the basketball program into the basement. Shouldn't he be held accountable, or is he given hero status for hiring Jones and turning the football program around?

[CoxBizGrad]

I can't believe that Orsini's press release had his, "Top 25 in everything we do," quote. Give it up Steve O., that quote is wearing thin and seems ridiculous as we finished in last place in CUSA.

[gostangs]

He gets a pass since our football team has become relevant and oh by the way, you may have noticed we are now in a bcs conference. I think we are lucky to have Orsini - he has passion for SMU beyond what you would expect. the basketball job this time is entirely different due to the work steve has done - perfect facilities, big east, and a nice big check. We'll get our guy this time.

[mr. pony]

I can't believe that Orsini's press release had his, "Top 25 in everything we do," quote. Give it up Steve O., that quote is wearing thin and seems ridiculous as we finished in last place in CUSA.

Gotta agree. Still haven't reached Top 25 in football, basketball, since his arrival six years ago.

[Water Pony]

SO is doing a good (with the major exception of not getting a new Natatorium ) job. Since he arrived he marshalled the CoC, hired JJ, brough the FB team back to relevancy including 3 bowls, pulled a 'rabbit out of the hat' by getting a BE invitation and finalized plans to renovate Moody. We forget where we where six years ago. Work remains, but this is a different athletic landscape for SMU. Kudos.

[CoxBizGrad]

I agree for the most part. However, if you look singularly at basketball, it has been a miserable failure under his watch and direction.

[CoxBizGrad]

He's vying for a new job, therefore it is in his best interest to hire a great basketball coach and excellent recruiter so he can get to the next level. He already tried to put his hat in the ring for the Notre Dame AD position a couple of years ago. SMU is a stepping stone for Steve O. We may not like to hear this, but it is very true.

[hoopmanx]

He's done well overall, I'd say. he's just always been a fball first guy, and is really lackluster when it comes to bball. I don't really give him too much credit for overpaying by a million bucks a year in fball, a trained monkey can overpay like that, but the Big East is impressive, as is the fundraising and facility upgrades. All that said, not many ADs can overcome two bad hires in the same revenue, so this needs to be his moment to undue Doh

[Mitch McConnell]

Not every AD is going to hit a home run with big-time hires (football and men's basketball), and Orsini wanted to make a splash with Doherty. At the time, I was on board with it. Excited. I thought a coach with his background, great history, recruiting and some success (the UNC debacle notwithstanding) was going to revive the program.

It didn't work. I don't think he needs us to tell him the gravity of this situation with the Big East and Moody renovations coming. He needs to find someone who he believes will recruit well, keep our name in this area alive and grow the program. The incoming coach will be able to sell a lot to recruits with blueprints, Crum and the Big East. At the same time, I would hope Orsini recognizes the poor perception of this job and what it will take to rehab it.

It can be done. Heck, if you can do it at St. Bonaventure's...

Plus, if he truly is going to try and move on -- that's fine because SMU is a stepping stone not a destination position (that's not exactly breaking news) -- this hire has to work and show a new employer that he got his men's BB moving. Orsini has the background with FB and fundraising (we can later debate how much he had to do with it) but those will be tied to him.

I like this roster. It isn't as poor as some would have you believe. The system and the players did not match at all.

There is a chance for this program to move up. But this is a decision that will determine a lot of fates in SMU athletics.

[Bergermeister]

Orsini was, by the vast majority, praised for his hiring of Matt Duherty. I think most fans thought SMU would excel under his leadership. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out. Orsini will, for the most part, continue to maintain the status quo. He has many positive attributes. If you want a complete overhaul - with a hard-nosed emphasis on winning and program accountability - (put up or shut up) you go get Eric Hyman - or someone like him.

[gostangs]

Really? Has TCU baskeTball thrived under hyman?

[Bergermeister]

Really? Has TCU baskeTball thrived under hyman?

I imagine if Hyman was still at TCU he would have already replaced the basketball coach.

[Digetydog]

He gets a pass since our football team has become relevant and oh by the way, you may have noticed we are now in a bcs conference. I think we are lucky to have Orsini - he has passion for SMU beyond what you would expect. the basketball job this time is entirely different due to the work steve has done - perfect facilities, big east, and a nice big check. We'll get our guy this time.

I completely agree. In almost every way, the athletic department is in significantly better condition than when he started. He made a bad hire with Doherty when we were desperate. It happens.

Deloss Dodds hired David McWilliams and Mackovic before he got Mack Brown on board. The Aggies have been trying to find the "right" football coach since Jackie Sherrill. Oddly enough, RC Scrotum was the best of the bunch.

[EastStang]

On paper this looked like a great hire at the time. UNC failure had an explanation to go along with it. His recruiting ability was a known and solid quantity. And you expected that he might have grown a little from that UNC experience. When he got here he did the right things with Crum, trying to mend fences with DISD coaches, and recruited where ever he was welcome. Ultimately, it didn't work out for him here. Orsini has a history of second chance hires that have worked out, and CUSA was the land of second chances. Now we're in the BE, and we have to have a coach who can field a team that will be competitive in arguably the toughest hoops conference (notwithstanding the exit of Pitt, WVU and Syr) in Division 1. Orsini has to either find the best gem in the rough ever found or a known entity and find a way to pay for him. Either way, he has a very tough job ahead of him.

[ponyscott]

C'mon this is such Monday morning quarterbacking....easy to say wasn't a good hire in retrospect. It didn't work out...now move on and let Orsini get the replacement hire. SO has busted his [deleted] to get us relevant ....his ' goal' is Top 25 in everything we do and that's what he's trying to do....haven't you ever set goals Cox? If thats the direction, we will get there. Lay off Orsini..

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