Ran into an SMU Football Legend this morning

[Stangs1970]

1/2 of the pony express.

Craig James ladies and gents. We are the same age and I knew him in the past through boys baseball of all things. Our oldest sons are the same age.

He says June wanted to quit before game one and they (smu) talked him into staying. Long story short he was done coaching at this time and wanted out. He also said we should have made a change 3 years ago when he burnt everyone in the Arizona state thing. It ruined his relationships with the fan base.

[novasmu]

SMU talked him into staying? What? Is that his defense for leaving a mess like this?

Thank goodness, at least he is gone now. I really hope that Mason can salvage something. At least, make it so we play competitively in a few of the games later in the season, and perhaps even pull a win in one or two of them.

[Nacho]

1/2 of the pony express.

Craig James ladies and gents. We are the same age and I knew him in the past through boys baseball of all things. Our oldest sons are the same age.

He says June wanted to quit before game one and they (smu) talked him into staying. Long story short he was done coaching at this time and wanted out. He also said we should have made a change 3 years ago when he burnt everyone in the Arizona state thing. It ruined his relationships with the fan base.

if you are the same age why are you stangs1970?

asu debacle was handled terribly by all involved.
we have a long and inglorious history of this sort of thing.
so we should have fired him? i guess we waited him out and forced him to quit. we showed him.

[Bergermeister]

if you are the same age why are you stangs1970?

Just go with it.

[skurtn]

Nice to know that JJ realized this and wanted out.
Sucks that recruiting and we get screwed during the main time, instead of working hard until he left anyways...

[03Mustang]

Did he want out before the season started or at the end of last year? Big difference....if he was trying to walk away right before game one I could see why SMU convinced him to stay....and it's even more chicken [deleted] on his part.

Different story if he tried to quit right after last season, of course.

[SMU1523]

1/2 of the pony express.

Craig James ladies and gents. We are the same age and I knew him in the past through boys baseball of all things. Our oldest sons are the same age.

He says June wanted to quit before game one and they (smu) talked him into staying. Long story short he was done coaching at this time and wanted out. He also said we should have made a change 3 years ago when he burnt everyone in the Arizona state thing. It ruined his relationships with the fan base.

if you are the same age why are you stangs1970?

asu debacle was handled terribly by all involved.
we have a long and inglorious history of this sort of thing.
so we should have fired him? i guess we waited him out and forced him to quit. we showed him.

I wondered the same thing... Then again I didn't graduate in 1523.

[DiamondM75]

Did he want out before the season started or at the end of last year? Big difference....if he was trying to walk away right before game one I could see why SMU convinced him to stay....and it's even more chicken [deleted] on his part.

Different story if he tried to quit right after last season, of course.

I doubt he tried to quit after last season. Remember, he signed the contract extension.

[RedBlueSMU]

The OP is actually my cousin. I'm 32 years old, and he started taking me to SMU football and basketball games when I was 7. Just wanted to clear up the age question on here. He's definitely around the same age as Craig James.

[03Mustang]

Did he want out before the season started or at the end of last year? Big difference....if he was trying to walk away right before game one I could see why SMU convinced him to stay....and it's even more chicken [deleted] on his part.

Different story if he tried to quit right after last season, of course.

I doubt he tried to quit after last season. Remember, he signed the contract extension.

Agreed, which further proves what a piece of crap June is. I don't care what he did for the program early on, the state he left it in eliminates all good will from that. Tom Hicks was a "great" owner in the late 90s and very early 00s for the Rangers and Stars...how do we feel about that guy now?

Didn't he say many times back then that when he left the program would be set up for long term success? Inexcusable.

[Stangs1970]

Stangs 1970 is the year I started attending SMU games at the Cotton Bowl.

[Stallion]

All parties wanted out at the end of last season. Its as clear as the nose on your face. Nobody was willing to compromise and agree to a settlement buyout so we got the illusory 3 year contract instead

[Stangs1970]

Real Quick

1. He is in Orlando meeting with several preachers as he works for some faith based group now.
2. I asked about Eric's rant. He said Eric is very emotional especially since he and June are close friends. But he knows Eric realizes what June did to the program.
3. I asked about coaches and he said no formal list at this time. He said whomever it is will likely have strong ties in Texas. He mentioned that Phil Bennett & his brother were very good in this area.
4. He said we should have let him go 3 years ago after the AZ st deal.
5. I asked why they extended his contract and he just rolled his eyes and should his head. Didn't say a word.

If I can think of anything else I will post it later I have meetings now.

[footballdad]

Real Quick

1. He is in Orlando meeting with several preachers as he works for some faith based group now.
2. I asked about Eric's rant. He said Eric is very emotional especially since he and June are close friends. But he knows Eric realizes what June did to the program.
3. I asked about coaches and he said no formal list at this time. He said whomever it is will likely have strong ties in Texas. He mentioned that Phil Bennett & his brother were very good in this area.
4. He said we should have let him go 3 years ago after the AZ st deal.
5. I asked why they extended his contract and he just rolled his eyes and should his head. Didn't say a word.

If I can think of anything else I will post it later I have meetings now.

James the preacher....classic. Politics and preaching didn't work so well so let's just try the preaching thing.

If I were Hart I'd keep Dickerson and James way out of the loop here. Give them their sideline passes and a smile and that's it.

[SMU_Alumni11]

Real Quick

1. He is in Orlando meeting with several preachers as he works for some faith based group now.
2. I asked about Eric's rant. He said Eric is very emotional especially since he and June are close friends. But he knows Eric realizes what June did to the program.
3. I asked about coaches and he said no formal list at this time. He said whomever it is will likely have strong ties in Texas. He mentioned that Phil Bennett & his brother were very good in this area.
4. He said we should have let him go 3 years ago after the AZ st deal.
5. I asked why they extended his contract and he just rolled his eyes and should his head. Didn't say a word.

If I can think of anything else I will post it later I have meetings now.

James the preacher....classic. Politics and preaching didn't work so well so let's just try the preaching thing.

If I were Hart I'd keep Dickerson and James way out of the loop here. Give them their sideline passes and a smile and that's it.

Maybe politics didnt work out but dont see why being part of the faith would be bad for him. God bless him.

If i were Hart, I get anybody who has any history with the program and that somebody we would actually know. I think having ED and CJ along with our mustangs in the nfl would be great PR to show that we still make talent here.