Did the Bennett Rumors Hurt Recruiting?

[McClown27]

Fellas,

As we don't seem to be getting many early commitments, I am wondering if the Bennett rumors hurt this years recruiting class. Of course, I am talking about two very different rumors.

1) Until the UAB triumph (when we were 1-4), there were high-level rumors that Copeland and Bennett were both going to be canned.

2) After we win 5 games, Bennett is immediately connected to the KSU opening.

I may be wrong, but I think these rumors have something to do with our recruiting efforts. It just gave recruits the idea that this program is unstable, and will probably be that way for the next few years. I hope Phil proves me wrong in the next month!

Go Mustangs!!

[BUS]

A few people that I know have known the potential players over the past few years. This year, after checking and checking, nobody is getting any information.

This year the information is being held very close but I do think that is because of only 13 ships to give out.

I trust the coaches.... I have to, we all do at this point.

Go Mustangs and I can not wait till next year. Not the usual things will be better because this year was a bomb, but because this year I saw some real improvement with a young team. Next year will be even better.

Merry Christ-mass

[Stallion]

Look boys SMU might get some average prospects but if you are looking for some big names they are just about all gone. There ain't no secret list that Phil's been keeping quiet-the recruiting just ain't there this year. Just about every single player signed by SMU will be a sleeper. Book it.

[McClown27]

Look boys SMU might get some average prospects but if you are looking for some big names they are just about all gone. There ain't no secret list that Phil's been keeping quiet-the recruiting just ain't there this year. Just about every single player signed by SMU will be a sleeper. Book it.

I am with you on this issue Stallion. I am just wondering why--esp. after the improvement. I think it is because most recruits think Bennett is either gonna get fired or move onto another job. When we try to compete with TCU, recruits pretty much know Patterson has made a commitment to stay.

Bus, I know we have limited scholarships and we have a young team. I am also excited about the possibility of improvement. It is just weird we haven't gotten a JUCO QB with our opening and decent prospects for next year (bowl game).

[ClassOf81]

Look boys SMU might get some average prospects but if you are looking for some big names they are just about all gone. There ain't no secret list that Phil's been keeping quiet-the recruiting just ain't there this year. Just about every single player signed by SMU will be a sleeper. Book it.

Unless we are trying to steal players already committed elsewhere, or awaiting a possible transfer. If that's the case, all communication and discussion undoubtedly is being kept very heavily guarded.

I am with you on this issue Stallion. I am just wondering why--esp. after the improvement. I think it is because most recruits think Bennett is either gonna get fired or move onto another job. When we try to compete with TCU, recruits pretty much know Patterson has made a commitment to stay.

That's brilliant -- Patterson's name was linked more heavily to Kansas State than Coach Bennett's. Once we beat Froggy High, and UAB, and Rice, and Houston, and finally UTEP, you theory held no water. Like it or not, Coach Bennett was safe after the win over TCU. And frankly, you're out of line for even bringing this up now. He righted the ship and has us pointed in a positive direction, a better direction than we've had since the winning season in the mid-90s. To bring it up at this time is nothing more than irresponsible and malicious. Why do you insist on trying to generate ill will?
Merry Christmas.

[McClown27]

. Like it or not, Coach Bennett was safe after the win over TCU. And frankly, you're out of line for even bringing this up now. He righted the ship and has us pointed in a positive direction, a better direction than we've had since the winning season in the mid-90s. To bring it up at this time is nothing more than irresponsible and malicious. Why do you insist on trying to generate ill will?

I wish Bennett the best. I have met him and think he is a nice fella. As I have said many times, I hope we sign the best 13 players in the country. As far as I can see, we have not gotten one player in the area top 100. HP wins a state championship, and we are not even in on a single recruit from there.

I see nothing "malicious or irresponsible" about bringing up the fact that two different rumors were connected to his name. As a fan, I am not blindly loyal. But, because of the hostile attitudes of some on this board, I have even been accused of being a "Sunshiner" for wanting local media coverage of SMU.

[Pony Fan]

Look boys SMU might get some average prospects but if you are looking for some big names they are just about all gone. There ain't no secret list that Phil's been keeping quiet-the recruiting just ain't there this year. Just about every single player signed by SMU will be a sleeper. Book it.

________________

You know, you may be right but you have no actual idea or knowledge about WHO we are recruiting, again, other than what you read on Rivals.

[Pony4Life]

Exactly. We are in on an HP guy (no, not Stafford), regardless of what Rivals, Scout, DMN (which merely prints rivals reports), etc., report. The reports on rivals, etc., might be accurate sometimes, but they represent a fraction of the players SMU (and all schools) are considering.

[Stallion]

there are probably over 700 Texas kids in the Rivals Database (28 pages* 30 per page=840). What fraction would that be-and what does that tell you? Only about 340 will get scholarships.

[Mickey]

IMO, the spin is that SMU only has 13 scholarships to offer and SMU is being very selective because of the small number available. Actually, I think they have 17-18 scholarships to offer. I heard Bennet say himself that they wanted to sign 4 JUCOs including a QB. Bottom line is that this recruiting season is a disaster so far.

[McClown27]

Exactly. We are in on an HP guy (no, not Stafford), regardless of what Rivals, Scout, DMN (which merely prints rivals reports), etc., report.

Who is it?

[EastStang]

Didn't we have some last minute decommits last year which is worse for a recruiting class than no commits until the end. So, perhaps. Bennett is keeping his powder dry, or as Stallion suggests we are only getting leftovers. So far the news has not been great so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope that Bennett has a few rabbits and the hat.