DMN: Sources: SMU talks to Texas assistant Terry

[McClown27]

Let's not bash Fraschilla too much in this public forum, since he occassionally buys a ticket and actually comes to both basketball and football games, which is a lot more support for SMU than most people give.

I agree.

People up here still talk about his tenure at St. John's, and they do not speak highly of him. That is why I have negative feelings about hiring him.

Otherwise, I am sure he is a great guy.

[mrydel]

I know nothing about him, but personally I am ready for some proven D1 experience rather than the continuous roll of the dice on assistants. Some turn out great but others do not have what it takes for the next level. An average proven commodity would be better than a "great" prospect in my eyes.

[jtstang]

Let's not bash Fraschilla too much in this public forum, since he occassionally buys a ticket and actually comes to both basketball and football games, which is a lot more support for SMU than most people give.

So do I, but if you were smart, you wouldn't want me as the next head coach either. Of course, I'd be a better choice than Fraschilla.

My first orders of business as new head coach:

1. Hire Hoop Fan as Assistant Head Coach.

2. Ban Max Williams from Moody.

3. Buy Bamba Fall TWO burgers.

4. Requisition the Mustang Club for laundry service for the players.

[EastStang]

There used to be a saying that a proven major league manager was one that had been fired three times. Does that apply to college coaches?

[Hoop Fan]

I'm not qualified and I wouldn't want the pressure of that job, JT. However, I would apply to be on the Max Williams arse kicking crew.

[McClown27]

Let's not bash Fraschilla too much in this public forum, since he occassionally buys a ticket and actually comes to both basketball and football games, which is a lot more support for SMU than most people give.

So do I, but if you were smart, you wouldn't want me as the next head coach either. Of course, I'd be a better choice than Fraschilla.

My first orders of business as new head coach:

1. Hire Hoop Fan as Assistant Head Coach.

2. Ban Max Williams from Moody.

3. Buy Bamba Fall TWO burgers.

4. Requisition the Mustang Club for laundry service for the players.

NO JIMMY TUBBS ON THE STAFF? I AM SHOCKED!!

[Hoop Fan]

The real JT is overqualifed for the staff other JT is putting together, however I'm sure tubbs would like to be on the Max Williams [deleted] kicking crew as well. You wanna join McClown?

[jtstang]

The real JT is overqualifed for the staff other JT is putting together, however I'm sure tubbs would like to be on the Max Williams [deleted] kicking crew as well. You wanna join McClown?

Yes, we need somebody to handle the dirty jock straps.

[Hoop Fan]

perfect. Thats why you are the head man JT, delegation at its finest. You really know how to match a guy's skillset and knowledge base with the right job.

[KnuckleStang]

I'd like to join too, but only if generic beer is served.

[jtstang]

I'd like to join too, but only if generic beer is served.

You will, of course, be official team minstrel. We will require a motivational ditty for the pre-game meeting, as well as a song romanticizing the attributes of the average SMU co-ed to play during my unlimited calls to recruits. You'll want to get on those immediately. Generic beer will be reserved for you and Bamba, as each of you will require plenty and the team budget is starting to spread a little thin in the absence of Max Williams.

[PonyPride]

Was Coach Fraschilla at UNM before or after Hurricane Bliss was out there?

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This bio was written, I gather, shortly after he signed with ESPN.

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Fran Fraschilla Biography
After spending 23 years coaching mens college basketball Fran Fraschilla took on a new gig in 2002 when he joined ESPN as a broadcast analyst.

Fraschilla brings a considerable amount of basketball coaching experience to his new position as a basketball analyst for ESPN.

Fraschilla's coaching odyssey began at New York Tech where he spent a season, followed by Rhode Island, Ohio and Ohio State for a collective total of ten years. He then moved on to Providence as an assistant for 13 seasons before going to Manhattan in his first head coaching job.

While at Manhattan Fraschilla's Jaspers teams compiled a 85-35 record (.708) includinga 26-6 record for the 1994-95' season which saw his team go to the NCAA Tournament where they upset Oklahoma in the first round. For his efforts Franschilla was named the NABC coach of the year. During his Manhattan tenure Fraschilla led his team to post season tournament play each year, going to the NCAA tournament twice and the NIT tournament twice.

Fraschilla moved on to St. John's, whose basketball fortunes had dramatically declined since the retirement of the revered Lou Carnesseca. In two seasons at St. John's his Red Storm teams had a winning record of 35-24 including going 22-10 in his second season there. The Red Storm went to the NCAA postseason tournament in 98'. Fraschilla's St. John's teams owned a 21-15 record in Big East play and enjoyed a 12-6 advantage playing on the road. In a stunning upset the Red Storm ended U. Conn's 46-game home court winning streak in 1998 and went on to a second place finish in the Big East.

Fraschilla was named the mens head basketball coach at the University of New Mexico in March of 1999. He came to the Lobos with a career coaching record of 120-59 (.670) and was the 17th coach to lead the UNM Lobos basketball program. At the end of his three years at the UNM helm Fraschilla's record stood at 55-41 (.571). He led the Lobos to three consecutive NIT appearances.

Fraschilla said at the time: "I'm thrilled about being a part of a great basketball tradition that the University of New Mexico offers. I look forward to moving New Mexico basketball into the 21st century and coaching in the nation's best home-court environment."

Upon introducing Fraschilla UNM AD Rudy Davalos said: "We are very excited to have Fran Fraschilla lead the men's basketball program at the University of New Mexico. He did an outstanding job at Manhattan College and St. John's. Fran took over a struggling program at St. John's and turned it into a 20-game winner and an NCAA Tournament team. Fran is considered one of the finest recruiters in college basketball."

Upon departing the University of New Mexico Fraschilla's career coaching record stood at 175-100 (.636).

As of October, 2004, Fraschilla is immersed in his analysts job at ESPN where he wears a variety of hats. There have been some rumors mentioning his name for a return to the coaching wars but at this time nothing has come along which would cause Fraschilla to leave ESPN.

Some of his accomplishments are:

* 23 year mens NCAA College Basketball Coaching career
* Career coaching record of 175-100 (.636)
* Several NCAA postseason tournament appearances
* Several NIT postseason tournament appearances
* Fraschilla's Manhattan Jaspers teams compiled a 85-35 record (.708)
* Named the NABC coach of the year for the 1994-95 season
* Fraschilla's St. John's Red Storm team ended U. Conn's 46-game home court winning streak
* Led the New Mexico University Lobos to three consecutive NIT appearances
* Critically acclaimed basketball analyst for ESPN

[KnuckleStang]

I'd like to join too, but only if generic beer is served.

You will, of course, be official team minstrel. We will require a motivational ditty for the pre-game meeting, as well as a song romanticizing the attributes of the average SMU co-ed to play during my unlimited calls to recruits. You'll want to get on those immediately. Generic beer will be reserved for you and Bamba, as each of you will require plenty and the team budget is starting to spread a little thin in the absence of Max Williams.

IT is my honor. People would pay cash money to drink generic beer with and serenade Bamba Fall! Somebody pinch me. I'm in!

[KnuckleStang]

Was Coach Fraschilla at UNM before or after Hurricane Bliss was out there?

Excellent job steering us back on topic, webmaster. I believe he came after Bliss. And I think it is interesting that he interviewed. Copeland, if he had his druthers, would not have given this guy even a cursory look. This is all Orsini. Fran did a helluva job with the jaspers though.

[abezontar]

Why is anyone saying anything about Copeland being in on this hire, it has been reported in numerous places, including the DMN, quotes have been attributed to Turner, that Turner and Orsini would be making the hire, and that Copeland wouldn't ahve anything to do with it.