Doherty and the SMU image, etc

[Hoop Fan]

Doherty fits the SMU image fairly perfectly. GQ and at least somewhat arrogant. He's a good fit and could possibly have some success. I guess I have been hoping we could change our image some, but thats probably not in the cards. I'll support Doherty. Like I said before, I hope you all don't abandon him after some inevitable hard times. But most of you will. If you are honest most of you who did give up on Tubbs gave up after his first recruiting class which didnt produce the high profile recruits imagined. How long can Doherty go without producing a signature recruit? Its an honest question. Will the air go out of the balloon this spring if he doesnt make a splash with the 3 scholarships he now has?

Other random thoughts: I havent heard any comments that suggest Doherty will look to hire any assistants with direct connections to Dallas. Am I wrong, has he commented on that? None of Doherty's assistants appear to have any background in the Southwest whatsoever. When Dement got here from the East, he did a smart thing and looked to emphasize Tubbs relationships in Dallas. Doherty needs a guy like that too and it wont be as easy because Tubbs was already here when Dement got here.

I take it Dez was there and is on board with Doherty? Dez's father was reportedly friends with Tubbs. It would probably be very hard for Dez to transfer again so he is stuck to some extent. Was Matt Williams there? I take it he was also. It still makes me sick to think about how this went down.

[crazy horse]

For the first time in a loong time, I am excited about the direction of SMU basketball.

We have an exciting and bold coaching hire.
He supposedly has commitments for bigger budgets and facility upgrades
Some positive national publicity for SMU - not seen in some time

Doherty may ultimately disappoint, but for the moment, I am excited.

[smu diamond m]

wonder when the blackstone article is gonna come out slamming us for hiring a white man

[PK]

I don't know that much about the different coaches running around out there, but it would seem that this IS a good hire. I like the intensity and urgency with which Orsini seems to be approaching his responsibilities and I like the fact that SMU seems to be finally putting some "meat" into their "commitment." Now whether it is the University or some well to do alums putting up the funds to do all of this doesn't really matter to me...I'm just thrilled to see us doing something postitive and aggressive in the athletic area of the school for a change. This could really be the spark that gets us back into the national spotlight for some time to come. I've got my fingers crossed for sure.

[bagice]

Good thoughts HF, I know the handling of Tubbs still bothers you greatly, as it does a lot of us, me included.

I supported the Tubbs hire and supported him all last season. I never made one bad post about him or his ability...but deep down, something just didn't seem right. It seemed we had not moved forward from Dement at all, in fact, it seemed like we were going backwards. There was no enthusiasm the last two years and no bright spot in the near future. We were in for a LONG rebuilding process.

I am definitely not saying that Doherty will fair any better, or that we will have a miracle turnaround...but one thing I will say is that there is excitement around the program that I have not witnessed in a long time. People are genuinely excited about SMU basketball again. Sure, Doherty may lay an egg, but he jumpstarted us like no one else, Tubbs included, can.

In my mind...the best part...his contract is tied to a practice facility. (this is coming from memory, dont jump me if i get something wrong) If it is not completed in 3 years, he can get out of his contract OR renew it for 5 years. The facilities and upgrades we all knew we needed will be a reality now.

As far as JT goes, I feel bad the way it happened, we should have had more class and handled it differently. Instead of this ticky tack crap, someone should have stood up and said "we are going in another direction, we fill we need a nationally prominent coach to turn this program around". Because in my mind, thats what it really is. In fact, I feel Orsini, being in Florida, had Doherty in mind all along and the day he took the job, he was going to get him to SMU....

[smu diamond m]

In fact, I feel Orsini, being in Florida, had Doherty in mind all along and the day he took the job, he was going to get him to SMU....

WOAH. Someone else thinks Orsini fired Tubbs, too? I thought I was the only one. I didn't think Copeland could've pulled the plug himself. Even Turner has beat around it a few times, referring to Orsini as the man whose job hasn't officially started.

[MrMustang1965]

In fact, I feel Orsini, being in Florida, had Doherty in mind all along and the day he took the job, he was going to get him to SMU....

WOAH. Someone else thinks Orsini fired Tubbs, too? I thought I was the only one. I didn't think Copeland could've pulled the plug himself. Even Turner has beat around it a few times, referring to Orsini as the man whose job hasn't officially started.

I saw Copeland at David Miller's daughter's wedding reception last Saturday night. His words to me were that he 'wanted to clear the slate for Orsini' and that, since he was the one who hired Tubbs, he felt it was his job to fire him, too. Copeland said he went to Turner and said "It's my job to let him go." Copeland said Turner agreed and that's how it went down. FWIW.

[McClown27]

Thanks for the info MM1965. Hope Jim is feeling better.

[tmustangp]

Other random thoughts: I havent heard any comments that suggest Doherty will look to hire any assistants with direct connections to Dallas. Am I wrong, has he commented on that? None of Doherty's assistants appear to have any background in the Southwest whatsoever. When Dement got here from the East, he did a smart thing and looked to emphasize Tubbs relationships in Dallas. Doherty needs a guy like that too and it wont be as easy because Tubbs was already here when Dement got here.

read todays dallas morning news or my post "time to change" i copied it from the dmn .. its talks of the agreement for a new practice facility (should go where the tennis courts are)

talks of hiring an assistant w/ dallas roots -- I suggested Chris Dyer, head coach of SOC...who knows maybe we get Arthur that way...but he is basically a staple of DISD basketball along w/ Coach Rose and Coach Gaines (you would really have to know disd bball to know these guys)

and making smu bball dallas' college bball team...and making the game atmoshpere more appealing

[tmustangp]

Other random thoughts: I havent heard any comments that suggest Doherty will look to hire any assistants with direct connections to Dallas. Am I wrong, has he commented on that? None of Doherty's assistants appear to have any background in the Southwest whatsoever. When Dement got here from the East, he did a smart thing and looked to emphasize Tubbs relationships in Dallas. Doherty needs a guy like that too and it wont be as easy because Tubbs was already here when Dement got here.

read todays dallas morning news or my post "time to change" i copied it from the dmn .. its talks of the agreement for a new practice facility (should go where the tennis courts are)

talks of hiring an assistant w/ dallas roots -- I suggested Chris Dyer, head coach of SOC...who knows maybe we get Arthur that way...but he is basically a staple of DISD basketball along w/ Coach Rose and Coach Gaines (you would really have to know disd bball to know these guys)

and making smu bball dallas' college bball team...and making the game atmoshpere more appealing

[DiamondM]

FYI: there is already a spot for the practice facility behind Moody -- where the parking is now. No need to tear down the place where one of our winning teams plays.

Hoop Fan, now that you mention it, I don't remember whether or not Dez was there. I don't remember him not being there, I just don't remember one way or the other. Anyone?

Matt Williams was there. I would remind everyone not to visit the sins of the (grand)father on the (grand)son. Whatever went down, I don't think it had anything to do with Matt, since he was out for the year with an injury and in street clothes the whole time. It had nothing to do with playing time.

[Pony_Fan]

As far as JT goes, I feel bad the way it happened, we should have had more class and handled it differently. Instead of this ticky tack crap, someone should have stood up and said "we are going in another direction, we fill we need a nationally prominent coach to turn this program around". Because in my mind, thats what it really is.

I agree, they could have just said "we are going in another direction" instead of all the b.s.[/quote]

[jtstang]

Matt Williams was there. I would remind everyone not to visit the sins of the (grand)father on the (grand)son. Whatever went down, I don't think it had anything to do with Matt, since he was out for the year with an injury and in street clothes the whole time. It had nothing to do with playing time.

Sorry, the damage is done. The apple falls in the shadow of gramps.

[Stallion]

if we are going to pay big bucks for assistant coaches I say the first call for the assistant with local ties should go to Tony Benford from Evans' Arizona St. staff. Evans may sit out but Benford can't afford to sit out at this stage of his coaching career. Is Evans in contention for other jobs. Benford is about our best hope for an experienced coach/recruiter with strong ties to Metroplex recruiting.

[ponydawg]

Great call on Benford, that would be a great hire, but do you think we need to get one of "disd's own" as a peace offering as hinted in the DMN.

Hoop Fan,
I think most people will have a longer honeymoon with Doherty because they are more excited. I don't recall people being that excited with the tubbs hire, hence the short honeymooon.