The only possible fix

[jtstang]

There are three things that must be done to end the perpetual toilet flushing.

1) Institutional changes
Yes, "the model"--Stallion is right, all holes must be plugged, including cirriculum, in order to level the playing field with all other mid-majors we compete with for recruits, like TCU, Tulsa and the like. And I mean JUCOs and disgruntled BCS benchwarmers, etc. Those of you who think we can ever again compete with Texas, OU, A&M and other BCS schools for recruits should go into dealing what you smoke. And those of you who think we will ever be in a BCS conference should be their buyers.

2) Fire Bennett
It is unquestionably true that he has been hampered by the issues in #1. It is also unquestionably true that at Bailey's 1st and 10 the week after he was hired he told me point blank that if he could not recruit the players he wanted he would not have taken the job. Now either he wants players who have less talent that everybody else wants, or he was fooled about being able to recruit whomever he wanted. Either way it does not matter. If you gave Bennett carte blanche tomorrow on recruiting, he could not overcome the six year legacy of losing that he brings to the table. TCU will get that guy, or UH or Tulsa or maybe even Baylor. Not necessarily a reflection on him, but he cannot overcome his record and he must go.

3) Get a name coach
No, not a "big-name" coach, just somebody who has been a HC at the D-1 level and has some recruiting skins on the wall. If you are going the coordinator route, it better be a guy with NFL skins, who has connections with known NCAA recruiters. No, I do not have anybody to recommend, but the lists put out by others contains some obvious names. And do not be cheap about it. This is the last chance you will have to revive a program who stands to lose a generation of fans who have known nothing but losing. And do not tell me that jtstang joining the Mustang Club is going to help hire a coach, you and I both know that is BS. Jerry Ford and the boys are going to have to bite the bullet for this one.

These things must happen before anyone should have expectations for this football program again.

[Hoop Fan]

i dont like spend other peoples money, but Mr. Ford could pay a coach a million plus per year and not even miss it. anybody seen the new Forbes 400? His picture is in there and it talks about Ford Stadium. Seriously, if the guy is interested enough in football to put his name on the stadium, I find it kind of amazing that money keeps us from hiring a legit coach. Nevermind the Hunts and everybody else with a little coin.

[SMU89]

Deon Sanders -- lives in Plano

[jtstang]

Deon Sanders -- lives in Plano

No, not what I'm talking about. But you are definitely in the lost generation.

[carolina stang]

i dont like spend other peoples money, but Mr. Ford could pay a coach a million plus per year and not even miss it. anybody seen the new Forbes 400? His picture is in there and it talks about Ford Stadium. Seriously, if the guy is interested enough in football to put his name on the stadium, I find it kind of amazing that money keeps us from hiring a legit coach. Nevermind the Hunts and everybody else with a little coin.

Yeah, the way some people on this board talk, all of our alums must be destitute. I truly don't believe the money will be a problem. There is some serious coin in the upper levels.

My God folks, we love to roll out the smack to other schools about "our money". You know the, "Glad you love your TCU degree from the state mental institution buildings to prepare you for the great paying fast food industry." We laugh at ourselves about our "rich kid" school reputation and diss others, but yet don't believe there is any money and scream we're too poor to each other..

[DickerJames]

Well said JT. For the new coach part, I would add that I believe it is imperative that we not go the assistant coach route on any level. We need somebody who has successfully turned a losing program into a winner on some level. Everyone talks about TCU, well, they hired a proven program builder. We on the other hand keep rolling the dice, and after 20 years of losing we can no longer afford to take chances. It's time for SMU to step up to the plate and get serious.

[SMU89]

Take away Tomlinson and TCU had no program -- I think that is beginning to show and will become more apparent each year.

[jtstang]

Take away Tomlinson and TCU had no program -- I think that is beginning to show and will become more apparent each year.

I agree, although that may not be entirely clear from the several 10 win seasons they have had since he left.

Buyer.

[Stallion]

that's a really ignorant totally stupid argument. TCU put plenty of top players in the NFL, had numerous All-Conference players and went to many bowls with players Franchione recruited. I hear this new conventional wisdom all the time now. Its not true. TCU was beating our brains in recruiting under Franchione-Tomlinson excluded. TCU built a solid, strong program one of the Top 1-2 non-BCS programs in the country under Franchione-and it has survived the loss of Ladanian Tomlinson.

[SMU89]

I am not as up on tcu's program and based on the facts you stated, I'm probably off on my Tomlinson comment; however, this year has not looked great for them so far.

Regardless, our future is all about money/commitment. As others have stated, I feel the money is there and it is more of a question of if after 20+ years the pendulum has finally swung back to athletics vs. academics for the university.

Based on recent athletics building and hires, I think (pray & hope) we will spend what it takes to bring in the right coach and supporting staff.

[mr. pony]

[quote="jtstang"] Those of you who think we can ever again compete with Texas, OU, A&M and other BCS schools for recruits should go into dealing what you smoke. And those of you who think we will ever be in a BCS conference should be their buyers.

The BCS is doomed - a totally unfair monopoly.

And small private schools CAN compete. See Miami and USC - and TCU. It's a mindset that starts at the very top.

[HFvictory]

Take away Tomlinson and TCU had no program -- I think that is beginning to show and will become more apparent each year.

Wow, guess finishing in the Top 10 since he left means nothing.

[perunapower]

Take away Tomlinson and TCU had no program -- I think that is beginning to show and will become more apparent each year.

You are delusional.

[Arkpony]

JStang states the obvious of course. And he is right. A lot of us feel this is the last chance for this program to survive. Someone has to force down the liberal faculty's throat the obvious fact that a stong athletic program benefits the school in all areas. Bennets's departure is a given..only I think it shuld have been Sunday morning with an assistant named as interim. His third point is right on also.

[jtstang]

JStang states the obvious of course.

Yeah, I'm pretty good at that. Problem is, if you and I can see that it's obvious, why can't SMU?