The only possible fix

[RGV Pony]

Obvious, true. But a long time coming. Maybe, just maybe, the hiring of Doherty plus the hiring of a similar "name" football coach will create the perfect storm of righting the ship. Doherty's deal included some assurances of what SMU would do to get him and keep him (at least for now); if Orsini hires a new football coach who has similar requirements, perhaps the pendulum could start shifting the other way.

[NavyCrimson]

No point firing Bennett until you change #1. If #1 isn't changed, every coach you hire including a "big name" will fail. Bennett like all the rest are merely scapegoats

[NavyCrimson]

"... 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..."

Well said, Mr Pony.

[EastStang]

In the area of football coaches that we've hired, there are few coaches that have ever created a buzz on the hilltop. We've hired such forgetables as Dave Smith, Mike Cavan, Tom Rosseley. Even Hayden Fry was an untested assistant coach when he was hired. Ron Meyer created excitement, but again was not a big name when hired. Forrest Gregg was the last big name hired who came out of duty to his alma mater. That should give everyone an indication of the desirability of the SMU job to the college coaching community and our chances of landing a "Big name". Phil Bennett by his sheer personality and personal story, created a brief buzz, but that was lost in his first season here with losses on the field. It will take a very unique coach to take this job. One that really relishes a challenge and who can back it up with creativity and flexibility. We can't hire another coach who tries to fit SMU personnel into the precast mold that he is comfortable with. We need a coach who can run the option if that is what we have for personnel, or can run pro sets if that is what is dictated, or can run a wishbone if that is what is required on offense. A coach whose defensive coordinator runs zones, blitzes, 3-4, 4-3 as needed with personnel. SMU will always have holes in its line-up. What we need is not a good coach, but a great coach who can play with the hand that is dealt him and still win. Then more players will come to a winning program. I think Bennett is a good coach, but has never had the creativity to create a defense or an offense that fit what he recruited.

[PK]

Eric Schumann was very adept at adjusting his defensive schemes to fit the players he had to work with. I doubt he would make a good HC, but would love to have him back as DC.

[jtstang]

No point firing Bennett until you change #1. If #1 isn't changed, every coach you hire including a "big name" will fail. Bennett like all the rest are merely scapegoats

They are in order for a reason. Obviously it would be nice to have them accomplished concurrently. Honestly we all know that No. 2 will likely be first, with No. 1 ignored and No. 3 impossible to accomplish because of No. 1.

And please note that I did not call for a "big name" coach.

[2112]

eric was good against the run.

[Pony in SA]

Agree totally about DC Shumann. He would be an asset to the staff, and would help any new coach who may come here. Plus, he has been pretty succesful at using what he has been dealt wherever he has been.

[2112]

forget him! we need to clean house!

[originaloverthehilltop1]

hmm....fail to see how bringing in a coach (schumann) not here for 7 or so years would prevent us from cleaning house. and btw, wasn't cavan hired becasue he "built a program on some level" namely the small ball school he came from? i don't care if we get a coordinator or assistant from some school (doesn't have to be bcs) as long as he can do the job. orsinis call.

and i'd like to stop even mentioning we can or can't compete against ut, a&m, baylor, etc, until we can compete in cusa. phil bennet has to go because he isn't recruiting/coaching well enough to win in cusa. he's been insisting for years that he can but clearly, is not. that's all the reason we need.

now somebody tell me, can we or can we not compete in cusa with the academic standards and majors we have? would a minor tweak do it? if not what will?

[SMU89]

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.

Really?

Prior to Tomlinson's arrival, TCU had appeared in only one bowl game in the previous 12 seasons (and 2 in the previous 34).

Tomlinson put TCUs program in the national spotlight, increased attendance/money coming into the program, and helped them win -- all of which would help any coach with recruiting. I’m sure there are other factors that lead to TCUs rise when Tomlinson arrived, but ALL of those factors were greatly helped because of Tomlinson.


Led the NCAA in 1999 and 2000.
Won the Doak Walker Award.
Finalist for Heisman Trophy.
Ranked sixth in NCAA Div. I history

If we had someone with above, would we get a little more national press? Would it help our recruiting? Would we have more than 6,000 people in the stands?

Not taking anything away from TCU, they recruited him, and received all the benefits.

[KnuckleStang]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in his final year (1-10), didn't Sullivan recruit what turned out to be something like 6 or 7 NFL draft picks including LT? I don't know why I thought that, but it sure helped Fran out if true.

[DickerJames]

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.

Really?

Prior to Tomlinson's arrival, TCU had appeared in only one bowl game in the previous 12 seasons (and 2 in the previous 34).

Tomlinson put TCUs program in the national spotlight, increased attendance/money coming into the program, and helped them win -- all of which would help any coach with recruiting. I’m sure there are other factors that lead to TCUs rise when Tomlinson arrived, but ALL of those factors were greatly helped because of Tomlinson.


Led the NCAA in 1999 and 2000.
Won the Doak Walker Award.
Finalist for Heisman Trophy.
Ranked sixth in NCAA Div. I history

If we had someone with above, would we get a little more national press? Would it help our recruiting? Would we have more than 6,000 people in the stands?

Not taking anything away from TCU, they recruited him, and received all the benefits.

Tomlinson was on the TCU squad that went 1-10. Fran came in and put his talent to work.

He is currently playing for the winless Chargers.

Still think it only takes one great player?

[mustang1108]

Exactly so smu should try and do the same with having a qb like willis bringing in a new coach to coach around him that can develop this school into a successful program.

[LA_Mustang]

Chargers aren't winless, they're 1-3. Don't fire your coach after he goes 14-2.