Coaching vs. level playing field

[BRStang]

Many seem to be at odds over whether our problem is coaching or the over all model under which the coaches operate. I contend they are not mutually exclusive.

Mrydel, I think if most people were honest with themselves they would agree SMU's problems are a combination of both Model and Coaching.

The problem I have is too many are placing too much emphasis on coaching (aka PB).

What they refuse to acknowledge is that over the past 19 years, SMU has produced THE WORST COLLEGE ATHLETIC PROGRAM in America.

So either we have hired the WORST coaches in FB and BB over the past 19 years, or more maybe...just maybe...it is the Model.

Jeez, people. What "MODEL"? The fact that we don't have kinesiology? Anything else in the "MODEL" that is causing us to lose? Can anyone tell me anything else that I can't debunk?

If, on the other hand, you're talking about "a winning attitude" and a willingness to throw money at the situation, then, OK, I see where the model is flawed. But that hasn't been what's been mentioned.

[jtstang]

Again, if you think the recruiting playing field is level, then why do we suck? If it not the loser status created by the 0-12 season that Bennett cannot dig out of, then why? Why could we not get the players that TCU and Rice and Tulsa use to pummel us year after year?

You spent half the day yesterday asking what was wrong with the model adn the other half "debunking" the answers. Now that they are all "debunked" please tell us what is wrong.

[BRStang]

Again, if you think the recruiting playing field is level, then why do we suck? If it not the loser status created by the 0-12 season that Bennett cannot dig out of, then why? Why could we not get the players that TCU and Rice and Tulsa use to pummel us year after year?

I think because it is a vicious cycle that only an exceptional, credible, uniquely-talented recruiter can break. Today's recruits know SMU by one thing--we always lose. Why go to a school that loses all the time when they could go somewhere that wins? Or, go somewhere that gets on national TV more? Or, go somewhere that football is king and, by extension, they are treated like royalty?

I'm not saying that adding a kinesiology major wouldn't help us, but I DON"T THINK IT IS THE REASON WE DON'T GET TOP TALENT. Look at Tulsa--they don't have kinesiology either.

I think we need a coach who can sell SMU. Put it this way, if NICK SABAN decided to come to SMU, I believe we would instantly start getting better recruits than we have in teh past 20 years, JUST LIKE ALABAMA. Obviously, SMU could never land a Nick Saban, but you see what I mean.

[jtstang]

I asked for the cause, not how you think it can be fixed. The cause is we are losers?

[BRStang]

I asked for the cause, not how you think it can be fixed. The cause is we are losers?

At this point, I think the cause is the vicious cycle I already described. The original cause: probably originated with the DP, then the SWC breakup relegating us to an inferior league, poor recruiting by Cavan, and there you go. Just my opinion, though.

Out of curiosity, jt, what specifically do you think has caused the losing? What specifically about "the Model", if anything? Do you think it is just the fact that we don't have P.E. or Kinesiology? Anything else?

[Pony94]

I am not a smart man, so please excuse the fact that I am so confused by most of what is being said here.

How does this have anything to do with Cavan....some one that was gone 7 years ago? This is all on Bennett.

So, if the model is the main problem, then is everyone saying that the current players are incapable of winning, because they are disadvantaged?

I am amazed at how the blame is shifted. I for one, or many, who knows, believes this current team can win and could have been 4-1. Would we benefit from a few better athletes that get in because of a "model" change, sure we would. But, I am not frustrated with what might happen next year or the next year. I am frustrated about the last 5 games, and throw in Rice if you want too! The current roster can compete, but not with the continuous coaching mistakes!

If the model changes and the coaching does not, we may win an extra game or two, but we will never contend for the conference championship. The quality of players is improving, but once they are here, I am not convinced they are meeting their true capabilities.

[Stallion]

Yeah we need Nick Saban. What a joke. Nick Saban has coached at your beloved LSU a school with bottom of the barrell recruiting standards and now he's at Alabama a school with bottom of the barrell recruiting standards. I tell you what-why don't you just go ask your beloved Nick Saban why he has implermented and run programs that are less restrictive than what I am proposing. Certainly you must see the stupidity in proposing a Coach who in fact and in practice runs a program with which you are arguing against. Want to explain? You have a shallow knowledge of this topic.

[BRStang]

Yeah we need Nick Saban. What a joke. Nick Saban has coached at your beloved LSU a school with bottom of the barrell recruiting standards and now he's at Alabama a school with bottom of the barrell recruiting standards. I tell you what-why don't you just go ask your beloved Nick Saban why he has implermented and run programs that are less restrictive than what I am proposing. Certainly you must see the stupidity in proposing a Coach who in fact and in practice runs a program with which you are arguing against. Want to explain? You have a shallow knowledge of this topic.

Wow. Stallion. Calm down. I'm not trying to fight you. I just want to know facts.

Reread my post. SMU could never get Saban. Second, I hate Nick Saban for what he did to LSU. My point was simply that Saban instantly went into a program that was getting slightly above-average to mediocre recruits and now he has a top 5 recruiting class for 2008. Other than having a P.E. degree and being a member of the BCS, what does Alabama allow versus what SMU does not?

(Also, I don't understand your sentence: "I tell you what-why don't you just go ask your beloved Nick Saban why he has implermented and run programs that are less restrictive than what I am proposing." Huh?)

[Stallion]

GO FIGURE THAT OUT BEFORE YOU WASTE OUR TIME-Get a basic understanding of the issues before you draw conclusions.

[BrianTinBigD]

Can we quit trying to fix the 1989 Plymouth Laser we are currently driving and get a new model? Also, I do believe that a new driver would help the situation as well.

[Stallion]

This from the Rivals Enrolled Rankings which identify players signed but not admitted. Wow. At Alabama under Nick Saban it is characterized as impressive when only 3 players failed to qualify.

The Tide's first effort under Nick Saban only produced three non-qualifiers. The biggest loss was Hoover, Ala., standout Kerry Murphy, who is heading to Hargrave Military Academy. The four-star defensive tackle was one of the most athletically gifted big men in the nation in the 2007 class. Four-star safety Michael Ricks and three-star running back Jamar Taylor are also not in Tuscaloosa. Taylor has moved on to South Florida. All in all, considering the circumstances in which Saban arrived, to only lose three signees is impressive.

[Stallion]

And here is how the game is played at LSU-note the shot at Saban ("In the past...")

The Tigers did a good job of bringing in almost everybody they signed in the 2007 class. In the past there were always a few questions marks - even during the start of fall camp. That hasn't been the case this season. The Tigers only lost four-star receiver DeAngelo Benton, who is heading to Hargrave Military Academy. Benton would have been a nice addition, but the Tigers are deep at receiver. Plus, by going the prep school route, Benton should be back with the Tigers in a year.

[BRStang]

GO FIGURE THAT OUT BEFORE YOU WASTE OUR TIME-Get a basic understanding of the issues before you draw conclusions.

Quit attacking me. I can't go figure out your cryptic, vague proclamations when they don't even make any sense. Why don't you spell out specific FACTS coherently instead of just saying "it's the model", "it's the model".

Hey, buddy, if it's the model, them I'm all for fixing it. But you can't even tell me why it's the model. I was trying to PROVE YOU RIGHT YESTERDAY, but I couldn't. I have in interest in getting SMU fixed, not in whether you're right or wrong.

The only thing we don't have is a P.E. program that might affect JUCOs/transfers ability to transfer hours. Other than that, FOR THE 500th time, what can you point to definitively that shows we ARE NOT ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD????

[BRStang]

Can we quit trying to fix the 1989 Plymouth Laser we are currently driving and get a new model?

Again, what's wrong with our current model? PLEASE TELL ME? Do you people just like saying "MODEL"?

If it's just getting a Kinesiology degree program, GREAT! But I wouldn't say that that implies that we have a broken model.

If it's something else that is wrong with the MODEL, please let me know what it is. Thanks.

[Pony94]

Can we quit trying to fix the 1989 Plymouth Laser we are currently driving and get a new model?

Again, what's wrong with our current model? PLEASE TELL ME? Do you people just like saying "MODEL"?

If it's just getting a Kinesiology degree program, GREAT! But I wouldn't say that that implies that we have a broken model.

If it's something else that is wrong with the MODEL, please let me know what it is. Thanks.

Agreed! I thought the creation of a Kinesiology degree program was already in the works. And if the model is the problem and not coaching, and the model prevents us from recruiting players than can compete, how do we ever win a game?