Hypothetical Question

[bigdaddy08091]

I blush. No one ever called me a legend before. Merely great, stupendous, and my wife thinks I am cute. But yes, you are correct. I had mentioned this to you in a post before but I was afraid to say it again or you might think I was insane.

HA HA HA, thats a good one. Mrydel, other than the death penalty, what has happened to this program?

[Pony in SA]

Stallion, first I agree that our admissions policy should be similar to that of the schools we compete against. Second, I agree changes are needed soon if we are going to have any chance.

However, at the coaches event in San Antonio this year with Orsini, PB, Craig Shaver, Bob Sharp, etc. at Canyon Springs golf club after Orsini's speecn and his lists and charts showing status of program they took questions. There were 2 specific questions asked on this and both Orsini and PB said there has not been a kid they wanted that they couldn't get into the school. In fact Orsini said, "Phil tell me if I am wrong but you have not had a problem getting a kid you wanted admitted have you", and PB said "No."

Those sitting at my table were kinda shocked, but that is what both our AD and Head Coach said. Either they weren't being straight with us, or we aren't recruiting the correct kids. I bet it is the latter and our recruiting has simply not been as good as it should.

Speaking of recruiting, Marcus Wright who we can't even contact (he of the 7 TDs in 1 playoff game last year) scored 5 TDs in only about one half of work last week and clearly was the fastest player on the field. Really looking forward to him and the defensive player from Smithson Valley playing for Tulsa against us the next few years.

[mrydel]

I see our primary problem being one of having operated on an uneven playing field with our competition for the past 20 years. Other than that general statement, I have witnessed what I believe, in just my sole opinion, many short comings of individuals from the top down to the players over the past 20 years. I choose not to single out any individual, especially a player for any short comings on this board. I have not witnessed to my recollection, any player that has not given his all while on the field. Our problems are many and can not be solved with one change either here or there. I do think that some changes need to be made, however. I recall hearing Orisini state recently that we needed to recruit better players. If that is true and if we choose to relieve Coach Bennett of his duties, I am going to trust, at this time that Orisini has the wherewithal to hire someone with recruiting acumen that can get the program moving in a positive direction sooner rather than later. If he can not accomplish this, then we are in for another generation of disappointment.

[bigdaddy08091]

Stallion, first I agree that our admissions policy should be similar to that of the schools we compete against. Second, I agree changes are needed soon if we are going to have any chance.

However, at the coaches event in San Antonio this year with Orsini, PB, Craig Shaver, Bob Sharp, etc. at Canyon Springs golf club after Orsini's speecn and his lists and charts showing status of program they took questions. There were 2 specific questions asked on this and both Orsini and PB said there has not been a kid they wanted that they couldn't get into the school. In fact Orsini said, "Phil tell me if I am wrong but you have not had a problem getting a kid you wanted admitted have you", and PB said "No."

Those sitting at my table were kinda shocked, but that is what both our AD and Head Coach said. Either they weren't being straight with us, or we aren't recruiting the correct kids. I bet it is the latter and our recruiting has simply not been as good as it should.

Speaking of recruiting, Marcus Wright who we can't even contact (he of the 7 TDs in 1 playoff game last year) scored 5 TDs in only about one half of work last week and clearly was the fastest player on the field. Really looking forward to him and the defensive player from Smithson Valley playing for Tulsa against us the next few years.

What were they suppose to say? Say anything else and both of them are looking for a job. This cant be the truth! If we get them to the hilltop, they will stay, if they can get in academically.

[EastStang]

We have probably three major handicaps now. (1) the stigma of stinking for 20 years like a dead fish. (2) non-BCS mid-major status, and (3) academic (lack of athlete friendly majors, transferable hours). How to attack each shortcoming is what Orsini must do. Numbers 1 and 2 require a change that is visible and real. Obviously a staff change would do that and the person named must be a known quantity who has an understanding that he is recruiting for a non-BCS, mid-major school and not for a big BCS program. That will be a tough combination to achieve. As for number 3, that is a Board of Trustee issue. As the School of Education comes on line that will help this areas. But we need something that will generate excitement in a very tired SMU football community.

[Pony in SA]

They easily could have said there are a few kids we wanted to get but couldn't get in because of our great academic standards which we are proud of, proud to be working at a place with such high standards, etc. Everyone there was an adult and could have handled the truth, plus almost all who were there were those of us who have been supporting the program with season tickets, showing up at games, etc. for years.

However, I am NOT disagreeing with you, Stallion, or anyone else who says we have to change for lack of better word "the model" on how we admit our athletes. I also agree that we need to look for more football players/students, rather than students who play football.

Point I was trying to make is part of recruiting is evaluating talent. If the kids we bring in aren't as fast, strong, big, as the others we play most of the time will have problems. We need to do a better job of going after who we can get in our school, and look outside this magic 300 mile radius, and only for the diamonds in the rough in East Texas or who have gone to our camps.

[RGV Pony]

So do smart guys just not play football? Or if they do, do they just go places other than SMU?

If you were a smart guy and could play, would you come here?

I'd be dumb not to.

[bigdaddy08091]

So do smart guys just not play football? Or if they do, do they just go places other than SMU?

If you were a smart guy and could play, would you come here?

I'd be dumb not to.

I wish the athletes coming out of HS and JUCO's felt the same way.

[Stallion]

Pony in SA-did they tell you about the COMMITMENT too. Seriously, they can hide all their academic admissions data all they want but until the profile of an SMU recruiting class looks substantially similar to the profile of recruiting classes of other competitive programs among our natural and traditional rivals I choose not to believe a damn thing they say. Let me just ask you? If you had this little defensive talent coming back this year-wouldn't you think SMU would have gone hard after JUCO players last winter when Bennett knew his [deleted] was on the line. And Bennett's no dumbass-he generally knows if we have the athletes to play defense. They don't-they have huge deficiencies all over the field on defense. I'm NOT going to take their word-I want to see tangible evidence-and that I don't see.

[jtstang]

It's the same thing he told me six years ago at 1st and Ten right after he was hired.

[Pony in SA]

Again, I'm WITH YOU and believe we need changes to be on same level as our rivals. Also, having been a season ticket holder the last 17 years and seen everything I have I don't necessarily believe them either.

Believe me I want tangible results also and that's why I believe you make the change as soon as you can so new staff can try and save some recruiting and also recruit as many JUCOs as possible.

I am just reporting what they said so if /when he is fired and he tries to use the admissions policy as an excuse we can call baloney. Also, as you probably know from my posts I don't think our recruiting has been great at all -- in fact they have missed even contacting several kids from Judson, Smithson Valley, Madison, O'Connor, etc. down here who do quite well at Tulsa, UTEP, UH against us.

Remember the UTEP safety (I think it is Demps) who recovered the on-sides kick and probably will be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick ? You guessed it he went to SA Roosevelt and we didn't even sent him a letter. His cousin signed as DB last year with UTEP but at least got letters from UH, Tulsa, even Rice. Did he get one from SMU ? No.

[PK]

Remember the UTEP safety (I think it is Demps) who recovered the on-sides kick and probably will be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick ? You guessed it he went to SA Roosevelt and we didn't even sent him a letter. His cousin signed as DB last year with UTEP but at least got letters from UH, Tulsa, even Rice. Did he get one from SMU ? No.

That can't be...SA is within the 300 mile radius.

[Pony in SA]

Not according to some unfortunately.

[bigdaddy08091]

(Quote from Pony)Believe me I want tangible results also and that's why I believe you make the change as soon as you can so new staff can try and save some recruiting and also recruit as many JUCOs as possible.

Pony, Pony, Pony. Have you been listening to the bigdaddy?. Starting over is starting over! A new HC at SMU will take at least 3-5 years to establish relationships with high schools and jucos, unless you hire a HS or juco coach. There are no HS or JUCO coaches better than PB. PB has weathered the storm at A&M, Kansas and LSU. He knows college football better than most. That is why he is so well respected by his peers. That is how I judge a man, by what his peers think. Mike Fox in Carolina calls PB every year, tryin to get him to come to the next level. We have our guy, he just needs the institutional and fan support, as well as complete control of the football program.

[jtstang]

Mike Fox in Carolina calls PB every year, tryin to get him to come to the next level.

Bet Bennett hopes he calls this year....