Since Orsini and his boys read this...

[George S. Patton]

...then here is something else for them to chew on.

Fair or unfair, they currently have a credibility problem. In the past several days, friends of mine have said the following...

"Do you think Orsini is an idiot and is afraid to pull the trigger?''

"You all should just forget it.''

"When are you guys going to get a coach.''

"What's going on over there. Is it this hard?"

There's really not a lot I can say to deflect, defend or debate their points or questions. I just tell them I wish I knew what was going on but I just don't.

If you're Orsini, you're probably well aware of this and you probably care little about it. Leadership is defined more by actions than words.

Still, one would think people in the know over in the Lloyd Center and Moody who have been told to pipe down know either one of two things:
1. They honestly feel like they are moving along ok. They see he is committed to getting this right.
2. They honestly feel like they are on a rudderless ship.

Obviously, this is a results business. And Orsini knows his [deleted] is on the line with hire. This is really going to determine his legacy and what kind of course the athletic department sets. If somebody wants to trace how he hired O'Leary at UCF and the timeframe that went into that, go for it. I don't have the time.

From a perception standpoint, people outside think we're clueless because the silence is defeaning. People who know Orsini probably know this is the way he works, and we're just not used to this.

The only thing I can say about the Doherty hire (April, 2006) when it came to the leaks is that Orsini was still transitioning here and didn't officially start until June 1, 2006 and didn't have his people in place. There were Copeland people who were still in the department, may have felt they were on the way out and had nothing to lose by tipping the DMN about this stuff.

That's just a theory.

And the only thing I can think of is that Orsini doesn't want to go public until the coach has actually signed the contract. Again, that's just a theory.

If there is something to be said about this process is that it's been consistent including:
1. Orsini's non-descript comments
2. The silence
3. The frustration from fans of not knowing what's going on.

All we can do it wait and wait and wait some more.

[SmooBoy]

And whomever the coach is may want to get with the General for a position in contracting, consulting or somethng similar. Anyone who has had over 1550 thoughts about SMU in the last 210 days is clearly passionate about the program.

[Alaric]

What do you think the going rate for insider info is, a cool million?

[huskerpony]

General, you can probably buy some insider knowledge a cool million

Prices must be going up. It only cost $1200 under Fran.

[George S. Patton]

And whomever the coach is may want to get with the General for a position in contracting, consulting or somethng similar. Anyone who has had over 1550 thoughts about SMU in the last 210 days is clearly passionate about the program.

Maddening as it may be, God help me I do love it so.

[BRStang]

Everybody here (that pretends to care about what SMU is doing when I'm around) says things like: "What the hell is going on over there? Ponies can't find anyone to coach them?" or "Y'all holding out for Les Miles...hahaha."

[George S. Patton]

Everybody here (that pretends to care about what SMU is doing when I'm around) says things like: "What the hell is going on over there? Ponies can't find anyone to coach them?" or "Y'all holding out for Les Miles...hahaha."

I don't know if they so much pretend to care or that they just notice that we haven't hired yet and others have. So when they know your SMU connection, it's an easy question for them to ask.

[jimhagle]

I think Steve O is trying to build up the fan base by dragging this thing out. Just look at all the interest it has drummed up!

[Plano Stang]

That's nuts. Steve O wants this to be over just as much as we do.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

"Maddening as it may be, God help me I do love it so"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW7mbK5cuaA

[OR-See-Nee]

I think Steve O is trying to build up the fan base by dragging this thing out. Just look at all the interest it has drummed up!

Orsini is Machiavellian.

He has his man.

He's not letting anyone know it. The delay is purposeful.

He brings in his friend PJ for a cursory visit and throws a lot of $$$ around. PJ, a hot commodity in the coaching ranks isn't interested? There must be something wrong with the situation at ol' SMU.

The delay is causing people to look twice at this program--specifically, the Model. The delay in announcing a coach is causing discomfort. "Why the delay? There must be something wrong with the program?"

Those questions resonate with the big $$$ alumni and Turner. And they get people's attention.

If there is a problem that the top coaches in America see with us, then we need to correct it.

This gives Orsini and others in the athletic department the leverage they need to effectuate change in the Model that has not been successfully accomplished in 20 years.

If we hired a coach 48 hours after the season, no one would think twice about the situation here. Everything must be okay if a big-time coach would come here that quickly. No real reforms would take place.

But a big-time coach won't come here, yet. Only after guarantees of changes in the model will a legitimate head coach agree to come here.

Orsini has consistently talked about a timeline. His timeline is to create a critical mass where alumni, staff, and faculty recognize the need for significant change in the way SMU does business. Only at that point--when many within and outside of the university are clammoring for change--will the coach be announced.

This is another brilliant move by SO. Short term pain. Long term gain.

At the end of this process, we will have a big-time coach. We will have broken the attitudes of failure and apathy--and the model--that have occupied the minds of far too many and limited the opportunities for long-term success.

[Corp]

Seemingly, all else has failed...

Perhaps, Orsini should consider holding a sayance to consult

Knute Rockne regarding his recommendation for a possible

candidate for the Ponies' coaching position.

[RednBlue11]

bravo patton, ur one cool bastard

[TheBestAvailable]

...then here is something else for them to chew on.

Fair or unfair, they currently have a credibility problem. In the past several days, friends of mine have said the following...

"Do you think Orsini is an idiot and is afraid to pull the trigger?''

"You all should just forget it.''

"When are you guys going to get a coach.''

"What's going on over there. Is it this hard?"

There's really not a lot I can say to deflect, defend or debate their points or questions. I just tell them I wish I knew what was going on but I just don't.

If you're Orsini, you're probably well aware of this and you probably care little about it. Leadership is defined more by actions than words.

Still, one would think people in the know over in the Lloyd Center and Moody who have been told to pipe down know either one of two things:
1. They honestly feel like they are moving along ok. They see he is committed to getting this right.
2. They honestly feel like they are on a rudderless ship.

Obviously, this is a results business. And Orsini knows his [deleted] is on the line with hire. This is really going to determine his legacy and what kind of course the athletic department sets. If somebody wants to trace how he hired O'Leary at UCF and the timeframe that went into that, go for it. I don't have the time.

From a perception standpoint, people outside think we're clueless because the silence is defeaning. People who know Orsini probably know this is the way he works, and we're just not used to this.

The only thing I can say about the Doherty hire (April, 2006) when it came to the leaks is that Orsini was still transitioning here and didn't officially start until June 1, 2006 and didn't have his people in place. There were Copeland people who were still in the department, may have felt they were on the way out and had nothing to lose by tipping the DMN about this stuff.

That's just a theory.

And the only thing I can think of is that Orsini doesn't want to go public until the coach has actually signed the contract. Again, that's just a theory.

If there is something to be said about this process is that it's been consistent including:
1. Orsini's non-descript comments
2. The silence
3. The frustration from fans of not knowing what's going on.

All we can do it wait and wait and wait some more.

This is kind of like trying to pull off a surprise birthday party for your wife. You guys are the wife's best friends wondering why that JERK hasn't planned anything special for such a big occasion.

Do you really think Orsini would be so calm about the recruiting deadline if he didn't know who his coach is? He knows and i predict we will know within 2 weeks of the end of a certain bowl game. Relax and when we are winning next season your friends will understand why things were done the way they were.

[Hoop Fan]

should have just waited to fire Bennett until after the season. a nice long we will sit down to evaluation period. In the meantime, Bennett is at least recruiting. As good as Orsini is at keeping a secret in his search, what good did it do to fire Bennett early? could have raised the money and conducted these top secret interviews anyway. Its alot easier to keep a recruit than it is to steal him away from somebody else. This is one reason you dont see mid season firings very often at all.