Former Letterman says Peace

[COponyfan]

Dear Ponyfans,

Ever since I graduated from SMU in 2000 I’ve put SMU in the rear-view mirror, and as a former lettermen it saddens me to say that I’m officially done hoping there would be a reason to lure me back.

More specifically I’m done hoping:

1. We would have fans and Alumni who cared or even got it for that matter.

2. We would have an administration and faculty who cared, because they do get it.

3. We would have a local three or four star recruit who cared enough to visit much less commit.

Let’s be honest, what are we trying to accomplish here? The people on this board talk as if SMU is owed a national title because it can spend $10 million on a coach and build a stadium that sits empty on game day. Look around you, have you seen the other stadiums and facilities of the BCS schools that compete? Not to mention the passionate fans and colorful traditions. SMU is a mid-major, lucky to have a winning season and maybe an invite to the Texas Bowl one day. Face reality. Craig James has, as well as anyone who is remotely in touch with college sports. Which brings me to my next point.

Give Orisini a break. Let him find a coach that, no doubt, recognizes what I just said and is still willing to give it a try, not for the money, but for the challenge. Not an easy task if you ask me. I thought it was very telling when Troy Calhoun turned SMU down (This guy is a good coach and SMU would have been lucky to get him). Right then and there I think Orisini knew the challenge he had in front of him. Selling a school with little tradition, small and bare bones (but nice) facilities, little passion from fans and alumni, and little support from an administration that will never forget the past.

Well, have fun in that concrete jungle called Dallas. I’ll be watching that kid that changed his commitment to dreary old Idaho. Really all you Idaho haters should get out more. Enjoy you’re drive home on LBJ freeway and I really do hope for all the true ponyfans out there that we get a good coach. I don’t care how long it takes.

[Cadillac]

Just so I understand:

SMU Athletics has been on the ropes for years.
Changes in staff, players and coaches have not made the team competitive.
The recent coaching search has become the punchline for how sad we've become.

That's all cool. No problem.

But People ripping on Idaho... that's just going too far.

Seriously, after all this, your getting your shorts knotted over the great tater-staters?

-CoS

[cs09viking]

well peace out dude!

[Billy Joe]

Hey Cofan, do not let the door hit you on the way out. If you were a letterman then you were likely on scholarship meaning you got your school paid for for free. Your points are well taken but I have doubts you really are on the way out as a fan and supporter of SMU. The simple fact that you posted on here means you are a passionate fan. You and most of us are ready for a winning athletic program. It may never happen but at least you got a free ride at SMU.

[mrydel]

He readily admits he left school and "put SMU in the rear-view mirror". That answered all I needed to know. No too hard to understand why SMU could not win you back. It is not SMU's job to lure you back. You support or you do not. You have chosen to not support. Sorry you made that decision but goodbye.

[locostang]

What sport did you letter in CoFan?

[SoCal_Pony]

That was a well articulated post by Cofan, which means he probably is a former letterman.

He speaks of truths, but probably doesn’t want to hear the ultimate truth.

Our failures over the past 20 years in FB and BB are due primarily to the lack of talent from our players.

They are smart kids who represent our school well academically, during and after their years here. But as athletes on the playing field, as a group, they stink. And that is being polite.

Good Luck with your SMU degree, and I mean that sincerely.

[crazy horse]

CoPonyFan said:

Selling a school with little tradition, small and bare bones (but nice) facilities, little passion from fans and alumni, and little support from an administration that will never forget the past.


I will take exception to the tradition and facilities comment. SMU has an incredible history to build on - in fact very impressive for a small private school in Texas. Our facilities our top notch compared to our nonBCS peers and some BCS schools as well.

Compared to our immediate peers, SMU has ten times the assets to sell to recruits and a location other schools would kill to have. The only thing holding us back is ourselves.

Support is thin because the product has been extremely bad for most of the last 18 years. I am more confident that the current athletic leadership is committed to getting things corrected. And while I am concerned that the coaching search has taken longer than expected, I am hopeful the delay will produce a top notch staff that is very vital for us to build a competitive and entertaining team that will win the school, alumni and community support back.

There are still some things that need to be corrected on the adminstrative side and a solid coach and a strong AD can get it done.

You've been around for a decade, I've been around almost 40 years. SMU football games can be a blast when you are winning and going to bowls. And I fully expect us to return to that point sooner than later!

[Junior]

You created a profile to make this your first post?

[Big Hoss]

So this is a classic example of "chicken or the egg". Do our alumni and faculty not care because we can't get the type of athletes we need to compete in the money sports, or are we not getting those athletes because our alumni and faculty support is poor?

Sounds like to me if you really cared what happened to SMU, you wouldn't just quit. You'd show your support, and as a former athlete at the school, be among the vocal majority.

Sure, many of us ripped Idaho because we wonder why SMU can't compete with schools like that for kids who come from our own back yard (Paris, TX). While we may not know to identify the exact problem, we certainly want to play our part in the solution, and that part is to buy season tickets, show up at games, e-mail Orsini our concerns and compliments, get on bulletin boards to discuss the team, etc.

I went to another school that didn't have a football team, so when I came to SMU, I was happy to support a team from a school that I actually attended. Do we have to win the national championship every year? No. But do I think we have what it takes to compete in CUSA year-in and year-out? Absolutely!

[Billy Joe]

Point above about better athletes is well taken. If Cofan was a better player we may have had more success on the field. Thanks alot Cofan, next time try harder.

[Come and Take It]

More specifically I’m done hoping:

1. We would have fans and Alumni who cared or even got it for that matter.

2. We would have an administration and faculty who cared, because they do get it.

3. We would have a local three or four star recruit who cared enough to visit much less commit.

1. I think by reading this board you will see fans and Alumni that DO care. Do all of us get it? Probably not, but we have some idea. Is it too much to ask for a successful program. Many of us on here have suffered for a long time. There are plenty of donors, season ticket holders, and supporters. I think you have this point completely wrong.

2. The administration seems to care. That's why we are looking for "the best coach in America." The faculty on the other hand has their own agenda. We will let it stand at that.

3. Justin Willis.

[Texas Red]

Fans and players will always return to a winner. If Orsini gets a winner, we'll see Craig James, Eric Dickerson, and maybe even you back here.

[locostang]

SMU talent is pretty bad overall, but how does it compare in the conference? I think it is not far off. Coaching and schemes are the most important parts. Look at PJ and Navy.

There is too much parity in talent nowadays.

[jackspub]

Dear Ponyfans,

Ever since I graduated from SMU in 2000 I’ve put SMU in the rear-view mirror, and as a former lettermen it saddens me to say that I’m officially done hoping there would be a reason to lure me back.

More specifically I’m done hoping:

1. We would have fans and Alumni who cared or even got it for that matter.

2. We would have an administration and faculty who cared, because they do get it.

3. We would have a local three or four star recruit who cared enough to visit much less commit.

Let’s be honest, what are we trying to accomplish here? The people on this board talk as if SMU is owed a national title because it can spend $10 million on a coach and build a stadium that sits empty on game day. Look around you, have you seen the other stadiums and facilities of the BCS schools that compete? Not to mention the passionate fans and colorful traditions. SMU is a mid-major, lucky to have a winning season and maybe an invite to the Texas Bowl one day. Face reality. Craig James has, as well as anyone who is remotely in touch with college sports. Which brings me to my next point.

Give Orisini a break. Let him find a coach that, no doubt, recognizes what I just said and is still willing to give it a try, not for the money, but for the challenge. Not an easy task if you ask me. I thought it was very telling when Troy Calhoun turned SMU down (This guy is a good coach and SMU would have been lucky to get him). Right then and there I think Orisini knew the challenge he had in front of him. Selling a school with little tradition, small and bare bones (but nice) facilities, little passion from fans and alumni, and little support from an administration that will never forget the past.

Well, have fun in that concrete jungle called Dallas. I’ll be watching that kid that changed his commitment to dreary old Idaho. Really all you Idaho haters should get out more. Enjoy you’re drive home on LBJ freeway and I really do hope for all the true ponyfans out there that we get a good coach. I don’t care how long it takes.

talk about not getting it. why dont you wait and see who we hire? never mind, dont let the door hit you on the way out