5 Reasons to Hire Fran

[ponyinNC]

Let me preface this by saying that I think Fran is a slimy b*stard, but putting emotions aside, he is undoubtedly the best fit. And while my original knee-jerk reaction to Fran was "No way", I have re-thought my opinion. I was a PJ supporter, but since he is off the table, this is my reasoning for Fran:

1.)A&M's 2008 recruiting class was ranked #10, while we were #95 and have already lost 2 commits. How many of Fran's promising players would follow him to SMU?? More playing time, better education, and if they are loyal to Fran they will follow. Face it, A&M's 2nd or 3rd string recruits could start for SMU.

2.)Mike Sherman has fired all but one coach from Fran's staff (http://blogs.chron.com/aggies/) (van Malone, CBs coach), so you have your new coaching staff at SMU ready to roll, as opposed to hiring RN or LC who would have to put one together. Maintain Texas ties (for those that view this as important), recruiting improves dramatically, and JUCO ties as well.

3.)Fran has a big enough ego to take on the SMU admin, and the track record to "oppose the militant faculty". If TCU football is what we aspire to be, he knows what it takes to get it done (i.e., change the model~For you, Stallion).

4.)Instant rivalry with A&M and TCU. Originally, I perceived this as a negative, like we were taking sloppy seconds. But the more I talk to people and read opposing message boards, the vast majority actually fear Fran at SMU. They know he can win, steal recruits, and re-build a program.

5.)Finally, hiring Fran will be a signal that SMU is committed to football. Let me say that again...that SMU is committed to winning football. We have been so preoccupied with DP and perceptions that we have never taken a chance on someone with a past. This hire will signal (to me) that Orsini won out over Turner, and that we cannot continue to hire "safe" coaches that can't get it done. A small victory, but a big one in terms of not letting our past dictate our future.

Again, i would not trust Fran any further than i could throw him (and he's a big man!), but in terms of getting SMU where it needs to be, he is the best fit. And if he left us in the middle of the night, that would mean he is getting it done and SMU is winning. If he wears the wrong color tie to the Heisman ceremony, so the heck what?? That would mean an SMU player was a finalist for the freaking Heisman!

my humble $.02

[QuikSStang]

at this point, ill take Fran with a smile on my face

[Chuck Norris]

Coker or Fran

[SMUer]

great points, every one.

[SMU Football Blog]

at this point, ill take Fran with a smile on my face

TWSS

[ponyinNC]

and evidence for point #4

http://www.aggiecoach.com/

[Big Hoss]

and evidence for point #4

http://www.aggiecoach.com/

Great stuff.

[Aston94]

How many of Fran's promising players would follow him to SMU?? More playing time, better education, and if they are loyal to Fran they will follow.

Tap the brakes.

1. Most of Fran's recruits at A&M are top 100 guys in the state, they aren't going to SMU. If they leave A&M they are going to Texas, OU or another Big 12/SEC type program.

2. All recruits at that level believe they are good enough to start.

3. SMU is a nice school and all, but better education? Do you really believe that? I attended both A&M and SMU (law school) and let's not get to wrapped up in SMU's academic prowess being a factor. A&M is consistently ranked higher than SMU in national rankings, both are top tier schools for sure, but even if you think SMU has better academics let's not think the difference is so great that it would make kids switch their commitment.

All that said, I think Fran would be a great hire. I was really on his side while at A&M, he just could not develop a consistent enough offense and defense to compete with the big boys week in and week out. He would be a great fit at SMU.

[SMUstang]

at this point, ill take Fran with a smile on my face

TWSS

Blog - would you mind telling us dummies what TWSS means?

[Big Hoss]

TWSS = "That's what she said"

[QuikSStang]

[Chuck Norris]

How many of Fran's promising players would follow him to SMU?? More playing time, better education, and if they are loyal to Fran they will follow.

Tap the brakes.

1. Most of Fran's recruits at A&M are top 100 guys in the state, they aren't going to SMU. If they leave A&M they are going to Texas, OU or another Big 12/SEC type program.

2. All recruits at that level believe they are good enough to start.

3. SMU is a nice school and all, but better education? Do you really believe that? I attended both A&M and SMU (law school) and let's not get to wrapped up in SMU's academic prowess being a factor. A&M is consistently ranked higher than SMU in national rankings, both are top tier schools for sure, but even if you think SMU has better academics let's not think the difference is so great that it would make kids switch their commitment.

All that said, I think Fran would be a great hire. I was really on his side while at A&M, he just could not develop a consistent enough offense and defense to compete with the big boys week in and week out. He would be a great fit at SMU.

Oh man I am soooooo sorry. I have had alot of bad stuff go on in my life but I have never had to live in College Station. Bless your heart

[Pony94]

at this point, ill take Fran with a smile on my face

At this point, I would be happy with Kukla, Fran and Ollie!!!

[ponyfan84]

At this point he's better than most coaches we could take, look at the offense he ran but would he stay for more than a couple of years? That's my biggest concern. At this point it's either Coker or Fran. I could care less who they hire just as long as they do it soon. I am sick of waiting. Coker has that rep of running Miami into the ground and not being able to control his players. While that's true, this isn't "Thug U". This is SMU. No player on this current team is like that.

[Aston94]

Honestly, the three years I had to live in Dallas were the worst.

I like B/CS, had everything that I needed to be happy, good college sports, good eateries and bars, close enough to major cities to go see concerts that don't come to town.

Not to derail the thread, but I'll take quality of life in B/CS over Dallas any day. I like some parts of Dallas, but not to live there. That is why I call Ft. Worth home now.