More Stallion Fun: The 4-5 Year Orsini Probation!

[StallionsModelT]

Is it wrong of me to dogpile Stallion? Probably. But if dogpiling on egomaniacal blowhards is wrong, I don't want to be right. Lets analyze another of Nostradamus' theories. That theory being that hiring a coach this late in the process will institute a 4-5 year "probation."

First off, if any of you besides Nostradamus truly believe that with June Jones on our side that we are not going to be able to recruit FAR BETTER than we did under the previous regime, then check into a rehab center ASAP. Just look at all the pub we've been getting recently. People are floored by the commitment SMU is making to football. This will translate into better recruiting/scouting/etc. Jones is working under much better circumstances here than he was at Hawaii and somehow he managed to get them to a BCS bowl. I contend that we will be a force out there in recruiting and that we'll see a few big recruits take notice and come our way.

[bagice]

I don't want to rain on the parade.....and I think Jones was an excellent hire, by far better than many we mentioned and was definitely a home run....

But I think Stallion's point is still valid, he is going the sarcastic route in making his point, but I think its still a point that needs to be made.

Other than Turner and Orsini saying that we are nationally competive in recruiting guildelines and June Jones having 10 million reasons to agree with them, is this really a true statement and, more importantly, will it translate to practical application.

The point I think Stallion is trying to make is that , yes, this is a Great Hire, but there is really no way in hell that he will be able to get a lot of the kids he got into Hawaii into SMU, regardless of what Orsini says....and that can make a case that maybe someone like Todd Graham that has shown success in recruiting kids that we realistically can go for , would have been a better fit....

Hope I am wrong, and probably am...but I think the point is still valid until we see otherwise...when we get our first 4 star recruit with questionable SAT scores, on probation for a car jacking, then I will say I am wrong...I just don't see that happening.

Where do i turn in my pom poms?

[max the wonder dog]

JJ was limited to recruits who were willing to play in Hawaii. He now is limited to recruits willing to play in Texas. Even without players that might have made the academic/charecter cut at Hawaii but not SMU, he still has a much larger pool in which to recruit.

Assuming the administration works with him on borderline candidates, I think he will do just fine. Can't wait until Feb. 6.

[The_RichAlum]

I'm glad to see we commenced hiring a coach and I'm glad we were able to secure June Jones who is a terrific coach.

However, last I checked Jones isn't a 5 star recruit and he isn't suiting up to play. I would temper down the expectations slightly, as this could take time.

[bagice]

I agree,

But I think until we actually see how the administration treats these borderline cases, there is no harm in reeling in the blind faith just a tad....Stallion's concern that this was just lip service and things haven't changed as drastically as many believe and we are still not completely on the right track is valid until we actually see it in action...not just heard some vague words....

[StallionsModelT]

June Jones would have never agreed to even visit SMU if we weren't able to convince him and Steinberg that the playing field is quote "competitive". Now does that mean we are on the same level with Oklahoma/Florida State/etc.? Probably not.

[bagice]

June Jones would have never agreed to even visit SMU if we weren't able to convince him and Steinberg that the playing field is quote "competitive". Now does that mean we are on the same level with Oklahoma/Florida State/etc.? Probably not.

I think that is the whole point, if we want to be Top 25..then we need to be able to recruit and admit the same players that Texas/Oklahoma...etc... can. We need to see this in action, and if it is true that there are still players that could go to schools like Oklahoma but not SMU, then there is still a problem.

As far as Jones not coming here if he wasn't convinced....I think thats true to a point, but I think the money and perks (that only he and a few of insiders know about) played a part as well...The man is in his mid 50's and has accomplished many things, I am sure he took that into consideration. I fully believe that he feels he can turn things around with what he has been given.

I just want to be sure that if we want to play with the Big Boys, then we don't have the stupid fetters that have been on us since the death penalty

[The_RichAlum]

what are the changes to "level the playing field"? I must admit, I haven't been able to read too much on this since the coaching announcement?

Does anyone know specifically what is changing?


$2M over 5 years is a lot of money.....level or unlevel playing field?

[EastStang]

Which players is UT or A&M getting who would not be admitted to SMU? The fact is that they get to cherry pick and probably 99% of their offered players would meet our criteria. But we won't get them. The issue becomes more like which players does UTEP, UH, USM and UCF get in that we can't get admitted into SMU. I think that is where we have the problem.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

Junes Jones when asked about recruiting appears very confident the recruiting this year or in the future will not be a problem.

But hey believe who you want to.... June Jones or the Stallion apostles.

[bagice]

Very good point.....Obviously those schools rely heavily on JUCOS and trouble makers that get booted from the BCS schools....I think that is where we are lacking and will continue to lack.

You have to take a chance on some of these kids...sure a few will blow up in your face...but its not the end of the world...Just keep trying and don't look at it as a failure to the academic prestige of the university.

[StallionsModelT]

I see your point. But either way how does this equate to a 5 year "probation"? Guess I just don't see it that way. Jones will have a wider net to cast out here at SMU than he ever did at Hawaii. I believe that will yield even better results than he had out there.

[bagice]

Don't get me wrong....I think he will do a fantastic job...I just want to make sure that we keep the administrators feet to the fire in their assurance that we are nationally competitive in recruiting policy and if it turns out not to be true, then call them out on it.

This is how I read it, and this is me only, I am not sure....but I don't think they changed one thing to get JJ to sign on...I think Turner feels all the changes that need to be made have already been made...listen to what they said again in interviews and the PC....Yet, many here assumed some more "secret" fetters were lifted....I don't think so...

[crazy horse]

Why don't we save the "I told you so" until about 3 or 4 years down the road. If we are celebrating our 2nd or 3rd bowl win, your point will truly be valid and I would even dare to think that Stallion would admit it as well.

At this moment, we can't say with certainty what the results will be getting a coach this late in the recruiting process. I tend to agree and am optimistic that the Jones hire signals some significant changes with the "model" and his name should result in a recruiting upswing. But ultimately that goodwill will only continue if/when he produces wins.

[Mustang1991]

dogpile