June Jones: Changing A 20 Year Culture of Losing

[StallionsModelT]

Sitting here at work between projects today, I was thinking to myself what June Jones' biggest obstacle is in getting SMU back to the level it once enjoyed. Is it installing his new offense? Is it getting the current players properly adjusted to the way he and his coaches operate? Is it getting fans in the empty seats of Ford Stadium? While all of these are very important, I believe his biggest challenge is changing the culture of losing at SMU.

We all know where SMU is on the college football landscape. We barely exist to anyone outside of Dallas as more than a blip on the scroll on ESPN to see who has pounded our [deleted] that day. People under the age of 25 have no idea that at one time SMU was one of the premiere college programs in America. Hell I'm 24 and it baffles me that those teams actually existed in the early 80's. Since the Death Penalty, SMU has been plagued with an administration that was downright opposed to athletics, inferior leaders hiring even more inferior coaches, and fan support that has twindled down to the last of a remaining few stalwarts who can't seem to let go of SMU football.

So how does June Jones go about changing this culture of losing? I certainly don't have the answers but then again I'm not getting paid $2mil a year to have them! What I have noticed in a few of the practice reports is that the ATTITUDE is changing at SMU. Jones mentioned this in his introductory press conference that he does things differently than coaches we're probably used to. His motivational tactics don't include yelling or screaming or threatening kids, but TEACHING. He has instant credibility with the kids b/c they saw the success he had at Hawaii. He's a proven winner with a track record of success. That's why I think he's going to get it done here at SMU.

[FWMustangGirl]

The key is to start winning. The attitude will begin to change as the wins happen. The biggest problem IMO is the legions of students who have no interest in football or sports in general. They were prevalent even when I was there (and I'm definitely over 25, but just barely) and they regularly made snide remarks about the football team and how we sucked. And I was there when we actually managed a non-losing season, and should have won games we played against the likes of A&M.

The students are a bunch of fun sponges when it comes to athletics. I've said it since I was a student: We have to find a way to bring the students to the games. The Greeks show up for the 2nd quarter at homecoming, but that is about it. With football in the fall, if the Greeks are there, the freshman class will be there. Make their spirit impact their numbers for rush. They'll start to show up and the freshmen will think everyone goes to the games. They won't know any different.

Those who aren't Greek, I don't know how to get them there. Maybe winning will begin to bring them. Bottom line: the student body must get behind this team and support them or they will never have the success we want to see.[/i]

[jimhagle]

The culture of losing changes when SMU allows itself to be on the same playing field as everyone else as to recruiting for example. Then it has to hire "quality" ADs and they consequently have to hire "quality" head coaches. And lastly the alumni have to step up and pay for the "quality" of the previously mentioned. All of those things seem to finally be in place. If those things aren't done it is very difficult to succeed as we have seen.

[Stallion]

Step 1: Model
Step 2: Coach
Step 3: Recruiting by Coach
Step 4: Coaching of Recruits

[StallionsModelT]

Ok Stallion. You have made comments recently that suggest you think the model has changed. Check. We've hired a coach that has instant credibility and a track record of success. Check. The other two remain to be seen but I'd take my chances on 3 and 4 following suit with 1 and 2.

[smu diamond m]

Before we even get to the season, the ball has begun rolling. At this point the winning must come to fill in the expectations we all have. He's talked up next season and rose the profile quite a bit already.

[kent dorfman]

The key is to start winning. The attitude will begin to change as the wins happen. The biggest problem IMO is the legions of students who have no interest in football or sports in general. They were prevalent even when I was there (and I'm definitely over 25, but just barely) and they regularly made snide remarks about the football team and how we sucked. And I was there when we actually managed a non-losing season, and should have won games we played against the likes of A&M.

The students are a bunch of fun sponges when it comes to athletics. I've said it since I was a student: We have to find a way to bring the students to the games. The Greeks show up for the 2nd quarter at homecoming, but that is about it. With football in the fall, if the Greeks are there, the freshman class will be there. Make their spirit impact their numbers for rush. They'll start to show up and the freshmen will think everyone goes to the games. They won't know any different.

Those who aren't Greek, I don't know how to get them there. Maybe winning will begin to bring them. Bottom line: the student body must get behind this team and support them or they will never have the success we want to see.[/i]

Greeks are a good place to start. And remember- we have The Boulevard. TONS of people go to the Boulevard yet do not go to the game. In fact I remember taking off to go watch the TCU game in 2005 and mentioning that I was leaving the tent I was hanging out at and someone was like "Why the hell are you going to the game, that's [deleted]!" Attitude change is key. If people don't view going to the game as a waste of time and a drag because it takes away time from drinking or whatever they do then attendance will boost. It starts with ATTITUDE!!! and GETTING ROWDY!!! GOD I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS SEASON!!!

[Mexmustang]

The entire atmostphere of the campus is about to change. I believe it. Right now it is party, party, party. I am afraid we have graduated classes and classes of alumns that really don't have a passion for the University and upon becoming successful won't have the same willingness to financially support the school that those thru the 80's have.
If JJ, Doh and Orsini can get our major sports programs to a level we can be proud of, the whole university experience will change and with that change the attractiveness of the university to high school seniors.

[redpony]

ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE. When JJ convinces the players they can and will win then it will become pervasive throughout the entire University.
If the new students believe it is 'cool' to attend our games then the student body will quickly return to the stands. I have to believe that only a positive educational/sports experience will lead future alumnus to want to support the programs at SMU. JJ will become like the 'pied piper' of Dallas and lead them to the stands.

GO PONIES!!!!

[crazy horse]

My favorite college memories were watching SMU play and beat Texas, Arkansas, A&M etc in front of huge crowds in Texas Stadium. These were games that had national championship implications.

I know those days are behind us, but hopefully in the next few years the younger folks can get a taste of that because it was fantastic!

I do believe Jones will at the very least make us much more competitive and the games a whole lot more fun to watch.

[ponyfan84]

First off, I believe the season opener will be packed, student section included. Despite how awful this team has been, the first game always draws a good buzz and a good crowd. And doesn't Texas St. travel well? I am expecting 20k to be there. Will it be like Tech last year? Hell no, but the buzz that a winning coach, key word 'winning', is getting hotter and people all around are excited. Now if we could pressure the Greeks into somehow taking time off from their busy drinking schedule to come in, then it will look even better for all those impressionable young freshmen. I was once one and I wanted to go where all the Greeks went that early on in my college career. If there was a way to limit the beer amount each tent had, maybe people would start flocking more? When that last case of Busch lite is gone before kickoff, what else do you have going on. Either way I cannot f-ing wait for the football season.

[gostangs]

One other really important change that is on the way is on campus sophmore housing. As it is is now the students leave as soon as they can - most don't live on campus more then their freshman year unless they live in a Greek house - and then it is usually just soph year after that.

SMU is about to embarck on a major sophmore housing construction phase - and they will require sphomores to be on campus in either grek houses or on campus housing - this will change everything about the spirit and connection to the school and - expecially when combined with some success with the major sports on campus - will change the nature of SMU in a huge way.

Out - cynical bored rich kid detractors
In - connected enthusiastic rich kids that enjoy sports and support their school becasue it is the norm not the exception.

The univeristy will finally feel like a university by doubling the number of on campus students.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Any idea when that housing will be completed?

[MrMustang1965]

One other ingredient: exposure in the Dallas market that will get 'new' fans into Ford Stadium...such as new and longtime residents who attended schools elsewhere (possibly outside of Texas) and turn them into SMU fans because it is "the only Div. 1-A university in the city of Dallas" (as the marketing brochures and web site proudly proclaim)! Of course, winning will help this cause...but it won't hurt for those of us who love and support SMU to do a little promotion and marketing of our own for the Mustangs! I am looking forward to this season, too.

[Alaric]

Step 1: Model
Step 2: Coach
Step 3: Recruiting by Coach
Step 4: Coaching of Recruits

Just curious how you separate Step 2 from 3 & 4...