SMU deals with growing pains

[HB Pony Dad]

EL PASO -- When SMU hired the architect of the greatest turnaround in NCAA history, there was plenty of hope in the Metroplex that better times were on the way for a program that went 1-11 last year.

June Jones, however, hasn't brought instant prosperity to SMU like he did at Hawaii, when the Warriors improved from 0-12 in 1998 to 9-4 in Jones' first season as head coach.

What he has done since becoming the highest paid coach in Conference USA is give a sense that the Mustangs finally are heading toward the success that has eluded the program since it was hit with the death penalty in 1987.

"It is frustrating," Jones said of his team's 1-9 start that includes only a victory over Division 1-AA Texas State. "We have to do everything right to win a game. We've had four or five chances and just come up short.

"But we're getting better every week. We just need to keep staying on track. Eventually we'll get a win, then we'll get another win."

The progress has been obvious. Despite listing 18 freshmen in its two-deep, SMU played Tulsa tougher than any other C-USA team before falling 37-31 and had a last-minute lead against Houston before losing 44-38. Last week against Memphis they lost true freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to an injury, put in true freshman backup Logan Turner and only lost 31-26.

Four of their last six losses have been by a touchdown or less after getting blown out three times in their first four games.

"The hardest thing about this type of (rebuilding) situation -- and I've been in six of them -- is changing the mindset, the culture, everything," said Jones, a former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons who led Hawai'i to an undefeated regular season and a Sugar Bowl apperance last year. "I've come in a situation where they haven't won and teaching them what it takes to win, off the field more than on the field, sometimes."

The team got a harsh lesson in that Wednesday when receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson, ranked fourth and 10th in the nation in receiving yards, were suspended for the remainder of the year for what has been termed an accumulation of minor infractions.

That could be a blow for a team that has averaged 27 points per game in conference play.

"Offensively, the quarterback (Mitchell) is much improved," said Jones, who was interviewed before the suspensions were announced. "The receivers are talented and getting better. The offensive line is starting to understand."

The problem is the other side of the ball. SMU ranked dead last in total defense before moving up a spot to 118th after last week (485.3 yards per game allowed, ahead of only North Texas).

"The biggest challenge is on defense," Jones said. "We decided to play a lot of young kids. We have 100-something guys on our roster, and 70 are freshmen -- 70 of our top 100. That will pay dividends as we go.

"The important thing is to keep believing."

Price thinks the biggest thing SMU has going for it is a head coach with a proving track record of turning around programs.

"I like June Jones' demeanor on the sideline," Price said. "He's calm. He has his own plan, kind of like (New Mexico State coach) Hal Mumme or (Texas Tech coach) Mike Leach. "It's his deal and he's just smart. He's a smart guy who's very creative and always successful throwing the football. I think he was an excellent choice for SMU."

Jones, meanwhile, is far from getting beaten down over the 1-8 start.

"The Hawai'i program was in this condition when I took it over," he said. "All the pro jobs I took were in this situation. I kind of get energized coming into these deals, the jobs nobody wanted.

"It's my makeup, I guess."

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6359.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/minersmania/ci_10970437

[Buckethead]

Can this be true, 70 freshmen out of 100? I am sure that some of these are red shirt freshmen, but still 70!!!

[PK]

That probably also includes walk-ons as you can't recruit more than 25 a year which would give you 50 including the redshirts...right?

[Dwan]

this is a very accurate account of what is happening at SMU

[HFvictory]

Didn't Bennett on many occasions state that he needed to teach the kids how to win? To me that is one of the most bogus arguements a coach can make.

Teach them how to play the game and how to play within the scheme you are trying to develop. If you recruit well, develop players and have a good scheme on offense & defense winning will take care of itself.

Saying you will teach kids how to win means nothing.

[PK]

Didn't Bennett on many occasions state that he needed to teach the kids how to win? To me that is one of the most bogus arguements a coach can make.

Teach them how to play the game and how to play within the scheme you are trying to develop. If you recruit well, develop players and have a good scheme on offense & defense winning will take care of itself.

Saying you will teach kids how to win means nothing.

All of which contradicts your post on the other thread that PB could have won five games (why not six or seven?).

[HFvictory]

Didn't Bennett on many occasions state that he needed to teach the kids how to win? To me that is one of the most bogus arguements a coach can make.

Teach them how to play the game and how to play within the scheme you are trying to develop. If you recruit well, develop players and have a good scheme on offense & defense winning will take care of itself.

Saying you will teach kids how to win means nothing.

All of which contradicts your post on the other thread that PB could have won five games (why not six or seven?).

I don't see the contradiction at all. Bennett didn't have all the aspects covered (recruiting, developing, scheme). However, I think there was enough to get to at least 5 wins this year.

[Dwan]

yeah, the only difference is that June Jones has more than 20 years experience as a head coach in college and the pros of turning around programs and changing losing cultures.

Bennett was a DC at Kansas State for 3 years and coached with Stoop's players. Anybody notice how K-State did on defense with the players Bennett recruited?

Also, Bennett let Willis do whatever he wanted to do on and off the field and talked about changing a culture.....Jones said get in line or get on the bench.

you are right, Bennett talked about it, Jones actually did something about it.

[HFvictory]

yeah, the only difference is that June Jones has more than 20 years experience as a head coach in college and the pros of turning around programs and changing losing cultures.

Bennett was a DC at Kansas State for 3 years and coached with Stoop's players. Anybody notice how K-State did on defense with the players Bennett recruited?

Also, Bennett let Willis do whatever he wanted to do on and off the field and talked about changing a culture.....Jones said get in line or get on the bench.

you are right, Bennett talked about it, Jones actually did something about it.

Tell me again, how many programs has JJ turned around in 20 years?

[Dwan]

Hawaii

[HFvictory]

Hawaii

Exactly.

[Dwan]

Atlanta Falcons....San Diego Chargers.......

[HFvictory]

Atlanta Falcons....San Diego Chargers.......

Puuuhlease.

[Dwan]

oh, you dont like facts....my bab

[Cadillac]

How did Jones turn the Chargers around? They were awful when he got there, awful while he was there, and awful when he left. Much like TCU, the only force of nature powerful enough to turn the program around was Tomlinson.

In fact, it was under the guidance of Jones that the Charger put up one of the most inept passing attacks in the modern era: 10 tds and 34 interceptions.

Granted the QBs were [deleted], but still. Certainly not a turnaround by any means.

-CoS