Checking in with Steve Orsini on Top 25

[George S. Patton]

Can't remember the number of Top 25 rankings that SMU has been on recently. I just needed him to update the list.

Football? No
Men's basketball? No
Women's basketball? About our best shot but no
Women's soccer? No
Men's soccer? No
Women's tennis? Yes
Men's golf? Yes?

If the athletic director can help out, I'd appreciate that. If not, then that statement of Top 25 in everything we do should have been taken loosely like .....

Our AD is so overrated. And so is our football coach.

[ponydawg]

Our AD is so overrated. And so is our football coach.

But our loyal fans are the best!
Have fun oct. 3rd.

[George S. Patton]

Our AD is so overrated. And so is our football coach.

But our loyal fans are the best!
Have fun oct. 3rd.

I sure will. Looking forward to spending time with my wife -- AND HER ALMA MATER -- and kids and family coming in from Arkansas for the game.

That's the thing about having another loyal alum to another school in the family, you do the right thing. So I am.

[ponydawg]

Doing the right thing.....like calling the Coach and AD overrated.
If you can't see things are moving in the right direction you are blind.
We are getting players in school that in years past wouldn't have stood a chance.
The team as a whole is playing a lot better than the last two seasons. The hardest
position to grasp is where we are currently struggling for the past 3 games.
Not saying we are going bowling, but for the first time since I have been a fan the last 15 years, things are progressing on and off the field.

[George S. Patton]

That's your opinion. I don't agree.

[redpony]

Can't remember the number of Top 25 rankings that SMU has been on recently. I just needed him to update the list.

Football? No
Men's basketball? No
Women's basketball? About our best shot but no
Women's soccer? No
Men's soccer? No
Women's tennis? Yes
Men's golf? Yes?

If the athletic director can help out, I'd appreciate that. If not, then that statement of Top 25 in everything we do should have been taken loosely like .....

Our AD is so overrated. And so is our football coach.

GSP- you forgot swimming and volleyball.
We used to be tops in swimming, men's soccer and women's soccer. Our great AD threw those sports under the bus.

I can not help but believe that the 'top 25 in everything we do' was nothing more than BS.
I think JJ has another year to prove if he can turn this program into a real winner or not. After this past weekend I have a lot more doubts than before. We do not have a D-1 quality qb and I do not believe there is even one on our campus at this time.

If the Circle of Champions feels they were 'hoodwinked' then I suspect SO's days here may be numbered as well.

[Alaric]

That's your opinion. I don't agree.

Just for the record, I want to clarify that you don't believe our football team is getting better, right?

[Hoop Fan]

Better than last year? Is that the benchmark? How could we not be better than that ? What I am looking for is playing and being noticeably better than we were on average for the last 3 years or so under Bennett. Or at least the outline of hope at all the key positions where young guys are playing. Its too early to say right now where this team and program are bigger picture. What I will say is ironically, the offense is much less productive and effective overall than it was in 2006 and even 2007. I say ironic because everyone bagged on Rusty Pistol Burns, but the fact is those teams put up points. We just couldn't stop anybody when it counted. So, in another twist of irony, maybe JJs defense is looking better than Bennetts supposed expertise. I will say the cornerbacks and safeties seem to be competing much much better than past years. We havent faced any good offenses yet granted, but so far you can't argue with the will these guys have to compete and go for the ball.

[EastStang]

Orsini's hires are a big more nuanced. In the two revenue sports, football and basketball Orsini was tasked with getting us two "name" coaches. He got June Jones and Matt Doherty. Both have been Division 1 coaches of the year in their respective sports. The jury is out on Jones. Doherty so far has been a failure. Doherty also helped us get the Crum Center funded which might not have happened without a "name" coach. In soccer, we had a coach quit weeks before the season started. He question was whether you hired his assistant for continuity purposes, or blew everything up and hired a name coach or named a interim for the season (meaning no recruiting for that year). He went with continuity. McClements had a good recruiting season, but so far the team has not produced on the field and sooner or later that will need to be addressed. If as has been posted on the "Other Sports" board, the team is disorganized and looks unprepared, then either he's gone or someone better force him to hire a strategist assistant coach. In women's sports, a lot of continuity there except for soccer in which Steve Erwin a former Mustang assistant and Orsini hire at UCF who has been very disappointing so far. In the swimming, we have not had a coaching change in years and those sports seem to be at or near the Top 25 every year (although they are not at the top due to lack of a first class Natatorium which may be on the list when some great Millionaire swimmer dies, but clearly Orsini needs to start fundraising there). The other country club sports seem to be doing fine as always, some years great other years close to top 25. Rhonda is going strong in women's bball - no change there. Equestrian, rowing, volleyball, do we really care much?

[GoRedGoBlue]

Can't remember the number of Top 25 rankings that SMU has been on recently. I just needed him to update the list.

Football? No
Men's basketball? No
Women's basketball? About our best shot but no
Women's soccer? No
Men's soccer? No
Women's tennis? Yes
Men's golf? Yes?

If the athletic director can help out, I'd appreciate that. If not, then that statement of Top 25 in everything we do should have been taken loosely like .....

Our AD is so overrated. And so is our football coach.

This from the PB apologist-in-chief

[George S. Patton]

Really? I supported Phil and wanted him to win, but I pretty much felt he had run his course after that TCU game in FW in 2007 because it was clear it wasn't going to happen.

I'm just not really on board with June Jones bc I just don't believe he is passionate about getting this thing turned. I think he wants to get his checks, go back to the island and have a tropical drink while hanging out on the beach.

That said, I hope I'm wrong.

As for Orsini, his legacy will behind his hirings. And so far, that ain't looking too good.

[Alaric]

Really? I supported Phil and wanted him to win, but I pretty much felt he had run his course after that TCU game in FW in 2007 because it was clear it wasn't going to happen.

I'm just not really on board with June Jones bc I just don't believe he is passionate about getting this thing turned. I think he wants to get his checks, go back to the island and have a tropical drink while hanging out on the beach.

That said, I hope I'm wrong.

As for Orsini, his legacy will behind his hirings. And so far, that ain't looking too good.

If JJ yelled a lot on the sidelines, you'd think he's more passionate. Unfortunately for a lot of people, yelling equals passion and leadership (I threw that in there since you act like you're big on leadership). In reality, most people respond very poorly to yelling. Some of the most passionate people I know are very controlled and quiet.

[J.T.supporta]

maybe we should start a "fire orsini" thread again

[Dwan]

General,

What would you have done differently?

Thanks

[that's great raplh]

he is a critic

given to criticism

he is a disgrace to the real general patton