Checking in with Steve Orsini on Top 25

[KnuckleStang]

While I kind of understand some people's need to react in a hysterical manner after one horrible loss, you can't fairly judge any Div. 1 football coach's rebuilding job until his 5 yr contract is up, period. (For those keeping track, that's over 3 1/2 yrs from now.) This last weekend's game ended like crap, sure...wah wah wah...but the team is improving overall. My hunch is JJ will likely be sticking around for the duration. I didn't see it, but my bro told me the UVA message board last week had a thread about how much they wish they could steal June Jones from SMU and how much would it take. The idea that SMU fans would decide they were to good for him before his contract is even up is hilarious to me.

[George S. Patton]

First, I have made no comments about the Washington State game because I don't know much about it other than what I've read on this board. So the accusation that I am crying about the loss is inaccurate. I have not said anything one way or the other about the quarterback or the head football coach. I mentioned that on 9.20.09.

Second, the inference that was made that I prefer a screamer over somebody else who is more reserved is an idea that was imagined by the author of that thread. He just made it up. Sir, I believe you need to check and really think about what you write before you draw an inaccurate conclusion. By passion, it is not defined by sidelined antics. It's the whole shmear. I'm just reading the head football coach from what I have seen and read. Sorry, I'm just not getting the vibe that he is going the extra mile to make this work. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

In football, many different personalities that work. It's a matter of getting the kids to respond and playing for you. I hope the current head football coach is doing that. And I hope the program finds a way to succeed.

I'm on a board in which I am stating an opinion about the current head football coach is not shared by many or any. Fair enough.

I'm just lukewarm on the current head football coach. Nothing to do with the thinking that we're too good for him and all that jazz. Just don't believe his intentions to succeed here are honorable. We can agree to disagree.

[giacfsp]

Volleyball, while not yet top 25, wins seven in a row and you leave them out of your rant.
Yawn.

[George S. Patton]

For clarity, when I'm talking about Top 25, I'm meaning something that has been built up to Top 25 status and maintained at that level. I also believe that's the athletic director's intention as well.

I realize that I draw a lot of ire from folks, but when the best you can do is counter with a seven-match winning streak in volleyball, you're really reaching. I don't think this streak really matches what the athletic director is trying to accomplish, although you would hope it would be the foundation to series of strong seasons in the future. However, the track record does not suggest that.

[SMU89]

For clarity, when I'm talking about Top 25, I'm meaning something that has been built up to Top 25 status and maintained at that level.

George S. Patton
Can't remember the number of Top 25 rankings that SMU has been on recently

I'm confused.

Either way, nobody in charge expected us to be top 25 recently or to have been maintained at that level by this timeframe, but they did expect progress towards that goal and we are making progress. I appreciate the efforts of the coaches and players and look forward to all of us being able to enjoy more wins in the future thanks to their hard work.

Bring home the skillet.

[2112]

gomer patton is acting like a jackazz again...glad u are back 2 normal

[redpony]

Orsini's promise of Top 25 in everything is a big lie and nothing more than lip service to sound good.
He has hired 4 coaches since coming to SMU and there performance is less than positive.
JJ- things look positive but the jury is really out on this choice.
Doh- the BBall program has done nothing as far as improvement.
TMc- has managed to totally trash the men's soccer program
BE- has trashed the women's soccer program.

If SO were playing baseball his batting ave. would probably be about .175-.190- not very good.
Let's hope our football program will start to generate some money so that we can afford quality coaches in the other sports.

GO PONIES!!!

[centexstang]

hired 5--batting average might be forced up

[redpony]

hired 5--batting average might be forced up

OK- who was the 5th and what has their performance been? I only recalled 4.

GO PONIES!!!

[George S. Patton]

Might be the women's tennis coach, who has done a good job. Won CUSA and got into the NCAA tournament.

[redpony]

Might be the women's tennis coach, who has done a good job. Won CUSA and got into the NCAA tournament.

Thanks.

GO PONIES!!!

[EastStang]

Wow his average is up to .250. Go for it Steve-0.

[Dwan]

Would still like to know what the general would have done differently.

[Greenwich Pony]

Hmm. I have to admit that I am not sure what to make of Orsini. Much as I hate to admit it, the Coach Doh hire has been overall a disappointment. We did get a good practice facility out of it, but I am at a loss when it comes to the performance of the team- or any ability to recruit here to Dallas, lovely campus, great school, good facilities, decent (and improving) league, etc. Moody needs work, but has real potential to be a "Cameron West." The game day presentation, something that should be relatively easy and cheap to fix, seems to be totally inadequate (but this seems to go for football as well). And hey, we know it has helped Women's Bball, so what the deal is with the guys, who knows...

And speaking of football, I know there are people that are not on the JJ wagon, but I have to say, I think we are seeing progress. We already have already matched the two wins of the past two seasons, and I can see 2-3 more this year as real possibilities, and we could jump up and bite someone we shouldn't. Yes, we have managed to win UGLY, but we have managed to win two. We should have won at WSU, but we forget we are SMU and not USC at this point. We are playing with essentially the same offense and a slightly upgraded defense as last year. We have improved, we are not a BCS contender yet. (Also, if we could cut BLM some slack, that might be nice, yes he has made some visible errors, but he is not solely to blame for the WSU loss). I think recruiting is better, the kids are being coached better than they were and are much more prepared, and I think playing with some more confidence. Obviously time will tell, but I think JJ & Company may be turning this thing around.

As to fundraising, well, Steve-O did get the Crum Center built and got JJ in here, and apparently got a new golf thing built. But we do badly need a new Natatorium, indoor tennis facilities and Moody needs a makeover and the soccer project cannot seem to get off the ground. Performance of the soccer teams are a concern. Swimming is hanging on (and badly in need of the new facility). So I don't know.

And while I know they are separate from the athletic department, I think we need to do something for the M Band re: new band hall as well. The Mustang Band is a unique feature of SMU and needs to be protected and encouraged because, let's face it, they are often the majority of the students at any sporting event these days.

So is Steve-O getting it done? I am not sure. I see progress, certainly, but maybe not enough and in enough areas. Then again, would we really want to go back to Copeland?

Okay that has been my athletic department rant and now I'll shut up for another three months or so...

[George S. Patton]

Would still like to know what the general would have done differently.

1. Change men's basketball coaches after year 3 when it became clear that the current men's basketball coach was not getting it done.
2. Hire former SMU standout Kevin Grimes (make him an offer that he can't refuse) to run the men's soccer program. It's a real shame he didn't take Shellas' place. If he can convince June Jones to leave HAWAII, how come he couldn't do it with Grimes?
3. Change volleyball coaches.

He took advantage of the early buzz to get fundraising done for the tennis center and Crum Center. Great move. But since his two big revenue sports are kinda just sitting there, it's going to be really hard for people to fork over the $$ to renovate Moody. When you win, people want to contribute. When you don't win, they kinda shortarm that wallet. And sending out that survey for Moody changes is just ridculous. Just follow the template of how other facilities of similar size look and get it done. I'm so tired of surveys.

I hope that helps.