June in Shreveport

[SMU89]

Article on visit from Shreveport Times

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/ ... 001/SPORTS

[PerunaPunch]

[quote="reddevil"Thus, considering his explanation of the situation, it seems plausible that he anticipated the situation and allowed it to occur in order to force some future action by the administration or to reveal their true colors.[/quote]
I'm sure we're probably just splitting hairs, but even if JJ anticipated the situation and allowed it to occur (not saying he did, but if he did), I think it was a reasonable expectation for JJ to believe that if the situation occurred he could still get the kids in because of his wholehearted backing by the VAST majority of the SMU community and the assurances given to him (and to us) by Orsini.

Just like in the situation with LeRibeus, I think the breakdown was in the Athletic Department administration, where the coaches have certain expectations on one side and the university has certain rules and regulations on the other side. It's up to the AD administration to smoothly bridge that gap. CLEARLY we need some help in that department.

I do believe that the Athletics Department has been stripped to the bare bones -- probably to the extent that errors and problems like this are inevitable. It's particularly regrettable, since it's at this time that we need the most help to get over the hump. Just my $0.02.

[ponyscott]

Thanks OC Mustang for the post. We all just hope that this was indeed 'just a snafu' and not some long term battle ahead for the coaches. Listen we all know that SMU has academic quality and the Admin doesn't want to compromise it's integrity to a large extent, but both of these kids had their ducks in a row and were not trouble makers and well thought of in their communities. I would of thought that a quick overview of their cases and a personal interview that finally came at least with Darryl who is so well spoken, would have made a decsion much easier and not brought so much negative energy down and a potential PR issue for Turner and SMU.
Good questions in Shreveport and glad that it was reported. The good news that came out of all of this is that Turner definitetly now knows the passion that the SMU fans have and that nothing will go down easy for him if he decides for some reason to be too influenced by the stiff academicians and admisions staff at SMU.

[Stallion]

I think with regard to UAB-Jones was just jealous that they signed 13 JUCOs last year. I think ECU lost just about ALL of its defensive starters including the entire front 7 at Dline and LB

[NickSMU17]

Suprised at no Tulsa mention...they should be better this year

[Stallion]

Video Sports Report from Shreveport event

http://www.ktbs.com/video/24206196/index.html

[RE Tycoon]

The Shreveport Media has given us more coverage in one day than the Dallas media has in the past few months...I like that we're getting a two day story out of June's visit.

I can't wait to see what the Chicago Media has in-store for us.

[ponyte]

Good looking guy and gal with June!

[mustangxc]

To echo the sentiments above, it simply doesn't make sense that this issue was merely a snafu, although it makes sense that would be the spin. It seems that a snafu is something that could be easily corrected whereas an administrative regulation is something that would not be compromised. Also if this problem was know to exist why couldn't the coaching staff avoid it altogether instead of subjecting the school and program to such embarrassment and creating yet another recruiting hurdle. That being said I consider jj to be forthright. Thus, considering his explanation of the situation, it seems plausible that he anticipated the situation and allowed it to occur in order to force some future action by the administration or to reveal their true colors. I think the true stance of the
administration with respect to athletics has once again been revealed. It remains to be seen if any profilactic measures will be taken to avoid these problems in the future.

I hope not as what you are saying implies that June Jones is the real jerk in this situation. Using two kids in order to ease academic restrictions on recruiting would be completely selfish and very unbecoming.

[Stallion]

I never knew ponyte was a punter-or that he could outkick his coverage.

[ponyte]

Back to a real computer and not posting off my phone.

June didn't sacrifice these kids. This was a situation that enlightened an internal problem. The admin has not put much thought into winning since the DP. It has taken over a decade to start to get changes. And changes have come in small increments. This change is one more. This situation highlighted an internal issue (not one with the kids) and brought to the key stakeholders' attention the need to change. Jones expressed concern for the kids and empathy and stated emphatically that he would get them scholarships somewhere.

Jones was very Demming in his explanation about the admissions difficulty. One has to admire that he considered this an internal process improvement that needed to be address. And he has experienced it before at UH. He stated this process was addressed and would never happen again.

He was very positive about the benefits of a winning program. I believe he has enough salesmanship to the administration to make believers out of them of the benefits to the entire university of a winning program.

June was positive about his ability to recruit top notch athletes and stated that he and his staff are going to start competing for the best talent. Once again, he believes the positive exposure of winning and winning a bowl game has made a difference in attitudes towards SMU. And that SMU, in Dallas with a major media market, fantastic business and arts opportunities and a magnificence school could attract the best athletes in the nation. Did I mention this guy is very high on SMU?

He was asked about the academic success of his players. June stated that he believed that kids not only got a good education (and because of NCAA requirements, the days of getting by taking "swimming' were over) But his players will also developed magnificence connections. He made the comment that even if a kid never played a down for him, the kid would develop lifelong connections in the locker room, classroom and other campus life opportunities that would serve them well for life. One gets the impression that June is genuinely interested in success beyond football. I know winning is important but that level of concern for the future of his players is one of the most satisfying aspects of Coach Jones to this old player.

As mention, the current admissions issue Coach Jones felt would be used against SMU in recruiting but he felt he and his staff could overcome it. It was a body language thing and experience thing but this old horse felt that Jones has been in the recruiting world long enough to know most of the lines and attacks that will be used against him. It is satisfying to know that other recruiters will use something against us because the fear we can get their recruits.

Now the last. Ponyte had coaches that knew June long ago and far away so I had a little insider info about Coach Jones back in his player days. This help break some cold introduction ice. June impressed me as a genuine person with very real concerns about the future of his players. Most college players will be professional in something other than sports and a former coach can be a huge benefit. Coach Jones impressed me as someone that knew his players and could help them long after their playing days. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a very philosophical view of life. He paraphrase one of my favorite Bear Bryant motivation story. It is corny but so dad gum true and I am so pleased to hear a version of it decades later.

Though I am middle aged and very accomplished in life after football, I tend to view coaches as if I was 18 and looking for a leader.

June Jones is a leader and I would play for him.

[ponyte]

I never knew ponyte was a punter-or that he could outkick his coverage.

Ppnyte was a back up punter for 3 seasons and could punt a ball in the air over 80 yards. It is how ponyte warmed up before games because he so hated to do stretch routines. And ponyte uses that to this day.

Ponyte often tells wide-eyed obviously oblivious to college football talent that he was a punter because he was too small to play anything else.

[OC Mustang]

Back to a real computer and not posting off my phone.

June didn't sacrifice these kids. This was a situation that enlightened an internal problem. The admin has not put much thought into winning since the DP. It has taken over a decade to start to get changes. And changes have come in small increments. This change is one more. This situation highlighted an internal issue (not one with the kids) and brought to the key stakeholders' attention the need to change. Jones expressed concern for the kids and empathy and stated emphatically that he would get them scholarships somewhere.

Jones was very Demming in his explanation about the admissions difficulty. One has to admire that he considered this an internal process improvement that needed to be address. And he has experienced it before at UH. He stated this process was addressed and would never happen again.

He was very positive about the benefits of a winning program. I believe he has enough salesmanship to the administration to make believers out of them of the benefits to the entire university of a winning program.

June was positive about his ability to recruit top notch athletes and stated that he and his staff are going to start competing for the best talent. Once again, he believes the positive exposure of winning and winning a bowl game has made a difference in attitudes towards SMU. And that SMU, in Dallas with a major media market, fantastic business and arts opportunities and a magnificence school could attract the best athletes in the nation. Did I mention this guy is very high on SMU?

He was asked about the academic success of his players. June stated that he believed that kids not only got a good education (and because of NCAA requirements, the days of getting by taking "swimming' were over) But his players will also developed magnificence connections. He made the comment that even if a kid never played a down for him, the kid would develop lifelong connections in the locker room, classroom and other campus life opportunities that would serve them well for life. One gets the impression that June is genuinely interested in success beyond football. I know winning is important but that level of concern for the future of his players is one of the most satisfying aspects of Coach Jones to this old player.

As mention, the current admissions issue Coach Jones felt would be used against SMU in recruiting but he felt he and his staff could overcome it. It was a body language thing and experience thing but this old horse felt that Jones has been in the recruiting world long enough to know most of the lines and attacks that will be used against him. It is satisfying to know that other recruiters will use something against us because the fear we can get their recruits.

Now the last. Ponyte had coaches that knew June long ago and far away so I had a little insider info about Coach Jones back in his player days. This help break some cold introduction ice. June impressed me as a genuine person with very real concerns about the future of his players. Most college players will be professional in something other than sports and a former coach can be a huge benefit. Coach Jones impressed me as someone that knew his players and could help them long after their playing days. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a very philosophical view of life. He paraphrase one of my favorite Bear Bryant motivation story. It is corny but so dad gum true and I am so pleased to hear a version of it decades later.

Though I am middle aged and very accomplished in life after football, I tend to view coaches as if I was 18 and looking for a leader.

June Jones is a leader and I would play for him.

Absolutely right. I want to emphasize that I was expressing my impressions...and I certainly did not mean that Coach was running some test to see where the problems in recruiting/admissions were. No no no...I apologize if that is what ya'll thought. Ponyte is right...it enlightened a problem area. Ponyte, thanks for yanking my bacon out of the fire on my comments.

[ponyte]

OC, I in no way intended to amend or correct your observations. We all can hear the same explanation and
interpreted it different. My first post was on a phone and I am too old to be long winded on a little phone. My goal was to inform the most pertinent points Jones made. I welcome others perspective as it gives all a more complete picture. And it helps me to see other interpretations that I had miss.

I know others will interpreted his conversations different from mine. I plan to contact one of my one battery mates that played golf with him and see if I can get more insight. If so, I will pass it along.

I don't feel the sky is falling. Overcoming losing for so long takes more than just a coach. Jones impressed me as a leader not just in football but at the institutional level. I am satisfied with that.