Kevin McCarthy's Blog

[EastStang]

I continue to think there are two simultaneous problems: (1) Keeping those admitted eligible, and (2) getting borderline recruits admitted. My view is that the first problem impacts the second. If the borderline recruits are not hacking it in the classroom, then why should we admit more until our safety net is beefed up to help these kids stay eligible? And why should we admit kids who under the current system will likely fail? That is the problem we face. The faculty is not going to cut these kids a break. My view is that the real problem is failure rates. JJ has done the work to ensure these guys are going to class. Orsini and Company now need to make sure they get the help to succeed in class (without cheating). And if the student body wants a winning football team, it can help. I know I was a study buddy with football players, swimmers, divers, tennis players over my four years. And we got through the semester together with better grades than we would have if I hadn't done that. So, Orsini and the administration should work hard to try and create an environment of helping your fellow student stay eligible. If the player is motivated, its a great thing to do.

[Cardinal Puff]

Dallas Digest??? Come on, those are just smu drive-by posters. We need info from those who have something on the line here.

[Sasser Rules]

Kevin McCarthy is known best now as a P.A. announcer.

Jody Dean is host of a morning laughbag (and not even a funny one) on an oldies station who used to be a comical excuse for a "reporter" on TV.

I can't believe anyone is wasting any time these guys' opinions.

[Glenn Sosbee]

This is right up there with the James to Alabama/Dickerson to A&M rumors in 81-82.

[Diamond Girl]

I think this is all being overanalyzed. It all boils down to Turner finally having a chance to 'get even' with JJ over the gelding/Peruna debacle from last year. An opportunity presented itself with two NCAA-approved athletes who didn't quite meet up to SMU's standards. If JJ hadn't gone behind Turner's back bringing in the geldings and wanting to start a new SMU tradition downplaying Peruna, these two kids would have been admitted and would now be working out with the team.

[MustangTu]

JJ new what the rules were if he didn't his attorney /agent new. Those type of things are critical for the coach's sucess. I agree with the above comment that JJ was in effect trying to put pressure on the system. Turner's memo to the Mustang Club and others pretty well lays out the process. JJ made a political power play and shed light on what he perceives to be a road block. If the Trustees want it changed it will be changed. IMHO it won't be changed and JJ will stay.

[PerunaPunch]

Diamond Girl,

Your avatar is genius.

[Samurai Stang]

I think this is all being overanalyzed. It all boils down to Turner finally having a chance to 'get even' with JJ over the gelding/Peruna debacle from last year. An opportunity presented itself with two NCAA-approved athletes who didn't quite meet up to SMU's standards. If JJ hadn't gone behind Turner's back bringing in the geldings and wanting to start a new SMU tradition downplaying Peruna, these two kids would have been admitted and would now be working out with the team.

This is incredible. Simply incredible. Your claim is that Turner, whose most noteworthy accomplishment at Ole Miss. was abolishing the traditional fight song, is now a champion of tradition? True, Ole Miss's fight song was Dixie, but the fact remains that he supports change.

The world of mascots may be important to you, but to think that Turner is punishing June Jones due to the decision to add additional horses is stupid. Not only do I not believe that Turner ever had strong feelings for Peruna, I doubt that he would sabotage a football coach in order to be so petty, particularly a coach whose salary is being paid for by prominent donors that would turn on Turner if he were deliberately attacking the football program.

Your ability to believe that mascots are the root of all SMU's problems is truly impressive. If anyone other than you had made that post I would have believed it was a joke.

[Diamond Girl]

I believe it is a power play. Turner has been the BMOC for a long time, has raised lots of money for the university, has raised money for several buildings, brought in a high-powered AD in Orsini, and hoped to turn around some of the big athletic programs that had gone south for many years. Orsini ultimately brought in JJ, with the blessing of the circle of champions. This was kinda like a cherry-on-the-top to his tenure as president - turning around the football program that had lain dormant for 20+ years. Little did he know JJ would try to challenge him regarding mascots, recruits, and all in his (JJ's) attempts to turn around the fb program. It simply became a major p-ssing contest. When Peruna became involved and the traditionalists didn't roll over when JJ wanted to replace Peruna with the geldings, Turner realized something needed to be done. He didn't know exactly what, but this is his reaction to putting JJ in his place. After all, JJ is a football coach. Turner is the president of the university. Academics trumps athletics every time, or so it should.

[Samurai Stang]

I believe it is a power play. Turner has been the BMOC for a long time, has raised lots of money for the university, has raised money for several buildings, brought in a high-powered AD in Orsini, and hoped to turn around some of the big athletic programs that had gone south for many years. Orsini ultimately brought in JJ, with the blessing of the circle of champions. This was kinda like a cherry-on-the-top to his tenure as president - turning around the football program that had lain dormant for 20+ years. Little did he know JJ would try to challenge him regarding mascots, recruits, and all in his (JJ's) attempts to turn around the fb program. It simply became a major p-ssing contest. When Peruna became involved and the traditionalists didn't roll over when JJ wanted to replace Peruna with the geldings, Turner realized something needed to be done. He didn't know exactly what, but this is his reaction to putting JJ in his place. After all, JJ is a football coach. Turner is the president of the university. Academics trumps athletics every time, or so it should.

You claim that Turner is a great fundraiser, but do not recognize his own gain in bringing billionaire T. Boone Pickens into having a relationship with SMU. While this may have not been the initial motivation, it is certainly something a professional fundraiser would recognize and seek out.

I find your interest in Peruna to be so obsessive that it is laughable. Your claim is that Turner does not support the new mascots, but is unwilling to do away with them. As I have already stated, I find this highly unlikely due to Turner's lack of regard for tradition, as well as for the fund-raising benefits that Pickens brings. Nevertheless, even if we accept your proposal as true, why would Turner not simply reject these new horses? There are ways that Turner can demonstrate his authority without sabotaging the football program. A "traditionalist" faction gains nothing from the denial of NCAA qualifiers.

The imaginary world you have constructed is impressive. Turner is not a hero for your mascot, and were he he would act in regards to the mascot situation. You are reaching to find a connection because you desire your vendetta to have meaning.

When Peruna dies I will drink your tears.

[Bergermeister]

I find your interest in Peruna to be so obsessive that it is laughable.

Sir: He is kidding. Take a step back. Relax. No need to argue equine on the football board.

[Longtime]

Lots of head coaches clash with their ADs. It happens everywhere, all the time. Even at some of the most successful college programs. Just because there's some friction between Turner-Orisini-Jones is no reason to call for doomsday. It basically boils down to ego and politics.

The only wild card is that Jones is just eccentric enough to consider the possibility of him leaving in a huff. But if so, he's proven you can win here. The changes he has helped institute will make the job that much easier for his successor.

And there will always be coaches out there who think they can win at a particular place, no matter the situation. For all the cry and uproar about not getting in two out of 25 borderline qualifiers, remember that JJones took SMU to a bowl game with a roster dominated by players accepted under the old standards.

If JJ walks away from $2 million a year, SMU is still in a better situation than before he arrived.

[Stallion]

Exactly. If Jones left tommorrow-the Model has has completely changed. We don't have to go straight back to 1989 Jail. SMU can win with these academic standards. The kids we GOT IN were the ones we have been fighting for 20 years. What should be a clear sign of a competitive Model has somehow been blown out of proportion to be a sign of desperation. Unbelievable-a bunch of people ought to ashamed about the negative press this has caused. The Bad Press is worse than the actual restrictions in this case. Complete lack of perspective.

[gostangs]

I generally agree the Chicken little tone of many on the board is unwarranted and a further sign of our remaining inferiority complex (hope it doesnt take 25 yrs to get rid of that!) - but it WOULD be great to have our admissions requirment be the same as our peers - and I think the main difference is the continued seperation - no matter how slight - between our requirments and a NCAA qualifier.

If we have the tutor support (which we now do starting this fall) then shouldn't a NCAA qualifier be ok to admit - under the idea that we will help them get through the curriculum and not throw them to the wolves without a degree after we have used them up on the field - as has been the issue in a bunch of programs in the past?

I hope the "committee" re-visits this and comes to that conclusion. Otherwise I think it is inevitable that we will lose out on recruits who will be afraid committing and getting caught by the ambiquity regarding the difference between NCAA qualifier and SMU qualifier. The reason the coaches have downplayed this is because it will cost you recruits.

For those that know - do our peers have a an "extra approval step" above NCAA standards? I really dont know - and would love to see a list of football competitive private schools and how they do accomplish this.

[panhandle_pony]

I've personally been involved with this author and I would be very, very skeptical of the veracity of his remarks - very skeptical. I won't slander anyone on this board, but don't take this to the bank.