Just Back from Press Conference

by **The Falcon** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 12:33 pm

Just came back from the Press Conference. What a great event. We had a good crowd - possibly rivaling some of our games. You would have enjoyed the representation of many parts of Dallas and the support for Coach Tubbs was obvious.

Our new coach stressed that he would change things - play better defense, rebound better, and work hard to get the best from the players. He also focused on hard work on the practice floor and that at the end of the day he would "love" his players. He said that it was all about them and that he wanted to have "tough" players who would dive for loose balls and scramble and rebound. Many of the DISD coaches were there and he stressed that he would not take them for granted but that he would work with them to get their best players. I believe he will get many of them.
If he got the best or near the best for 2-3 years, you can imagine what our team would be like.

I am excited. I believe we got the right man.

One last thing. He said that if he were successful and Duke or Stanford came calling wanting him that he would say "Thanks but no thanks." This is a job he has always wanted and will work hard to make it a success.
He also said that if the staff of coaches that he has in mind accept his invitations that we will have the best staff in Texas and he is excited about that. He didn't name names.

by **Hoop Fan** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:04 pm

good summary. He also said SMU is going to win and win BIG. He repeated it too and it was sincere. Glad he said that, because I believe we will win and that this is a great hire for SMU.

It was obvious in the crowd that Tubbs has widespread support and he talked about bringing Dallas together more. The celebrity appearance had to be Robert Hughes from Forth Worth Dunbar. For those that dont know, he is one of the all time winningest high school coaches in the nation and he has tons of respect in North Texas. He came 35 miles to be at the press conference. It sent a powerful message.

by **SMUFan** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:08 pm

I also was there, and Coach Tubbs was extremely impressive.

Quick question: how many people thought you'd see the day when a majority of the coaches in DISD were at SMU, and wearing SMU hats? I always thought they weren't aware SMU existed. Maybe they'll start having the SMU hats in their office. SMU should send schedule posters to every coach in DISD and have Coach Tubbs personally ask that they be hung in the coaches' offices. A new effort should be made - relying on Coach Tubbs' relationship with the coaches - to get HS coaches to bring their teams out to see the Ponies. He could affect attendance as much as the performance on the floor.

by **93Mustang** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:06 pm

Sounds like the press conference went well. I'm sorry I missed it. If we ever want to be competitive again in basketball or football, we need to continue these new efforts to reach out to the community and make SMU Dallas' university as opposed to making it the "bubble." Think University of Miami.

by **LA_Mustang** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:30 pm

Great point SMUFan. I hope the DISD coaches keep those hats and wear them often. I thought the press conference went very well. Tubbs is a very sincere and honest guy. I think that will translate well with his players. I loved the fact that he will play man-to-manâ€¦..I hate zone defenses. That was great how Tubbs asked Hop, Isham, and Miller to come up to the front and then commented how they walked up a little too slow. Tubbs later asked them to come back up and Hop quickly started jogging to the front, getting a good laugh from everyone. You can tell that Hop has a ton of respect for Tubbs. When your best player respects the coach, the team respects the coach.

btw, it was nice to Coach Bennett, a few former players, and a lot of the media there.

by **ponyboy** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:36 pm

I'm more excited now after the conference than before. Enjoyed sitting with Falcon.

Those of you who were there will remember Coach Tubbs ribbing Calvin Watkins of the DMN for printing his age in yesterday's report. Just read Calvin's latest article online and Tubbs' age has been removed!

by **RGV Pony** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:47 pm

Three things impressed me the most about the Press Conference. First, he not only TALKED about toughness, but he elaborated as to how to build same. Second, he addressed the players directly and already began to show how he will be proactive, not reactive. Thirdly, when they were about to open the floor to Q&A's, he said he wasn't done...and controlled the crowd.

Also...how about the direct comments to the HS coaches about recruiting! I'll admit Tubbs wasn't my first choice, but damn I'm glad he's who we got...

by **50's PONY** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 3:37 pm

Also in attendance were most of the coaches for the A.A.U. Summer League teams!

by **ALEX LIFESON** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:12 am

Big Al was also there! I was very impressed by the turn out & enthusiasm.
I also recoginized lots of D.I.S.D. coaches & many of them had SMU caps on.

by **Ponymon** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 10:11 am

I love the support that Tubbs is receiving now. I hope everyone gives him the same support when he has a few losses next year :!:

I believe (and PRAY!) that he will be very successful, but remember Rome wasn't built in a day. It might take more than one basketball season to get this basketball team back on top, but I believe that he can do it with support and PATIENCE from the administration and the fans! (REMEMBER the inflated expectations for the football team when Bennett was hired!) What impressed me most about Jimmy is his love and dedication to the University. It was just as hard for me and my friends to see him leave two years ago :cry:

as it was for him to make that trip to Oklahoma. I am very, VERY happy

that he has made a successful return and wish him the very best! Hopefully next year Copeland will have to tear up that 4 year contract and extend it out for another 4 years!!!

by **EastStang** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 10:33 am

We have basically all the players returning who beat Nevada, Texas Tech, Purdue and nearly beat Wake Forest and UTEP. In other words, we know we have talent on this team. So, I don't expect our fans to have a whole lot of patience after the non-conference schedule is over. There is no reason why we should not be one of the top 3 teams in the WAC next year. Okison and Snyder will be leaving Nevada. UTEP will have a new coach and some graduations. Rice should be good and Hawaii. We have a shot next year to make some noise.

by **Stallion** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:53 am

....and to be truthful you will probably admit that's exactly the types on posts we saw on the board last year. Nevada, Boise St., Hawaii, Fresno, UTEP, Louisiana Tech, Tulsa and others will re-load with quality JUCOs who will play next year while SMU is adding only one player who looks to contribute next year. Also, UTEP loses none of their top players and is the team to beat. In fact, UTEP has already committed a 4 star big man from Prep School and a 3 star JC recruit. Hawaii has already committed a 3 star JC big man who was good enough to get a scholarship from OU out of high school from our own backyard Burkburnett Texas. Fresno already has a 3 star JC big man. And believe me there will be plenty more-Boise, Hawaii, Tulsa Fresno, and Louisiana Tech all have 5-7 JUCO prospects, a high percentage of which are 3-4 stars looking at them. Tulsa which is probably the most similar school to SMU academically in the WAC is going after SEVEN JC prospects-La Tech is going after 7 as well. It looks to me that SMU may well be weaker especially inside than they were this year. UTEP has a chance to be as good as any WAC team in recent history.

by **OldPony** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:02 pm

Stallion- While we agree on most subjects, we have a degree of difference here. Just because someone is a JUCO dosn't make them good. Much of what is good about JUCO's is that they are more mature physically and have gotten more b'ball playing time. Next year SMU will start 2 four year starters and 1 three year starters and one 2 year dstsrtetr. We will be as mature as anyone we play.
Where we do agree----These guys did show enough talent to beat some good teams (although it couldn't have had anything to do with coaching) and everyone expected Dement to dance with this group. If Tubbs can't, then many on this board will have to admit that it isn't all coaching. I already hear people starting to make excuses for Tubbs in advance but he has the same material Dement had and they have 1 more year of maturity and playing time. You may finally hear some admissions that we aren't playing on a level court but most likely you'll hear more "Fire the Coach".

by **Hoop Fan** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:20 pm

Making excuses for Tubbs in advance? Thats not slanted or anything. Until we can start guarding the post without collapsing back to help, this team will continue to have problems and be up and down at best. It doesnt matter who is on the sidelines. What Tubbs will do is bring a tougher attitude which may or may not be enough. And I believe he will also be successful in recruiting a rugged post player who can and is more inclined to battle down low. I was optimistic about Rack at one point in time, but I didnt see any progress this year. He looks a little lost out there still.

by **EastStang** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:36 pm

Stallion. Castro-Senior, Simpson-Senior, Hopkins-Junior, Isham-Junior, Rack-Junior, Bennett-Sophomore and one hot freshman recruit. We are should not be worrying about anyone's JUCO's. We have as experienced a team as any in the WAC. JUCO recruits are no excuse. Delonte West is a third year sophomore am I right? T.J. Ford a first year freshman. And last but not least LeBron James (an 18 year old) is eating the NBA alive. In basketball, talent matters, not experience. We have some talent, we have no excuses about anyone's JUCO signees who were not smart enough to get in originally to a Division 1 school, or good enough to get into the NBA.

Just Back from Press Conference

Just Back from Press Conference

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