Key Notes From Matt Doherty

[Charleston Pony]

There is no question we've lost a generation of fans in the post death penalty/not being competitive era, but how do we think we can attract 8-9k to Moody for any of these non-conference games?

The marketing challenge is how to even get people interested enough to come out...even with handing out FREE tickets, that's a challenge.

Any serious/realistic ideas? I'd be handing out freebies to every youth bball group I could find in hopes some parents will get interested enough to take a tour of SMU with a group of kids. Gotta find a way to make it fun for students to come out because they provide the energy the rest of the crowd might feed off

[PonyDoh]

Let's be real, the entire schedule was written off on by Orsini. He wants wins right now, more than he cares about attendance. The fact of the matter is that SMU is frontrunner U, so if we roll a crap OOC, nobody is gonna care who we beat in the OOC come conference time, especially if our record is pretty strong. Momentum is more important to building a fan base then getting hammered early vs good BCS squads. You'll get more people for the BCS squads, but the program is gonna run in the red eitther way. Might as well collect some Ws, until we're good enough to actually handle BCS squads

[Erion]

My 1st 2 years at SMU we played what ESPN dubbed the "fire the coach schedule". At the time I thought the strength of sched was the part that wld get the coach fired. Now I realize it was a $$ making tour to get enough $$ to buy him out of his contract. Oh how little us poor kids knew.

But I digress. As a player Id much rather play the sched we played our 1st 3 years and lose half those games than play the sched we did our senior year where we started out like 9-1 or something crazy like that by beating up on Hardin Simmons, Yale etc.

From the AD perspective I get it with the soft sched and what hes tryin to accomplish. Quantity over quality. Maybe it works maybe it doesnt. I personally think it lowers the value of SMU stock (especially when we lose to the Alcorn States!) but because of the long history of mistakes...this is the strategy that prob makes the most sense.

There are a few things SMU could still do to right the ship...but it will involved engaging and supporting the right people with the right ideas and a new plan to bring SMU back to prominence.

[PonyDoh]

My 1st 2 years at SMU we played what ESPN dubbed the "fire the coach schedule". At the time I thought the strength of sched was the part that wld get the coach fired. Now I realize it was a $$ making tour to get enough $$ to buy him out of his contract. Oh how little us poor kids knew.

But I digress. As a player Id much rather play the sched we played our 1st 3 years and lose half those games than play the sched we did our senior year where we started out like 9-1 or something crazy like that by beating up on Hardin Simmons, Yale etc.

From the AD perspective I get it with the soft sched and what hes tryin to accomplish. Quantity over quality. Maybe it works maybe it doesnt. I personally think it lowers the value of SMU stock (especially when we lose to the Alcorn States!) but because of the long history of mistakes...this is the strategy that prob makes the most sense.

There are a few things SMU could still do to right the ship...but it will involved engaging and supporting the right people with the right ideas and a new plan to bring SMU back to prominence.

Is it better to get rolled by a good schedule, or win vs cupcakes, given the current state of the program? Maybe I've just had a few months to digest how awful this schedule was going to be, but honeslyt, I'm finally looking forward to a few wins. I'm starving for w's

[Erion]

I agree...its the best strategy now that its gotten to this point. Get some Ws...see the ball go in. Need some Ws...need some fans!

As a player tho its a little hard to take. After rumbling with Arkansas, Kansas, OSU, etc its hard to get up for McMurry and IUPUIASTU. SMU adds a new school to the sched every year that Ive never heard of.

[Used To Be]

Sad, looks like we have given up this year already. Still trying to think what M. Irvin can contribute to the start of the season.

[PoconoPony]

Just reviewed the preseason schedule. Total joke. I cannot imagine anyone including the janitor who would have any interest in seeing any one of the games. Doh had better hire janitors and punish them by making them watch the games.

[PonySnob]

How many wins does Doh have to get this year............to return for another season?

[RGV Pony]

with this schedule...he better when 12 of the o.o.c games and .500 in conference...I'd say 20.

Ole Miss, UALR...after that, hard to justify a loss to one of the ooc opponents. We lost to Alabama State his first year...another loss to them = no progress

I shudder to think of the fallout if we're 7-7 going into conference play

One thing I noticed: Wayland Baptist beat Dallas Christian like ninety something to thirtysomething last year

[JackSon 3]

Can someone tell me who is playing and who is sitting out? I know about the transfers.

[PonyDoh]

It's my understanding that Vilde will sit the year as a prop. Pats is good to go, and Leslee basically has to get decent grades first semester to get cleared. Right now, he can practice but isn't allowed to play. Chances are that will change pretty soon. JFrog is ready & willing.

Cotton & Alexander can practice, but have to sit the year due to transfer rules.

Eric Norman & Ryan Manuel have verbally committed in '11. I think we'll see a 3rd verbal in the next several weeks as well.

[Charleston Pony]

let's just hope we get them signed in the early signing period coming up right around the corner

[PonyDoh]

Well, the verbal implies early period signing. You don't see that much reneging/balking in hoops after a verbal is made, especially this close to the signing date. Of course, this is SMU, so anything is possible. To feel good, we really need a 3rd possibly 4th kid early. Don't want to hunt for crucial pieces in the Spring. That's a dangerous game that has both been a blessing and bitten us in the past.

[redpony]

How many wins does Doh have to get this year............to return for another season?

He could win out and still barely get to .500. He is a loser as a coach and we need to get rid of him in order to get this program moving upward. It doesn't matter that he may have finally decided to do something this year since the 'heat is on' and he realizes he probably won't be here next year.

GO PONIES!!!

[Stallion]

hmm never heard of a mid-term freshman qualifier getting to play second semester of freshman year. I guess its possible. I thought you were either a qualifier or nonqualifier on the date of first admission. He was admitted to SMU right? And taking courses at SMU? As opposed to a local CC or JC?