How long does Bennett have?

[ReedFrawg]

Ponies:
I was thinking about Bennett's tenure at SMU in my car this morning. As some of you may know from my past posts, I am not a flamer. I played for Bennett at TCU and I really like the guy as a person and a coach. That being said, is there a scenario where Bennett loses his job at the end of this season? If SMU wins 2 games, is Bennett safe? 1? 0? Just wondering how long you all thought the leash is/should be. I hope for Bennett's sake that he can start to turn things around this year. Good luck and thanks for any replies.

[PK]

I don't know the inner workings of Copeland's mind, but I think he understands the challenge Bennett had last year. Having said that, I think it is important that we have some wins this year or everyone's patience will be stretched to their limits. Of course, if we beat TCU this year, he will get a 10 year extension to his contract!

[Charleston Pony]

He's going into year 3 of a 5 year deal so I'd like to think he has a couple more years to show significant progress. Recruiting appears to have picked up a notch and the fact he's been able to sell SMU despite our miserable record says a lot. I really do think Bennett is the guy who is finally going to return SMU football to competitive status (by that I mean able to compete with top 25 programs and the top teams in CUSA).

My feeling is that the only way he fails to make the 1st 5 years of his contract is for another 0-11 disaster in 2004 and for him to completely lose his team. If these guys quit and start getting blown out every week, who knows? I just don't see that happening. My bet is that this year's team will show significant iprovement over last year's. I think it will translate into at least a couple of wins.

[EastStang]

I think we need to win at least 2 games and be in some games we are not supposed to be in. I agree with the post above, if the team he recruited quits on him, that will be a deciding factor. I think the operative word is progress. They won't pull the rug out from under him if the team plays better by the end of this year and doesn't quit. An 0 for 11 year and I think it will be a miracle if he is kept on.

[Mike Damone]

I think he gets 2 more years, barring an 0-11 non-competitive year.

[ponyte]

Why are there even discussions about firing a Bennett? We have had all of one winning season since the death penalty. All the other seasons are big fat losers! So we fire another coach for doing what all other coaches since the DP have done. And that will accomplish exactly what? We will go out and find another assistant desperate enough to take a chance on this program in hopes of making a name and moving on. Not exactly the best situation to be in as a program. One wonders why there hasn't been multiple threads started wondering why SMU hasn’t replace Tubbs, yet.

[NavyCrimson]

so right - ponyte

nuff said - end the subject now!!!!!!!

get a life people & let bennett do his job!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ReedFrawg]

I am not saying in any way that Bennett should/should not be fired. I was just wondering if most of the people on the board were willing to give Phil a couple more years. I am very aware that he is in a rebuilding situation and I hope SMU gives him time to get things turned around. However, I was honestly wondering how much rope you guys think Bennett has left.

[abezontar]

I think it depends on how well he does this February. If he can continue to get better players than he might have another year or two, if there is a drop off in talent this Feb. from his previous classes then I think he might not have to much longer.

[TacoPony]

I think he'll fill out his contract no matter what. the interesting question to me is what would he have to do to earn an extension before the final year? 2 wins this year, 4 wins in 2005, then I probably tack on a year.

[Hoop Fan]

My prediction is that Bennett will be here for a long time. I think he knows talent, can get talent and can lead them. No doubt that some people will get antsy if there is not significant improvement this year, but Bennett is the right guy for the job and he will be here.

Reed, lemme ask this... Will Patterson be fired if he goes 3-8 this year? Should he be? How bout Hyman and your president...will they be fired if the Mountain West move turns out to be the disaster it could be?

[PonySnob]

Not sure it is really a good comparison between Hymann/Patterson and Bennett. TCU's program has not had a winless season during the Patterson era - nor has Patterson lost over 85% of his games during his tenure as a head coach.

[ReedFrawg]

Patterson/Hyman have a track record of success so they have some slack in their respective ropes. I know there have been numerous discussions regarding Bennett on this board - I have read the majority of them. Again, I am not advocating getting rid of Bennett if you have another tough year. I realize what he walked into with the recruiting restrictions, etc. Just wondering how long you can stick with him (or any other coach in a similar situation) before seeing results on the field. If I were a die-hard SMU fan, I think I would be ready for a change if the team wins less than 2 games. Certainly there is no easy answer - I was just looking for some discussion on Hump Day.

[jtstang]

I realize what he walked into with the recruiting restrictions, etc. Just wondering how long you can stick with him (or any other coach in a similar situation) before seeing results on the field.

Well, now, there's the rub isn't it? Any other coach you'd get to replace him would be in the same situation.

[PK]

I'm going to climb waaayyy out on a limb here and say that before it is all over, Bennett is going to turn out to be one of the better coaches we have had...historically speaking. He is on a learning curve as far as being a head coach is concerned, but he has great recruiting skills and a contagous passion for the game that transfers over to the other coaches and players. Given the time to build a roster of his own recruits, things are going to be much better then they have been in a long time.

Of course, this is all just IMHO.