Hey BUS

[SMUFan]

PK says you were there last night and can enlighten us about what Coach Bennett had to say.

Is it true that Giles and Ringo are the only coaches who will keep their jobs?

And what was said about the former Allen HS coach who got hired by West Virginia? There's talk that he's leaving Morgantown to come back home. True? I hear he's very charismatic and might be a sensational recruiter. Certainly has connections in the area.

Your thoughts?

[PK]

I think BUS said he was going out of town today so he might not reply very soon. Diamond M was also there....maybe she can help us out.

[PerunaPunch]

Faucette also stays, right??

[PK]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by PerunaPunch:
<B>Faucette also stays, right??</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe that is correct. I talked briefly with DiamondM and she said she believes that coach faucette actualy reports to someone else (AD?) because he works with all of the student athletes.

[DiamondM]

My statement about Faucette was an educated guess given the nature of the position, so don't take it at scripture. Bennett said he would be filling out the staff by next week. He wants guys who share his "can do" vision (and Faucette would fit this description IMO if Bennett does make the decision himself). He has never stepped out on the football field not thinking they can win, and plans to work daily on instilling that attitude in the players. This kind of motivation and enthusiasm is exactly what I think everyone -- the team, the school, the alums, the city, the media -- needs. Other items of interest:

First, Coach Bennett seemed very personable and made an effort to have meaningful conversation with anyone that approached him. He was willing to answer the questions put to him. The two I asked were (1) (for the benefit of RaiderRed who was with me) how were we going to stop Cliff with a K next year. Coach said he'd been very successful 1 year and not so much this last year. Will do things to make the the rubber match positive. Said Cliff with a K is a good player, but will be a different guy without Ricky Williams to throw to next year. (2) Since we have the foundations for a solid defense, how do we avoid losing those 13-6 games (like KState lost to Colorado without giving up an offesive touchdown), i.e. what are you gonna do about the offense. He said better QB play was the key. And that means having a system that plays to the strengths of the QB and not making him try to do things he can't do, which was a problem last year (and also a problem in the Big XII title game where one coaching staff helped its QB and one hurt him).

To the general crowd he appeared optimistic and motivated -- not to mention motivating. Said he expected to win right away, and didn't think it would be fair to jrs and srs to announce to the team, the university, and the city that he has a 3 year plan. Used the example of this years KState defense which was 2nd in the nation up from 4th with the 6th toughest schedule, despite losing 8 starters and Snyder saying there was no way they'd be better than the team that put 6-8 guys on NFL rosters.

He talked about how he was going to do everything he could to promote SMU in the metroplex and to the media. Said that we have to give them good things to write about. Said that he expects all of us to help promote SMU not just to alums but to non-SMU alums in the area.

Other notes: at least one of his brothers was there. As others have noted, I believe Giles and Ringo were in attendance. Brett already had a season ticket flyer out for next year with Bennett on it. Brett also said he already had requests for basketball season tickets for next year because of BHop's recent scoring explosions. Saw the mostly the usual suspects at the happy hour, but about 15 I didn't recognize, which is a start to getting people involved again.

[PerunaPunch]

Terrific post DiamondM. Many thanks!

[PK]

Thanks DiamondM. BTW, I said you "believed" that Faucette would stay and did not mean it was without question.

[sam]

It was announced to the team that Faucette would return

[Jim Rome]

Faucette stays? Sweet. He was a MAN when he played for the Chargers here in SoCal. Props to SMU for keeping the Diesel in town.

[RedRiverPony]

DiamondM is a SHE?

[PK]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RedRiverPony:
<B>DiamondM is a SHE?</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yo!RedRiverPony! Where have you been?? Of course DiamondM is a SHE. SHE probably also knows more about football than I do (but then that wouldn't be too hard).

[DiamondM]

Very much a she. And due to my love of beer and sports the perfect catch, which unfortunately for y'all, someone has already realized.

[Raider Red]

I can definitely tell you DiamondM is a she. Definitely.