List of REALISTIC Coaches that Could Replace Bennett

[Really Fat Guy]

Gentlemen,

Here are my top four in descending order. Don't listen to the negativity of the Ticket and the DMN, these are legitimate candidates.

1) Barry Switzer, proven winner and recruiter. Also, owns property in the area.

2) Pat Hill, turned around Fresno State. Is looking to upgrade programs.

3) Jimmy Johnson, I'll make the call myself.

4) John Cooper, effective recruiter looking to get back into the college game.

[Diehard Pony]

You left Charlie Waters off the list who was interviewed after Cavan was fired, and actively campaigned for the job. Also, although I am not big proponents of either, both the Ft Worth Star Telegram and Dale Hansen made public statements of support for Charlie.

[Really Fat Guy]

Waters would be fine by me. At least we would get some local buzz, which would immediately help recruiting.

You left Charlie Waters off the list who was interviewed after Cavan was fired, and actively campaigned for the job. Also, although I am not big proponents of either, both the Ft Worth Star Telegram and Dale Hansen made public statements of support for Charlie.

[SMUguy]

A. Coach Bennett isn't going anywhere, whether it's because his boss(es) think he can still lead this team or because the school won't buy him out. Whatever the reason, he's staying put (and in my opinion, he should.)

B. None of those coaches would come here. Why would Barry get off his couch to come to SMU? Why would Hill come here when he's being rumored as a candidate to go to North Carolina or Washington? Johnson? You're kidding, right? Cooper is the only remote candidate, but that would require a crazy amount of money, which ain't happening.

C. Recruiting isn't the problem -- we're getting players. I just have yet to figure out a way we can recruit 22-year-olds with two or three years of college experience.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

C. Recruiting isn't the problem -- we're getting players. I just have yet to figure out a way we can recruit 22-year-olds with two or three years of college experience.

Yeah, when a freshmen Quarterback from Rice runs over us, we certainly have QUALITY athletes. It is hard to deal with the negativity on this board. Just because the DMN and Ticket chose to ignore us, that doesn't mean that we have to start hiring poor assistant coaches from the Slocum period.

I think Hill would be a fine coach for SMU, he turned around the program at Fresno. I think he would love to finally have the plum job in the conference. If we get over the media negativity, SMU would begin to dominate. We would keep all of the good Texas talent. Think about it, Reggie McNeel handing off to Adrian Peterson against La. Tech in our conference play. The BCS would pay attention to a team like that.

[SMUguy]

For the record, the coaches tried hard to prevent Armstrong from running all over us at Rice by signing him for the Ponies. They wanted his speed in the SMU backfield.

Wouldn't that be something? McNeal/Peterson in the backfield?

Didn't Hill revive Fresno by signing a few hundred JUCOs? We're getting a few now (including this year, I hope), but a fast turnaround would require a ton of them. Not sure how I'd like that, but it sure would accelerate the revival.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

For the record, the coaches tried hard to prevent Armstrong from running all over us at Rice by signing him for the Ponies. They wanted his speed in the SMU backfield.

They sure did do a good job signing him. I bet he would have begged to come here if any of the four listed above were here. How many football players are dying to go to Rice?

I don't see what you have against Hill, I think he is a fine coach with good schemes. He has always killed your boy, Phil Bennett.

Despite your love of Bennett, some of us would like to see the program move forward.

[SMUguy]

First of all, nobody wants to see the program "move forward" more than I do. My weekend revolves around the Ponies' games. I may be optimistic and hopeful, but let's not suggest that I don't want to see improvement.

As for Armstrong: for a running QB who's a smart kid and who wants a good education, you can't honestly say Rice is a bad choice. If he's going to college for football only, then maybe you look at other run-heavy schools. But from what I've read, Armstrong is a very bright kid, and Rice only takes very bright kids. It's a good fit for him. And you make it sound like SMU just didn't try to sign him -- not the case at all. And we were in it down to the end. If you remember late January/early February, it was down to us and Rice. If you want to barbeque every coach who doesn't get every single player they want, then you'd have no coaches keeping their jobs from one year to the next.

Constructive criticism is fine, and we're all upset with yesterday's result. But questioning another fan's reasons for the comments they make, or criticising the coaches for not signing a kid they made every effort to get smacks of someone who just wants to be angry. If that's the case, have at it.

[Stallion]

Armstrong wanted to play QB-SMU wanted to move him. Rice got perhaps the Top QB in the nation from their perspective in running THEIR offense. Armstrong was smart enough to see that Rice was the perfect situation if he wanted to play QB.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

Yeah, he certianly wouldn't have fit in Switzer's wishbone?

Gets me excited just thinking about it.

Armstrong wanted to play QB-SMU wanted to move him. Rice got perhaps the Top QB in the nation from their perspective in running THEIR offense.

[Really Fat Guy]

I didn't think this thread would bring such animosity. Anyhoot, I think Switzer would overcome some real hurdles for the football team in the market.

If anything else, the DMN and Ticket would be forced to cover us in some capacity. Also, we would bring in a new kind of recruit. Option QB's (Vince Young & Reggie McNeal) would flock to come play for Barry in Dallas. Big tough linemen would love to run block for a coach like Barry.

I don't know why SMUGUY is upset about me putting Pat Hill on the list. I think he is a classy coach that gets a lot out of his players. Just because he recruits JC players doesn't mean he is a good coach. He has the kind of moxie this program needs. No matter what the Ticket or SMUGUY says, SMU is the most desirable program to head in the WAC. If played correctly, SMU could become like Florida State in the ACC, using an easy conference schedule to catapult into a big bowl game.

[Stallion]

let's not let the facts get in the way of a bad argument. Pat Hill is famous for recruiting NON-qualifiers and PARTIAL-qualifiers instead of Junior College transfers. Geez!

[Really Fat Guy]

Why do you have to be so angry? Seems like you and SMUGUY have been listening to the Ticket, and picking up on their shock humor.

I prefer Chuck Cooperstein anyday over your negativity.

let's not let the facts get in the way of a bad argument. Pat Hill is famous for recruiting NON-qualifiers and PARTIAL-qualifiers instead of Junior College transfers. Geez!

[EastStang]

Hey Tubby, Stallion pointed out very clearly and let me say this again, Pat Hill grew his program taking non-qualifers and partial qualifiers. We can now take a few partial qualifiers, but cannot take non-qualifiers. Recruiting under our rules, Pat Hill would not succeed here. Barry Switzer would not succeed here because he wouldn't have a $1 Million slush fund to hand out to his players because we can't afford to get into that kind of situation ever again. So, we have a coach who believes in the school who has great Texas ties and is working hard to recruit the best high school and qualifying JUCO talent that he can get against huge restrictions. And why did you leave Rick Neuheisel off the list. Hey that's an unemployed big name out there. Of course, anyone who looks at the University of Washington program right now, knows how bare he left that cupboard.

[Pony Fan]

If Bennett is NOT the guy, I personally think we are to the point that we again have ONE chance to get this thing going in the right direction, and the next coach needs to have some sort of name recognition. The fans that were left supporting the program at the end of last year and the first part of this year are just about gone after the last two weeks.