New Coach?

by **Johnny Rock** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:10 am

It appears this is Bennett's last season as Coach. Coaches are judged on wins and lossess and Bennett has failed miserably. It is my opinion that it does not matter who is coach. Until SMU changes its athletic policies to compete on an absolute even/level playing field, then the losses will continue. SMU must make it easy and encourage JUCO transfers and Division 1-A and even Division 1-AA transfers to come to SMU before it will have success. In case many of you do not realize SMU is not going to compete for the top high school recruits anytime soon. For that matter, I am not even sure we are competing for the second tier of high school recruits anymore. That begs the question...where are the commitments to date? With that being said, will SMU finally ante up the money and get a proven Division 1-A winner? Or will SMU be forced to hire another unknown or unproven Division 1-A due to budget constraints? I will start off and say SMU needs to hire Southlake Carroll's high school coach. He runs an exciting offense and I like his style. How about it folks?

by **Higher Authority** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:43 am

Way to beat that dead horse.
We know you're not a Bennett guy. But he's not going anywhere.

by **EastStang** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:53 am

Hey Johnny Kerry's back. Now he wants to fire the coach, but also now to change all the policies. If the policies are keeping Bennett from winning, why fire Bennett and hire someone else who is equally unproven and may not be able to recruit and could cause a rash of transfers out of our program of the good players that Bennett recruited? But then again, logic has never been one of Johnny's best strengths.

by **Fresh** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:12 am

There you go again, clouding the issue with logic!
Well said, EastStang.

by **Johnny Rock** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:56 am

Ladies, uh I mean, the misguided....I am not saying it is entirely Bennett's fault for losing, but what choice does Copeland have? Keep around a losing coach? If Bennett was at a program that was commited to winning he would have been fired after last season. How many more seasons should he get? One, two, three.....ten? You guys have all of the answers about everything so answer that one. I do question Bennett's coaching when we are again one of the lowest ranked offensive teams in Division 1-A and he can't seem to determine who the best QB on the team is and we are mid-way through the season.

by **Fresh** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:04 pm

Coach Bennett will get at least one more season, and I'm confident/hopeful that by then we'll see the improvement to end this discussion.

You question his coaching ability because of the offense's performance? He doesn't even coach the offense. And you call us misguided?

The offense is in a new system, and unless you're floating out a team with talent/experience like they have at OU or USC or the Florida schools (and maybe even then), there is a learning curve. Hell, when Coach Carroll arrived at USC, they didn't become a juggernaut immediately, either, and their roster is far more mature and more talented. Coach Burns has shown he can teach his offense, but when everyone is starting from ground level, you can't expect Air Coryell just yet. But you also can't tell me it's not better than last year. The learning process has begun - that's a good thing.

by **stentman** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:14 pm

The coaching staff IS part of the problem. Coach Tim Borcky of powerhouse Lake highland Prep in Orlando (He has graduated Max Starks- Univ of Florida and currently a rookie with the Steelers, Billy Palmer- Notre Dame starting TE, Decory Bryant--AllSEC at Georgia, Brian Stamper- unanimous AL frosh SEC OT last year just to name a few) has a quarterback by the Name of Rob Kass--6'4" and 225 lbs with a great arm. Coach Borcky tells me he has called Bennett 3 times about this kid WHO IS INTERESTED IN SMU and has not received a call back. There is absolutely no excuse for not even the courtesy of a return call, let alone the fact that this kid might help us!!

by **EastStang** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 12:59 pm

Did the coach send Bennett tapes, or perhaps newspaper clippings about this great player. What does Rivals say about him? Perhaps Bennett checked some other sources and determined that he was not our guy, or perhaps Bennett already has his QB slots mentally filled. A coach is not going to chase every recruiting tip he gets.

by **Stallion** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:15 pm

Fresh that ain't you're best rebuttal argument because Bennett does coach the defense which is rated at 115 out of 117 in the country. Even in bad years under Cavan we sometimes were in the Top 25, Top 30 or Top 50 in Total Defense with Schumann as Defensive Coordinator. I will admit that really is puzzling based on Bennett's reputation.

by **ponydawg** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:32 pm

Stentman, I would believe more of your statement but I believe it was you who was talking about some great "highly recruited" walk on kicker or punter....

by **stentman** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:44 pm

Even if Bennett had his QB position filled, there is no need to alienate a proven high school coach who might be a potential source of top notch recruits (Borcky's players' sucess speaks for itself). It is not hard to return a phone call, especially in view of our current plight at SMU. As for the kicker/punter, he is on the roster and will probably get his chance when Mentzel and Mcmurtry, who are the Least of our problems and are doing well, depart.

by **GoRedGoBlue** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:13 pm

The judgement year begins NEXT year...unless we go 1-10 and get blown out by the patsies.

If we still win 2 or 3 more, still within reach, there won't be any firing going on. 4-7, or 3-8 after 0-12, considering out schedule, with virtually all of your starters coming back should warrant one more look. You just worry that recruits will objectively see 3-8, and not subjectively see 3-8. "considering" the circumstances and the future.

The real competitive year is 2006. Then you can make your judgments absolute.

Having said that, I am disappointed with how the QB situation was handled at Rice, and that points to a lack of a 'feel' for head coaching a game.
You don't EVER take the hot QB out of the game just because it is in the 'pre-game plan'. It was understandable against SJSU, when Tony seemed to peter off. But, after being on fire, to take him out was really unwarrented (against Rice). The resulting Sack for a safety really hurt.

I give him next year unless we lose out.

by **RGV Pony** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:28 pm

With regard to buying out Bennett's contract, can't he resign at any time? Would that absolve SMU of the obligations of the contract?

Now, before I get any responses about why Bennett should be the guy, he's not going anywhere, etc., I don't think he is going anywhere. I don't think he's get this run anywhere else. Anyone know what Pat Sullivan's record was his last three years at TCU?

by **EastStang** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:20 pm

Yeah, he is legally able to resign, the 13th Amendment guarantees that right, but Bennett won't resign. Why should he walk away from $500,000 a year? He ain't stupid.

by **Bergermeister** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:34 pm

There ain't no quick fix. Plan your work and work your plan. Phil Bennett is the best thing that has happened to Mustang Football in a long time. No, it does not show in wins and losses, YET. But, good things are happening. Nobody wants to win more than Coach Bennett. He'll succeed. Stay on board and be supportive.

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