Jimbo Fisher Rumor

[leadpony]

A Troll, Give me a break.

I actually thought the same happy thoughts that everyone has right now, I had them back in 2002 after finishing out the season strong with two wins. Then we went winless in 2003. And then winless for a while here in 2004.

This may be a totally baseless rumor. I don't care if it is. But history repeats itself. I want to win, that's all. My point for years, and I have talked to some of you in person about this, is that at a major college football school 6-twenty something over three years would not be tolerated. I understand about the standards, but it just would not be tolerated. Nothing is going to change around here until people change their mentality.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Does anyone really think Pittsburgh's coach will be fired at the end of the season? They are just outside the Top 25, and have games against W. Virginia, and USF left. If they beat WV who they get at home does anyone think they won't be in the Top 25? If so, why would they fire their coach? According to this fine gentleman though he is on the hotseat.

Actually, there's been talk about Walt Harris for some time getting the ax. Not sure why but there has been speculation. In fact, one of the reported replacements for that job would be Dave Wannstedt(although it's reported that those close to him are trying to convince otherwise).

[gostangs]

Do you or do you not recognize the talent of our players has gone up just by what you see on the field from the beginning of last year to the end of this year? If you do not you are either not going to the games, blind, or not very football savy. We need some more JUCO's , transfers. and some baskerweaving and we are well on our way...

A new coach with the same restrictions we have had will produce no different result - it is the system not the coach...The system is close to fixed, with just a few more tweaks left.

I like our coach also - those of you who do not will have to wait a while longer - you will proven wrong, but even if you are not it will take a year to have anything happen, so these posts are non-productive until then.

[The PonyGrad]

There weren't any late wins last year.

Also, I looked at the schedule. I personally expect 5-6 wins. How's that?

[leadpony]

PonyGrad, 6 wins next year would be awesome. I hope that you are right and I hope that I am dead wrong.

And I was talking about when we beat UTEP and Tulsa to close out the 2002 campaign. Then we went winless in the 2003 season. Now we are doing the same thing again, winning a few late and everyone things that we have turned the proverbial corner.

[BRStang]

There's no way Jimbo Fisher would come to SMU. He was actually being looked at for the Mississippi State job before they hired Croom. He's a hot commodity. Saban actually convinced him to stay put at LSU.

Trust me, if Jimbo Fisher goes anywhere, it will be an SEC school looking to replace its coach, not SMU. Of course, though, money talks and you know what walks...

[Dwan]

SMU could have hired Jimbo Fisher 3 years ago but went with Bennett. Jimbo is the hottest OC in the sec over the last three years and will most likey be the next assistant to get a head job in the SEC. He is also being mentioned as a long shot for the Washington job since the Washington AD hired Saban at LSU. He will be a head coach at a BCS school in the next two to three years. There is no way we could get him....

[MrMustang1965]

East stang, just pointing out my opinion that we need to get a coach that will win games. That was the food for thought. I think that this guy is one who will be a great head coach somewhere. If you are ok with being one of the worst football teams anywhere, and having no consistancy on a week to week basis, then that is fine for you. I am tired of it.

Did you actually read what you posted?

First you say "we need a coach that will win games"....and then you say that you think "this guy (Phil Bennett) is one who will be a great head coach somewhere". Geez...do ya think - given the chance - that might be S.M.U.? Wanna tell us where you think he might get hired - if fans like you get him run off - to become 'a great head coach'?

Then you say we're "one of the worst football teams anywhere" and "having no consistency on a week-to-week basis". Please tell me and the others here just how in one breath you can say Coach Phil will be a great coach somewhere and then in the next breath say we're one of the worst football teams anywhere?

I agree that 'the model' needs to be changed. Stallion and others have convinced me of that (see Stallion? I do read and absorb what you post. I may be a 'sunshiner' but I educate myself in the process! )

Leadpony: end this talk now of Coach Phil's departure. It only damages what he's been able to build. SMU has won 3 games - so far - this year...that's more than a lot of folks on this board were predicting earlier this year.

[RGV Pony]

After a long night of frustration last Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, I think for now I'm okay with Bennett + Burns.

You'd think LSU's d-coordinator would be the hotter commodity.

[leadpony]

Mr Mustang,

The coach I am speaking of is Jimbo Fisher, the title of the thread. Not Bennett.

That is my point proven about the problem with SMU fans. You think that 3 wins a year is a great thing. Something we can build on. Come on.

I understand that you love this University, and I do too. But when you take the red and blue blinders off you will realize that we need someone who will come in here and win games and win with authority. Someone that is going to leave the program in 4 years because he has taken SMU to the next level and made it a top 25 school. Someone that is one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country. I won't even care that they leave. That is what teams get to pull them out of the cellar (see TCU, Cal, I can keep going if you like). Bennett is not ever going to do that.

[MrMustang1965]

Mr Mustang,

The coach I am speaking of is Jimbo Fisher, the title of the thread. Not Bennett.

That is my point proven about the problem with SMU fans. You think that 3 wins a year is a great thing. Something we can build on. Come on.

I understand that you love this University, and I do too. But when you take the red and blue blinders off you will realize that we need someone who will come in here and win games and win with authority. Someone that is going to leave the program in 4 years because he has taken SMU to the next level and made it a top 25 school. Someone that is one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country. I won't even care that they leave. That is what teams get to pull them out of the cellar (see TCU, Cal, I can keep going if you like). Bennett is not ever going to do that.

If you love this university, then you'll give Bennett a chance and quit posting this cr*p. My god, man...he's only been here 3 years and he inherited a slew of cr*p from Mike Cavan and Kenneth Pye. "Leave the program in 4 years"??? Yeah, that's a real good way to build a recruiting program. Why am I wasting my time with this? Bennett's going to stay thru 2006 or 2007. Bet the bank.

After last year, yes...three wins IS an improvement. Ray Charles could see that! Were you at the 'wins' this year? I was. I saw improvement over last year's team...considerable improvement...no, we're not a 'top 25' team but, by god, we competed! Even with Mike Leach's Red Raiders!

[Mexmustang]

I have been as disappointed in our coach and AD director as anyone this year. After the Rice game I wanted to tar and feather both of them! But, like a young team perhaps a young head coach needs the time and experience to become a head coach. I have noticed, even in the losses that Bennett's sideline composure is much better, his assistants are not all yelling instructions at players on the field between plays, intructions that seemed more confussing to the team and perhaps conflicting, just prior to the ball being snapped. The offense does seem to be executing better,etc.
In short I am seeing the improvement in the team that I hoped to see from the beginning of the season.

On Bennett's behalf he has the energy and enthusiasm to improve the system. He has attempted to reach out to the students, the greeks and the faculty to sell SMU football. Not only can he recruit, but he is a salesman. He and Copeland have worked to move the "bar" in our admissions policies. They will continue to make progress and will get an athletic friendly major, more JC admits and the ability to recruit and sign a few players that have yet to fully qualify. He has realized that hiring his friends as assts. is not in his best interest or the program and he needs strong assistants if he is going to survive.

I believe we need consistancy in the program and he met my requirement for improvement this year--just very late in the season. We need to give him another year to grow with this team and recruit a another class.

Having said this I am marinating a rather large black bird for Thanksgiving and am expecting to have to eat it after our win over UTEP!

[EastStang]

You might want to try a chipotle marinade, at least when you eat it, you won't taste it since your taste buds will be lit on fire.