Mexmustang wrote:June isn't even motivated by the money...he is out to prove something to himself, not other people. Quirky? sure with the black shirt and leis, but at a minimum he has been the catalyst of change at SMU, if not the leader. Money is more about pride (probably), recognition and a visible sign of commitment by the university to commit to change.
No question Orsini has been a great partner, but June has done his share of fundraising, culture change and most important holding the administration to its promises--Turner didn't just become the leader of our move to the Big East without pressure of June's supporters on the board and giving our supporters a glimpse of what is possible at SMU. Step back and look at the culture change at SMU. In just four years? Are you people blind? Wake up! These things don't just happen! When was the last time we flagellated in the press over our 20 years + of death penalty?
As far as black jerseys and the mustangs these had more to do with his players preferences than his. He promised his players the black jerseys for one game last year. Players and assistant coaches that were unaware of Peruna's history (most didn't even know SMU actually had ever played football!) and thought a child's pet looked silly. When I was at SMU Peruna's mane was shaved and he looked like a scared rabbit, certainly not a mascot evoking pride and victory.
The wins are coming, the recruits are coming. I dare any of you complainers to show me that there hasn't been constant improvement of both. The first bowl team--a very lucky team in terms of turnovers and even the events that occurred with Nevada's team just prior to the game. They overachieved as the "stars" finally began to makeup for years of being "star-crossed" at SMU. Now that reality has set in use your heads and examine improvement, not simply luck.
Mex, some good points. I know you to be a sharp man. I have no doubts that June was THE right man for SMU. What he has done, both on the field and with our culture, is terrific. The groundwork he has solidified is truly amazing.
I could care less about leis or black shirts or... If it helps the kids and/or our coaches to perform at a higher level, I can live just about anything.
So, the wins are coming, the recruits are coming... I think what a lot are asking now, if not for one, maybe two assistant coaches, although the recruits might still come, how thrilled would you be about the ones we get and/or how many would you get that were the caliber needed to move this thing forward?
Wins. We would all like more wins. I can live with losses. What I and I think many struggle with are bad losses. Uninspired, unemotional losses. Physically whipped losses. Getting totally outcoached losses. These things do happen. I can live with the occasional. I get very concerned when I spot what I feel to be a trend and have little confidence that changes will be made. Or that the personnel is in place that wants to make changes, or feels that changes must be made, or is capable of implementing needed changes.
On the subject of personnel; when we had an elite 7 on 7 competition on campus this summer, a laid-at-our-feet opportunity to visit with incredible talent, how many/which coaches deemed it a must to be here and do what they could to take advantage of this gift? I.E., who stood up and demonstrated their level of commitment to the program?
What has been done to date is a blessing. Thank you, June. But, we don't get to stop here. It just gets rougher and more difficult - hello Big East. The question is simple. Do our fans think we have the personnel in place that is right to lead from this point forward? I think they have weighed in with thousands of posts here over the last few weeks.
