THIS REALLY TAKES THE CAKE!!

[BRStang]

I am almost speechless...what in THE #@%*???

Why? Why? Why would Copeland and the administration even THINK about extending Bennett's contract for an extra 2 years at this point? It's not like he even had a .500 season. You have TWO friggin' seasons left with this guy (who has yet to break 3 wins per season) and you EXTEND his contract? He almost got canned this year...what happens if he goes 0-11 next year? huh? huh? What purpose could that possibly serve???I know you sunshiners think that it sends a message to recruits...it sure does...SMU has lost its mind and is potentially stuck with a (so-far) ho-hum coach for an extra 2 years...Why not just wait? Just wait!?!? Just one more year??

Don't get me wrong---I hope Bennett succeeds. But he hasn't shown A THING, yet. NOT A THING!!!!!!!!!!!! NOTHING!!! ZIP!! NADA!!! NIL!!! He's had 3 seasons. Why eliminate any chance of bringing on someone else if he goes 0-11 or 1-10 or 2-9 next season? Are you telling me that SMU would just accept that? MY FRIGGIN' GOSH!!!

This is like going for 2 when you're up by 11...I'm sure the sports world is laughing their @$$es off and is thinking "Not only did SMU lose its football program but it also lost its sanity with the death penalty..." Good news?? Are you friggin' kidding me??

This simply makes a buyout if he flubs up (again) next season almost out of reach...Un-friggin-believable...ONLY AT SMU!!!

By the way, thanks for bothering to even discuss this with the Mustang Club!!

I wonder what Cavan and Rossley are thinking. They've got to be scratching their heads in amazement. It's almost as though Copeland is TRYING to kill every last bit of pride, spirit and hope in those who may have been slightly encouraged by the end of this season...I guess he'll always have the 5 sunshiners who saw through rose-colored glasses even when the team wen 0-12...What a joke.

My guess is that the FIREJIMCOPELAND website will be heating up now.

OK, I'm done ranting and raving...for now...

[EastStang]

Did you see the word "guaranteed" in the press release? Answer "no". I suspect it is more in the nature of a two year option extension. This gives Bennett ammo for skiddish recruits (and their parents) to promise that he'll be here for them.

[huntnfish]

recruits care more about the players they are playing with and the campus life than the coach they are going to play for; this is just an excuse I am sure Copeland will use

[PK]

Let's not get histerical here guys. The contract extension could be full of performance contingency requirements for all we know. And BTW, many recruits DO care about who is going to be their coach. Maybe not if it is a BcS school, but why do you think recruits often decommit when a coach is fired before they sign their letter of intent? There may be some very important recruits right now that need to know Bennett's going to be there to seal the deal.

[abezontar]

Like maybe Bennett's son's friend.....Matt Stafford (the QB from HP)?

[Dooby]

You are right, Copeland is deliberately trying to sabotage the SMU athletic department now. He's going scorched earth!!!

Look, everything I read up until the Tulsa game led me to believe that Copeland and Turner were seriously thinking about pulling the plug. Copeland had a number of opportunities, if you recall, to give the proverbial "vote of confidence" and that was never given. You could see the relief on Bennett's face when they beat Tulsa.

So what changed in a month? Other than two wins against fair to bad football teams, not much. But Bennett is out there recruiting. Giving a contract extension to try and add stability to a program with very little isn't necessary a bad thing.

As someone mentioned, Baylor extended Kevin Steele after 3 seasons and an identical record. Just like now, no details are being disclosed. Steele didn't make it through the next whole season. Now following the "Baylor" model is not my preference, but the point is: This kind of thing is not unheard of.

The point is people don't know squat. We don't know what, if anything, is guaranteed. Perhaps everything; perhaps nothing. I doubt Bennett is planning on building a new addition to his home as a result of this announcement. Nor should he.

[PerunaPunch]

Dooby,

You need to get out more and make it to some of the Mustang Club events. Copeland and Turner's confidence in Bennett hasn't waivered one iota.

Once we racked up a few Ws, I don't think anyone who had any knowledge of the situation thought Bennett's job was in jeopardy. If you saw any anxiety on the sidelines, it was just the coaches jones'in for another win.

[that's great raplh]

I am almost speechless...what in THE #@%*???

Why? Why? Why would Copeland and the administration even THINK about extending Bennett's contract for an extra 2 years at this point?..Why not just wait? Just wait!?!? Just one more year??

Don't get me wrong---I hope Bennett succeeds. But he hasn't shown A THING, yet. NOT A THING!!!!!!!!!!!! NOTHING!!! ZIP!! NADA!!! NIL!!!
for now...

NOT A THING!!!!!!!!!!!! NOTHING!!! ZIP!! NADA!!! NIL!!! ?? Despite contradicting articles, he is a great recruiter and great coach. Past players love him - think about the devotion on Nat Nguyen or whatever the name of that kid from A&M. One day, he'll be a great head coach. By extending it by 2 years - it sends a positive msg to the kids he is recruiting now. It says, you will play for a coach who will be with you when you are a senior. It is a smart move by by everyone.

Bennet is gonna win soon...and great things are gonna happen.

[jtstang]

One day, he'll be a great head coach.

Terrific. Hope I'm still living.

[huntnfish]

you guys are putting to much emphasis on the recruiting BS . An AD w/ a backbone would have said winning will help your recruiting 10 times more than any stupid contract extension.

[BRStang]

Maybe there's something....something small...to be said for the "show of support" that the contract extension is-at least with regard to parents of recruits. But, without additional information regarding the terms of the extension, it is a slap in the face to all who care about this football program.

I understand that if this were done with some alterior motive (convincing recruits that Bennett has the administration's support), Copeland may not be able to just come right out and say it. BUT THE LOOKS OF IT FROM WHAT WE"VE SEEN ON THE SURFACE STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN.

I just hope and pray that the terms are very "contingent" upon a few more Ws and that the money doesn't hurt SMU's chances of buying Bennett out after next season if he flubs it up again, BECAUSE MY MONEY HAS BEEN USED FOR CRAP LIKE THAT BEFORE!