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Absolutely Disgusting

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Has giving Coach Bennett an extension been a step backwards for this program?

Yes
11
20%
No
41
73%
Thats not a step, thats a giant leap!!!
4
7%
 
Total votes : 56

Absolutely Disgusting

Postby braginator » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:19 pm

I just stopped off in LA on my drive home for xmas break to hear this news. Bennett has done no good for our program and I wish I had the time to read what everyone else has posted but I dont. This is a terible decision and it is a step backwards. People are in an outrage over Notre Dame's firing of a great coach and we should be equally disturbed by our hiring (or extension) of this terrible one. I pray for the football team and hope things turn around, but this could be quite a costly mistake.
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Postby MrMustang1965 » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:33 pm

I've never heard so many claim "The sky is falling" as I've read here the past two days.
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Postby braginator » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:37 pm

It isn't falling it has come crashing to the ground!!!
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Postby MrMustang1965 » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:46 pm

I predict that you'll be eating those words at the end of the 2005 season.
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Postby Stallion » Thu Dec 09, 2004 10:52 pm

it was neither a step back or forward but simply an unwise financial gamble. At least when Cavan was given an extension it was to fend off interest from Mississippi. This time it was unnecessary. I'm glad Bennett will be given a full opportunity to implement his program though.
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Postby RGV Pony » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:38 pm

I don't think the positive effects of the extension are as great as perhaps intended. Should the best possible scenario occur and the Ponies are in a bowl game following the 06 season, Bennett's name could pop up for whatever Big XII job is open, and we'd likely be outbid no matter what his new double secret contract terms are. On the other hand, if our team continues to suck (and I hope we don't and don't think we will), we're unlikely to be any worse off because a) Bennett's not the problem as much as the other crap, b) SMU couldn't afford to buy him out either before or after the extension, and c) look at the crop of [non] candidates Notre Dame is sifting through.

Call it a push.
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Re:

Postby Mustangs35SMU » Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:41 am

MrMustang1965 wrote:I predict that you'll be eating those words at the end of the 2005 season.


Amen to that! I told you guys when everyone doubted him that we would win the Tulsa game..BOOM we win it...I told you guys we would win the Nevada game..BOOM we win it.

Just watch. Believe in him.
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Postby anurep » Fri Dec 10, 2004 9:44 am

Did you predict that we would be blow away in most of the other games? Did you give SMU the 40 points over RICE. I believe alright - believe that we will suck until post 2008.
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Re:

Postby jtstang » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:09 am

Mustangs35SMU wrote:Amen to that! I told you guys when everyone doubted him that we would win the Tulsa game..BOOM we win it...I told you guys we would win the Nevada game..BOOM we win it.

Yeah, sunshine, you also told us we'd win every other bleeping game last year, and BOOM, you're an idiot.
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Postby PerunaPunch » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:23 am

Looks like those who think Bennett's contract extension was a mistake are merely the vocal minority. Thank goodness.
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Postby Mexmustang » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:42 am

I was as vocal (at least in terms of ponyfans.com) as anyone after the Rice game. But I do believe Bennett should be given an opportunity to develop the program. It is important that the school have some consistency; the coach has grown during the year and there has been improvement in our play.

Consistency is necessary not only in recruiting, but the hard sell needed internally to amend our own restrictions. Bennett is a good salesman.

I believe he has done alot of maturing as a head coach. Last year he realized that he couldn't rely on his friends to get the program back on track and had to bring in new assistants or his job would be gone. I am sure these were tough on him. This year began with the sideline shouting and confusion during the TCU game to a more professional sideline in the later games, I saw improvement in the staff and less confusion by the players.

I don't believe I have ever seen so many "open chairs" in terms of coachs. What a terrible year to be seeking Bennett's replacement.

Finally, I like the guy. I just hope he and the team continue to grow. My frustration had nothing to do with my hope for the team and the coaches. Only my optimism has taken a severe blow--and only I hope only temporarily. As for Copeland...
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Postby PlanoStang » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:52 am

I'm sure it helps with recruiting after some of the firing talk last season.
Seems like an unnecessary gamble at this point though.
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Postby PerunaPunch » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:27 am

Good points Mexmustang. This is the first time in a long time that we've been able to keep our entire coaching staff in tact. I have to think that with a young team, the more consistency the better.

Next. You're right, Bennett is a great salesman. I've always thought of this as a benefit in terms of recruiting. But equally important I'd have to say upon reflection is his ability to push his initiatives through the administration. Bennett snaps his fingers and he gets artificial turf so he can host more high schools. He starts summer camps with the participation of high school players and coaches from all over the state. He gets the admissions policies lightened. We get some JUCO help. And now the school is seriously talking about adding a school of education.

I think he's done as much for the program off the field as he has done for the program on the field.
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Re:

Postby smupony » Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:06 pm

PerunaPunch wrote:Good points Mexmustang. This is the first time in a long time that we've been able to keep our entire coaching staff in tact. I have to think that with a young team, the more consistency the better.

Next. You're right, Bennett is a great salesman. I've always thought of this as a benefit in terms of recruiting. But equally important I'd have to say upon reflection is his ability to push his initiatives through the administration. Bennett snaps his fingers and he gets artificial turf so he can host more high schools. He starts summer camps with the participation of high school players and coaches from all over the state. He gets the admissions policies lightened. We get some JUCO help. And now the school is seriously talking about adding a school of education.

I think he's done as much for the program off the field as he has done for the program on the field.


I agree with every single word!!
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Re:

Postby MrMustang1965 » Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:52 pm

anurep wrote:Did you predict that we would be blow away in most of the other games? Did you give SMU the 40 points over RICE. I believe alright - believe that we will suck until post 2008.
Farsightedness with a nearsighted mind.

Let's see...you say "We'll suck" until AFTER 2008. Who, in your opinion, do you think would replace Coach B. after that time if "we suck"? Do you actually think someone will want to come to a program that, in your opinion, "sucks"? I don't.

Coach B. will get this program steered in the right direction. If he doesn't then I'll be one of the first calling for his dismissal.
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