Time to put up or shut up...ref pro/against Bennett status..

[MD_Stang]

...Just so we don't have any revisionist history...I thought it would be a good idea to lay our hands on the table on whether we think the SMU football program is going in the right direction with the Bennett program or a change needs to be made. Here's the criteria: (1) all decisions must be made prior to next year's opening game. You have too options...(A) a pro Bennett vote means you believe that SMU will turn the corner by 2008 (the end of Bennett's contract)...I define turning the corner as having at least one winning season (6-5 or better) and going to a Bowl game...or (B) that SMU will never have a winning season under Bennett. (2) once you make up your mind, you cannot change your vote, (3) you must admit you were wrong (either way) on the message board. I will periodically post the roll call, so we can remember where everybody stands on this recent "great news"...

...as for me, while I do not believe that Bennett has been a great game coach...and I do believe SMU, the coaching staff, and the SMU supporters could do a lot more to help the program...I would have to put myself in the pro-Bennett corner...I like and respect the fact that the team appears to still support Bennett and his staff and have not given up...and I like the fact that academically, the team seems to be doing OK and there don't appear to be very many "thugs" and trouble makers on the team...those aspects are also important to me besides winning ball games...so the count stands:

Pro-Bennett Against-Bennett

Md_Stang

[Charleston Pony]

I'm for giving Bennett at least 5 years to see what he can do with this program. At that point, it's pretty much his team on the field. I think he's done a decent job recruiting, especially given what he walked into. He appears to have a salesman's personality and appears to be a real positive guy. That's important because he has to sell more than just recruits...he has to sell the administration, faculty, students, alumni & DFW football fans that SMU can and will win. This wreck of a program has been a major rebuilding job since it's return from the deaht penalty and anyone taking on the challenge is doing so against all odds...and anyone who pays any attention to what has gone on at SMU since football was reinstated knows that. It's critical that this team shows improvement the next couple of years if this thing is going to move forward. I've been looking to 2006 as the critical year (we need to post a winning season by then because our two deep will be loaded with experience or some very talented 1st & 2nd year players). Show more recruits that we can win and just as important, that some people will get interested enough to come out and fill the seats at Ford...and this program just might return to respectability.

[EastStang]

As far as Coach Bennett is concerned, right now I think we need to ride out his original five years and re-evaluate at that time. I think we will get better in the next couple of years. The questions in my mind are two fold. (1) Are the remaining restrictions on our program such that even Darrell Royal couldn't succeed? (2) What do we mean by success? Is success going to a bowl game? CUSA champion? Top 10 ranking? Beating the Aggies? I think that we ought to be able even with the remaining restrictions in place go to a bowl game. If we do that in my opinion Bennett will be a success. I think the current remaining restrictions involving JUCO transfers and athlete friendly majors will make it very difficult to attain a Top 10 ranking or beat the Aggies or win CUSA. I hope Coach Bennett proves me wrong.

[Pony4Life]

Charleston and East Stang are right - five years, then re-evaluate. After all, the schedule is tougher next year, so what happens if we don't win 3 in 2005? Suddenly the improvement is gone? No, of course not. Bennett is under contract for four more years. So at this point, this debate is a non-issue.

[jtstang]

By your own definition, your idiotic polll is flawed--what if Bennet goes 6-5 and does not get a bowl bid--turning the corner or not?? By your definition, this is in limbo. Let's refresh:

"...(A) a pro Bennett vote means you believe that SMU will turn the corner by 2008 (the end of Bennett's contract)...I define turning the corner as having at least one winning season (6-5 or better) and going to a Bowl game...or (B) that SMU will never have a winning season under Bennett."

Since the definitions do not account for all possible outcomes, I must belay my participation. I think you should admit your polling methodology is wrong on this message board. Thanks.

[EmeraldCityPony]

A

[The PonyGrad]

Since I see a winning season a possible next season and expected the following season I must choose A.

I do not agree with those who say that next season's schedule is more difficult. There are nine games that we should be able to consider competitive IMHO.

After 2006, assuming a stream of good recruiting, then we should have a steady, experienced 2-deep. Then we can judge coaching.

Take Parcells, was he an idiot before Jones returned to the line-up or a genius now that he has? Sometimes it takes playmakers.

[MD_Stang]

...So far MD_Stang, ThePonyGrad, and EmeraldCityPony are in Bennett's corner until 2008 (A vote)...

...Charleston Pony, Pony4Life, and EastStang have made some good points, but appear to be still on the fence...

...and as for jtstang's comments...I admit the poll is not Scientific...but it is a SIMPLE question (A) believe SMU can have a winning record AND go to a bowl game by 2008 (ie., support Bennett) or (B) don't think Bennett can lead SMU to a winning team (ie., don't support the Bennett extension)...

...have not had any (B) votes yet from Bennett naysayers...ee

[MrMustang1965]

A. 'Nuff said.

[Col. Nathan R. Jessep]

...and I like the fact that academically, the team seems to be doing OK and there don't appear to be very many "thugs" and trouble makers on the team...
Md_Stang

"MD", you say:
"... and there don't appear to be very many "thugs"..."????????????

"AND THERE DON'T"... AND THERE DON'T...??? You're a genius, MD.

Not many "THUGS", huh, MD_STANG????????????

Not many???

How many "THUGS" are there, MD_STANG?

If you are going to accuse, then, give names/proof of the "THUGS". Otherwise, don't attack any players or students of the school on this thread.

[SCAMP6381]

CALL ME A "HOMER" I'M BENNETTIZED HE'LL GET IT DONE

[MD_Stang]

...ref Mr. Jessep's comments...PLEASE...of course I'm not "attacking" any players or students...that was my point...you never read anything bad about the team's outside activities, like you do at many schools...that's a good thing, which is important to my personal evaluation of the team's success. Go Ponies!

[Bergermeister]

"A" all the way. I think we need to stay/get on board. There is not a lot of merit (no positive outcomes) in bashing Coach Bennett at this point in time. I think we oughta do what is best for the Mustang football program right now.

[Water Pony]

A

[PK]

OK, I'll play...I vote a qualified A, the qualification being I'm not sure we will get a bowl game in the next four years even if we have more than one winning season. 6-5 will get you a winning season, but probably not a bowl game. Having said that, I would love to see us in one...which means we will probably have to win a conference title...seems like a good goal to me.