AD Notepad 12/10

[Dooby]

Didn't see it posted anywhere and thought we needed another thread on this issue.

http://www.smumustangs.com/index_full.asp?ID=113&sport=general

The news of the week coming out of the department was our signing of head football coach Phil Bennett to a two-year contract extension that extends his deal through the 2008 season. There are several reasons why this is in the program’s best interest and I would like to address them in my column today.

Phil has done a tremendous job of stockpiling young talent in our program with his first two full recruiting classes. Those two classes have been ranked among the best in the conference by recruiting analysts and have been generally regarded as two of the best at SMU since the late 1980s.

One topic that has come up while our staff has been out recruiting this year, has been the long term commitment to this coaching staff by this University’s administration. For those of you that follow recruiting closely, you know it is not uncommon for rivals to try to plant a seed of doubt in a prospective recruits’ mind about another school. A recruit takes a lot of factors into consideration when selecting a college to attend but one of the most important is the relationship with the head coach and staff recruiting him. Simply put, kids want to know that the coach and staff recruiting them are the same group that will be coaching them throughout their careers.

The decision to add two years to Phil’s deal erases any of that doubt and I am confident that Phil and his staff are on their way to putting together another fine class of recruits. Since Phil has been here, the deck has been stacked against him in terms of senior leadership, a key component of many successful football programs. In his first two seasons – 2001 and 2002 – about 10 seniors each season saw significant playing time. Last fall, just four seniors played meaningful snaps. Attrition in the late ‘90s and early this decade have led to our being the youngest team in college football each of the last two years. We have been inexperienced and young since 2001, especially at the most important position on the field, quarterback. There is a big difference when you line up an 18 or 19-year old across from a 22 or 23-year old. We have sorely missed that experience and senior leadership both on the field and in the locker room the last few seasons but that is getting ready to change.

Finally, injuries played a real role in our just completed season, especially on defense. Before the season we lost our starting middle linebacker, Reggie Carrington, for the year, then lost his backup D.D. Lee, (who probably would have started on the outside if Carrington would not have been hurt), for the season in the second game at TCU. The next week at Oklahoma State, we lost one of the program’s top young prospects and our best pass rusher, Corey Muse, for the year with a knee injury. Later in the year, we lost our top young defensive tackle, Desmond Jones, and starting defensive end, Justin Rogers, to injury. Phil and the defensive staff rolled out a makeshift unit on that side of the ball for most of the season.

I am not pleased with three-win seasons and that is not our level of expectation. Our goals continue to be conference championships, national recognition and bowl appearances.

Phil and I are in constant communication about the state of the program. I am out at practice several times a week during the season. I see strides being made in our program. I truly believe that Phil Bennett is the man who will lead us to prominence in the near future.

Until next time, Go Mustangs!
Jim

[Water Pony]

It seems to me that Administration and AD bashing are a priority for some posters. And, you can make a strong case that our progress (?) or lack there of is unacceptable. However, the extension for Phil and Jim's stated support are not just rational, but necessary in order to project stability and confidence in Phil, his coaches, their game plan and their ultimate success.

As I look at all the college coaches changes at the end of this season and the competition for real, experienced talent, I would hate to be back in the market so soon (3 years) since our last hiring and with our current record. Who would want to take a shot, given all our factors.

Phil has been given more tools, support and time to make it happen. I feel we will be rewarded. At this time, it is the right conclusion. Let's support Phil and his coaches, demand that 2005 shows futher progress (at a minimum, a winning season) and recognize that this long term view is absolutely necessary given what hand Phil was dealt and the starting point he inherited to rebuild from.

Good luck to him and the team. We are behind you!!

[RGV Pony]

That's an okay commentary, but to believe Copeland's point of view, it must've gone like this:

Copeland: Hey, Phil, how's recruiting?
Bennett: Well, great, but know what? A whole bunch of good recruits would come here, but they say they wish I had a longer contract. They say that Bower over at Southern Miss and Skip Holtz at East Carolina bet that I won't be here in two years.
Copeland: Really? Well, let's do something about it! How bout another two years? Will that fix recruiting?
Bennett: Yep.
Copeland: Done.

Alright, then....where's the influx in high profile commitments?

[Dooby]

Simpler, more likely:

Copeland: Hey, Phil, how's recruiting?
Bennett: Well, great, we are in a lot of quality guys. But I got that punk [deleted] little twerps from TCU, Baylor and Houston telling players, parents and coaches that I am going to get canned next year. Kids are concerned about who is gonna coach 'em, what the offensive and defensive system is gonna be if I am gone and if their scholarship would get pulled.
Copeland: What do we do to stop that.
Bennett: Well, you can give me an extension as a vote of confidence. I care about recruiting right now, not job security so I don't care that the terms would be favorable to the university.
Copeland: Fine. Tow more years with minimal guarantees. Terms not disclosed.

Just as likely as your little scenario.
Alright, then....where's the influx in high profile commitments?

[Johnny Rock]

Copeland's message forgot to address what changes SMU is making to assure us that we will not continue to be the youngest team in the country year in and year out. What administrative changes have been made recently to allow Bennett to recruit from a wider pool of players. Is an education major in the works? Will the administration make it easier for coaches to recruit JUCOs and tranfers by accepting credits from a wider range of courses? I simply do not give a crap why Copeland gave Bennett an extention. He does not need to justify his decisions to me....I just want answers to the questions that matter.

[Dooby]

Copeland's message forgot to address what changes SMU is making to assure us that we will not continue to be the youngest team in the country year in and year out. What administrative changes have been made recently to allow Bennett to recruit from a wider pool of players. Is an education major in the works? Will the administration make it easier for coaches to recruit JUCOs and tranfers by accepting credits from a wider range of courses? I simply do not give a crap why Copeland gave Bennett an extention. He does not need to justify his decisions to me....I just want answers to the questions that matter.

Johnny Rock is right. I would love for Copeland to address these issues openly. But I am resigned to the fact that an open discussion of the athletic problems will never happen. That isn't to say that the changes won't be made, they just won't be made public. As positive as you and I would consider the changes, the perception outside the SMU bubble and to some inside the bubble (the faculty), would be largely negative. And so it will never be discussed. Additionally, it would be an admission of failure for the current policies, which still have some, albeit misguided, support.

Personally, I wish Copeland would be willing to discuss these issues. He would do well to have an "AD's Breakfast" where he could discuss these issues and others with involved alumni "off the record."

[DiamondM75]

Now there is an interesting idea. Why don't we have coffee with the AD during the off season.

[Dooby]

Now there is an interesting idea. Why don't we have coffee with the AD during the off season.

As I was typing it, I realized it actually was a pretty good idea and shot Copeland an e-mail to that effect.

[Governor Lepetomane]

Now there is an interesting idea. Why don't we have coffee with the AD during the off season.

As I was typing it, I realized it actually was a pretty good idea and shot Copeland an e-mail to that effect.

I would rather share a hot tub with Kathy Bates then listen to Copeland pontificate about the world of SMU sports.

[HFvictory]

That's an okay commentary, but to believe Copeland's point of view, it must've gone like this:

Copeland: Hey, Phil, how's recruiting?
Bennett: Well, great, but know what? A whole bunch of good recruits would come here, but they say they wish I had a longer contract. They say that Bower over at Southern Miss and Skip Holtz at East Carolina bet that I won't be here in two years.
Copeland: Really? Well, let's do something about it! How bout another two years? Will that fix recruiting?
Bennett: Yep.
Copeland: Done.

Alright, then....where's the influx in high profile commitments?

So what is his excuse now?

[huntnfish]

here's what was missing from his notes:

Copeland "I am resigning due to the fact I have fired two football coaches and two basketball coaches and we are not better off than 10 years ago, this while competing in a much weaker league. In addition I had to shut down one of our best programs (mens' track and field) due to my inability to motivate the alumni base because of my lack of enthusiasm and inability to sell a great school in a great town"

-that's all that was missing

[Water Pony]

You forgot that:

(1) you know better than anyone else and

(2) you don't care that being AD at SMU, which needs to turnaround and rebuild the most handicapped program in Div. 1, is a piece of cake

[DiamondM75]

Now there is an interesting idea. Why don't we have coffee with the AD during the off season.

As I was typing it, I realized it actually was a pretty good idea and shot Copeland an e-mail to that effect.

I would rather share a hot tub with Kathy Bates then listen to Copeland pontificate about the world of SMU sports.

Hey govenor, I have another great idea. If you don't want to come, then stay home.

[PlanoStang]

Now there is an interesting idea. Why don't we have coffee with the AD during the off season.

As I was typing it, I realized it actually was a pretty good idea and shot Copeland an e-mail to that effect.

I would rather share a hot tub with Kathy Bates then listen to Copeland pontificate about the world of SMU sports.

Hey govenor, I have another great idea. If you don't want to come, then stay home.

Sounds like a plan to me. I might even attend a meeting with Copeland.
I don't contribute much financially, and I'm not a member of the Mustang Club, but I graduated in 76 from the engineering school like my Dad did in 50.

[buspen]

I wouldn't worry too much about extensions. They can be full of options and what if's. I remember Rader at Tulsa, got a 4 year extension and was fired that season in October. In reality it helped recruiting a couple kids on the fence, the only guarantee was the base salary for a year or two only that was already committed to. Long and short of it, it helps recruits relax and may the coaches relax and worry about coaching instead of job retention.