With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

ponyinNC · Post by **ponyinNC** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:02 am

For all of his faults, I felt like Orsini was one of the only power players at SMU who actually "got it". By that, I mean he was aware of the changing landscape in college sports and knew how important it was to move up from CUSA. Our move to the new Big East hasn't solved our problems, as the conference is bleeding teams left and right and the new SEC/Big 12 alliance seems to be the first step toward the 4 superconferences (we can disagree on when it will happen, but it sure seems inevitable). Big East may get raided by the ACC should they lose FSU and Clemson, and I fear that the new Big East will essentially be CUSA again, as the basketball schools would likely split at that point. Moving to the BE was the best possible deal we could get at the time. But as Bob Dylan said, "The times, they are a-changin." And during this essential period, we need someone that can lead us through this mess.

During perhaps the MOST CRUCIAL TIME in the history of college sports, let alone the most important time in shaping the future of SMU athletics, we have no Athletic Director at the helm?? Really RGT? It is like firing your entire legal staff right before the case comes to trial. Even if they weren't getting along, you have to ride it out for the time being, right?? Why change horses mid-apocolypse??

I am very worried about the future of cfb and our place at the table. Looks like we may likely end up at the kid's table. Hate to tell you guys, but TCU is no longer our rival. They are light years ahead of us right now. At this point, we need to worry about keeping up with the UH's and UCF's of the world, which is still better than Rice or Tulane but don't kid yourslves that we'll be playing for an Iron Skillet in the future. Just as UT and Arkansas used to be conference games for us, our rivalry with TCU is a thing of the past unless we can secure our spot in the next massive realignment scenario.

my $.02

ponyte · Post by **ponyte** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:31 am

The search is on for a new AD. We have to give it time for the process to work. Turner said a new AD by August. I doubt the end of college sports as we know it will happen in 90 days.

First, for all the speculation, the most recent realignment moves have yet to be proven successful. Yes, they look great on paper but they have yet to face the ultimate market test. A year’s worth of data would provide insight as to the next conference moves. So for football, having a great season is a real plus now. Perhaps more so now than in the last 20 years. That isn’t up to the AD during the summer, but the players and coaches. The AD can work the deals based on what the season produces. Ande those deals will not be on the table in the next 90 days

Thus, from my perspective, we allow the process to move forward. Get the best we can knowing that the real deal making begins after some level of market understanding has been establish for the new orders. The players and coaches of Football (and to some extent MBB) will provide the leverage for the new AD. And we still have to take care of business in CUSA one more year.

And if men’s BB is a player, then perhaps Brown’s off season moves, if they pay dividends, could prove to be a real plus.

After where we have been over the decades, I don't see this as a disater but an opportunity. Produce on the field, hire a visonary with deal maker abilites and see what happens.

SC Pony · Post by **SC Pony** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:41 am

Hopefully, the new AD can find some money in the budget for marketing.

Top Twenty · Post by **Top Twenty** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:50 am

This is one situation wherein you have to give credit where credit is due. Turner is all over these issues, and he was a driving force in the Big East expansion. This is one time when we can really count on him. If we can be protected or if our interests can improve, he's the one to do it.

Stallion · Post by **Stallion** » Mon May 21, 2012 9:59 am

I find it humorous that just when our academic standards have been lowered to the lowest they have been in 25 years there are more prtedictions of DOOM than ever. Good god-go take a look at our BB roster for next year and chill-its almost an All-Star Transfer team

Mexmustang · Post by **Mexmustang** » Mon May 21, 2012 10:19 am

Have these transfers been admitted? I haven't seen anything that suggests that they have. Maybe I missed it.

As to Turner, he was here at SMU for 16 years I believe. Regarding athletics, nothing happened for almost his first eleven--until Orsini was hired. As nothing has come out suggesting that Orsini was fired for anything other that a conflict with Turner, it concerns us. He came to SMU after the Ole Miss fiasco and then fires the very person that finally got us moving again.

I happen to believe that President Turner has done alot for SMU. But, a good leader is willing to hire strong people that have the conviction and tallent to challenge the leader--privately of course. When that leader is so entrenched without any checks and balances at a private non-profit, it concerns me. I personally believe that the paid executive at a non-profit should never be in office over ten years. Maybe it was time for Orsini to leave, but you let the man retire, you don't make a vendetta out of it, by firing him publically.

Maybe it is time for Gerald to leave also.

ponyscott · Post by **ponyscott** » Mon May 21, 2012 12:15 pm

Great posts gentlemen...don't have time to add to it but good points to ponder and agree Turner should be the next to go. He has outlasted his legacy.

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » Mon May 21, 2012 12:21 pm

And the incoming transfers can't play until 2013, right? I'm OK with that, since they'll have a year to practice with Coach Brown and his staff and learn the system ... assuming, as Mexmustang asks, that they are admitted.

As for leadership, the interim guy is Tim Leonard, the assistant AD/development. Everything I hear about the guy suggests he is exceptionally bright. Hopefully that translates to "getting it."

ponyte · Post by **ponyte** » Mon May 21, 2012 12:28 pm

Tim is sharp and has been very involved in the activites of the Athletic Department. I'm not worried about the position while the search progresses.

ponyinNC · Post by **ponyinNC** » Mon May 21, 2012 1:30 pm

Stallion wrote:I find it humorous that just when our academic standards have been lowered to the lowest they have been in 25 years there are more prtedictions of DOOM than ever. Good god-go take a look at our BB roster for next year and chill-its almost an All-Star Transfer team

Good point, but I think the academic issues are small potatoes compared to the overall shift in college sports at the moment. Things are happening so quickly, and the situation is so fluid that I believe we need someone to act as the powerful voice for SMU. Is that RGT? Is it Leonard? When we finally do hire a new AD (and I pray this search doesn't last through June/July), will that individual make a stand? Will the seismic shifts happen before that date?

Big East meetings are going on right now if I am not mistaken. This is a very importatnt time for SMU athletics, and not having an established AD at the moment may hurt us in the long run. Back room deals are being made all over the place right now. Clemson and FSU have already had discussions with B12, and Louisville and many other BE schools must be actively searching for new homes. We need someone RIGHT NOW, not in August.

Bergermeister · Post by **Bergermeister** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:16 pm

ponyinNC wrote: I am very worried

Are you hand-wrenching worried or just regular worried?

ponyinNC · Post by **ponyinNC** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:24 pm

Bergermeister wrote:
ponyinNC wrote: I am very worried

Are you hand-wrenching worried or just regular worried?

I work in compliance, so I am always worried.

ReedFrawg · Post by **ReedFrawg** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:29 pm

ponyinNC wrote:
Bergermeister wrote:
ponyinNC wrote: I am very worried

Are you hand-wrenching worried or just regular worried?

I work in compliance, so I am always worried.

Underrated line...well done! Friggin compliance

CoxBizGrad · Post by **CoxBizGrad** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:45 pm

Ok... PonyNC works in the compliance area. Now I understand his chicken little the sky is falling perspective.

The program and University will survive just fine with "Top 25" Orsini no longer in the picture. I think he did some good things to bring the program forward. Really, the only huge mistake was hiring Doherty, giving him a non performance-based extension, and letting him stay for so long. I just hope nothing more serious happened to merit his abrupt departure right after extending his contract. Still seems real strange to me. Time will tell.

Mexmustang · Post by **Mexmustang** » Mon May 21, 2012 4:07 pm

I may have to eat some of my own words. At lunch today one of my friends related that he had heard Orsini was fired for publically criticizing Turner. Supposedly, President Turner had warned him, in a letter that this was unacceptable, but then it happened a second time. If this was true, but like all things heard on the second bottle of wine, needs verification, then Turner was right in terminating him. It is fine to challenge you boss in private, but not to take it public.

With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

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Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

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Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?

Re: With Orsini gone, who guides us through the chaos?