Should Jim Tressel be on our list too?

[LA_Mustang]

So you don't have any specific names you like? I am not opposed to an assistant from a big time program, but I also would not oppose a proven "Larry Brown" type that may have some kind of flaw as to why he is available for SMU. The young assistant coach if he wins is gone pretty quick, but I suppose that's "a great problem to have", it's just how many diamonds in the rough home-run hires can you keep finding and replacing? It will be interesting for sure.

I do have names I like. My top three would be - Smart (Bama DC), Wilson (LSU recruiting coordinator) and Montgomery (Baylor OC). But my list is meaningless because I'm not able to dig deep and do the research/interviews/background required to make the right choice. I hope the CofC, Hart and Turner do though. The LB example is not a good one because that was lightning in a bottle. There is no way an experienced football coach with his success and history would take this job. We literally hit the jackpot with the LB hiring. Even the most optimistic fan could not have seen it working out this well. He still has the passion, desire and smarts to surround himself with an unbelievably great, young staff. Recruiting is almost everything in college athletics and what they've pulled off to this point is nothing short of a miracle. You combine that with the fact he's one of the greatest x and o's coaches ever is just icing on the cake. To wish for that in football is fools gold, IMO.

As for the young coach that comes in and has success then bolting, that's where the admin has to convince him we are committed to BCS football and he can win here. Exactly what TCU did with Patterson. It will cost a lot of money but that is what we'll have to do to get at the big boy table. btw, I believe Patterson makes around 3 million. He one of the 10 highest paid HCs in the country.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

The LB example is not a good one because that was lightning in a bottle. nothing short of a miracle.

I don't disagree with much of what you say, except I think it's been a miracle
for TCU with Patterson and Larry Brown has the makings of a miracle for SMU.

SMU finding and keeping a Patterson/Art Briles will be a long shot miracle too.

[PSCA]

I know Phillip Montgomery … and I like him as a person and a coach. He and AB have been together for a long time. He may carry the title of OC, and has a little of AB’s ear, but AB runs that offense. I don’t think Coach Montgomery is the right guy. Again, a great guy, but more of a second in command then the head guy IMO.

Smart would be a great choice, but opp’s have already come to him, and I think he will have the pick of the litter of any future openings … I don’t know if SMU would float his boat, he will get some big program options (USC? etc) in the near future. I know the HS coach to college HC has been tried and failed often. But I think there are some very good HS candidates for asst positions that would kill it in the recruiting trail. Guys that are well know and respected by every coach, AD, administrator in the state of Texas and the surrounding areas, and could walk in to any HS program.

I’ll get killed for this, but here goes. Many were on Mason’s bandwagon and now are off because of the way the “D” has played of late. Putting this year to the side, our “D” overall has played well and climbed the national ranks under his mentoring. Don’t think for a second he could not find and hire a top rate staff with his experience and contacts …. Plus I PROMISE, he understands the recruiting equation very much, and has very definite ideas of how he would do it/staff it if it was his call.

I may be wrong, and I probably am. But, unless the COC wants back up a bigger truck this time, I don’t see SMU getting the likes of AB, Smart, or even a young stud HC at a mid-tier that’s on everyone’s radar. When JJ was being courted, what other names were in contention?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

I know Phillip Montgomery … and I like him as a person and a coach. I don’t think Coach Montgomery is the right guy.

Interesting.

When JJ was being courted, what other names were in contention?

Paul Johnson was a serious candidate before JJ came to the forefront.

[Rebel10]

Hard core JJ supporters are pushing for Mason and putting down everyone else or naming candidates like Smart who are entrenched at Alabama. Strategy seems to be to undermine any candidate but Mason.

[SoCal_Pony]

Just hope SMU can get the players in grey admitted to SMU

Without cheating, can you name the players in this photo?

HOF [deleted] Butkus, Ben Davidson (with mustache), that's HOF Randy White on back row, just beneath him is Roger Craig (SF rb), HOF Earl Campbell next to Randy White, on far right is HOF Tony Dorsett, although to me in this pic he looks like he has a grey mustache.

I think that's it for me.

[PK]

Hard core JJ supporters are pushing for Mason and putting down everyone else or naming candidates like Smart who are entrenched at Alabama. Strategy seems to be to undermine any candidate but Mason.

Well just for discussion purposes, Patterson was the DC for TCU before he got the HC position. I don't know what Mason's relationship with JJ was before he got the job here or even what it is now, but he didn't come out of Hawaii with him and I'm not aware of him coaching with JJ before. I don't even know if he is HC material or not, but why not give him a look? I am not a hard core or even a soft core supporter of JJ and I'm wondering why you would think anyone that was would necessarily be pushing for Mason. What would be their motive as a JJ supporter?

[ebrooks11]

Just hope SMU can get the players in grey admitted to SMU

Without cheating, can you name the players in this photo?

HOF [deleted] Butkus, Ben Davidson (with mustache), that's HOF Randy White on back row, just beneath him is Roger Craig (SF rb), HOF Earl Campbell next to Randy White, on far right is HOF Tony Dorsett, although to me in this pic he looks like he has a grey mustache.

I think that's it for me.

Jim Kelly. Holyfield. Ed jones.

[sbsmith]

Well just for discussion purposes, Patterson was the DC for TCU before he got the HC position.

Patterson was also 40 and the coordinated the #1 defense in the country before he got the HC job at TCU.

[SoCal_Pony]

Never saw the movie.

Now that you posted it, yep, I see Kelly and Holyfield (wasn't expecting a boxer).

Question, where is Too-Tall?

[Rebel10]

Hard core JJ supporters are pushing for Mason and putting down everyone else or naming candidates like Smart who are entrenched at Alabama. Strategy seems to be to undermine any candidate but Mason.

Well just for discussion purposes, Patterson was the DC for TCU before he got the HC position. I don't know what Mason's relationship with JJ was before he got the job here or even what it is now, but he didn't come out of Hawaii with him and I'm not aware of him coaching with JJ before. I don't even know if he is HC material or not, but why not give him a look? I am not a hard core or even a soft core supporter of JJ and I'm wondering why you would think anyone that was would necessarily be pushing for Mason. What would be their motive as a JJ supporter?

JJ wanted Mason to take over SMU if he would have gone to ASU. I think the hardcore JJ supporters want what JJ wants imo.

[PSCA]

Not sure if the comment was intended for me or not. But, I've known coach Montgomery a long time ... and he is a great coach and a great guy ... would love him on the SMU staff ... who ever the SMU HC is ... IMO he is a second in command. I agree on AB, Smart and many others ... just think they are out of our reach for many reasons ... unless the big truck backs up, and maybe not even then. Smart will have bigger and better opps ... but agree he would be great. I have not suggested others were not good HC choices, other than my comment on coach Montgomery, and that is MO.

I'm neither a strong hatter or strong supporter of JJ. There are things I like and those I don't about his coaching style and how he runs the program. Do I think we can do better ... yes, do I think we can do worst ... absolutely. We have gotten to the point now that if anyone has a positive to say about this program or staff right now ... you are labeled a JJ to the death supporter. I could careless what my label is ... fairly confident it will not impact my world. But my comment on Mason has zero to do with JJ, nor have I stated he should be the HC, but deserves consideration IMO.

[mrydel]

Never saw the movie.

Now that you posted it, yep, I see Kelly and Holyfield (wasn't expecting a boxer).

Question, where is Too-Tall?

Herschel Walker and Jerry Rice are in the credits also.

[PSCA]

Also would not mind getting a few of the boys in the latest version of the "longest yard"

1) B Romanoski
2) M Irvin
3) Brian Bosworth ... the college version
etc.

[PK]

Hard core JJ supporters are pushing for Mason and putting down everyone else or naming candidates like Smart who are entrenched at Alabama. Strategy seems to be to undermine any candidate but Mason.

Well just for discussion purposes, Patterson was the DC for TCU before he got the HC position. I don't know what Mason's relationship with JJ was before he got the job here or even what it is now, but he didn't come out of Hawaii with him and I'm not aware of him coaching with JJ before. I don't even know if he is HC material or not, but why not give him a look? I am not a hard core or even a soft core supporter of JJ and I'm wondering why you would think anyone that was would necessarily be pushing for Mason. What would be their motive as a JJ supporter?

JJ wanted Mason to take over SMU if he would have gone to ASU. I think the hardcore JJ supporters want what JJ wants imo.

Where did that little tidbit of information come from? Why would JJ have even cared who replaced him and why would the people who would have selected his replacement have cared what JJ wanted? If he had left for ASU he would have had no say in who his replacement would have been. In fact if he leaves now he will have no say. Sorry, but I find that tidbit above hard to take seriously.

All I want is a coach with fire in his belly who knows how to recruit and how to win. That may or may not describe Mason...if not, then so be it.