All these Texas HS players verballing, and yet not one to us

[Caballo]

We need some recruiting traction. Don't think recruits do not look at who has committed to a school, and that in some cases that does not have a bearing on their decision. When stud players commit to a school that tells a recruit that the team has some players, and that naturally translates to wins. If there are no committments to SMU, and there are several to say Tulsa, does a recruit get nervous about making that pledge to the Ponies?

We need to bust the Cherry on this recruiting season and get on the board. I would love to ask Bennett privately what he is running up against in the way of responses from recruits. Actually, I think I will on August 17th.

[Billy Joe]

Bennett has lost his momentum in recruiting (if he even had any). I believe it is highly likely he will not return next season.

[BUS]

I hope that you are as wrong as, two men kissing.
Gross.

[PonySoprano]

I think its highly unlikely that Coach Bennett would be gone after this season since he just received a contract extension. With the tight finances at the athletic department, there is not the $$ sitting around that it would take to pay off his contract and then hire a new coach.

[EastStang]

The only way he's gone is a two win season featuring a bunch of blow-outs.

[Caballo]

What if he feels like he does not have the support of the Administration and that there is no way to turn this ship around in the narrow channel he has been provided, and an attractive Defensive Coordinator's position opens up in the NFL?

[Billy Joe]

Most coaches would have been fired after a no win season. Bennett gets a contract extension. See the problem with SMU athletics. I am waiting for everyone to defend Bennett and his great track record. Come on apologist and rear kissers, I am ready for the excuses.

[CalallenStang]

What if he feels like he does not have the support of the Administration and that there is no way to turn this ship around in the narrow channel he has been provided, and an attractive Defensive Coordinator's position opens up in the NFL?

There's an idea! Anyone know of a team that might need a DC?

[GoRedGoBlue]

IF IF IF IF

If we can win a few that we shouldn't this year, go 5-6 or so, we should get some traction...the contacts are there, but there needs to be a sign of life...

If we could break out and go 6-5, then recruiting should be huge - relatively speaking.

If we go goose-egg, then we are done.

Bennett is our final hope, so you better get behind him.

[BrianTinBigD]

If Bennett is our final hope, then let's just give up now. If Tulsa, Northern Illinois, North Texas, Kansas State and a handful of other traditionally pathetic D1 programs can turn it around then so can we. If Bennett is not the answer(and I do have my doubts) then there is somebody else out there that would like a shot at SMU.

At a recent family reunion I was chided by a family member that is a coach on the Nevada staff. His question is how we can't bring in 20 kids every year just from the DFW area alone with the "amazing" facilities we have. He was telling me that after the game all the coaches at Nevada were talking about what a dream it would be to work at SMU with the resources and tools we must have to work with.

I just smiled and wondered if just maybe it is the AD and the coach that we have that is not getting the job done.

[Danny Noonan]

Folks, relax. Yes, I want to see a list of commitments as much as anyone. But at this time last year, how many did we have? Zero? One?

That's funny. I shouldn't be concerned because last year ended up so awesome.

If we start 0-4, will you tell us all to relax because we did last year as well?

[Stampede]

Well, I can assure every naysayer on this board that our coaches are not sitting aroud...relaxing...waiting for a list to appear. They are working hard and arein on some quality players who are being highly recruited.

Remember, non of the mid level programs are gaining any significant ground in recruiting at this point in time. Watch for things to start breaking and SMU landing more than its' share of talent. Also, we only have 12 -13 ship to give this year.

[ALEX LIFESON]

YOU MIGHT WANT TO RECOUNT A LITTLE LATER!

[Stallion]

unless we have some late commitments I counted last week and thought we could sign at least 18 as of today and that takes into account the 3 mid terms and Jones. By next August we will have more losses and probably will give at least 22-23 scholarships based on historical trends.

[KnuckleStang]

At a recent family reunion I was chided by a family member that is a coach on the Nevada staff. His question is how we can't bring in 20 kids every year just from the DFW area alone with the "amazing" facilities we have. He was telling me that after the game all the coaches at Nevada were talking about what a dream it would be to work at SMU with the resources and tools we must have to work with.

My brother spent a few years coaching college FB, and I can tell you that your Nevada friend was at best ill-informed, and was at worst acting like an *ss. I can only speak for myself, but in my conversations with members of the coaching community, I have found they have a universal reverence for Rossley and Cavan. They cannot believe Rossley was fired after a 5-6 season. "Hell, that's a great record at THAT place...What do they want, playing Ivy League FB!" They cannot believe Cavan was able to have a winning season. Coaches around the country, at least the ones I've talked to, say they still wouldn't touch any SMU job with a ten-foot pole, b/c of the lack of commitment to winning by the administration. And that includes some 1-AA coaches. In other words, the word is out. SMU has earned a rep in the coaching profession as a place that hangs their coaches out to dry.

Maybe your Nevada buddy was just embarrassed to lose to us last year, and was trying to get under your (or Bennett's) skin.