Bennett Can't Coach

by **ponygrad90** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:13 am

I have been saying this for 4 years, How can you realistically extend a contract to a person who is as inept as Coach bennett, that is the equivalent of re-electing the New Orleans mayor (Pathetic) Fire Bennett and Copeland Bring in a quality name coach ([deleted] Tomey just won at San Jose State) or Rick Neuheisel- Please bring in a coach who will alllow the talent we have started to accumulate the ability to excel!

Bennett makes ridiculous game day decisions, never makes adjustments at halftime and our teams always look a little undisciplined, bottom line He is not a head coach-

out

by **Pony_Fan** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:38 am

ponygrad90 wrote:I have been saying this for 4 years, How can you realistically extend a contract to a person who is as inept as Coach bennett, that is the equivalent of re-electing the New Orleans mayor (Pathetic) Fire Bennett and Copeland Bring in a quality name coach ([deleted] Tomey just won at San Jose State) or Rick Neuheisel- Please bring in a coach who will alllow the talent we have started to accumulate the ability to excel!

Bennett makes ridiculous game day decisions, never makes adjustments at halftime and our teams always look a little undisciplined, bottom line He is not a head coach-

out

How long is his contract anyway? That was such a bonehead move to extend it when he proved nothing.

by **Billy Joe** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:57 pm

It is amazing Bennett got a contract extension despite his horendous record. All of the losing is not Bennett's fault though. Two QBs leaving when he arrived really hampered this program. Every school serious about competiting in Division 1-A would have gone out immediately and recruited a JUCO QB in that situation. SMU's policies, however, prevented that senario. This is the reality folks: SMU still does not play on a even playing field with its competition. Until things change, expect more loses and humiliation. Baylor was one of the easiest teams we play this year. TCU and A&M will whip SMU bad. By the time conference play starts, the team will have quit by then and the losses will start to mount. It happens every year. The reality of a winless season is a strong possibility.

by **The PonyGrad** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:13 pm

I do not get your defense of Bennett and then saying the team will quit. Isn't that a job of the head coach. You can not have it both ways.

I have supported Bennett and was waiting for the talent to finally mature. Well now it has matured and the offense at least was not there. Unless things rapidly improve Bennett's abilities are very much in question.

How about that decision to go for it on 4th at mid field late in the first half that ultimately allowed a FG?

And it did seem that defensive players were not rotated as much as possible.

Aspects of the team seemed unprepared, especially special teams, again!
:roll:

by **Topper** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 3:48 pm

I was amazed that Bennett was asked back this year. In one game before that horrific losing streak ended last year he actually utilized the "swinging gate" on an extra point try. While the team was showing a total lack of coaching of fundamentals he was wasting time practicing the "swinging gate?" Its not as if we scored that many touchdowns in the first place.

Unfortunately, our recruiting capablilites may have peaked out right before the demise of the old SWC. TCU has been the model we should have followed. There just isn't the desire to excel in football at SMU anymore.

by **Sic_em** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:01 pm

There seems to be some parallels to Baylor's recent situation. Most fans wanted Kevin Steele gone after 3 seasons, but the AD felt that part of the problem was that we wouldn't be able to attract quality coaching candidates if we kept firing HCs every 2-3 years. Of course, year 4 under Steele turned out to be such a disaster that he was fired during that season.

Prior to year 4, BU announced Steele's contract had been extended. Fans were going nuts because he had done absolutely nothing to merit an extension (sound familiar?). But, he was complaining to the AD that he couldn't recruit because opposing coaches were telling recruits that Steele was about to get fired. The so-called extension did have an "out" in case Steele didn't win. So, it was basically window-dressing for recruiting purposes.

I would be truly shocked if Bennett's extension wasn't something similar. Remember, with private schools, they never release the details of extensions. I would think the bottom line is if he doesn't perform, he will be gone, extension or not. I just wish they held Copeland to that same kind of standard.

by **LakeHighlandsPony** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:06 pm

I think SMU can get a quality AD and HC. SMU is a very attractive positon. If you want to prove you are a great coach come turn us around and there would be no question(Neuheisel). Dallas has some of the best HS talent within 100 miles of the school. I think it would surprise us all who would have an interest in coming here.

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:20 pm

Others on this board have finally convinced me that one of two things will happen to SMU football in the next decade: it will either drop down to Div. 1-AA (is that the reason for scheduling Sam Houston State and Texas State next year? Gotta get a taste of some other schools in the Southland Conference?) or it will cease to exist.

by **PonySnob** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:34 pm

What about getting Charlie Waters as head coach and Cliff Harris as the new AD?

by **RE Tycoon** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:42 pm

Not growing up in Dallas, I guess I don't understand the impact these two had on the city. I know they are "Cowboy Greats", but what makes either of them qualified for the positions you suggest. I guess I am asking what makes you think they can do any better? Also try to explain to an outsider why they are so special? I know a lot of people were throwing their names around during the last coaching change.

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:51 pm

You're right...Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris were 'Cowboy Greats' when the Dallas Cowboys were great. The Cowboys - like SMU - have seen better days and too many people are living in the past. Waters & Harris (sounds like an accounting firm) are successful businessmen in Dallas. But neither of them would bring the EXCITEMENT that SMU football needs to resurrect it from the grave. At this point, I don't think ANYONE could achieve that. All that's left for SMU football is for the M.E. to pronounce a time of death.

Hell...as long as we're bringing in 'Cowboy Greats', let's get Roger Staubach (he spoke at the kick-off luncheon and has a daughter who went to SMU), Don Meredith (former SMU QB, too!) and Walt Garrison (the only 'true' Dallas Cowboy) to administer CPR. Dream on. It ain't gonna happen...SMU football is on life support and its pulse is weakening day-by-day.

by **GoRedGoBlue** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:38 am

Billy Joe wrote:It is amazing Bennett got a contract extension despite his horendous record. All of the losing is not Bennett's fault though. Two QBs leaving when he arrived really hampered this program. Every school serious about competiting in Division 1-A would have gone out immediately and recruited a JUCO QB in that situation. SMU's policies, however, prevented that senario. This is the reality folks: SMU still does not play on a even playing field with its competition. Until things change, expect more loses and humiliation. Baylor was one of the easiest teams we play this year. TCU and A&M will whip SMU bad. By the time conference play starts, the team will have quit by then and the losses will start to mount. It happens every year. The reality of a winless season is a strong possibility.

I'm sure it's not guaranteed.

by **friarwolf** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:01 am

Neuheisel is a scary thought. Scandals follow this guy - recruiting and otherwise. Besides, to my recollection, he wins with other guys' talent and then gets into trouble trying to recruit his own.

What would be wrong with positioning SMU as a school to "earn your wings"? Go get a young aggressive coach with the thought being he is going to move on in 2 - 4 years. Let's face it - Pete Carroll is not going to come here - but what would be wrong with bringing in a young "Pete Carroll" and getting 2-4 years out of him while he builds his resume'. We'll have some busts but I would bet we would have a few good years every so often, too - maybe enough that someone really talented might want to eventually stick around. The downside? Based upon the last 10 years, could there be a downside? Hiring coaches in their middle 40's who are desperate to be head coaches at Division I hasn't worked very well has it? By the way, find an Athletic Director who knows how to find young talented coaches, too.

by PK » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:57 pm

I like Bennett for a number of reasons. I like his enthusiasm, his recruiting ability, his determination and his love for SMU...but alas, I think he is his own worst enemy. He is too prone to micro managing, especially when it comes to the offensive play calling. Defense he knows...offensive knowledge is suspect at best. Rusty Burns has proved his offensive abilities at other schools...Bennett should let him loose and stay out of his way. My fear is he will run Burns off and that would be yet another mistake. I also fear another coaching change at this time as it will set us back yet again, but unless Bennett learns quickly how to delegate and let his assistants and coordinators do what they were hired to do we may have no choice but to try again on the HC position. I don't look forward to that happening.

by **ponydawg** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:16 pm

Do we know for sure that that is what is going on? I thought I heard at the end of the season last year that Rusty had more control....

Bennett Can't Coach

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