Did Bennett interview with K-State?

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:48 pm

No, luck is when a blind squirrel finds a nut.

perunapride · Post by **perunapride** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:18 pm

If you have a coach who is moving the program in the right direction & other teams come looking at him to fill their respectiver coaching vacancies, you simply pay him to stay. At this time, who else would come in & take the SMU job that would be a proven commidity beyond Phil Bennett current experience & accomplishments? Bennett is no world beater but is a good fit @ SMU. Who in C-USA has the whole package (tradition, location, ect) that the Mustangs bring to the table. Starting over with a new coach at this point has more pitfalls than upside in my estimation. The recruiting needs to be better but that should come with time & future success. Although it is unlikely that Bennett is their man, (although a K-State plane landed in Dallas & in Gregg County today) you pay the man to keep him in place. Paying him is simply a commitment to the SMU football program's stability, to its fanbase, to the media and to potential recruits.

PonySnob · Post by **PonySnob** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:33 pm

perunapride wrote:you pay the man to keep him in place. Paying him is simply a commitment to the SMU football program's stability, to its fanbase, to the media and to potential recruits.

But given the number of wins in the last 4 years, couldn't one argue that Benett has been paid more than enough for what he has delivered? We did give him a contract extension after a 3 win season last year.

BUS · Post by **BUS** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:13 pm

Ponysnob, is there ever any water in your glass????

Stallion · Post by **Stallion** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:23 pm

Hey I'm not sure we should be signing ANY long term extensions for any coach that goes 5-6.SMU was 4-7 when he got here 4 years ago under more difficult conditions. If he gets us to a bowl then reward him. I don't think it makes too much sense to throw money at him when he is going to take any BCS job that comes along anyway-I certainly wouldn't blame him. Just don't think this was the dream season that requires us to throw money away.

Charleston Pony · Post by **Charleston Pony** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:50 pm

I do believe Bennett is doing a good job of building this program, but it's still just that...BUILDING. I give him the most credit for bringing in more big men and building some depth in the lines. That was Cavan's major failing in my opinion. We still aren't attracting the highly sought after guys we'd all like to see in every class, but we are making progress.

Before everyone runs off predicting 8-9-10 wins next year because of the "softening" of the schedule...remember that we are apparently playing TTech and don't fall into the trap of believing no other CUSA teams will improve. Gotta remember that all our opponents, with the exception of Rice, have as much talent as we do and most of this year's games could have gone either way.

I will be pleased if Bennett can solve the QB and LB losses and keep the momentum going with 6-7 wins next year. Let's look for a winning season before we start expecting bowl appearances. We will probably need to solve our attendance woes before any bowl invite will come.

I just want to see this thing move forward and if it reaches the point where SMU is bowling every year and competing with the BCS schools for recruits, I will be happy for Bennett when A$M comes calling.

copeydopey · Post by **copeydopey** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:01 pm

perunapride wrote:...you pay the man to keep him in place. Paying him is simply a commitment to the SMU football program's stability, to its fanbase, to the media and to potential recruits.

Are you smoking crack? Pay him to stay?? SMU did not go to a bowl game big guy...once that happens, then you pay the coach more $$. See our friends over at TCU who kept Patterson around. If and when SMU gets to a bowl, SMU pays the coach to stay. Puullleeze.

MustangSally · Post by **MustangSally** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:48 pm

RGV,
I agree that KState may be going through the motions by interviewing the minority guy, but now I think I read that he's now had a second interview. I don't think KState would be low enough to string him along for multiple interviews just to do it. I know many schools will give a "courtesy interview" to a few candidates, but if they weren't real contenders, would they invite them back for a second?

Hopefully Bennett will stay, but it is nice to know that he is wanted. As someone else mentioned, I'd rather have him leave because he was hired away by a bigger program, than have him run out of town for losing.

perunapride · Post by **perunapride** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:51 am

If I'm smoking crack, I'm not feeling good enough yet!!!

HFvictory · Post by **HFvictory** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:45 am

MustangSally wrote:RGV,
Hopefully Bennett will stay, but it is nice to know that he is wanted. As someone else mentioned, I'd rather have him leave because he was hired away by a bigger program, than have him run out of town for losing.

If KanSt hires Bennett would that be:

being hired away by a bigger program for losing?

Lots of reports seeing KanSt jets in Addison.

BRStang · Post by **BRStang** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:23 am

Apparently, a lot of K-State fans love Bennett on a personal level. The reaction seems mixed when it comes to whether he would be the right fit at K-State at this point. It seems the majority of those posting on the K-State boards, though, think Bennett would be a solid hire that would lend stability to the program over the long run.

I swear, Copeland better be all over this like white on rice.

Dopey Doowrong · Post by **Dopey Doowrong** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:32 am

Don't worry--I've lined up Rusty B. and Jimmy G. should one of them be needed to fill Coach Bennett's shoes.

Buddha · Post by **Buddha** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:53 pm

HFvictory wrote: .... Lots of reports seeing KanSt jets in Addison.

I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over that. Last year I saw several planes with K-State logos sitting side-by-side at Love Field, and they weren't even looking for a coach then. I guess they needed four jets full of staff and coaches to recruit Dallas kids last year. If there's a KSU jet in Addison, they could well be mining the Metroplex for more talent.

Hoop Fan · Post by **Hoop Fan** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:02 pm

Stallion wrote:Hey I'm not sure we should be signing ANY long term extensions for any coach that goes 5-6.SMU was 4-7 when he got here 4 years ago under more difficult conditions. If he gets us to a bowl then reward him. I don't think it makes too much sense to throw money at him when he is going to take any BCS job that comes along anyway-I certainly wouldn't blame him. Just don't think this was the dream season that requires us to throw money away.

I know you know this, but the difference is the quality of the teams we beat. I venture to guess that its was San Jose, Rice, Nevada and Tulsa in the 4-7 season, that equals maybe one quality win because your favorite program the Rice Owls might have been having a decent year back then. This year saw 4 good wins over Utep, Houston, UAB and TCU. Thats what encourages me, beating multiple programs that have had some success and have some athleticism.