BARTEL IS GONE

[FloridaMustang]

I guess what I've said about Richard's irresponsibilty seems to have irked Bennett for the last time, too, if this is true.

[Hoop Fan]

It is a sad turn of events. Obviously, something happened between Bartel and the coaches during or immediately after the game. When Bennett came on the radio 20 minutes after the end of the game, it was clear that something had happened. If ArkPony says Bartel was laughing and cutting up on the sideline, I tend to think thats what it was to start with. Bennett probably got in his face after the game about it and knowing Bartel's temper you know he shot back in a serious way. I like a little swagger in a qb, but it can't be too much, especially after you play a poor game which Bartel really did. ArkPony has credibility here as far as I'm concerned and has never given reason to doubt him.

[Prof X]

Good luck to Richard. Really the only surprise here is that its happening this quickly. When I heard Bennetts post-game statements I said to myself that Bartel would be throwing baseballs again in 5 months. Looks like it will be more like 5 days.

After what he said on the radio Saturday, and now this move, I seriously wonder if Bennett has lost his mind. And I dont say that lightly. The rest of you can say what you want, but the move to start Chris Phillips was not a rational decision, it was obviously a heat of the moment deal. If it had been a well thought out, planned move to skip Phillips over both Bartel and Wallis, then Phillips would have been playing at the end of the of the Boise game, instead of Wallis. He would have gotten snaps against another teams bench players in a game already totally out of reach, where any potential mistakes wouldnt have made a difference. Instead he'll take his first college snaps in road game thats also his first start. Declaring him the starter for the rest of the season also isnt smart, what if he gets on the field and obviously isnt ready? No one knows for certain yet how he will respond. What if he turns the ball over, or blows the reads? What if he gets hurt? I guess now if he goes down we'll take the redshirt off Meeks and throw him into a game, ready or not. Or move Hodges back to QB from tight end.

This is disturbing, and there isnt any other way to spin it.

[KnuckleStang]

Wasn't there a press conference today at like 11? Has anyone listened to that? If so, what did Bennett say about this.

[buspen]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Prof X:
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The rest of you can say what you want, but the move to start Chris Phillips was not a rational decision, it was obviously a heat of the moment deal.
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He's had time to think about it and he has not changed. I'm with you, I don't think Phillips is ready nor is he the total answer. I think Bennett is feeling the pressure for his job, you can look at the players and tell alot about what's going on in the locker room and at practice. I still think he is on a learning curve as a head coach. Even in a losing season these kids have to feel the coach is behind them and will go to the mat for them. He can still hold them accountable as players, but for him to get their support, he has to give them the same vote of confidence from top to bottom. Now is the time to give as many players as possible some playing time nothing will help moral like a little PT, the present formula hasn't done much, a little shake up open some eyes including his.

[Corby]

Having spent some time around the program and having serious friendships with many players, I'm going to agree with Prof X.
I have words straight from players' mouths that Bennett can be an egomaniac very much set in his ways. This latest move does nothing to prove them wrong. That's too bad. I believe he has tools to be the coach to turn this program around, but not with stunts like this.
I understand his head coaching career isn't what he would have hoped, but after getting a feel from players, this guy has made zero adjustments to his style. I'm not here to say his style is right or wrong, but it is clearly ineffective.
I hope Bennett improves, because I fear if SMU doesn't have it right, they may not ever.

[Corby]

Having spent some time around the program and having serious friendships with many players, I'm going to agree with Prof X.
I have words straight from players' mouths that Bennett can be an egomaniac very much set in his ways. This latest move does nothing to prove them wrong. That's too bad. I believe he has tools to be the coach to turn this program around, but not with stunts like this.
I understand his head coaching career isn't what he would have hoped, but after getting a feel from players, this guy has made zero adjustments to his style. I'm not here to say his style is right or wrong, but it is clearly ineffective.
I hope Bennett improves, because I fear if SMU doesn't have it right, they may not ever.

[Hoop Fan]

My guess is that Bartel got so frustrated that he said the hell with it, basically quitting the team or practically inviting a dismissal. Bennett is so frustrated that the slightest laughing or joking on the sideline could set him off I'm sure. Listen to his friend, Bartel believes he still has other options in baseball and must have always believed that so he doesn't take crap from coaches. You can easily see how this situation combusted. Also listen to KK's quote in yesterdays paper. As for Phillips, I'm sure Bennett has been wrestling with playing him for some time. The DMN had printed 2 weeks back that Bennett was considering playing Phillips. Yes, it happened suddenly, but his is not that much of a surprise the way things have been building. The surprise is Wallis to me.

<small>[ 10-20-2003, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Hoop Fan ]</small>

[Joyous]

Prof X, Buspen and Corby. Finally someone with at least a clue. Know Prof X personally and he has always had an inside scoop and will set you straight when it knows for a fact what you said is ficton.

[MizterTea]

<img src="http://www.digitalo.com/babycha/bye.gif" alt=" - " />

[PerunaPunch]

Foremost, a player's job is to do whatever the coaches tell him to do - egomaniac or not. Only slightly less important is to execute your assignment. If that doesn't happen, for whatever reason, it's not the coach's fault if you get benched.

I like KK's comment in the Morning News. That's the right attitude.

Anyhow, aren't good coaches allowed to diplay a little ego? Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcels come IMMEDIATELY to mind.

[Joyous]

Jimmy and Bill have a coaching track record. Ego is fine, if you can back it up.

[RELATIVE-STANG]

Hey, Pro X, I got a chant for ya!----MUSQUITESTAMG!----MUSQUITESTANG!----MUSQUITESTANG!----MUSQUITESTANG!----YOU KNOW! :thumbupcool: :thumbupcool:

[PerunaPunch]

OUCH! Of course, prior to coming to SMU, Bennett had a great coaching track record too.

[Eddie P]

Having watched every moment of Jimmny Johnson's professional coaching career, I can assure you he displayed the attitude he is known for rather consistently from the start of his pro career til the end of it. 18 year olds calling their head coach names is nothing earth-shattering.