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couch 'em wrote:Let's look at his background:

"Turner received an A.A. from Lubbock Christian College, and graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.S. in Psychology in 1968."

While he later went to UT for grad school, undergrad is where athletics has by far the strongest influence on campus culture and college experience. Neither of these schools has a DIA football program.

"From 1975 to 1979, he was a Professor at Pepperdine University."

Again, no DIA football.

"He was the Vice-President of the University of Oklahoma from 1979 to 1984"

Excellent football in this time frame at OU, but it was the Switzer era. Did Turner learn to associate winning football with cheating, rape, shooting, drugs, and the other crazy events under Switzer at OU? Did the recent academic troubles bring these fears to the surface?

"Chancellor of the University of Mississippi from 1984 to 1995."

7 losing seasons, 4/5 winning seasons. Fired long-time football coach for NCAA violations.

"Since 1995, he has served as the President of Southern Methodist University."

From 1995-2008 he did nothing but allow football to fail miserably. Instituted no changes required by coaches to get on even footing in recruiting. Only hired a big-name coach 2008-2010 when it was paid for by donors.

NO stops where big-time football is present without recruiting violations and cheating. Quite likely he cannot separate winning DIA football from cheating and corruption.

Also head of the Knight Commission - an organization dedicated to reversing trends in major college football. He could be trying to walk-the-walk in addition to talking-the-talk on the commission.

Is Turner really a friend to football?

smusic 00 wrote:Brought football back to campus and built a premier (at the time) facility. Approved the Blvd modeled after the grove. Approved the hiring and paying of JJ, one of the highest regarded candidates at the time.

Oversaw the Crum center and renovation of Moody. Pushed for the hire of LB.

But, cut men's track and brought in women's equestrian.

couch 'em wrote:

smusic 00 wrote:Brought football back to campus and built a premier (at the time) facility. Approved the Blvd modeled after the grove. Approved the hiring and paying of JJ, one of the highest regarded candidates at the time.

Oversaw the Crum center and renovation of Moody. Pushed for the hire of LB.

But, cut men's track and brought in women's equestrian.

I really don't think you can count donor-funded-donor-driven facilities as a plus for Turner. Turner did not push to make Crum happen and the Moody upgrades were pushed but the Bush Library. Ford I don't know.
He sat for how many years before removing recruiting restrictions?

b_caesar wrote:I'm not surprised to see this tree leaning towards RGT not being as "athletics friendly" as he "should be" on this board. You'd probably find the same on an academics-related board, saying he focuses too much on athletics and not enough on academics or fundraising for their precious departmental endowments.

RGT's focus is always where it needs to be, and should be - on the University as a whole - not just on athletics or classroom amenities or endowments or alumni giving or whatever other pet project someone may have that if it doesn't happen at SMU it will be "the end of the world as we know it". He is required to balance all the aspects that are demanded from his being the President of SMU and he does it expertly. Not only is he an excellent communicator, but he's also able to perfectly judge the mood in a room before he speaks, and then nails it, every time. Yes, I'm glad he's SMU's president and it will be a sad day when he leaves. He will be long remembered as one of SMU's best presidents, I believe. Note I didn't say "loved" - clearly you can't please everyone's wants while balancing the needs of the whole in order to push it forward towards greatness. Growing pains are never easy, and he has shepherded SMU at a time when such charisma and leadership was so desperately needed. I can't think of anyone else who could have done the same, or as well as he has.

That said, yes, I would like to see SMU progress to have a consistently winning football program, but as just one tree in the vast SMU forest, it is not, and cannot be the be-all end-all to growing this University and having it achieve Tier 1, Top-50 Status, as is the oft-stated overarching goal.

Big12Mustang wrote:I think that after seeing TCU get in the Big 12, RGT has changed his views significantly

ponyscott wrote:

Big12Mustang wrote:I think that after seeing TCU get in the Big 12, RGT has changed his views significantly

But yet he apparently still does not link the success of TCU's or even SMU's Football team with increased applications. The jury is still out as the admin still hampers athletes at SMU including not allowing the athletes to register earlier than the student body to allow them to get the classes they need for timing purposes, etc. JC transfers need a 3. GPA instead of a 2.75 or 2.8 that most universities allow. We will see how committed he is in 30-60 days....