How far have we come?

[mrydel]

I think Mason would be an excellent HC candidate, and deserves a shot. Players/recruits really like him; he relates well to them, and the parents also. The guy has been in the business 30+ years, he understands the game and that he is only as good as his coaches (recruiting, game prep, and game day adjustments), and he wants to be a HC. Based on conversation, I have no doubt he would make changes in the staff … certainly some would stay, but many would not IMO. With his 30+ years and contacts, don’t underestimate his ability to bring some quality guys in. The comment that Mason is not special as a DC … guess that depends on your definition … but he is damn good. We were what 125th in total "D" when he got here, and after the 2011-12 season we were 26th overall in total "D" … not bad, plus some nice things we did last year. Mason still has a lot of energy and passion for the game … and did I mention that players really like and respect him.

As far as what "O" he would run, I guess that depends to some extent on his OC hire. But, I know he says that the pistol is the hardest "O" to prepare for … and would add variations to that. Splash hire … short of NS and a short list of others … not sure it really matters. I think SMU (JJ) have the program on the map and in the conversation enough to give someone like Mason a shot … this is just all MO, plus a little conversation.

If only he could stop the hurry-up.

If he were head coach he could hire a DC to worry about the hurry up.

[CalallenStang]

I think Mason would be an excellent HC candidate, and deserves a shot. Players/recruits really like him; he relates well to them, and the parents also. The guy has been in the business 30+ years, he understands the game and that he is only as good as his coaches (recruiting, game prep, and game day adjustments), and he wants to be a HC. Based on conversation, I have no doubt he would make changes in the staff … certainly some would stay, but many would not IMO. With his 30+ years and contacts, don’t underestimate his ability to bring some quality guys in. The comment that Mason is not special as a DC … guess that depends on your definition … but he is damn good. We were what 125th in total "D" when he got here, and after the 2011-12 season we were 26th overall in total "D" … not bad, plus some nice things we did last year. Mason still has a lot of energy and passion for the game … and did I mention that players really like and respect him.

As far as what "O" he would run, I guess that depends to some extent on his OC hire. But, I know he says that the pistol is the hardest "O" to prepare for … and would add variations to that. Splash hire … short of NS and a short list of others … not sure it really matters. I think SMU (JJ) have the program on the map and in the conversation enough to give someone like Mason a shot … this is just all MO, plus a little conversation.

If only he could stop the hurry-up.

If he were head coach he could hire a DC to worry about the hurry up.

If he knew one/was friends with one, he would ask that DC for tips as a DC.

[CalallenStang]

A lot of "D"s and DC’s struggle with the Hurry up … and SMU no doubt has had its struggles with it. Not sure you can ever (on a consistent basis) stop the hurry up … Only hope to slow it down. That’s why so many teams in the college and now the pro’s are moving to it, or a variation of it. Also why IMO, NS has been vocal about it … masked in his safety for the players montage … vs. NS not liking it and the challenge/stress it puts on a "D"… again MO. Not suggesting NS is afraid of the R&S/spread up-tempo, nor a great enough coach to deal with it and recruit for it. It is what it is …. A challenge, and if an "O" is good at it, you won’t shut them down. SMU has gotten better overall in dealing with it IMO; need to get much better for sure.

Some of you guys are making an assumption that Mason would not make changes, that he does not have some serious thoughts, ideas and a game plan that would make a difference ... he is not the guy in charge right now ... and he goes accordingly.

Do you know how to stop the hurry up? Make them throw some incomplete passes. Do you know how to do that? Limit the high-percentage stuff. Take away the first ten yards and make the other QB throw deep. You'll give up some big plays but the hurry-up will be stopped as the completion percentage is much lower.

Instead, Mason sits in the zone and watches as WR Screen Left is called over and over and over again to the tune of 8 yards every time.

[East Coast Mustang]

A lot of "D"s and DC’s struggle with the Hurry up … and SMU no doubt has had its struggles with it. Not sure you can ever (on a consistent basis) stop the hurry up … Only hope to slow it down. That’s why so many teams in the college and now the pro’s are moving to it, or a variation of it. Also why IMO, NS has been vocal about it … masked in his safety for the players montage … vs. NS not liking it and the challenge/stress it puts on a "D"… again MO. Not suggesting NS is afraid of the R&S/spread up-tempo, nor a great enough coach to deal with it and recruit for it. It is what it is …. A challenge, and if an "O" is good at it, you won’t shut them down. SMU has gotten better overall in dealing with it IMO; need to get much better for sure.

Some of you guys are making an assumption that Mason would not make changes, that he does not have some serious thoughts, ideas and a game plan that would make a difference ... he is not the guy in charge right now ... and he goes accordingly.

Do you know how to stop the hurry up? Make them throw some incomplete passes. Do you know how to do that? Limit the high-percentage stuff. Take away the first ten yards and make the other QB throw deep. You'll give up some big plays but the hurry-up will be stopped as the completion percentage is much lower.

Instead, Mason sits in the zone and watches as WR Screen Left is called over and over and over again to the tune of 8 yards every time.

This drove me up a wall on Friday night. They start a [deleted] walk-on freshman QB and Mason was content to let him nickel and dime us all the way downfield with easy screen passes. I agree, if we had made him go over the top to beat us he might have been more prone to make a mistake and turn the ball over. If he beats us deep, he beats us. But anyone can throw a screen pass with DBs playing eight yards off over and over again. God, I was pulling my hair out.

But yeah, let's make Tom Mason our next head coach.

[PSCA]

Ah yes, it's just that simple ... and Mason is an idiot. OU and Alabama both demonstrated how easy it is to stop the hurry-up as well when they played A&M last year and countless other examples of teams that run the hurry-up that quality "D's" struggle with. But it is just that simple, what is wrong with these DC's. But maybe NS and the boys have got it covered this year, we will find out very soon.

[lwjr]

After this year I think Chad Morris ends up as a HC in one of the top four conferences.
What about Rice HC David Bailiff? He has deep Texas roots, was the DC at TCU before he took the HC job at Texas State and and now Rice. His teams play hard and are prepared. His record at Rice is not great, two winning seasons in six years, but it is Rice. The Rice adminisration appears they could care less about the football and basketball program. I think what he has done with the Owls has been impressive and almost a miracle. Not advocating him for the job just curious what others think.

[PSCA]

Oh, if they had beaten us over the top, we would be having the same discussion .. but why did we let a walk-on go deep instead having to make quick reads/decisions on quick hitters etc. This whole walk-on talk is a little miss-guided. He is a walk-on, but in name only. There is a reason why he ended up at Tech as a walk-on and a lack of talent/interest are not two of them.

I'm not suggesting Mason is the Omnipotent one, he needs to get better, but worthy of HC consideration in my opinion.

[sbsmith]

After this year I think Chad Morris ends up as a HC in one of the top four conferences.
What about Rice HC David Bailiff? He has deep Texas roots, was the DC at TCU before he took the HC job at Texas State and and now Rice. His teams play hard and are prepared. His record at Rice is not great, two winning seasons in six years, but it is Rice. The Rice administration appears they could care less about the football and basketball program. I think what he has done with the Owls has been impressive and almost a miracle. Not advocating him for the job just curious what others think.

55 years old
30-45 FBS
22-26 conference play
0 conference titles
0 weeks ranked
7-29 versus teams with winning records
2-15 versus AQ teams


Not that impressive, nothing there screams next level type coach. Given his age and record he's not likely to be on anyone's radar screen so Rice can have him for as long as they want (just gave him an extension).

[lwjr]

After this year I think Chad Morris ends up as a HC in one of the top four conferences.
What about Rice HC David Bailiff? He has deep Texas roots, was the DC at TCU before he took the HC job at Texas State and and now Rice. His teams play hard and are prepared. His record at Rice is not great, two winning seasons in six years, but it is Rice. The Rice administration appears they could care less about the football and basketball program. I think what he has done with the Owls has been impressive and almost a miracle. Not advocating him for the job just curious what others think.

55 years old
30-45 FBS
22-26 conference play
0 conference titles
0 weeks ranked
7-29 versus teams with winning records
2-15 versus AQ teams


Not that impressive, nothing there screams next level type coach. Given his age and record he's not likely to be on anyone's radar screen so Rice can have him for as long as they want (just gave him an extension).

Again he is coaching at Rice, besides he is young compared to our HC! lol

[TidePony]

Bobby Petrino would get it done - but hide the pretty young ladies!!! He beat Kentucky last Saturday.

[mustangxc]

Bobby Petrino would get it done - but hide the pretty young ladies!!! He beat Kentucky last Saturday.

Let June finish out his contract and Bobby rehab his image an additional season and then bring him on. I agree that he is the coach to take us to the next level.

[couch 'em]

Sign me up for Petrino

[sbsmith]

Bobby Petrino would get it done - but hide the pretty young ladies!!! He beat Kentucky last Saturday.

Let June finish out his contract and Bobby rehab his image an additional season and then bring him on. I agree that he is the coach to take us to the next level.

Petrino will be gone by then.

[SMU2007]

How much to get fatterson to move across the metroplex?

...anyone?

[PK]

How much to get fatterson to move across the metroplex?

...anyone?

He is already making more than June and has turned down a number of offers. Even if he would consider us (doubtful...he is a happy camper there in Fort Worth), TCU would be more than happy to beat any money offer.