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Assume for a moment that SMU goes 3-3 for the remainder of the season and that our current recruiting class stays as is.

At the end of our season, what do you reasonably expect from our new AD?

That he fire JJ? I would like to see this, but realistically that will be up to the money people, not him.

That he demand changes to his coaching staff? That would be a signal that he is holding our $2M+ guru to a higher and more reasonable standard, I would applaud this move.

That he is excited about our move to the BE and he supports our staff as is? Not such a good sign.

He dumbs-down our schedule? To me an admission of our incompetency, not a good sign.

I realize its early, but initial impressions are not favorable. I really hope I am wrong.

Just curious what others think Hart should or will do?

We shall see.

I don't even want to touch what he will do.

What he SHOULD do is meet with the CoC and talk about how we are going backwards and that it is time to make a change. Persuade them that the change must be made. Then fire June and hire a better coach.

I'm sure of anything they are waiting on the big easy tv deal, see what money comes in and use it to buy him out and put a joint effort contract to get a nice sweet juicy (performance clauses and everything) contract to get somebody who matters. Maybe JJ is doing everything he can to get us the worst tv contract possible. If my conspiracy theory is correct he will blow us up on a possible tv provider Fox sports and their viewers

I'm sure a lot will have to do with who he thinks he could realistically get to replace JJ. The parting will need to be handled delicately since JJ is a media darling to many ("you, sir, are a miracle worker").

My prediction:

- He tries to water down the OOC next year.
- Keep Jones until end of contract. JJ leaves voluntarily to coach somewhere else or simply moves on after contract is over. No hard feelings. No sour grapes. Thank you for taking SMU out of the dung heap.
- Work [deleted] his short list and work his network/feelers/talk to the money people (how much can we offer?).

The X factor in all this is Jason Phillips IMHO. If he is the next HC, JJ can leave in a positive light to his ego (I have groomed my successor, my legacy, etc). If JP gets the axe, I REALLY would like to see Kliff Kingsbury or Sonny Dykes or Kirby Smart, someone of that ilk. Would they come here? How much would it take? Would they ENTHUSIASTICALLY take over this program and recruit like crazy?

Could very well be why JP left Houston to come here in the first place....

To borrow a quote from The Hunt for Red October, "the Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan." Sound advice for our situation regarding any changes in leadership of our football program.

We need a PLAN and at least a TARGET before we so easily cut Jones loose. The Mob Boss had a plan, and with some timely help (ED among others) a needed upgrade occured. Now that the CoC has a rather strong voice in this (see Mob Boss exit after running afoul of Jones during the ASU aftermath), Hart will have to consult/convince the President/certain trustees/CoC before pulling the trigger.

An ASU situation may occur again...sounds far fetched, but I could see certain programs (Arkansas, Utah, etc) checking the availability of Jones moving. Rather than going into shock mode at the prospect, I hope our new AD will already be working on this issue, as well as when Larry Brown decides to depart.

Absolutely NOT JP. One of our major offensive problems is with the wr's and who is their coach-JP. One of our big problems is recruiting and JP has done nothing to bring in recruits..
If he is our next HC then we are in real trouble.
I think there will be many good quality coaches that could be hired at the end of this season- we don't need to settle for JP.

This is a great question. What is JJ's buyout? Do we have the financial guns willing to make a move? As Stallion brought up, do we force the issue on getting JJ new assistants?

redpony wrote:Absolutely NOT JP. One of our major offensive problems is with the wr's and who is their coach-JP. One of our big problems is recruiting and JP has done nothing to bring in recruits..
If he is our next HC then we are in real trouble.
I think there will be many good quality coaches that could be hired at the end of this season- we don't need to settle for JP.

Exactly. If JP was highly regarded by Sumlin/and or UH , he would either be at A&M with Sumlin or he would be HC or offensive co-ordinator at UH. I suspect that he is here for the same reason several of the assistants are here.....They are June's buddies !!

ponypatrick wrote:

redpony wrote:Absolutely NOT JP. One of our major offensive problems is with the wr's and who is their coach-JP. One of our big problems is recruiting and JP has done nothing to bring in recruits..
If he is our next HC then we are in real trouble.
I think there will be many good quality coaches that could be hired at the end of this season- we don't need to settle for JP.

Exactly. If JP was highly regarded by Sumlin/and or UH , he would either be at A&M with Sumlin or he would be HC or offensive co-ordinator at UH. I suspect that he is here for the same reason several of the assistants are here.....They are June's buddies !!

My opinion of JP is still up in the air. I was very excited when he was announced and as I said in another post, he's going after some talented players just hasn't closed the deal yet which in his first year isn't all that shocking (all his guys have tons of quality BCS offers - doesn't look like he's recruiting the SFA rejects - ouch that hurt to type). But, yeah, the WR performance has been troubling. I personally think they are getting slightly better and I think he's exposing who is mentally tough in that group and who isn't. I'll give him some rope and a little more time before I form an opinion on him.