SMU sticking with Bennett

Harry · November 28, 2006

02:27 PM CST on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

Phil Bennett will remain SMU's football coach.

Athletic director Steve Orsini confirmed Bennett's return in a university statement Tuesday.

"Coach Bennett has exhibited the leadership traits necessary to put us in a good position to reach our goals," Orsini said in the statement. "While we did not succeed to the levels we had hoped this season, we continue to make progress. We will return SMU football to national prominence."

Bennett is 17-41 in five seasons at SMU. He led the Mustangs to their best record since 1997 this season, but 6-6 was not good enough to earn a bowl bid. Bennett said at the start of the season that fans should expect a bowl. Orsini, in his first year at SMU, agreed.

The two spent several hours discussing the direction of the program during the last two days.

"As the head coach, I evaluate the program at the end of every season," Bennett said in the statement. "It is a comprehensive assessment of where we are – what we did well and what we need to improve.

"We'll look at all aspects of the program. We have a great nucleus coming back and I am confident that we will again be competing for a conference championship in November.

"It's my charge now to determine what final steps we need to take to reach the goals for the SMU football program."

Bennett signed a one-year contract extension in January that runs through 2009.

E-mail khairopoulos@dallasnews.

Smitty · November 28, 2006

It's official, then. SMU is not looking for a new coach. We're not in a race with the Ponies.

UNT can take its time, do a thorough search, and get the right new coach.

jperg2 · November 28, 2006

It's official, then. SMU is not looking for a new coach. We're not in a race with the Ponies.
UNT can take its time, do a thorough search, and get the right new coach.
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BRILLIANT!

[sorry, couldn't resist when I saw your avitar]

Harry · November 28, 2006

I am happy for Bennett. He got us a series with SMU when everyone else at SMU said he was crazy. Our win against them almost cost him his job. He seems like a good coach and good man.

CaribbeanGreen · November 28, 2006

Holy Hairopoulous!

Edited November 28, 2006 by CaribbeanGreen

Smitty · November 28, 2006

I am happy for Bennett. He got us a series with SMU when everyone else at SMU said he was crazy. Our win against them almost cost him his job. He seems like a good coach and good man.
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Couldn't agree more. So many of us have been waiting for so long for that game, it would have been a shame for that victory to get him fired.

I just hope we get to find out if he can survive getting beat by UNT two years in a row...