I just got home from the Jackson installment of Dr. Bennett’s 7-city listening tour, focused on feedback about the University and athletics.

I took a few notes about what we discussed, so I will jot some of that down here.

Dr. Bennett began the forum by informing the group about a lot of the positives happening at USM, ranging from budgetary improvements, to development and fostering of better relationships with the IHL and Mississippi Legislature. Some of these topics include:

• Dramatic improvement in the relationship and communication with IHL members.
• By 6/30, there will be somewhere between 102 and 105 days of cash on hand in the University’s operating budget. This is an improvement from previous years, and we now far surpass the IHL requirement of 90 days.
• In 2013, USM had less than $900,000 in recurring budget funds. At the end of this fiscal year, we will have between 9 and 10 million.
• As everyone knows, we are now an R1 Research Institution, positioning us with 140 of the most prestigious US Universities.
• We are recruiting and retaining a higher quality student than ever. And enrollment is nearing some of the best numbers ever.
  

Dr. Bennett then began taking questions and comments from the group. The group ranged from a small group (about 3 individuals) in their mid-20’s, to about 50 individuals above the age of ~50. I will outline as many question/comments and replies as I can remember.

• The first statement was about the divide between the group of 5 conferences and the power 5. The questioned posed was about a potential playoff writhing the group of 5.
• >>>Dr. Bennett responded by kind of dismissing the idea of a playoff among G5 conferences. However, he did acknowledge his belief that there will be another conference realignment happening sooner rather than later and, we are continually putting ourselves in a better position to come out of that alignment favorably. He also acknowledged that, when the time comes for us to move to better pastures, people will have to put their money where their mouth is and write checks.
• The next statement was also about conference realignment as well as about confidence in conference leadership.
• >>>Dr. Bennett responded that part of conference realignment will need to involve an improvement in geography because of how ridiculous all of our travel has gotten (ODU to UTEP, etc). He then explained that he understands the concerns with conference leadership. He has specifically told JM that many stakeholders in the conference are dissatisfied with her leadership and there needs to be some reevaluating.
• The next statement was praise for Jeff Mitchell, as he engages younger alumni better than many former AD’s.
• >>>Bennett responded by acknowledging the importance of engaging young alumni, but affirming that Mitchell will not simply be appointed to the role. There will be a thorough application and vetting process. He is welcome to apply but not guaranteed the permanent job. .
  

I can’t remember a lot of the specific questions, but I will try to run down more of what Bennett included in his responses.

• He expressed that the next AD must be aware of the history of Southern Miss athletics. To not only have a good vision of the future but have a deep knowledge and respect of our past. He hinted that it possibly should be a Southern Miss alumnus, but someone with strong administrative capabilities. Also, someone who is excited to stick with the program and move it into the future. Not to see the position as a stepping stone.
• Speaking of athletic budgeting, Dr. Bennett informed us that when he took office, the IHL only allowed the transfer of $1.5M of the University’s budget to athletics. Through his lobbying over the years (including using UM and MSU’s $40M SEC welfare check as ammo), he has been able to increase this transfer number to $4M annually.
• Bennett expressed how hard he tries to get more and more each year from IHL regarding athletics. He illustrates the unfairness between “us and them” and it is continually improving due to improved relationships between current administration and IHL (and mentioned that Aubrey K commended him on IHL relationship and that it hasn’t been as good as it is now since when he was president).
• He encourages people to reach out to him and the administration with questions and comments. He also tongue-in-cheekily reminds us that any email sent to him is subject to public records.
  

That’s about all I can recall at this point. My takeaway is that Dr. Bennett really does care deeply about athletics. He also cares about what stakeholders think about the program and administration. I think we’re in pretty good hands moving towards the future.

Good stuff. Thanks.

(03-12-2019 09:30 PM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  Good stuff. Thanks.

Ditto that!

Honestly, about as I expected from it. Sounds like a lot of talking and not a lot of listening. But it also sounds like no one asked very hard questions about the acceptance of mediocrity, coaches getting extensions for below average work in an awful conference, the fact that we’ve lost young and old alumni because the university has pissed them off. But hey, listen to how great things are! Blah blah blah.


Call me negative, but as expected, this was nothing more than a ‘See! I do care!’ without engaging the disengaged and figuring out why they aren’t coming.

(03-13-2019 06:29 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  Honestly, about as I expected from it. Sounds like a lot of talking and not a lot of listening. But it also sounds like no one asked very hard questions about the acceptance of mediocrity, coaches getting extensions for below average work in an awful conference, the fact that we’ve lost young and old alumni because the university has pissed them off. But hey, listen to how great things are! Blah blah blah.


Call me negative, but as expected, this was nothing more than a ‘See! I do care!’ without engaging the disengaged and figuring out why they aren’t coming.

I knew it wouldn’t take long for this reply to come from you. Below average coaches getting extensions? I guess you’re talking about Hopson? He is certainly average, but is 6-8 wins below average for $550K? No.

Bennett did say that winning in this conference is the most important factor in the short term. So, he obviously cares about that. There isn’t necessarily a ton of money to be thrown around to make that happen.

Also, he can’t engage the disengaged when the disengaged refuse to show up, or refuse to respond when reached out to.

You can be pissed off all that you want about USM. Our issues stem from times well before Dr. Bennett. The University is undeniably in a better place than it was in 2013.

(03-13-2019 06:41 AM)GeagleFan Wrote:  

(03-13-2019 06:29 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  Honestly, about as I expected from it. Sounds like a lot of talking and not a lot of listening. But it also sounds like no one asked very hard questions about the acceptance of mediocrity, coaches getting extensions for below average work in an awful conference, the fact that we’ve lost young and old alumni because the university has pissed them off. But hey, listen to how great things are! Blah blah blah.


Call me negative, but as expected, this was nothing more than a ‘See! I do care!’ without engaging the disengaged and figuring out why they aren’t coming.

I knew it wouldn’t take long for this reply to come from you. Below average coaches getting extensions? I guess you’re talking about Hopson? He is certainly average, but is 6-8 wins below average for $550K? No.

Bennett did say that winning in this conference is the most important factor in the short term. So, he obviously cares about that. There isn’t necessarily a ton of money to be thrown around to make that happen.

Also, he can’t engage the disengaged when the disengaged refuse to show up, or refuse to respond when reached out to.

You can be pissed off all that you want about USM. Our issues stem from times well before Dr. Bennett. The University is undeniably in a better place than it was in 2013.

Every coach. Hopson gets a massive extension after averaging six wins. Sadler continually got his one year rollover while being a cellar dweller. Joye Lee has done nothing in all her stay except a couple NITs, but has averaged losing records the majority of the time. Berry was given extensions while going 30-22.

If you think that's a one time problem, it's not. We constantly accept mediocrity from our coaches. And if you don't think there's a young coach willing to come in and win to move up (at the price we're able to pay), you're crazy. Oh, and those salaries would go up if the fans showed up, which they aren't because we playing boring brands of every sport and administration has given the finger to fans that used to fill up the home stands year after year.


They refused to show up because he limited it to 100 people who had to pay to get in. If they aren't going to drive down to a game, you think they're going to pay to talk to a guy they believe couldn't care less to listen to them? Heck no. It's more of the same in their book, and if all that was said is what was posted above, then they were spot on right about it.


I don't doubt our problems have their root in decisions we made in the late 90s and early 2000s. But until we have people in charge with a vision and plan on how to get there, nothing will change in Hattiesburg. When the people in charge only care about fans in a fifteen minute drive from campus, we'll never be what we could be.

Lmao no one had to pay to go to these.

15 mins from campus? That’s why they’re traveling from Houston to Birmingham to listen to fans.

(03-12-2019 08:48 PM)GeagleFan Wrote:  Bennett said people will have to put their money where their mouth is and write checks.

"SUNWACUSA Now, SUNWACUSA Tomorrow, SUNWACUSA Forever."

"please clap"

Get out of this shithole conference.

Sent from my SM-G930R7 using CSNbbs mobile app

(03-13-2019 10:59 AM)Noodles Wrote:  Get out of this shithole conference.

Sent from my SM-G930R7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Noodles is "farred" up this morning..

It's just a crystal clear indication of what is coming. I took a week off to watch this tournament, and now I doubt I turn it on. Judy can just go **** herself.

Sent from my SM-G930R7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Being that the disengaged were supposedly still engaged when we arrived where we are, a fat lot of good they turned out to be anyway.

(03-13-2019 02:57 PM)HarborPointe Wrote:  Being that the disengaged were supposedly still engaged when we arrived where we are, a fat lot of good they turned out to be anyway.

BINGO!

(03-12-2019 08:48 PM)GeagleFan Wrote:  The group ranged from a small group (about 3 individuals) in their mid-20’s to about 50 individuals above the age of 50.

Must have been a conference game.

More of an apology and PR tour, cleverly disguised?

(03-13-2019 05:31 PM)Black Diamond Reb Wrote:  

(03-12-2019 08:48 PM)GeagleFan Wrote:  the group went camping in Kamper looking for flamingo

they found a black bear escapee still trying to find a home...