"All is well!!"

Statement from Rodney D. Bennett, President of the University of Southern Mississippi


University of Southern Mississippi head football coach Jay Hopson and I have spoken on multiple occasions in recent days and met face-to-face over the weekend to chart the most successful path forward for the Southern Miss football program. Coach Hopson assured me of his commitment to overseeing a program that upholds the values of The University of Southern Mississippi. I know Coach Hopson to be a man of high ethics and integrity, and I assured him of the University's dedication to continuing our winning tradition.

Our conversation included many topics, including the events of the past week. As a matter of practice, Coach Hopson seeks approval from and works in good faith with athletic administration on prospective student athletes who have special or unique circumstances for admission to the University, which is consistent with University protocol in student-athlete recruitment. Additionally, Coach Hopson notified the University of his desire to meet with Art Briles, which is his right to do so as head football coach and is in line with normal University processes. After an intentional and thorough review of Mr. Briles' candidacy, I expressed my reservations, and ultimately that review led to the decision that Mr. Briles was not a viable candidate.

I consider the matter closed, and I am looking forward to working with Coach Hopson on our mutual priorities and shared goals for the Southern Miss football program and how it contributes to our vision for The University of Southern Mississippi.

You guys have a new AD yet?

(02-11-2019 10:53 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  You guys have a new AD yet?

Hey! We can only handle one catastrophe at a time

Quote:"Additionally, Coach Hopson notified the University of his desire to meet with Art Briles, which is his right to do so as head football coach and is in line with normal University processes."

https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college...86515.html



Let the record show that this quote proves that either: a. someone close w/ the university intentionally and maliciously leaked wrong information about Jay Hopson to SBNation (see link) or b. SBNation is full of sh!t and they lied about having "close sources" just so they could jump on the agenda pile-on of Hopson.

Southern Miss coach didn't run Art Briles interview past school leadership first

(02-11-2019 11:36 AM)TTT Wrote:  

Quote:"Additionally, Coach Hopson notified the University of his desire to meet with Art Briles, which is his right to do so as head football coach and is in line with normal University processes."

Let the record show that this quote proves that either: a. someone close w/ the university intentionally and maliciously leaked wrong information about Jay Hopson to SBNation (see link) or b. SBNation is full of sh!t and they lied about having "close sources" just so they could jump on the agenda pile-on of Hopson.

Southern Miss coach didn't run Art Briles interview past school leadership first

That sentence certainly DOES change things, TTT

(02-11-2019 11:36 AM)TTT Wrote:  

Quote:"Additionally, Coach Hopson notified the University of his desire to meet with Art Briles, which is his right to do so as head football coach and is in line with normal University processes."

Let the record show that this quote proves that either: a. someone close w/ the university intentionally and maliciously leaked wrong information about Jay Hopson to SBNation (see link) or b. SBNation is full of sh!t and they lied about having "close sources" just so they could jump on the agenda pile-on of Hopson.

Southern Miss coach didn't run Art Briles interview past school leadership first

Both statements could be correct.....

Hopson reported to the AD and the AD is his next step up the ladder of command. It's the job of the AD to take it to the president..the president at USM made no comment on that.

Quote: “there was not clearance from the tower before they brought [Briles] in for landing.”

Only a idiot would think Hopson wouldn't have talked this over with his boss...THE AD

SBNation and the MSM stated/implied that Hop didn't run the interview up the proper chain of command before it happened. USM president confirmed he DID in fact do that. Now let's watch and see how many of the same news outlets release follow up stories saying they were wrong...I'm betting ZERO do. This is MSM in a nutshell. Race to get a story out there to be first, regardless if it's factual or not. If in a few days new information comes about...well who cares, the damage is already done.

(02-11-2019 11:46 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

Quote: “there was not clearance from the tower before they brought [Briles] in for landing.”

Only a idiot would think Hopson wouldn't have talked this over with his boss...THE AD

Correct. And I don't see a young interim AD keeping that to himself and not notifying his boss, the Prez.

(02-11-2019 12:17 PM)va-eagle Wrote:  

(02-11-2019 11:46 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

Quote: “there was not clearance from the tower before they brought [Briles] in for landing.”

Only a idiot would think Hopson wouldn't have talked this over with his boss...THE AD

Correct. And I don't see a young interim AD keeping that to himself and not notifying his boss, the Prez.

this shite was a done deal....

bennett didn't want to be viewed as uncle tom....

it's pretty simple if one has paid att'n....