CTMustang: Assuming Morris sticks around, which assistant coach is most likely to leave first for a P5 job or a promotion (HC/coordinator)?
For promotion to coordinator or head coach, I'd guess Claude Mathis due to his experience at DeSoto and widespread respect for him. There were already rumors about him and Texas State this last hiring season. For which assistant coach goes P5 first, my best guesses are Justin Stepp or Dustin Fry. Both are doing a great job recruiting and respected for their coaching abilities. Fry with his NFL experience and the acclaim he got as a grad assistant at Clemson make him a really interesting coaching candidate for P5.
GoodVibrations: Which redshirt freshmen will start on defense this year?
My best guesses are Michael Scott at DE, Jordon Williams at star linebacker and Matt McNew at linebacker. Dark horse is Chris Biggurs at DT if Zelt Minor isn't up to the challenge.
SMUguru: Who are the possible grad transfer point guards out there for 2016-2017?
One that has already declared he will transfer is Arkansas State's P.J. Hardwick, who averaged 2.4 points and 2.7 assists in 20.3 minutes last year. Another is Illinois guard Mike LaTulip, who announced he will transfer today. He redshirted last season be played very sparingly for Illinois in the three previous seasons.
He isn't exactly a point guard, but Hawaii wing Aaron Valdes could be a graduate transfer candidate this year with Hawaii's postseason ban looming. He averaged 14.1 points on 47.1 percent shooting in addition to 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a redshirt junior this season. If he graduates and transfers, would not be a bad addition for a season.
SFtoHilltop: When will an updated football roster be available? Do you foresee any other players leaving?
The roster for spring football can be found here, the SMU website likely won't be updated until the summer. Not sure about any future departures but Prescott Line, Spencer Hollie and Michael Epley have all opted to transfer out of the program so far this spring.
GoodVibrations: Will Van Malone make any changes to the defense this year?
Mainly personnel. If he experiments with anything it might some containment ideas for mobile quarterbacks but the defense's shortcomings last year were mainly due to the utter lack of talent on that side of the ball. With the redshirt and incoming freshmen set as reinforcements, making the pieces work together and making up or lack of experience will be the biggest things for Malone next season.
Dsmith25: When will we know if our APR is good enough to be eligible for postseason play next year?
End of summer, but I've heard the program is in better shape than it was in December.
a2d2: What are the dates for Spring football? Will a final Spring game be open to the public?
stl.pony: How's the media access to spring practice?
Availability is about the same as last year, once a week. Spring practice is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from now until the actual spring game, which April 16. The time has not yet been determined for the spring game but it will be open to the public like last year.
MustangPete66: Is there any news about a new coach for the women's team?
Not at the moment, it appears SMU is taking its time to see if there are any candidates after the tournament who are newly unemployed.
stl.pony: When will you actually post the answers to this mailbag?
I just did
For promotion to coordinator or head coach, I'd guess Claude Mathis due to his experience at DeSoto and widespread respect for him. There were already rumors about him and Texas State this last hiring season. For which assistant coach goes P5 first, my best guesses are Justin Stepp or Dustin Fry. Both are doing a great job recruiting and respected for their coaching abilities. Fry with his NFL experience and the acclaim he got as a grad assistant at Clemson make him a really interesting coaching candidate for P5.
GoodVibrations: Which redshirt freshmen will start on defense this year?
My best guesses are Michael Scott at DE, Jordon Williams at star linebacker and Matt McNew at linebacker. Dark horse is Chris Biggurs at DT if Zelt Minor isn't up to the challenge.
SMUguru: Who are the possible grad transfer point guards out there for 2016-2017?
One that has already declared he will transfer is Arkansas State's P.J. Hardwick, who averaged 2.4 points and 2.7 assists in 20.3 minutes last year. Another is Illinois guard Mike LaTulip, who announced he will transfer today. He redshirted last season be played very sparingly for Illinois in the three previous seasons.
He isn't exactly a point guard, but Hawaii wing Aaron Valdes could be a graduate transfer candidate this year with Hawaii's postseason ban looming. He averaged 14.1 points on 47.1 percent shooting in addition to 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a redshirt junior this season. If he graduates and transfers, would not be a bad addition for a season.
SFtoHilltop: When will an updated football roster be available? Do you foresee any other players leaving?
The roster for spring football can be found here, the SMU website likely won't be updated until the summer. Not sure about any future departures but Prescott Line, Spencer Hollie and Michael Epley have all opted to transfer out of the program so far this spring.
GoodVibrations: Will Van Malone make any changes to the defense this year?
Mainly personnel. If he experiments with anything it might some containment ideas for mobile quarterbacks but the defense's shortcomings last year were mainly due to the utter lack of talent on that side of the ball. With the redshirt and incoming freshmen set as reinforcements, making the pieces work together and making up or lack of experience will be the biggest things for Malone next season.
Dsmith25: When will we know if our APR is good enough to be eligible for postseason play next year?
End of summer, but I've heard the program is in better shape than it was in December.
a2d2: What are the dates for Spring football? Will a final Spring game be open to the public?
stl.pony: How's the media access to spring practice?
Availability is about the same as last year, once a week. Spring practice is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from now until the actual spring game, which April 16. The time has not yet been determined for the spring game but it will be open to the public like last year.
MustangPete66: Is there any news about a new coach for the women's team?
Not at the moment, it appears SMU is taking its time to see if there are any candidates after the tournament who are newly unemployed.
stl.pony: When will you actually post the answers to this mailbag?
I just did
