SMU Mustangs

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Coach and Program | Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers/tight ends | Offensive Line | Kickers | Defensive Line | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Punters | Special teams | Recruiting Class | Blue Ribbon analysis

Team schedule

COACH AND PROGRAM

In five seasons as coach at Southern Methodist University, Mike Cavan compiled an overall record of 22-34. Considering the Mustangs have had only one winning record since returning from the NCAA’s "death penalty" in 1989, that record was consistent with past coaching regimes.

Cavan knew before last season that he was on the proverbial hot seat. So it was no surprise that he was fired with two games remaining in the 2001 season with his team 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

The official word came on Nov. 19 from SMU Director of Athletics Jim Copeland. It didn’t take Copeland long to find Cavan’s successor. In December, Phil Bennett, the defensive coordinator at Kansas State for the last three years, was hired.

Team Info Location:   Dallas, TX   Conference:   Western Athletic   Last Season:   4-7 (.364)   Conference Record:   4-4 (6th)   Off. Starters Returning:   8  Def. Starters Returning:   8  Nickname:   Mustangs  Colors:   Red & Blue  Home Field:   Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000)   Head Coach:   Phil Bennett (Texas A&M '78)   Record at School:   First year   Career Record:   First year   Assistants:   Bob Fello (Kent '74) Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Tackles      Jim Gush (Bucknell '81) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers     Larry Edmondson (Texas A&M '83) Offensive Coordinator/QBs      Jerry Bennett (Louisiana Tech '76) Running Backs      Oscar Giles (Texas '91) Defensive Ends      Clarence James (Langston '73) Wide Receivers      Johnny Ringo (Texas '68) Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator      Eric Roark (SE Oklahoma State '84) Defensive Backs      Bob Stanley (Texas '68) Offensive Line   Team Wins (last 5 yrs.):   6-5-4-3-4   Team Rank (last 5 yrs.):   78-82-96-102-95   2001 Finish:   Lost to North Carolina in regular-season finale.

"This announcement is the next step in our commitment to excellence within our football program,’’ Copeland said. "We plan to win championships here at SMU and Phil has all of the characteristics that we were looking for in a leader of our program. He is passionate, enthusiastic, disciplined, has great integrity and has a great football mind.

"We encountered a broad and talented pool of candidates during the search process and without a doubt, Phil Bennett is the best fit for our program."

A 23-year veteran of college coaching, Bennett has been the defensive coordinator at seven schools. Most recently, he coordinated the Kansas State defense since 1999, helping the Wildcats to appearances in the Holiday, Cotton and Insight.com Bowls. In 2001, the Wildcats ranked third nationally in total defense, allowing 262.4 yards per game. K-State ranked fourth in the country in total defense in 2000 and second in 1999. Bennett was twice (1999, 2001) a nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach.

Bennett announced the hiring of six coaches to his staff shortly after taking over the program. Jerry Bennett, Larry Edmondson, Eric Roark and Bob Stanley joined the Mustang program while Oscar Giles and Johnny Ringo were retained from the previous coaching staff.

"I am excited about the type of staff that we are putting together," Bennett said. "All six of those guys have great ties to high school coaches here in Texas and I am very familiar with all of their work. I have worked with Jerry, Larry, Eric and Bob previously so they know my style and that should enable us to hit the ground running. Oscar and Johnny have done some very good things in their two years at SMU and they will provide some continuity to the staff."

Jerry Bennett, Phil's brother, will coach running backs at SMU after a legendary coaching career at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Texas. He compiled a 147-55-5 record in 19 years there while producing more than 20 Division I-A players.

Edmondson has spent the last three years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Louisiana-Lafayette, and will serve in the same capacity at SMU.

Roark, who will coach defensive backs at SMU, served as a graduate assistant in football administration at Tennessee last season.

Stanley will serve as offensive line coach at SMU after coaching at Kansas State in 2001 as offensive tackles/tight ends coach.

Giles has been at SMU since the 2000 season, coaching defensive ends his first season and the defensive line last season. He will coach defensive ends.

Ringo also joined the Mustang staff for the 2000 season, serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator the last two years. He will continue in his role as recruiting coordinator while moving over to coach tight ends. Prior to SMU, Ringo compiled a 47-26-2 record in seven seasons as a high school head coach in Texas.

Bennett finalized his staff with the hiring of Bob Fello and Jim Gush, both previously at Kansas State, and Clarence James, most recently at Kansas.

Fello, who coached defensive ends at Kansas State, will serve as assistant head coach at SMU while also tutoring the interior defensive line.

Gush coached linebackers at Kansas State the last three years and will serve as defensive coordinator while also coaching linebackers at SMU. He was the head coach at Garden City (Kansas) Community College from 1996-98 and the defensive coordinator there from 1986-95.

James will coach wide receivers at SMU after serving as the wide receivers coach at Kansas last year.

Bennett said one of his primary tasks during spring practice was to find a starting quarterback. Four players -- junior Kelan Luker (6-1, 209) and red-shirt freshmen Richard Bartel (6-4, 190), Ashton Nixon (6-2, 201) and Tate Wallis (6-2, 210) -- would compete for the job.

"I’d like to come out of the spring with a clear cut No. 1 guy,’’ Bennett said.

After the spring game, Bennett had a better idea of who his starter will be in the fall.

"If we played tomorrow, Tate would be the starting quarterback,’’ he said. "Tate made some very good decisions today. Richard showed signs of brilliance, then would make a mistake. He has a lot of talent, but just needs to execute better. He started slow, but once he got going made some great throws.’’

Wallis threw for 188 yards in leading the Blue to a 26-0 victory. He completed 15-of-27 passes. Bartel was 12-of-24 for 125 yards. Luker, who started the first three games last year before giving way to the departed David Page, missed the game with a strained neck. Luker completed 54-of-111 passes for 516 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted four times.

Page left the program in January after being accepted into an accelerated master’s degree program with Ernst & Young.

Bartel and Nixon were highly touted high school players two years ago. Bartel has great size and a strong arm, while Nixon has great athletic ability.

Wallis was a late addition to the 2001 recruiting class and was red-shirted as a tight end last year. He led Ennis (Texas) High School to the Class 4A state title two years ago at quarterback.

Headlining the returnees on offense is sophomore running back ShanDerrick Charles (5-9, 180), an honorable mention All-WAC selection last season.

After playing very little in the first four games last year, Charles burst onto the scene with 243 yards against San Jose State. One game later, he ran for 212 yards and tied a school record with four touchdowns in a victory over UTEP.

Charles broke Craig James’ school freshman rushing record (761 yards, 1979) with 860 yards on 134 carries and seven touchdowns. He led the WAC and ranked fifth nationally with his 6.4-yards per carry average, and was the nation’s fourth leading freshman rusher on the way to honorable mention All-WAC honors.

"It is obvious watching on film that ShanDerrick is a special player,’’ Bennett said. "We have to find different ways to get the ball in his hands. The best is yet to come for him.’’

In the spring game, Charles ran for 55 yards on 11 carries.

Junior Keylon Kincaid (5-11, 200) shared the No. 1 job with senior Kris Briggs (5-11, 224) before Charles took over. Kincaid ran for 421 yards last year on 93 carries, and had a career game with 169 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries at Tulsa. Briggs was a second-team All-WAC pick in 2000 when he rushed for 828 yards.

Kincaid had 46 yards on 14 carries in the spring game.

Sophomore Derron Brown (5-10, 202) is also in the picture after running for 109 yards on 25 carries last year.

All four players who made starts at receiver last year are back. The key returnee is senior Chris Cunningham (5-8, 180), who led the team with 45 catches for 516 yards and seven touchdowns. He endured an injury-plagued sophomore season.

Nicknamed "The Comet,’’ Cunningham enters his final season ranked seventh on the school’s career receptions list with 37.

Senior Cody Cardwell (5-10,180) made 31 catches in 1999, but has only 37 in the last two years.

Seniors Billy Ford (6-4, 210) and Johnnie Freeman (5-11, 191) both started games last year. Ford had 20 catches, while Freeman caught only six passes. Freeman was SMU’s big-play man in 2000 with 32 catches for seven touchdowns.

Sophomores Jay Taylor (6-4, 184) and Trey Griffith (5-10, 175) and red-shirt freshman Cedric Vinson (5-11, 190) provide depth at receiver.

"Everyone is back out there,’’ Bennett said. "We have guys that have gotten it done in the past and the young potential excites me.’’

Returning at tight end are senior John Hampton (6-3, 249) and junior Trent Hrneir (6-5, 237). Hampton is considered one of the nation’s best tight ends. He had 35 catches last year and 81 over the last two seasons. Hrneir is a solid run blocker.

Although three starters return, Bennett must find replacements for tackle Joey Slaten and guard James McCarthy.

"We have some experience on the offensive line, but we need to find the right combination of guys,’’ Bennett said. "The best five guys that fit together will play.’’

The returning starters are senior guard Thornton Chandler (6-3, 277), senior tackle Judson Davis (6-5, 291) and junior center Steve Reindl (6-3, 274). Also, junior guard Sterling Harris started the final two games last year and should work into the starting lineup.

The fifth starter will come from a group of youngsters -- sophomores Townsend Hargis (6-4, 275) and Eric Neal (6-3, 281) and red-shirt freshmen Scott Dale (6-4, 281), Brad Kieschnick (6-3,275) and Tommy Miller (6-2, 319).

The Mustangs must replace place-kicker Jacob Crowley. The likely candidate is red-shirt freshman Chris McMurtray (6-1, 216).

McMurtray has a strong leg. He made a 57-yard field goal in a scrimmage.

The biggest hole to fill on defense will be at end, where starters Kevin Aldridge, SMU’s third first-team All-WAC pick a year ago, and Johnson Patman have departed.

Seniors Khalid Beard (6-1, 215) and Eric Peterson (6-4, 238) and sophomore Melvin Williams (6-1, 235) all played extensively last year and will get an opportunity to start at end.

A pair of starters return at tackle in seniors Warrie Birdwell (6-4, 280) and Lute Croy (6-2, 316). The duo combined for 98 tackles, 11 for loss, and 5.5 sacks last year. Birdwell will be a third-year starter while Croy will be in his fourth season in the starting lineup.

Sophomore Allan Adami (6-4, 257) can play both inside and outside, while red-shirt freshman Marcus Walker (6-3, 278), a prize recruit a year ago, will see time at tackle.

"Birdwell and Croy are seasoned players on the interior,’’ Bennett said. "Adami and Walker can form a good rotation inside. On the outside, we need Beard, Peterson and Williams to get to the next level. They can do that.’’

Senior Vic Viloria (5-11, 235) was a key last year as SMU fielded the top-rated defense in the WAC. He was voted first-team all-conference.

"The defense was well coached last year,’’ Bennett said. "I want to be aggressive and attack on that side of the ball. Make things happen. We need to create more takeaways there.’’

Viloria led SMU and ranked fourth in the WAC in tackles with 110 after leading the league with 130 as a sophomore. He has made at least 10 tackles in 16 of his 28 career games.

"Vic is a throwback,’’ Bennett said. "He loves to play the game and is a tough, hard-nosed guy. I am expecting big things from him.’’

Viloria was selected to the 2002 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch. The award is presented annually to the top lineman or linebacker in college football.

"Vic is very deserving to be recognized as one of the best at his position in college football,’’ Bennett said. "He has had a great spring for us and a great career.’’

Junior Brian Bischoff (6-0, 214) started nine games last year and junior Jarrian James (6-0, 219) had six starts. Bischoff made 63 tackles last season and 74 two years ago. James excels in pass coverage.

Senior Billy Jack Williams (6-2, 200), sophomore Derek Swafford (6-4, 220) and red-shirt freshman Don Ieremia-Stansbury (6-2, 210) will provide depth.

Junior cornerback Jonas Rutledge (5-10, 180) was a first-team all-conference player last year. He had a breakout season with four interceptions and 16 pass breakups.

Rutledge also scored three touchdowns -- one on a kickoff return, another on a blocked field goal return and yet another on an interception return.

"Jonas has all the potential in the world,’’ Bennett said. "He is an extremely hard worker and he has the skills that we can build things around defensively.’’

Also back is senior Kevin Garrett (5-10, 196), a second-team all-conference pick in 2000. Garrett had 62 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes broken up last year. He returned an interception off Fresno State’s David Carr 32 yards for a touchdown.

"I have had the chance to coach some great corners in my career and Garrett and Rutledge could be as good as any pair I have worked with,’’ Bennett said. "When you have good corners, you can do a lot of things defensively.’’

Junior free safety Ruben Moodley (6-0, 186) could also push for postseason honors. He had 54 tackles last year and an interception.

Opposite of Moodley at strong safety will be sophomore Rico Harris (6-2, 212), sophomore Alvin Nnabuife (6-1, 200) and junior Leroy Price (6-1, 205).

The Mustangs lost punter Adam Walterscheid. The heir apparent is freshman Ryan Mentzel (6-1, 185), a member of Bennett’s first recruiting class.

Mentzel was a three-year letter winner in football and baseball at Midlothian (Texas) High School. He was a three-time all-district selection.

Mentzel averaged 38.7 yards as a junior and 40.1 as a senior. He attended the Texas A&M kicking camp in 2000 and received Top Punter honors. He was chosen one of the top 50 prospects in the nation by Ray Guy.

The place-kicking job will be McMurtray’s to lose, and Mentzel will likely be the punter in his freshman season.

"The kicking game will be a priority,’’ Bennett said. "Not just kicking the ball, but coverage and returns as well.’’

Rutledge will once again play a role returning kicks.

One of the top recruits was Mentzel, who will be the Mustangs’ punter.

Bennett and his staff also signed two quarterbacks -- Donnie Gilray III (6-1, 200) from Rowlett (Texas) High School and Mark Hodges (6-4, 200) from Mesquite (Texas) High.

Gilreay was voted Rowlett’s offensive player of the year with 904 yards passing.

Hodges was more effective, leading his team to a 16-0 record and the Class 5A Division I state championship. He was voted first-team all-district and Mesquite City MVP. He led the leading rusher, passer and scorer for his high school team.

Only one running back was signed -- Anthony Barnett (5-9, 182) from Dallas Carter. He rushed for 1,096 yards on 130 carries his senior season and scored nine touchdowns. He also returned six kickoffs for 280 yards. Barnett was chosen All-American by Prep Star.

The Mustangs also signed Grant Eidson (6-1, 265), an offensive lineman/long snapper from Highland Park High in Dallas. He was voted first-team Texas Super Team at center by The Insiders.com, and earned first-team all-area offensive honors from the Dallas Morning News.

Bennett and the Mustangs return 17 lettermen on the offensive side of the ball. The key will be at quarterback, where Wallis took the lead during spring drills. He will have an array of skill people around him.

"We have a good group of running backs and some very capable wide receivers,’’ Bennett said. "I know we need to cut down on the turnovers.’’

Defensively, Viloria and Rutledge will make the Mustangs good again.

"I like that we have a lot of experience back on defense,’’ Bennett said. "We should be able to do a lot of different things on defense. Our philosophy will be to attack and be aggressive without being reckless.’’

Bennett has a proven track record when it comes to winning. Don’t be surprised if the Mustangs rebound for a rare winning season in 2002.