Ep 24. Pony Excess (SMU)

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Southern Methodist University's football program was in shambles. They had not won a conference title in over a decade and were desperate for a change. Enter wealthy oil tycoon, boosters and supporters who pumped millions of dollars into the program. They hired the highly successful and controversial coach, Ron Meyer, who was determined to turn the program around.

Meyer brought in high-profile recruits, instilled discipline, and implemented a high-octane passing offense. The team quickly transformed into a powerhouse, winning back-to-back Southwest Conference titles and earning a trip to the Cotton Bowl. But this success came at a cost, as boosters and supporters were allegedly paying players under the table, violating NCAA rules.

As the wins and money piled up, so did the pressure to keep the illegal activity a secret. But in 1986, a Sports Illustrated article blown up the lid about SMU's dirty secrets. The NCAA launched an investigation, which culminated in the 'death penalty' sanction, devastating the university and its football program.

"Pony Excess" tells the gripping story of the rise and fall of SMU's football program in the 1980s. Featuring interviews with former coaches, players, and journalists involved in the scandal, the episode explores the corrupt system that allowed SMU to become one of the most successful teams in college football history, and how its downfall helped reshape the sport and the NCAA's enforcement policies.