There is some logic to the phrase “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
But, if people are ripping your marketing campaign, sure, they’re talking about your football program. But I doubt it’s the kind of talk that’s going to bring new people into the stands on game day.
And why the billboards surrounding the Park Cities? Duh. I think the PC folks are already aware of SMU. How about putting some of those billboards in Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Coppell, etc.? Advertising SMU along Central and University is kind of like advertising DisneyWorld in Orlando, isn’t it?