I've always loved the city of Dallas and the Metroplex in general. Being from Wichita Falls, I've made routine trips to Dallas with my family for as long as I can remember.

I've lived with a 214 area code for two decades. I love this city. And yes, I root for all of the teams that represent the city. SMU included.

I know that deep down, if this city fully backs SMU, and if the coaching staff can achieve its ultimate goal of keeping the best players close to home wearing the SMU Red and SMU Blue, good things can happen immediately. The city will have an overall product it can be very proud of for years to come.

It all can start this year. Your Mustangs are 3-0 on the football field for the first time since 1984, and they are loaded with confidence.

Me personally, as your newest managing editor of TheHillTopics.com, I'm here for it all.

As of Monday morning, I'm proud to say I will handle sports coverage of the Mustangs for the Rivals network. I totally understand that there are other publications covering the Mustangs, but let me be the first to say that I'm not here to compete with any of them. I am simply here to do good work for the benefit of the programs that we will cover.

Why? Because they deserve it just as much as you loyal fans. These athletes put on a show for you fans, and they deserve to get all of the recognition -- from game stories to lead-up articles to player features and everything in between.

It's crazy to think that for 25 years, I've been a journalist by trade, and I've been blessed to build a solid resume. A quick background: I've worked for ESPN, Bleacher Report, The Dallas Morning News and, most recently, 247Sports. Prior to all of those spots, I worked with TexasHoops.com on the Rivals network. The last 11 of my 25 years have been on the recruiting trail in some capacity.

In my time, I can say that I built relationships with a few of your current Mustangs back when they were high school stars trying to figure out their college paths. I remember first meeting a smiling Shane Buechele at a The Opening regional camp. You knew back then he had the juice.

I met a determined Demerick Gary during his days at Kimball High School. He always told me, "You'll be writing about me soon." Guess he was right.

Chevin Calloway was a shutdown defender at Bishop Dunne High School when I met him. He was so confident, yet so smooth.

Richard Moore was the heart and soul of a Cedar Hill High School defense when I first met him. He had the heart of a champion then -- and nothing's changed now.

One of my all-time favorite high school recruits was James Proche. But if you know the story of "Channel 3" like I do, you'd understand why I call him a favorite.

Once you get to know me more, you'll also know I won't throw that word "favorite" around often. And that's even mentioning the coaching staff. I've been around long enough to remember assistant coach Ra'Shaad Samples as a highly touted recruit. In fact, Samples was a part of my very first story when I was with ESPN.

I'm happy to say I have the support of many in the know with SMU athletics. It's now time to get to work -- for the good of this site, for the good of this network and for the good of the university and its followers. Look for daily updates on SMU football, and as we get closer to the winter season, look for updates on SMU basketball.

TheHillTopics.com also will provide recruiting updates on future Mustangs and Mustang prospects. Here's to a new day with TheHillTopics.com, one that further supports SMU athletics and one that further puts Dallas on the map.

Let's do this. For the school. For the city. #PonyUpDallas.