Texas A&M Aggies football under Mike Sherman

Mike Sherman is the 28th and current head coach for the Texas A&M Aggies football team, which represents Texas A&M University in NCAA Division I FBS college football. He has been the coach since his appointment in November 2007. Sherman replaced former head coach Dennis Franchione, who compiled a 32–28 overall record from the 2003–2007 seasons.

easons

2008

Hiring

During his stint with the Houston Texans, Sherman was informed by his agent that there would be an NFL head coaching job had he waited another few years. However, when offered the Texas A&M head coaching job, which had been vacated by the forced-out Dennis Franchione, Sherman did not hesitate to accept it. Sherman stated, " [I accepted in] as much time as it takes to say yes. I didn't have to think about this. This is where I want to be, where I want to live my life. I raised my kids here when they were young. This is kind-of going full circle. I've been there, done that at other places and I want to be able to do something special here at College Station with Texas A&M."cite news|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2008/04/03/Sports/Spring.Cleaning-3299935-page2.shtml|title=Sherman aims to restore tradition in Aggie football|publisher="The Battalion"|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-04-03|author=Ryan, Kenny] On November 26, 2007, three days after Franchione resigned, Sherman was officially announced as the 28th head coach of the Texas A&M football program in a press conference. [cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/college/5329158.html|title=Texas A&M hires Sherman to replace Franchione|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-11-26|author=Duncan, Chris|work=Associated Press] Athletic director Bill Byrne contacted Sherman after the Aggies' final regular season matchup over Texas on Friday, November 23rd, and hired him after the Texans' loss to the Browns on Sunday, November 25th.

The only coaching candidate interviewed for the job, Sherman signed a seven-year contract that pays a yearly salary of $1.8 million. [cite news|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2007/11/26/News/Sherman.Named.Head.Coach-3115364.shtml|title=Sherman Named Head Coach|publisher="The Battalion"|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-11-26|author=Cox, Brad] The entire $12.6 million contract is guaranteed. [cite web|url=http://www.coacheshotseat.com/MikeSherman.htm|title=Sherman, Mike|publisher=CoachsHotSeat|accessdate=2008-09-01] Sherman requested that he would rather not be paid the $2 million/year that Franchione was making, insisting that he "would rather take less and go out and hire the best coordinators and coaches". Former Aggie NFL players Richmond Webb, Hunter Goodwin, and Bucky Richardson, as well as former A&M coaches R. C. Slocum and Jackie Sherrill, stated their approval of Sherman's hire. Additionally, the interim president of the university at the time, Dr. Ed Davis, and the Texas A&M Board of Regents, including former A&M coach Gene Stallings, approved as well. [cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/am/President__regents_like_decision|title=President, regents like decision|publisher="The Eagle"|accessdate=2007-11-27|date=2007-11-27|author=Avison, April] Former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy have also supported the hire and expected Sherman to do a great job at A&M. [cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/coaches.php?SID=MFB&CID=236|title=Sherman, Mike|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-01-04]

Assistant coach appointments

Sherman chose to finish his term with the Houston Texans before working full-time as the Aggies' head coach. The Texans ended their regular season December 30, 2007. While serving both roles, Sherman contacted A&M's orally committed recruits [cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/122307dnspotamumen.2ac781d.html|title=No worries as Texas A&M waits|publisher="Dallas Morning News"|accessdate=2007-12-23|date=2007-12-23|author=Davis, Brian] by telephone, [cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/325898.html|title=Sherman won't be on the job yet|publisher="Fort Worth Star-Telegram"|accessdate=2007-11-27|date=2007-11-27|author=Miller, John] cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/aggies/entries/2007/11/26/aggies_give_thumbs_up_to_sherm.html|title=Aggies give thumbs up to Sherman|publisher="Austin American-Statesman"|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-11-26|author=Riggs, Randy] and hired former Nebraska recruiting coordinator Tim Cassidy—who had been the recruiting coordinator at A&M from 1989–2004—to serve as the recruiting coordinator as well as the associate athletic director for football. [cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/120107dnspoaggieslede.540c3021.html|title=Tim Cassidy returns as Texas A&M recruiting coordinator|publisher="Dallas Morning News"|accessdate=2007-11-30|date=2007-11-30|author=Davis, Brian] [cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5342472.html|title=Aggies bring back Cassidy to aid football operations|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|accessdate=2007-12-01|date=2007-11-30|author=Harris, Terrance] Once Sherman started his job full-time, he named Seattle Seahawks wide receivers coach Nolan Cromwell to be his offensive coordinator [cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13758|title=Cromwell Named Texas A&M Offensive Coordinator|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2008-01-05] and former Arkansas Razorbacks coach Reggie Herring to be his defensive coordinator. [cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13757|title=Herring Named Texas A&M Defensive Coordinator|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2008-01-04] Herring, however, resigned in February 2008 after National Signing Day to become the linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys. [http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA020908.WEB.Herring.en.a34a1a66.html MySA.com: KENS 5: Sports ] ] Sherman worked with Cromwell under head coach Mike Holmgren at Green Bay. [ [http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8U24AN81.html AP Wire - Washington | kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington ] ] Sherman assigned Cromwell to call the plays, and indicated that he will have veto power when necessary.cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/shared/content/shared/sports/stories/2008/01/0110aggies.html?cxntlid=inform|title=Sherman: Ags must improve team speed|publisher="Austin American-Statesman"|accessdate=2008-02-14|date=2008-01-10|author=Riggs, Randy]

On January 9, 2008, Sherman announced Buddy Wyatt would coach the defensive line. At the time of his hiring, Wyatt had 18 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 3 seasons as a defensive line coach at A&M from 2000–02. In 2001, the Aggie defense ranked 10th in the nation. [cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13768|title=Wyatt Named Defensive Line Coach|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-01-09|date=2008-01-09] Sherman also retained defensive backs coach Van Malone, who coached under Franchione for the 2006–07 seasons. Malone is the only member from Franchione's staff to be retained. [ [http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13773 Texas A&M Athletics Malone Retained as Defensive Backs Coach ] ] Former Boston College offensive line coach Jim Turner, [ [http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13791 Texas A&M Athletics Turner Named Offensive Line Coach ] ] as well as former NFL running back Randy Jordan, were selected to coach the offensive line and running backs, respectively. [ [http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13794 Texas A&M Athletics Jordan Named Running Backs Coach ] ] On January 28, 2008, Sherman named former Packers coach Tom Rossley as the quarterbacks coach. [cite press release|url=http://aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13845|title=Reynolds Named Director of Football Operations/Research and Development|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-02-09|date=2008-01-28] On February 13, 2008, Sherman hired former Alabama defensive coordinator Joe Kines to replace Herring. [cite press release|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=&PRID=13929|title=Kines Named Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|accessdate=2008-02-13|date=2008-02-13] Kines' defensive squads at Alabama ranked second in the nation in 2004 and 2005, and 23rd in 2006. [cite news|url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080213/NEWS/808471158/0/SPORTS|title=Back in coaching, former UA assistant headed to Aggies|publisher="Tuscaloosa News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-02-13|author=Walsh, Christopher] Two days later, former Denver Broncos coach Kirk Doll, another former A&M coach (from 1988–93), was hired to be the tight ends and special teams coach. [ [http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13932 Texas A&M Athletics Doll Named Texas A&M Special Teams Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach ] ]

Preseason

Sherman was able to retain most of Franchione's recruits for the 2008 season. [cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/02/07/0207golden.html|title=In today's win-now atmosphere, Aggies' Sherman gets it|publisher="Austin American Statesman"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-02-07|author=Golden, Cedric] On February 6, 2008—the 2008 National Signing Day A&M received letters of intent from 24 players. Of those 24, 3 ranked in ESPN's top 150 national players list, [ [http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=245&season=2008&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fschool%3fschoolId%3d245%26season%3d2008 ESPN - Texas A&M Aggies Football Recruiting 2008] ] , and 5 ranked in Rivals.com's top 250. [ [http://tamu.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?SID=893&Year=2008&ra_key=1738 Rivals.com Prospect Rankings ] ] 22 are from Texas. [http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/459067.html] Rivals.com also included 14 of the commits on its Texas Top 100 ranking. [ [http://tamu.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1843&Year=2008 Rivals.com Prospect Rankings ] ] The recruiting class was ranked No. 16 by Rivals, No. 15 by Scout.com, [ [http://tamu.scout.com/a.z?s=187&p=9&c=14&yr=2008 Scout.com: Football Recruiting ] ] and No. 25 by ESPN. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3233826 ESPN - Miami claims top 2008 recruiting class - Insider ] ] [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3207295|title=Class of 2008 Big 12 South recruiting overview|publisher=ESPN|date=2008-01-22|author=Luginbill, Tom] Two of the recruits, however, were not able to make the team as they failed to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. [cite news|url=http://www.kbtx.com/sports/headlines/26229024.html|title=Aggie Football Team Begins Practice Monday]

Sherman has emphasized improving the team's speed, particularly on defense. He also stated that a run-oriented offense, which former head coach Dennis Franchione emphasized, is antiquated, [cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/04/17/0417aggies.html|title=Aggies adjusting to big changes of Sherman's offense|date=2008-04-17] and improving the speed on offense is crucial in matching the speed of current successful college teams. [cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/011008dnspoamlede.2c41122.html|title=Texas A&M to improve its recruiting in Dallas|publisher="Dallas Morning News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-01-10|author=Davis, Brian] He, along with defensive coordinator Joe Kines, [cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/big12/stories/MYSA032908_AggiesBag.en.864f26d.html|title=Aggies Mailbag: Kines likes to yell, but so did his predecessors|publisher="San Antonio Express-News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-03-26|author=Zwerneman, Brent] also seeks to bring back the "Wrecking Crew" Aggie defense that was among the nation's best in the early 1990s.

During the preseason, Sherman made some player adjustments to fit his pro-style offensive scheme. Von Miller, who was a backup defensive end in the 2007 season, and Garrick Williams, his high school teammate, were moved to outside linebacker. Safety Jordan Pugh was shifted to cornerback, which he played in high school. Devin Gregg moved to free safety from strong safety. Jordan Peterson, after playing two seasons at cornerback, became a safety. Jamie McCoy, who moved from quarterback to wide receiver the previous season, shifted to tight end. Defensive back Chevar Bryson became a wideout. Running back Jorvorskie Lane is losing weight while making the move from tailback to fullback. [ [http://www.aggiesports.com/football/Texas_A_amp_amp_M_Football_Notebook2008_01_10T00_12_42 Aggiesports.com ] ] [ [http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/26/fewer-rolls-new-role-for-jorvorskie-lane/ Fewer Rolls, New Role for Jorvorskie Lane? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog ] ] [ [http://www.aggiesports.com/football/Sherman-mixes-it-up-at-Aggies--first-spring-football-practice Aggiesports.com] ] [cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=337002|title=Inside Dish: BCS system likely to get stronger|publisher="Sporting News"|date=2008-01-04] Sherman stated that Lane would need to block and catch more as a fullback. [cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/big12/stories/MYSA032608_AggiesSpring.en.283d5474.html|title=College football: Sherman re-evaluates Aggies' backfield|publisher="San Antonio Express-News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-03-26|author=Zwerneman, Brent]

In April 2008, a "Sporting News" writer ranked Sherman 8th among all Big 12 coaches, above first-year Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy, Iowa State's Gene Chizik, and Kansas State's Ron Prince, who ranked 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. [cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=394620|title=Ranking the BCS coaches: Big 12 has big potential|publisher="Sporting News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-04-02] The same writer ranked Sherman 46th among all the BCS 66 coaches. [cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=398075|title=Ranking the BCS coaches: USC's Carroll second to none|publisher="Sporting News"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-04-10]

Sherman had stated that the "football team belongs to Texas A&M, and Texas A&M belongs to the students." For the 2008 Maroon and White spring exhibition game on April 19, 2008, Sherman called for two students to serve as honorary coaches, one for the maroon team and the other for the white. Students interested in the position were to submit a video clip no longer than 2 minutes detailing why they should be selected. Each of the student coaches would give their respective team a pre-game speech and interact with players, coaches, and staff on the sidelines during the game. [cite news|url=http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/17421964.html|title=Want To Coach A&M Football? Here's Your Chance!|publisher="KBTX"|accessdate=2008-04-11|date=2008-04-09] Two days prior to the spring game, he also held an open forum for students at the Memorial Student Center. Approximately 300 students attended, and questions were asked about the team. [cite news|url=http://www.aggiesports.com/football/Sherman-answers-questions-at-student-forum|title=Sherman answers questions at student forum|date=2008-04-18]

Upon the completion of the spring practices, players had described Sherman as "no-nonsense and all business". Sherman held ten 6:00 a.m. meetings prior to spring training, and continued to hold meetings at the same time on the days of spring practice. According to Sherman, the meetings featured "40 minutes of chaos. Drills, drills, drills, running, with coaches on their butts." Players who were late to the meetings were asked to jog an unspecified distance as a form of punishment. In fact, Sherman stressed that "being on time is a matter of respect", a lesson he believes that young people should be taught early. He even placed 25 digital clocks throughout the Bright Football Complex—the facility that houses the locker room, player's lounge, and coaches' offices, among others—so that players can be certain they manage their time well. None of the players missed the workouts, except three who had a medical excuse. Defensive end Cyril Obiozor commented "I guess (Sherman) commands respect. It's like nobody wanted to be that first person to miss. Nobody wanted to be the example guy". Obiozor, who played under former coach Franchione for three seasons, also pointed out the difference between Franchione's and Sherman's coaching technique: "This staff also has scheme, of course, but they coach more technique. There's more attention to detail." You know why you're doing something instead of just running around." Sherman also set a rule to punish players who miss class. Quarterback Stephen McGee stated: "If you missed a class, coach would call you out in the team meeting in front of everybody. Nobody wanted to be called out like that, so they took care of business". [cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/04/19/0419aggies.html|title=New coach, new attitudes this spring at Texas A&M|publisher="Austin American-Statesman"|accessdate=2008-04-19|date=2008-04-19|author=Riggs, Randy] McGee also included: "Just being around him, there is no doubt he knows his stuff. Just the way he takes care of his business, he gets everyone to buy in and make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do. He did that from day one." [cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5713684.html|title=Sherman preaches accountability as A&M coach|publisher="Houston Chronicle"|accessdate=2008-04-19|date=2008-04-19|author=Harris, Terrance] [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3373291|title=Sherman exacts timely changes at Texas A&M|date=2008-04-29]

The June 26th edition of "The Battalion" featured a 5-question interview with Sherman. One of the questions asked why he decided to return to college coaching, and to that he answered that the A&M job is great since it is at a place he is familiar with, [cite news|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080805_231_B1_BGOTAL442412|title=Sherman means business] and also provides an "excellent situation" to win games and championships, which he indicated is important to him. He also took the job so that he could work with Bill Byrne, whom he finds to be an "excellent" athletic director. In another question, Sherman noted that he likes the "pressure to win at Texas A&M" and that he admires a job where others have high expectations and concern about the work he does. When questioned about his expectations for the season, he responded that he leaves that to the experts to handle, and stated his only expectation is that the team improves everyday. He also included that fans can expect the team to play with the "Aggie Spirit" every game. One of the other questions asked about any more position changes, and Sherman reiterated most of them, and added two new ones: Chevar Bryson to wide receiver and Garrick Williams to outside linebacker. The final question asked why he feels the connection to the students is important, as he has made efforts to solidify it through means of which include speaking to students at halftime at an Aggie basketball game, and taking the whole team to a Silver Taps. He answered that the school itself "is what it is" due to the current and former students. He feels that the football team is an extension of the student body, and that he wants the team "to feel the students' spirit and passion" when it plays games on the field. He mentioned that when he came in, he didn't like how the team was a "separate entity" on campus. He wants everyone to have the connection as all are members of the Aggie family. [cite news|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2008/06/26/Aggielife/5.Questions.With.Mike.Sherman-3385554.shtml|title=5 Questions with Mike Sherman]

Coaching record

CFB Yearly Record Subhead
name=Texas A&M Aggies
conf=Big 12 Conference
startyear=2008
endyear=CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 2008
name = Texas A&M
overall = 0–1
conference = 0–0
confstanding =
bowlname =CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
name=Texas A&M
overall=0–1
confrecord=0–0CFB Yearly Record End
overall = 0–1
bcs = no


poll = two

ee also

*Texas A&M Aggies football

References

External links

* [http://www.aggieathletics.com/coaches.php?SID=MFB&CID=236 Official Texas A&M bio]