A&M hires former Pack coach Sherman

[dbair1967]

Sherman to succeed Franchione as Texas A&M coach
ESPN.com news services

Updated: November 26, 2007, 9:57 AM ET
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Houston Texans assistant Mike Sherman will be introduced as Texas A&M's football coach at a noon ET news conference Monday, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Joe Schad.

The Houston Chronicle first reported the story on its Web site Monday morning.

Sherman declined comment Sunday on reports that he was Texas A&M's leading candidate to replace Dennis Franchione, who resigned Friday following the Aggies' 38-30 victory over Texas.

Sherman, who turns 53 on Dec. 19, has been the Texans' assistant head coach for two seasons under Gary Kubiak, a former A&M quarterback. Sherman became the offensive coordinator this season.

When Sherman left the Texans' locker room after Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns, he was trailed by several reporters who asked for comment on the Texas A&M situation. He politely declined, saying he would only talk about the loss.

Earlier, Houston owner Bob McNair addressed Sherman's status.

"I think the report says he may be the leading candidate,'' McNair said. "They [Texas A&M] haven't called me. That's not to say they haven't called someone in the organization. I don't think they could find anyone better. He's an outstanding coach. We certainly would not stand in his way.''

Like Kubiak, Sherman has A&M ties. He was the Aggies' offensive line coach from 1989-93 and then in 1995-96 under R.C Slocum. Kubiak coached A&M's running backs in 1992 and '93.

Sherman coached the Green Bay Packers from 2000-05, guiding the team to three NFC North titles. Under Sherman, the Packers produced two of the four highest-scoring seasons in franchise history.

The Aggies went 32-28 in five seasons under Franchione and couldn't gain ground on the Big 12's elite teams. A&M hasn't won the league title since 1998.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was also thought to be a strong candidate to succeed Franchione.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[CATCH17]

A&M is so clueless.

If this hire works ill be shocked.

 

[dbair1967]

A&M is so clueless.

If this hire works ill be shocked.

I'm thinking Bill Callahan type success here...I'm not an A&M guy, but I cant imagine alot of their alumni being thrilled by this move

David

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm not an Aggie follower by any means, but I don't understand this hire. Is the angle that he can recruit kids with the promise of preparing them for the NFL? Nebraska tried that with Callahan and it failed miserably. Now I think Sherman is a much better coach than Callahan, but still. And Sherman is a northeast guy... Is that going to play well in homes when he's recruiting Houston and east Texas?

Oh well, I don't have any stake in this, but I've always thought A&M was an undiscovered gem of a program that has a great location and incredible fan support. With the right coach, I think they could be really good every year. Not sure this is the right guy to take them to the next level.

 

[Chief]

It does look a lot like the ill-fated Callahan experiment in Nebraska.

But I read that Sherman had two stints as an assistant at A&M, so that might help. He probably knows the unusual climate there (not talking about the weather).

Still, I don't see that guy really connecting with high school recruits in Texas.

Hopefully, it won't work out.

 

[theogt]

As long as it ain't Ray.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I kind of like the hire by A&M. They'll always be able to recruit talent because of their money, proximity and facilities, they just need a good, solid football coach to develop it. Not some flashy, flavor of the month with a million dollar smile. I think there are some differences between Callahan and Sherman. Callahan was only a head coach for two year in the NFL. One very good year coming of Gruden's Superbowl team, and a complete disaster the second year. Mike Sherman was the head coach for 6 years with the Packers, which is an extremely long time by NFL standards. He rebuilt a lot of the team from the one that won the Superbowl in 96. The Packers were due an extended rebuilding period, but Sherman had a 59-43 record as a head coach and took them to the playoffs four out of six years.

 

[kingwhicker]

David, I think your sig pic covers this situation as well.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

So much for the idea that A&M were going to hire the Auburn Coach like we were told.

 

[Kangaroo]

So much for the idea that A&M were going to hire the Auburn Coach like we were told.

Tuberville's buyout is extremely expensive; unless Auburn waved the amount I did not see that happening