IRVING -- Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman found himself in the unenviable position of having to defend and explain the Aggies' past struggles Monday rather than discuss the possibilities of the upcoming season.
In previous years that task had been reserved for Dan McCarney or Gene Chizik at Iowa State, or whoever was coaching Baylor. Sherman, heading into his second season at Texas A&M, is wearing that crown at this year's Big 12 Football Media Days.
I'm sure he didn't wear it proudly, but he did wear it well.
When you finished tied for last in your division for the first time the previous season and just about every publication and Web site predicts you'll duplicate that feat this year, the questions are going to be a little more uncomfortable.
While others are discussing whether Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is a top 10 pick in next April's NFL draft or if Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson could be considered the best quarterback in the nation, Sherman was deflecting darts, some with last year's feathers on them for better flight.
What was the biggest problem last season? When will A&M be back in the picture? Is the Wrecking Crew a forgotten commodity? How does playing in the South affect the Aggies' turnaround? Do you ignore the fact the Aggies are picked last in the South Division or is it a motivational factor?
Those are the kind of questions where loose lips could sink a ship before it leaves the dock.
Sherman is aware of that, and though he'd much rather discuss giving the Texas Longhorns a run for their money in 2009, he was true to his personality concerning the media, responding with honest, well-explained answers with a pinch of political correctness.
A funny anecdote or two surely helped him get through it.
Even though some had heard it before, Sherman told the story of when he was feeling a little sorry for himself after losing to Texas last year and his 9-year-old daughter came into his study. Instead of saying 'I love you,' like he was expecting, she said, 'Dad, get over it.'"
The question is whether the Aggie faithful can get over it, which was foremost on the minds of those probing Sherman on Monday.
Expectations and pressure were two main topics as a couple dozen reporters surrounded him on the dais at the front of a hotel meeting room.
Sherman had an answer for both, while not pulling any punches about making sure he doesn't take either lightly.
"I'm familiar with those type of challenges and I'm happy I'm at a place that has those expectations," said Sherman, who preferred the word "obligation" over pressure. "I think I do better in that type of situation. We all have buttons in our life that need to be pushed and that button pushes me. It is pressure and you stress about it once in awhile, but at the same time I like coming to work with butterflies in my stomach, which I do on a pretty regular basis lately."
There were no senseless guarantees about the upcoming season, just a pledge that this group of players was confident in itself and would work hard to achieve those goals that the outside world uses to judge a season -- x-number of wins and/or a bowl game.
Sherman believes the Aggies that will take the field Sept. 5 against New Mexico have set the foundation for the turnaround with their approach. He admits, though, that it will take a little more speed, size -- and perhaps speed and size combined -- to appease Aggie fans through this trying time.
"As an assistant coach I was passionate about recruiting and I'm still passionate about recruiting, even more so because it definitely reflects our performance," Sherman said. "I knew we could get guys to come to Texas A&M, it's a great school, it has a lot of things that parents and young men are looking for in their school. If we can create a culture where we can feel comfortable that we can win and win consistently, I think we are back to where we need to be."
Which in the middle of the summer is answering questions on what it will take to win the South, not explaining why they brought up the rear the previous season.
Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.
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Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 8/8/2009
Comment Title: Do your homework or don't come to class
Ok Aggies, it's time to send Miller back to where he belongs - t.u. If you are an Aggie do your homework before you make ignorant comments here - 1. Google the top 20 from last year; 2. Look at the average recruiting rankings over the past 2 years for the top 20 from last year; 3. Note that Sherman has out-recruited 13 of the top 20 from last year - or 65% (13/20) even with Fran's prior challenges. Miller, Aggies expect their peer's to do their homework before coming to class. Go back to t.u. where your class work is more acceptable.
Posted by: ciones On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title:
Yes, just another typing error. Go Javs!!!
Posted by: On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title:
Don't you mean "hasta la proxima"......(-;
Posted by: ciones On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title: Get over it
Nobody is upset, I was just stating facts. If you can't handle the truth, that's your problem. By the way, my school is Texas A&M-Kingsville. And I'm sorry that I mispelled Reed. And by foll, I actually meant fool, just a typo. Hast la proxima y aguanta el calor.
Posted by: On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title: Someone is upset.....!!
Dear "Smoking Dreamer"....you are guilty of selective memory impairment, "fallacy of transposition" and an overarching disdain for an institution that neither wants you academically nor cares about you (ergo, you spew your vitriol all over the place and it just get old). I am proud to relay to the educated segments of humanity that I am NOT your "bro", "brother" or "bud." And by the way, what is "YOUR" school????? It is going to be OK!! In theory, your recovery is imminent (it happens with time and reflection)and I truly wish you all the best. PS - I have NO idea what a "foll" is and it is "Reed", not "Reid." Be well!!
Posted by: ciones On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title: Get Real
Of course I was referring to the football program you donkeys behund, because thats what the other foll was talking about. You say you have beaten Texas 2 out the last 3 yrs. Ok, but they beat you 6 in a row before that. And another thing, what is you overall record against Texas? And you talk about the last 15 yrs, brother please. In that time, how many bowl games have you all won? How many bcs games have you played in? How many national championships games have you played in? How many national championships have you won in that time, bro? You cannot compare your FOOTBALL PROGRAM to Texas, Oklahoma, USC, LSU, Ohio State, Florida, or anybody else for that matter. You talk about Michigan and Notre Dame being down as well as you guys, but their history is nothing that you can compare A&M to. Not even close, bud. Oh by the way, my brother graduated from A&M in '99. First graduating class that had their ceremony in Reid Arena.
Posted by: On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title: Dear "Miller and "Smoking Dreamers"
Dear “smoking dreamers” and all other nattering nabobs of negativity (Spiro Agnew may have had YOU in mind, “Miller”), Are you, “dreamer”, suggesting the A&M ATHLETIC program is NOT one of the best athletic programs in the nation?? If so, I have a couple of numbers for you - 3 in the last 2 months!!! Or, are you – based on the theme of the article – silently qualifying your position and suggesting it is ONLY the FOOTBALL program that is NOT one of the best in the country?? I am just curious. And before you tag me with the “rookie poster” pejorative and suggest my parents weren’t married, take a moment to reflect on the following: Sherman has done a terrific job recruiting heretofore (and yes, I understand fully that the 2010 class has NOT signed NOR are they on campus yet), transitions are never easy, A&M HAS won a Big 12 championship, A&M HAS won a National Championship, A&M HAS beaten your friends from Austin 2 of the last 3, A&M has HOW many players in the NFL??, and your buddy Fran did not exactly leave Sherman with a roster replete with LBs OR offensive lineman!! And are you REALLY suggesting the Texas A&M Football program has NOT been a “good” one over the last 15 years??? The IQ Test has officially come back negative. Yes, this A&M football program is down a bit right now. But please do not let the fragmented, hyper-connected culture of the American youth cloud your judgment. All MAJOR programs (as listed by the Oracle of the Brazos Valley in post 4) struggle!! Are you saying Michigan AND Notre Dame are bad programs in general simply because they have 2 or 3 “substandard” years in a row?? Are they better than A&M right NOW!!?!?!! I have full faith and confidence that your disdain and subsequent scathing reviews of A&M are justified in your own mind (my guess is your rejection letter to A&M is framed above your front door). But before you take off your Snuggie, hop on your Vespa and head on over to the Kelly Clarkson concert please remember this - A&M football WILL get better and we WILL compete for championships again and you will be left with your bitterness and “t-shirt” fan status to keep you warm and assuage your own anguish!!
Posted by: 12Aggie On: 7/30/2009
Comment Title: Sherman is The Man
Sherman doing a great job landing the talent we need to get to the next level. Keep it up Sherman and Staff!
Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 7/29/2009
Comment Title: Shocking - OU Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford is not a difference maker!
3* Sam Bradford, "slow" at 4.64/40 wins 2008 Heisman Trophy. Go to rivals and check - 2006 class 3* Colt McCoy, "slow" at 4.7/40 was runner up for 2008 Heisman Trophy. Go to rivals and check 2005 class
Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 7/29/2009
Comment Title: Miller, do your home work!
Take A&M recruit Dustin Harris who is only a 3* “non-difference maker” for example. Last week he stole the show at the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football Game with 307 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns — a 99-yard kickoff return and a 95-yard fumble return — at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Stars I say, stars and more stars …. I want 4* and 5* difference makers…. Stars, stars.. star light star bright….. What did I do with my medication????
Posted by: Anti-HATER On: 7/29/2009
Comment Title: Fran the GREAT
According to Miller's logic, FRAN recruited 23 "difference makers" in the same amount of time (assuming that this class stays the EXACT SAME, which it won't, we still have several high level recruits on the board). Of those 23 "difference makers", we had players like Jorrie Adams (5*) and the top flop of the 2003 class, Lamar Mitchell 4* LB (WHO?), D.J. Davis 4* ATH (who?), DeQawn Mobley (under used), William Morrisey 4* DT (WHO?), Chris Smith 4* DE (WHO?), etc. I could keep going. In reality, only a hand full of the FRAN recruits that would be considered "difference makers" ever really made a difference in a game. THESE 23 "difference makers" helped A&M achieve a LOSING record in FRAN's FOUR YEARS as HC. Don't get me wrong, some of those guys will go down in AGGIE lore (thank you Stephen), but for the most part they under achieved because of TERRIBLE coaching. Lets at least allow Sherman to have another season before we start the talks of sending him to the galloes. After all, FRAN went 4 - 8 in his first season as well.
Posted by: On: 7/29/2009
Comment Title:
Miller, quit saying we when you speak of TAMU, it is obvious that you have never set foot inside the walls except while mopping.
Posted by: On: 7/29/2009
Comment Title:
Sherman did not put the program where it is today so lighten up on him folks.
Posted by: miller58 On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: JAKE MATHEWS - KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE!
My persoal opinions:_____tu has 73 Jake Masthews types on their squad!_____A&M has only 27 Jake mathews types on our squad!_____ 27 as a percentage of 73 is 37%._____A&M having only 37% of the speed, athleticism and size of tu still equates to last place_____Shermans 3 signing classes of 7, 5 and 7 difference makers still translates to a last place finish; and anything less than him signing 14 difference makers or more this year still translates to a new coach in December 2009!_____miller58
Posted by: Chaching On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: Comparison with Big 12 South Schools
Sherman has said that he does not care about the level of competition in the Big 12 South. He is not concerned about the "perfect storm" of competition there. He says that his goal is to be the "best that we can be". However, if Texas A&M is the best that it can be and still comes in at the bottom of the Big 12 South, Sherman will be at Horseshoe Bay collecting checks with his buddy, Francionne.
Posted by: Ciones On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: Dreamer
One of the best programs in the country?! Bro, when people mention best program from around the country, I can guarantee you, they don't mention Texas A&M. Texas, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Penn St. maybe, but not A&M. Another thing, all those schools have multiple national championships, not 1 like A&M that was won way back in '39. Whatever you are smoking, give me some please.
Posted by: On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: dee68
GOOD NEWS: our '10 classed is ranked #7 ahead of such programs as Penn St., Michigan, N.D., USC, FSU, Miami & Ohio State. Something to note: most of our recruits were evaluated & offered BEFORE rivals assigned them stars. What does that tell us about this staff. Gosh, I love GOOD NEWS!!
Posted by: On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: dee68
Did you guys see Rivals rankings for the '10 class? Good news!! They're ranked #7, ahead of some major programs like USC. Momentum is important - if we can close with the top 4-6 recruits we've targeted, it will cement our top 10 class & a major haul of O-linemen!!! GOOD NEWS - it will also position us to start loading up in '11. This staff could recruit - it REALLY helps that kids want to play for the & A&M, get an Aggie ring & join the family at one of the best programs in the country. Patience - we're on the right road.
Posted by: miller58 On: 7/28/2009
Comment Title: WHAT DOES A&M DO WITH 75 MOSTLY SLOW SHERMAN RECRUITS ELIGIBLE TO 2013 AND BEYOND?
My personal opinions:_____MOSTLY WE LOSE, TO 2013 AND BEYOND!_____miller58
The blame game
