Mike Sherman fired from A&M

[b0ng]

I wouldn't be so sure about Sumlin going to A&M. I do think he will leave UH, but I think it will be for Arizona St. Unfortunately for UH, they are just a stepping stone right now as far as the coaching community is concerned. Hopefully the move to the Big East will change that.

I am hearing that A&M is down to four candidates, Sumling being one. The others are:

Charlie Strong - Head Coach, Louisville
Larry Fedora - Head Coach, Soutern Miss
Kirby Smart - Defensive Coordinator, Alabama

I think that Sumlin is a great coach, but I would look for A&M to hire a defensive-minded coach for a change.

I read on twitter and a few other places with unsourced info that ASU did not offer Sumlin a job. And certainly didn't offer him one for $4 million.

$4 million seems like and awful lot of money for a coach like Sumlin but what do I know.

 

[bah007]

I read on twitter and a few other places with unsourced info that ASU did not offer Sumlin a job. And certainly didn't offer him one for $4 million.

$4 million seems like and awful lot of money for a coach like Sumlin but what do I know.

I seriously doubt he was offered $4 million. That's a lot of money.

But if I'm Arizona St I'm looking hard at Sumlin. They have a pretty talented QB coming back next year too.

I just don't think Sumlin fits in at A&M. The other three candidates would be better fits I think.

 

[thunderkyss]

A&M is no Mississippi State.

off topic....

Has anyone noticed how many players in the NFL came from TCU?

It's like every week I hear one player, "from TCU"

 

[Say Watt]

This is such crap. Kids don't flock to Auburn (the other big school in Alabama)? How did they win a national championship last year? Kids don't go to TCU because Texas gets all the good ones? What the hell are you talking about? LSU is the only big college in the state, that's why state kids tend to go there. Just like Ohio State tends to get the best Ohio recruits, when there isn't much competition in-state the BCS school tends to get the best recruits.

Texas is the best recruiting state in the country when it comes to football talent. Florida would probably be the next best comparatively. When you look at those two states, they both have a bunch of good football schools and several regularly compete for conference and national titles. UF, Fl St, Miami, are all top tier institutions for football and do well with in-state recruiting. You make it sound like A&M will never get another top prospect, but the fact is that the state of Texas can easily support multiple top tier football teams (see UT, TCU, U of H this year alone). Heck 90% of the OU team is from Texas. There's plenty to go around, they don't need to have the 'premiere school' distinction to get recruits.

Thanks for saving me the time. This was exactly what I was going to bring up, especially the deal with Alabama and Auburn. For years, Auburn was the better team and Alabama was in the cellar. So saying that A&M can't compete in the SEC simply because Texas takes all the recruits just simply isn't true. There are enough Texas recruits to go around.

 

[Say Watt]

I'm curious about something though. How is Arizona State a real upgrade from UH? I mean I understand they are in a power conference but other than that, what do they have? I'd consider A&M a better destination with more money, better facilities, 80k plus every game, and consistent top 15-20 recruiting classes.

I'm not quite sure I could understand the move to Arizona State unless of course Sumlin doesn't think he is a good enough coach to be able to keep UH competitive once Keenum leaves and that he needs to jump on the first available open position. Thoughts?

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

Sounding like the root of A&M's problems are at the very top of the totem pole. Sherman/Byrne the least of problems. I think with the way this is going down, coaches are going to be VERY wary about taking the A&M job right now.

I think UH fans can breath a little sigh of relief, Sumlin may leave but I doubt its to A&M. He's too smart.

 

[Say Watt]

Sounding like the root of A&M's problems are at the very top of the totem pole. Sherman/Byrne the least of of problems. I think with the way this is going down, coaches are going to be VERY wary about taking the A&M job right now.

What makes you say that? You are going to be wrong. A&M will get a good coach. A&M has still been able to recruit the last 10 years with Fran and then Sherman at the helm. The problem was not the school or their ability to recruit. The problem was the crappy coaches. Sherman was a good guy but had the worst 2nd half adjustments of just about any coach in football. Fran was just a terrible all around coach. I doubt the guy will ever get another coaching job again.

With the right coach, the Aggies could make a push. I don't ever see them being perennial contenders like Alabama and LSU, but I could certainly see them having some great years like Auburn.

 

[Dan B.]

Sounding like the root of A&M's problems are at the very top of the totem pole. Sherman/Byrne the least of of problems. I think with the way this is going down, coaches are going to be VERY wary about taking the A&M job right now.

I think UH fans can breath a little sigh of relief, Sumlin may leave but I doubt its to A&M. He's too smart.

What are you saying?

Why would a coach be wary of signing a contract with a school that reneged on their last coach's deal? Why be wary of playing for a school that lets their message board run their program? What is there to worry about?

 

[Dutchrudder]

I wouldn't be so sure about Sumlin going to A&M. I do think he will leave UH, but I think it will be for Arizona St. Unfortunately for UH, they are just a stepping stone right now as far as the coaching community is concerned. Hopefully the move to the Big East will change that.

I am hearing that A&M is down to four candidates, Sumlin being one. The others are:

Charlie Strong - Head Coach, Louisville
Larry Fedora - Head Coach, Soutern Miss
Kirby Smart - Defensive Coordinator, Alabama

I think that Sumlin is a great coach, but I would look for A&M to hire a defensive-minded coach for a change. Strong would be a great choice, in my opinion.

Kirby Smart would be the best A&M can do by far. Sherman had a nice big contract, so if they can afford to offer him the same amount of money maybe they can get Smart. He may be able to poach some Bama recruits on the way...

 

[ChampionTexan]

off topic....

Has anyone noticed how many players in the NFL came from TCU?

It's like every week I hear one player, "from TCU"

NFL Players by College

 

[mr. peebs]

I just don't think Sumlin fits in at A&M. The other three candidates would be better fits I think.

sumlin was OC here in the early 2000s for a time, so he atleast knows/understands what a&m is about/like.

Fran was just a terrible all around coach. I doubt the guy will ever get another coaching job again.

he's currently the HC at texas state.

 

[Dutchrudder]

he's currently the HC at texas state.

Does that count?

 

[bah007]

sumlin was OC here in the early 2000s for a time, so he atleast knows/understands what a&m is about/like....

I understand that. And I certainly think he is worthy of at least an interview.

I just think that with A&M moving to the SEC they should go with a more defensive-minded coach.

Of the final four candidates (from what I've heard), I think Charlie Strong and Kirby Smart make the most sense.

On the other hand, Sumlin has two previous years of experience at A&M and Larry Fedora was born and raised in College Station. I think some of his family still lives there.

They face a difficult and interesting choice, but all four guys are great coaches.

 

[Doppelganger]

You need to go beyond your own limited view.

Kids dream of playing for winners. Texas and OU have been winners while these guys were in middle and high school. Back in the 80s and 90 kids dreamed of A&M or OU because they winners.

You think kids who are coming up through school right now and watching Texas go 6-6 or 7-5 dream of playing for that team? No.

I don't think my view is limited. In fact your main argument bolsters my position "Kids dream of playing for winners." I agree, players want to be part of a winning tradition. And for the most part The University of Texas has been a winning football program.

Texas has the second most amount of wins in NCAA history behind Michigan. Texas reeled off 9 straight years of winning at least 10 games per year. Since the BCS came into existence, Texas has been in BCS games 4 times. Texas has one 1 National Championship in that time frame and was in the Championship game a couple of years ago.

None of the other Texas schools have come close to these stats. A&M, TCU, SMU, Tech, UH, or any other Texas school has not come close to those numbers. Each of those schools has had periods when they were very good, but none have had the continued stayed success UT has had.

Another thing to consider is the name branding. Many Texans are Texancentric. Moreso than in other places, Texans are very proud of all things Texas. Texas Pride is something that is foreign in other states. You go to Massachusetts or Rhode Island and you don't see that same determined fierce Massachusetts or Rhode Island state pride. As such the University of Texas is held in pretty high regard. Partially becuase it branded itself years ago as such. Unless someone has strong familial ties to another school, such as A&M, they tend to cheer for UT.

To a degree, The University of Texas is the Notre Dame of the region. It will take many, many years of losing and a lot of negatives to derail all that history. Look at Notre Dame. It has not really been contending for Natl Championships since Lou Holtz was there in the mid 90s. Yet, they still have the aura and appeal of being Notre Dame. The same thing holds true of UT. Sure they have been down the last couple of years, but they still hold the same aura and appeal simply becuase they are Texas.

 

[Say Watt]

he's currently the HC at texas state.

Really?!?! Wow! Didn't think that guy would ever find another job again. He was a horrible head coach.

They went 6-6 this year which is certainly par for the course for good old Fran.

 

[Doppelganger]

Kirby Smart would be the best A&M can do by far. Sherman had a nice big contract, so if they can afford to offer him the same amount of money maybe they can get Smart. He may be able to poach some Bama recruits on the way...

Smart would be a BRILLIANT hire in my mind. He brings tough a hard nosed SEC Defensive mentality that the Aggies will face week in and week out. Getting the Aggies back to the days of the Wrecking Crew is their best chance of competing in the SEC.

 

[mr. peebs]

so apparently sherman was fired over cell phone after an unnamed leak in either the athletic department or board of regents leaked it to kirk bohls... read that his family knew about it first and the cell phone call was made to limit damage control but i'm pretty freaking pissed to learn that that's how we fired a man like mike sherman.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

What makes you say that? You are going to be wrong. A&M will get a good coach. A&M has still been able to recruit the last 10 years with Fran and then Sherman at the helm. The problem was not the school or their ability to recruit. The problem was the crappy coaches. Sherman was a good guy but had the worst 2nd half adjustments of just about any coach in football. Fran was just a terrible all around coach. I doubt the guy will ever get another coaching job again.

With the right coach, the Aggies could make a push. I don't ever see them being perennial contenders like Alabama and LSU, but I could certainly see them having some great years like Auburn.

What are you saying?

Why would a coach be wary of signing a contract with a school that reneged on their last coach's deal? Why be wary of playing for a school that lets their message board run their program? What is there to worry about?

I don't think A&M's real PROBLEMS are with their football program. Looks like Byrne was just an AD in title only. The parts that really worry me goes above all that and the people who were "running" this themselves. Better hope they know what they're doing, otherwise they're just going to hire a puppet AD and HC. Then you'll be looking for a new HC in another 4 years.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

so apparently sherman was fired over cell phone after an unnamed leak in either the athletic department or board of regents leaked it to kirk bohls... read that his family knew about it first and the cell phone call was made to limit damage control but i'm pretty freaking pissed to learn that that's how we fired a man like mike sherman.

It really isn't looking pretty is it. I think the sh*ts just hitting the fan and this story is going to develop a lot more. Like I said, better hope the BOR and Big $ guys know what they're doing..... but they're not going about it the Aggie way.

EDIT: So remember that contract extension and raise Sherman got in September? Well apparently he signed it but its been sitting on Loftin's desk UNSIGNED and UNEXECUTED.

 

[gwallaia]

Sumlin will not coach the Sun Devils.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/spo...02-arizona-st.-ends-talks-with-sumlin's-agent

 

[b0ng]

Sumlin will not coach the Sun Devils.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/spo...02-arizona-st.-ends-talks-with-sumlin's-agent

Feelin better

 

[Dutchrudder]

Sumlin will not coach the Sun Devils.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/spo...02-arizona-st.-ends-talks-with-sumlin's-agent

Good, I hope the Coogs retain him, even if it requires a raise.

 

[Pantherstang84]

Really?!?! Wow! Didn't think that guy would ever find another job again. He was a horrible head coach.

They went 6-6 this year which is certainly par for the course for good old Fran.

Texas State played an independent schedule with 6 BCS schools and 6 Southland Conference schools.

They lost only 1 game to a Southland Conference school. That was Sam Houston State.

 

[Say Watt]

Texas State played an independent schedule with 6 BCS schools and 6 Southland Conference schools.

They lost only 1 game to a Southland Conference school. That was Sam Houston State.

Doesn't change the fact that Fran sucks. You'll see sooner or later.

 

[Playoffs]

Mike Sherman fired from A&M.

Yet another classless move.

 

[Say Watt]

Yet another classless move.

Since when did firing your head coach who just had a horrible season and lost the final game to your biggest rival in epic fashion become classless?

I mean some of you take the A&M hatred to new heights.

If they did it over the phone, then I agree that is classless. But simply firing him was the correct move. The guy has done nothing, hasn't won a bowl game (that I can remember), and found ways to lose games in epic fashion. He basically is what Kubiak has been without Wade.

I wonder how many of you that think what A&M did was "classless" yet at the same time wanted Kubiak fired. Sherman and Kubiak are basically the same dude.

 

[mr. peebs]

for any interested in his final press conference, here's video and a transcript of it

http://v4.texags.com/Stories/3707


coach sherman is a stand-up, high class man. he's everything we wanted in a football coach and leader except that for whatever reason he couldn't get it to click on the field when it counts. I hate hate hate HATE, the way our administration handled this whole situation.. but I think it was the right move when it comes down to it. some people can only take you so far, and though coach sherman absolutely turned this program around from the depths of the end of fran's tenure to what we have now, sometimes a change is what's best for both parties involved.

here's to all the best for coach sherman and his family, I know he'll be successful in whatever he does next.

also, I'd like to point out something he said in his press conference which I thought was dead on..

I can say I gave them everything I had. Sometimes it's not always good enough, but I gave everything I had. I can leave here knowing I gave everything I had. Do I feel I deserve to be terminated? No, I don't. I think this program is headed in the right direction, but I understand we live in a society where it's easier to change than to fix. We live in a society today that is motivated by anonymous people that write baseless texts and twitters and it gets things stirred up. There's no accountability to that type of society, and the immediacy they request.

very insightful in my opinion, especially the part about changing rather than fixing. it's becoming much more common to just change and essentially give up on things than to work and try to fix things when they are broken. and i'm not just talking about material things, but relationships ending in divorce instead of trying to work things out. I don't know if this whole situation has me partly jaded but I found a lot of truth in those words. not sure about any others, but that's just what I took from it.

 

[Dan B.]

It really isn't looking pretty is it. I think the sh*ts just hitting the fan and this story is going to develop a lot more. Like I said, better hope the BOR and Big $ guys know what they're doing..... but they're not going about it the Aggie way.

EDIT: So remember that contract extension and raise Sherman got in September? Well apparently he signed it but its been sitting on Loftin's desk UNSIGNED and UNEXECUTED.

Yea that's what I was alluding to earlier. I don't see why a coach on the rise would choose to go somewhere when they can't trust their AD to be in the loop, or even trust that their next paycheck is coming. Loftin may get away with not paying Sherman for his extension. But any decent coach is going to have serious qualms signing a contract or an extension with Texas A&M after they pull this stuff.

What was the quote from some wit on Texags?

"An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal. Or honor their contracts."

 

[Dan B.]

Since when did firing your head coach who just had a horrible season and lost the final game to your biggest rival in epic fashion become classless?

I mean some of you take the A&M hatred to new heights.

If they did it over the phone, then I agree that is classless. But simply firing him was the correct move. The guy has done nothing, hasn't won a bowl game (that I can remember), and found ways to lose games in epic fashion.

Last year they offered Sherman an extension. He signed it. Now they are welching out of the deal. Explain how that's NOT classless.

He basically is what Kubiak has been without Wade.

I wonder how many of you that think what A&M did was "classless" yet at the same time wanted Kubiak fired. Sherman and Kubiak are basically the same dude.

Difference is the Texans didn't listen to the Pink Soapers. A&M does.

 

[Playoffs]

Since when did firing your head coach who just had a horrible season and lost the final game to your biggest rival in epic fashion become classless?

You're right, all class.

"It was disappointing, because my family found out before I did, because it was released (through a media leak) sooner than I was told," Sherman said. "That's disappointing, because I think we're better than that."

...

How much money the school brings to the table for Sherman's exit fees is another question, although an A&M official on Friday assured the two sides will sit down and hash out an agreement. The university announced a raise and one-year extension for Sherman over the summer, and Sherman said Friday he signed the new agreement in September. Loftin spokesman Jason Cook said after the document traded hands between attorneys, it didn't actually land on Loftin's desk until late October.

Loftin then never signed the new deal, and A&M is contending it will pay Sherman the remainder of his original contract: three years at $1.8 million annually.

"I'm not going to get into my contract, but I signed a five-year contract in September," Sherman said. "I never asked for (a raise and extension), it was brought to me. I never talked numbers, whatever they gave me I just signed."

 

[Stemp]

The it went down was really bad. But only because someone leaked the results of the meeting that determined Sherman's fate to an AAS reporter, who then went online blame the information as a scoop. Then everyone found out, even before Sherman could be contacted. Whoever that leak is needs to be fired immediately.

 

[disaacks3]

Kirby Smart would be the best A&M can do by far. Sherman had a nice big contract, so if they can afford to offer him the same amount of money maybe they can get Smart. He may be able to poach some Bama recruits on the way...

Smart would be my choice as well, but I'm betting on Sumlin.

The it went down was really bad. But only because someone leaked the results of the meeting that determined Sherman's fate to an AAS reporter, who then went online blame the information as a scoop. Then everyone found out, even before Sherman could be contacted. Whoever that leak is needs to be fired immediately.

You've got to have meetings about HC firings....some lovely person in those meetings (or their assistant) was the leak. It's not a "lack of class" as some suggest, but the best that could be done quickly after the situtation hit the press.

 

[Playoffs]

Perfectly summed up by one of your own -- this is what everyone else sees. You have the wrong people steering your ship:

http://media3.texags.com/mobilevideo/0013088-ezhe-10.mp4

 

[Dutchrudder]

Perfectly summed up by one of your own -- this is what everyone else sees. You have the wrong people steering your ship:

http://media3.texags.com/mobilevideo/0013088-ezhe-10.mp4

You know who else terminated their coach via cell phone? Penn State...

 

[Playoffs]

Penn State...

Unfair comparison. A&M is no Penn State, now ..... c'mon. :kubepalm:

 

[Say Watt]

Last year they offered Sherman an extension. He signed it. Now they are welching out of the deal. Explain how that's NOT classless.



Difference is the Texans didn't listen to the Pink Soapers. A&M does.

You're right, all class.

"It was disappointing, because my family found out before I did, because it was released (through a media leak) sooner than I was told," Sherman said. "That's disappointing, because I think we're better than that."

...

How much money the school brings to the table for Sherman's exit fees is another question, although an A&M official on Friday assured the two sides will sit down and hash out an agreement. The university announced a raise and one-year extension for Sherman over the summer, and Sherman said Friday he signed the new agreement in September. Loftin spokesman Jason Cook said after the document traded hands between attorneys, it didn't actually land on Loftin's desk until late October.

Loftin then never signed the new deal, and A&M is contending it will pay Sherman the remainder of his original contract: three years at $1.8 million annually.

"I'm not going to get into my contract, but I signed a five-year contract in September," Sherman said. "I never asked for (a raise and extension), it was brought to me. I never talked numbers, whatever they gave me I just signed."

The quote asleep responded to was the thread title

Mike Sherman fired from A&M

Call me crazy but that leads me to believe that he simply finds the firing of Sherman to be classless. After all, that was all he quoted. At no point did he say THE WAY they fired Sherman was classless.

I agree that having his family find out before him as well as doing it over the phone was classless. Also not signing the extension (although it was STUPID to offer him an extension to begin with) was classless.

Believe me, I've lost a lot of respect for the school if all of this turns out to be 100% true. But simply firing him was not wrong.

And include a link next time otherwise it didn't happen.

 

[Pantherstang84]

Smart would be my choice as well, but I'm betting on Sumlin.

You've got to have meetings about HC firings....some lovely person in those meetings (or their assistant) was the leak. It's not a "lack of class" as some suggest, but the best that could be done quickly after the situtation hit the press.

Sorry, but unless the source of the leak is revealed and fired in a public manner, it shows the institution has no class. That type of behavior cannot be tolerated.

 

[Dutchrudder]

Sorry, but unless the source of the leak is revealed and fired in a public manner, it shows the institution has no class. That type of behavior cannot be tolerated.

And exactly how do they figure out who the snitch is? It's not like the guy posted it on facebook.

 

[Pantherstang84]

And exactly how do they figure out who the snitch is? It's not like the guy posted it on facebook.

They know who it is. Hunter Goodwin claims to know who it is. Goodwin makes a good point in the video clip in this thread. When you are part of an organization, everyone knows who the toxic people are. They are the ones who have axes to grind, personal vendettas, etc.

When meetings are held like the one that determined Mike Sherman's fate, the guest list is very exclusive. There are only a few people who knew the outcome of that meeting. One of them leaked it. They know who it is.

 

[Playoffs]

And exactly how do they figure out who the snitch is? It's not like the guy posted it on facebook.

You get the impression that they know exactly who leaked it from the radio show.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

In case anybody wants to watch Sherman's press conference:

http://www.ktrh.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=121300&article=9468575

 

[Dutchrudder]

Gotta love the ESPN rumor page. Here's their entry on the A&M job search:

A&M job a 'death sentence?' 1:58PM ET
Texas A&M Aggies

Names to watch:
Kevin Sumlin - Houston head coach and former Texas A&M assistant coach.
Charlie Strong - Louisville head coach, former Texas A&M GA and successful assistant coach in the SEC.
Larry Fedora - Southern Miss head coach, former offensive coordinator at Florida and has shown ability to successfully turn around a program.
Kirby Smart - Alabama defensive coordinator, arguably the top coordinator candidate in the SEC.


UPDATE: As the Texas A&M Aggies continue to interview candidates for their vacant head coaching position, one observer says they're going to miss out on some good contenders due to the circumstances surrounding the job.

"I just think this is a death sentence now for whatever coach takes this job," says Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. "You're going to have to reinvent the wheel here with this program. If you bring in a guy like Sumlin, he's going to pass the ball all over the place. You're going into the SEC, a conference that they're already going to be behind the eight-ball. This is really a death sentence. I can't imagine why Sumlin would want to jump from Houston to take this job in this situation because, in three or four years, he's going to be looking for another job."

- Vince Verhei

---

UPDATE: Houston's Kevin Sumlin and Southern Miss' Larry Fedora continue to be associated with one another after the two met for the C-USA Championship. Often their names are intertwined with multiple job openings around the country. This time, the pair of up-and-coming coaches interviewed for the Texas A&M opening on the same day according to one report.

"UH Football Coach Kevin Sumlin reportedly met for two hours with A&M AD Bill Byrne while at the National Coaches Meeting in New York," KPRC Local 2 Houston reported. "Byrne's interview process also , according to a source with knowledge of the Aggies process, included Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora."

"Louisville Head Coach Charlie Strong and Alabama Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart are also expected to have interest and be contacted by Texas A&M."

The Aggies' coaching search continues to be tight an on-point with only a small handful of the same names surfacing.

---

It appears that Houston's Kevin Sumlin is the clear cut front runner to be the next head coach at Texas A&M. His name has been pulled from the likes of Arizona State and UCLA regarding their openings.

But, wait one second.

"At this point in my career I'm very, very happy at the University of Houston," Sumlin told Sam Khan Jr. of the Houston Chronicle. "I think there's a lot of things that can happen with us. I think conference realignment is critical and I think the stadium issue is critical for us to move forward and there's some limitations if those things don't happen."

Also, Sumlin isn't riding a wave of momentum at the moment. His opposite in the C-USA championship, Larry Fedora, is. Houston lost to Fedora's Southern Miss squad 49-28 in the title game.

As a result Fedora, who was already a coveted coach, has seen his stock soar in regards to multiple vacancies including Texas A&M. Fedora isn't the only one.

"Larry Fedora and Charlie Strong (Louisville) are hot at Texas A&M. Both rising fast," Football Rumor Mill tweeted.

- Brent Sobleski

 

[Playoffs]

Mularkey, Mike Sherman, Jay Gruden among coaches on Jaguars radar

 

[keyser]

Thought some of you might be interested in the statement from Bowen Loftin (A&M's president) about the firing (this came by email to me, so no link; maybe it's on a webpage somewhere). It addresses the whole "fired by cell phone" bit.

To: Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff:

Many of you have expressed disdain about the manner in which head football coach Mike Sherman was dismissed last week. I share in your concerns. Let me assure you that our intention was for Coach Sherman to be informed of his dismissal in a face-to-face meeting last Friday morning. However, when this confidential information was leaked to a media outlet late Thursday afternoon, I instructed Athletic Director Bill Byrne to contact Coach Sherman as soon as possible, via cell phone because he was out of town. We wanted Coach Sherman to hear the news from a Texas A&M official first and not from a media report. Like you, I am angry that the mishandling of sensitive information forced us to react in this manner, and I am disappointed in this breach of trust. This is a reminder that in this age of instantaneous media, words have consequences and affect lives. All employees, and especially one who has done so much to instill our Aggie values into the lives of our student-athletes and larger student body, deserve better. I have the utmost respect for Coach Sherman, and appreciate the many contributions that he has made to Texas A&M.

R. Bowen Loftin
President

 

[keyser]

...

 

[Dutchrudder]

That's kind of how I figured things went. Decide to fire him on one day, schedule a meeting in the near future, but someone leaked the info so they had to call to inform him. **** happens, you can't control what some people do, but I do hope they make it a point to figure out who leaked the info and fire that guy.

 

[bah007]

Gotta love the ESPN rumor page. Here's their entry on the A&M job search:

I wouldn't call it a death sentence but I can understand why the job wouldn't be very appealing right now.

With the move to the SEC, the Aggies are in for a dose of reality in the first couple of years. Now, the move may help recruiting and it may help bring more talent in to Texas A&M. But that doesn't change the fact that as of right now, the Aggies don't have the talent to compete in the SEC. Maybe they will in a few years, but why would anybody want to take a job where there is a good chance they will be fired before their own recruits even get some serious action on the field?

The A&M higher ups just need to understand that the new coach is going to need more than three years to get things going. And those first three years are probably going to be pretty bad, at least in my opinion.

I think moving to the SEC is a good move for A&M, but I would caution their fans about getting their expectations to high. A&M will need to settle in and build up some depth before they can even think about competing. A good example of what I expect A&M to look like for the next few years would be this year's Mississippi St team. If they can schedule four easy OOC games and knock off two of the weaker SEC teams, they will go bowling.

 

[bah007]

I'm also seeing Sumlin's name now associated with the Head Coaching job at Illinois, but I don't think he has even interviewed for it yet.

 

[Dutchrudder]

I wouldn't call it a death sentence but I can understand why the job wouldn't be very appealing right now.

With the move to the SEC, the Aggies are in for a dose of reality in the first couple of years. Now, the move may help recruiting and it may help bring more talent in to Texas A&M. But that doesn't change the fact that as of right now, the Aggies don't have the talent to compete in the SEC. Maybe they will in a few years, but why would anybody want to take a job where there is a good chance they will be fired before their own recruits even get some serious action on the field?

The A&M higher ups just need to understand that the new coach is going to need more than three years to get things going. And those first three years are probably going to be pretty bad, at least in my opinion.

I think moving to the SEC is a good move for A&M, but I would caution their fans about getting their expectations to high. A&M will need to settle in and build up some depth before they can even think about competing. A good example of what I expect A&M to look like for the next few years would be this year's Mississippi St team. If they can schedule four easy OOC games and knock off two of the weaker SEC teams, they will go bowling.

I think it's just over the top rhetoric to troll A&M fans. There's a lot of Aggies who think ESPN is now in bed with UT due to the LHN and that's forcing them to write articles debasing A&M. It's just funny to me that they would pose it as a question: Is the Texas A&M job a Death Sentence? Reminds me of Fox news questions like this:

I imagine Mike Sherman will wind up somewhere else, maybe in the NFL, but there was no guarantee that he couldn't win enough to keep his job. If A&M was 8-4 or better this year, I think Sherman would have kept his job. To call it a death sentence is just over the top though. If a guy like Kirby Smart comes in here and shows progress from year to year I think we will stick with him. Most Aggies I know realize that we are likely a 3-5 win team next year. We don't expect to compete that first year, or even the second, but by the third we should be at least a 7-5 team and show progress.

 

[bah007]

I think it's just over the top rhetoric to troll A&M fans. There's a lot of Aggies who think ESPN is now in bed with UT due to the LHN and that's forcing them to write articles debasing A&M. It's just funny to me that they would pose it as a question: Is the Texas A&M job a Death Sentence? Reminds me of Fox news questions like this:

I imagine Mike Sherman will wind up somewhere else, maybe in the NFL, but there was no guarantee that he couldn't win enough to keep his job. If A&M was 8-4 or better this year, I think Sherman would have kept his job. To call it a death sentence is just over the top though. If a guy like Kirby Smart comes in here and shows progress from year to year I think we will stick with him. Most Aggies I know realize that we are likely a 3-5 win team next year. We don't expect to compete that first year, or even the second, but by the third we should be at least a 7-5 team and show progress.

Well hopefully the administration feels the same way as its fans then. Because its gonna be real hard to sell this job to somebody if they are being told they need to be able to compete immediately.

I don't think the A&M gig is a bad one at all. Hell, Bear Bryant held that job at one point. But with all that's going on there right now, I would rather be the second guy to coach them in the SEC than the first. I have a feeling that's how most of the candidates see it too.