Spring Break
Mike Sherman is the right choice
By: Katy Lane
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Mail Call
I was extremely disappointed when I saw the title of one of Tuesday's articles - "Sherman hire is setting dangerous precedent." I was even more discouraged when I read the article. Sherman is far from a "good old boy." He was at A&M in the 1980s and 1990s, which should not be mistaken with the 1960s and prior when A&M was all male, all white and all military. A&M had a tremendous football program when Sherman was last here, including the Wrecking Crew defense.
When our athletic director, at least 15 former football players and the most successful football coach in Aggie history, R.C. Slocum, all agree that Sherman is a great fit for A&M's culture - both with traditions and the desire to win. Why must students question that? By the way, did you know that Bryne maintains a list of replacement candidates for each sport that meet his criteria throughout the year? In fact, his choice at Nebraska - before it was overridden by Tom Osborne - was Bob Stoops.
The article also criticized Sherman's age and ability to connect with players. The Green Bay Packers are one of America's most respected football programs and Brett Favre is one of the most revered quarterbacks. Do you think there is a player on the Aggie football team that wouldn't love to go pro if he had the ability to do so? Sherman has NFL experience and can help prepare and mentor them for that possibility. He also has tremendous contacts throughout the college and NFL ranks that will enable him to assemble a dynamic team of new coaches.
Give him a chance. Rob Childress and Mark Turgeon both came to A&M for the same reasons. It is evident that they both appreciate and embrace the Aggie culture. We gave them a chance, so do the same for Mike Sherman. He is not a "safe" hire, he is the right hire.
Katy Lane
Class of 2002
When our athletic director, at least 15 former football players and the most successful football coach in Aggie history, R.C. Slocum, all agree that Sherman is a great fit for A&M's culture - both with traditions and the desire to win. Why must students question that? By the way, did you know that Bryne maintains a list of replacement candidates for each sport that meet his criteria throughout the year? In fact, his choice at Nebraska - before it was overridden by Tom Osborne - was Bob Stoops.
The article also criticized Sherman's age and ability to connect with players. The Green Bay Packers are one of America's most respected football programs and Brett Favre is one of the most revered quarterbacks. Do you think there is a player on the Aggie football team that wouldn't love to go pro if he had the ability to do so? Sherman has NFL experience and can help prepare and mentor them for that possibility. He also has tremendous contacts throughout the college and NFL ranks that will enable him to assemble a dynamic team of new coaches.
Give him a chance. Rob Childress and Mark Turgeon both came to A&M for the same reasons. It is evident that they both appreciate and embrace the Aggie culture. We gave them a chance, so do the same for Mike Sherman. He is not a "safe" hire, he is the right hire.
Katy Lane
Class of 2002
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