Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Franchione is out, Sherman is in. With new coaches and new expectations, columnist John Kennedy reports what they're looking for in 2008 [Click to enlarge]

With millions of dollars poured into coaching staffs across the country, a coaching change is a major decision. John Kennedy looks at how the new coaching staff will affect the Aggies' success as the team strives to attain national prominence.

Head Coach Mike Sherman has been called upon to remedy Texas A&M's lackluster program. This is not to say that A&M has not upheld its strong football traditions or that there has been a decline in support from the fan base but, changes simply must be made to restore A&M to a championship quality program.

The "Wrecking Crew" has become a nostalgic memory of an idolized past. It was a defense that was once considered one of the best in college football. One that every offensive coordinator feared and the one that stopped Bo Jackson on that famous goal line stand.

Now, students hold up the "W.C." on the occasional big defensive stand, but the "Wrecking Crew" has somehow managed to become a lost custom at a school that rarely forgets tradition.

Coach Sherman and his staff have the task of developing a defense that can force three and outs, doesn't allow big offensive plays and can actually score themselves. The Aggie defense did not return a fumble or an interception for a touchdown in 2007. These are the things that the Wrecking Crew represented and what the Aggies need to win the Big 12.

Sherman hired Joe Kines as defensive coordinator. Kines has a long and impressive coaching record with stops at Jacksonville State, Clemson, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida State and Alabama. He also coached in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987 to 1990.

Kines' defense in 2005 at Alabama ranked second in overall defense and first in defensive scoring nationally, among other impressive achievements. The addition of Kines could bring the "Wrecking Crew" tradition back to Aggieland.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools