Texas A&M names Sherman coach

Nov 27, 2007 - 2:16 AM COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Ticker) -- Moving quickly, Texas A&M on Monday named Houston Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman as Dennis Franchione's successor.

Sherman officially was introduced as the Aggies' new coach during a news conference at the school just three days after Franchione resigned.

Franchione stepped down Friday following the Aggies' 38-30 victory over Texas.

The 52-year-old Sherman returns to Texas A&M, where he served as the Aggies' offensive line coach from 1989-93 and again in 1995-96.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be introduced today as the football coach at Texas A&M," Sherman said. "This is really special for me."

Prior to joining Gary Kubiak's staff in Houston last year, Sherman spent six seasons as the Green Bay Packers coach from 1999-2005.

While in Green Bay, Sherman coached the Packers to three NFC North Division titles. Under Sherman's watch, Green Bay produced two of the four highest-scoring teams in franchise history.

"The bar here is set high, by our former players, by our former coaches, there are great expectations," Sherman said. "I've been a head coach. I know what it's going to take to be a head coach. So I'm not going to delve into something unless I feel like we have a legitimate chance to win championships."

In five seasons at Texas A&M, Franchione posted a 32-28 record. His resignation came as no surprise, since Franchione had been embroiled in a controversy after reports surfaced last month that he violated NCAA rules by allegedly selling inside information to boosters in newsletters to finance his personal web site.

According to a report in the Express-News in October, the "VIP Connection" was written by Franchione's personal assistant, Mike McKenzie, and sent to around a dozen boosters who paid $1,200 a year for the privilege. That money was apparently used to maintain Franchione's web site, www.coachfran.com.