Nov. 20, 2008
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - Coach Sherman
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - Coach Kines
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - DB T. Hunter
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - QB S. McGee
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - OL T. Schneider
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - DL M. Bennett and DB J. Pugh
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - LB M. Featherston
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - WR J. Fuller
- Texas Media Luncheon Audio - QB J. Johnson
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Head coach Mike Sherman and selected players met with members of the press on Thursday at the final weekly football media luncheon of the season on the Texas A&M campus.
Click the MP3 links above to listen to audio from the press conference. A transcript of Coach Sherman's comments is listed below.
Coach, can you talk about the differences and similarities of the A&M/Texas rivalry versus the Packers and Bears, because we hear so much and you've been a part of both. What are the differences or similarities?
"The similarities I think are the proximities. Chicago and Green Bay are probably about two and a half to three hours, depending upon traffic, and from here up to Austin is about two hours. You kind of know each other very well. There's a lot of fans that hail on the edge of Wisconsin that are Bear fans and the edge of Illinois there -- right around Racine -- that are Green Bay fans. So you have a intermixing along those borders of fans, where here in the state of Texas, obviously those fans are interwoven throughout the state. But I think proximity has a lot to do with the similarity. I think the biggest thing that I see is the fact that when you talk about Texas high school football -- and I think Thursday night the nation will get a chance to see Texas high school football at its finest, in regard to the fact that 18 out of 22 of their players on the two deep are from the state of Texas, and then 21 out of 22 here at A&M are from the state of Texas. So it's a great testimony to Texas high school football. A lot of these kids have obviously played with each other, maybe on the same team, played against each other during the course of the season or in the playoffs as high school football is currently undertaking. So there's a lot of similarities. That creates a lot of emotion in this type of ballgame. I think when you grow up in the state of Texas you very much aware of the Texas/Texas A&M rivalry. They grew up with this. They grew up watching this game, much like people in Wisconsin and the state of Illinois grew up watching Bear/Packer games. I think the biggest one would be the fact that families get together at this time of year just like they do up in Green Bay and they relish these types of ballgames, and to watch this as a family. I think people have great memories. When I was head coach of the Packers people tell me stories about going to different games, such as the Packer/Chicago, game and they went there with their father, or their mother, and it was a traditional thing they did every single year. Certainly here in the state of Texas, most high school kids and adults will be watching this ball game."
I don't know if you followed the A&M/Texas rivalry when you were at Holy Cross or not, but do you remember your first impression of the rivalry up close when you were here as an assistant?
"Just a lot of pageantry in regard to the pregame festivities, with, you know, our band and theirs as well and just a lot of that. The pregame pageantry and tradition is part of what I remember the most."
When you've studied tape of the last two or three Texas games, and looking at (Stephen) McGee in those games, what struck you about his play in those games other than making big plays? Could you see leadership qualities in him coming through in those particular games?
"Most definitely. He seemed to have not only elevated his play but those around him at the same time. When I talk about a great player, in the past I have always said great players not only play great in critical situations but they make other players play at that level. I think it's evident in watching those games that the entire A&M football team played at another level. I think Stephen, certainly being the leader, was a big contributor to the fact that not only did he play well but I think he motivated others to do the same."
Given the way the season has gone, it seems like the players to a man are still buying in, and they cite execution, or lack of, for the way it's gone. What are you seeing from these guys, these young players, that give you hope not only going into Texas but beyond?
"Well, you know we take each game as they unfold. I say (to them) I want you to be disappointed after a ball game. I want you to beat yourself up for about 24 hours. I want to you figure out what we could have done better and then make those corrections. But once we get past that time frame -- that time of `mourning' so to speak, it's time to move on. I'm a big one in dealing with the present. You can't hang onto the past because it'll drag you back, particularly in a season like this. I think the guys for the most part have a very positive attitude. We had a very good practice yesterday, upbeat and spirited, and we have for most of the year had upbeat practices. There's been the occasional clunker, which you always have, but you know I don't let them dwell on the negative part. I say (to them) let's control the things we can control and fix the things we can fix and go from there. So I do agree. I think the guys -- for what has transpired and the adversity we've been faced with -- I think they've handled themselves admirably."
How would you describe the talent level that you have in this program right now, and were you surprised it wasn't at a greater level when you got here?
"To be honest with you, I never really worry about that aspect of it other than the fact I'm going to go out and recruit the best I can, no matter where we are and no matter what our season was, I'm going to do the very best I can to bring in the best players -- which I think A&M can attract that. But at the same time, I think you always as a coach try to control the things you can control when you can control them and deal with everything else as they unfold. I think we could have done better this year than we've done. I think we missed some opportunities that we should have taken advantage of as players and coaches and -- but I'm not going to get into, you know, `if this' or `what about that'? I feel confident in what we have coming back and where we're headed and that's more where my focus is right now."
Where are you most pleased with Jerrod Johnson's progress?
"I don't know if it's progress but I'm most impressed about how Jerrod handles himself in the context of the game when he comes off the field and something bad happens. He doesn't come over and throw his helmet. He doesn't come over and act all flustered. He's very much in control of his emotions and control of the game. If I felt at any time the other day -- in the Baylor game -- that he was at an unstable emotional level that couldn't lead our team back into that ball game, I would have taken him out. But he comes over there, he's very poised. He's upset when he makes a mistake but at the same time he files it away and wants the ball in his hands to rectify that mistake almost immediately. I would say that's the most impressive thing about him. The maturity level that he has I think far exceeds his level of experience and his years - his chronological age. As far as his development is concerned, I think the fact that he goes through his progressions, which he wasn't doing earlier in the year, he's doing a good job of that. We're a progression-read offense, and it's one, two, three, check down, one, two, three, check down, run. I think he's handled that part of it progressively as we've played better and better."
With the way the season has played out what would it mean to finish the year with a win over Texas?
"I think no matter how your season pans out that's obviously a big game for both universities. Fortunately for A&M they've been able to do well in that ball game the last couple of years. The players have put a lot into that ball game, as have the coaches, and I assume we will do the same. As far as in the context of this individual season -- you know, I think any time you can beat your No. 1 rival it's very important. I look at all the games as important. I look at every single team we play as very important. I'll have former students say, `You know, we're up in Waco, we've got to beat Baylor.' I've had people from Lubbock say `We've got to beat Tech.' I think everybody has their team they want us to beat. But certainly, the last game of the season, the tradition and history, it's the third oldest rivalry in the country -- when you think of all these games over the years, this is special. It's on a national spotlight, on the greatest day as far as football is concerned in Thanksgiving. It's a honor to play this football game and coach in it. I'm honored to be a coach in this game."
If Stephen McGee's healthy enough to play, will there be kind of a conscious effort considering his success against Texas to maybe get him in the ball game some?
"Well, we're going to make a conscious effort to win the game and do the things that contribute to winning as best we can. If that involves getting two quarterbacks ready, so be it. But the major focus is to win this football game, however we can do that with whatever quarterback."
Jerrod was playing pretty well there for a while but it seems like he might have taken a little step back the last couple of games. How worrisome is that to you?
"If I was the quarterback, I think I would probably be worried (laughing). But he handles it extremely well. Like I said, he doesn't necessarily wallow in despair like the rest of us do sometimes. He moves on. And he files away the mistakes he's made. What you have to understand, however, is that some of the mistakes that he's made have not always -- even though they're directed at him and the ball leaves his hand and he's responsible and we don't absolve him of that responsibility -- but when you're throwing a skinny post and someone hits your arm, and the ball's intercepted, or you make a great throw and the DB tackles almost simultaneously as the ball is getting caught and the ball goes up in the air and somebody intercepts it -- that's not always his fault either. There are situations like the pick that we threw on the 2-yard line. I think I explained this before. We ran a stick nod. He's never really been in that situation down there before. We had practiced that play, not a whole lot, but we had practiced it - it's a red zone play. The next time that play happens he'll get the ball out quicker and he'll have to have greater anticipation, which he has to have down there on that particular play. He was a little late with the ball and the kid made a great play on him, but that won't happen to him again. He'll anticipate that play better. He's never run that play in a game before, so I think that contributes to his learning. So my angst over him is not in his ability to handle the challenge. I have none. He can handle anything."
Can you just give us a little injury update, especially with Trent Hunter and some of those guys who have been banged up...
"I didn't bring it with me, so I don't know if I'll give it just service. But Jorvorskie Lane banged his ribs a little bit but he should be fine. Trent Hunter should be able to play in this ball game. He's been practicing. I think everybody that's been injured will find a way to get well because of the significance of playing this type of ball game. You know, we have a number of bumps and bruises and we've had two physical practices. We're practicing full pads the last couple of days, we've scrimmaged a fair amount -- so we have a few. We're going to have a non-padded practice today and then going to have a couple of days to regroup a little bit. As far as who's not going to be available in the game it would be tough for me to tell you at this present time."
Did Jorvorskie do that in the game or practice?
"In the game. He should be fine. He should practice today."
Do you get the sense from your players that they want to prove that they're better than their record indicates?
"Yes. I believe that they do. The biggest thing is go out there and play well, and the scoreboard takes care of itself. You have to play well. You can't have the inconsistencies that we have demonstrated throughout the course of this season. To me, it's about stopping them from getting first downs and us getting first downs. I think when you put the whole thing together, it can be insurmountable when you look at it. Look at what Texas has done. But to me, it's as simple as get the first down of our first drive or let's go three and out defensively. Let's try to get that done. And then we go from there. But I do feel that they have a desire to go out there and play well, and go out there and win the football game. I'm sure in their minds there will be justification in that as far as how the season has gone. I think they'd feel better about that. You know, you do that and then ought to you ask yourself, `If we were able to beat that type of team on that day, why didn't we beat somebody on another day that wasn't quite as talented?'"
Stephen McGee's was kind enough to tell us about the lighter side of you...
"Yeah, is there one?" (laughter)
Apparently there is. He mentioned a certain Bunsen burner experiment. I wondered if you would elaborate on that motivational technique. Is there a Jim Carrey trapped in you?
"(laughing) Well, I have a fairly dry sense of humor. Most of the things I say to those guys they just look at me, and I go like this (motions hand over his head) and the coaches will know what I'm talking about. But the Bunsen burner - there were a couple of times I used the Bunsen burner. I was a little pyromaniac when I was a kid. So I think I have a tendency to gravitate towards those type of things. That one in particular was something that -- I read a lot and I always try to generate new ideas and get some (things across). You know, these kids in this day and age, and not just in college but in the NFL, you have to each week give them new motivation, new reasons to win, even in the context of a long season. In the National Football League you're talking about potentially 24 ballgames. So sometimes they lose sight of why we're doing this and why we have to win this ballgame? You try to connect them with little hooks, and it's the same thing here in college. But that particular example - we've had a couple of Bunsen burner deals. That one was something I believe I picked up from a coach at Vanderbilt, a baseball coach. You talk about three different types of people -- marshmallows, jelly beans and rocks. And what are you? You take a marshmallow, and when the heat gets turned up and adversity's in your face and the pressure's real high -- are you a marshmallow? Then we put the marshmallow over the Bunsen burner and the thing ignites and almost simultaneously combusts. (Then you ask) Okay, who's a marshmallow? If a kid doesn't have a great practice or doesn't demonstrate the integrity of practice I want, maybe he finds a marshmallow in his locker (laughter). Then there's another one where there's a jelly bean, and you hold the jelly bean in there, and eventually that succumbs to the intense heat. It doesn't burn up right away but over time it just crumbles. It just melts. It gives in to it. And then the rock, when you put that under, it's actually purified. All the impurities are burned out of it and it actually ends up being stronger in many ways because the impurities are now burned off. So the question remains and you ask them are you a marshmallow, a jelly bean or a rock. Through the course of the season I said (to them) I hope - and I think I had a steel ball at the time more than a rock -- but I said I hope that we're rocks, and not marshmallows and jelly beans. So that was the Mr. Science lesson for the day."
You were here for seven Texas games and seven Bonfires. Do you recall your thoughts in '99 when you heard about the bonfire tragedy and your emotions there?
"I do. (I was) Devastated. Just devastated when I heard about it. And even right now I get tingles up my spine. But just -- the families -- I have five kids, and just getting that phone call ... What has been a great thing here at Texas A&M, a great unifier at Texas A&M in bringing all these Aggie families together, and then have the total opposite happen where students had perished in an attempt to do something very very special here at A&M. So I was devastated when I heard about it."
What are your impressions of Colt McCoy and what impresses you most about what he's done this season?
"Well looking at him last year, compared to this year, I think he's made tremendous -- and he was a good quarterback last year but I think he's a great quarterback this year. He makes great decisions and he's very creative. I always measure a quarterback by what happens when things go bad. How does he react when maybe, the defense is blitzing you or something breaks down in your route combinations or something breaks down in protection? What do you do with the football now? And he's had the ability this year to really make big plays when big plays weren't there. I think I saw more of that with him studying his tapes this year than when we looked at him in the offseason. But I think he's taken his game to another level. I think he gets rid of the ball a lot quicker this year as well."
Do you know coach Mack Brown and are you aware of his success?
"You'd have to be living on the moon not to be aware of what he's accomplished there. I'm very much aware of him. We spent a lot of time in the National Football League looking at tapes in the offseason of, you know, getting ready for the draft. We certainly watched a lot of Texas' tapes and have followed Coach Brown's success. He's done a phenomenal job setting up the program he's running. He's done a great job of recruiting, evaluating talent, hiring great coaches. I think he's hitting on all cylinders."
Speaking of Mack, with the news they made this week (in hiring Will Muschamp as head coach designate), I'm curious about your thoughts on that and whether or not you think it's something that could be a trend in coaching?
"I think it's become a trend. When you have a quality coach like Coach Muschamp, certainly other suitors become involved in trying to lure them away. You see someone who has the capacity to become the next guy -- I think when you look at major corporations across the country, they always want to have a succession plan. I think college football for the most part has been behind in regard to that, and if anybody ought to have a succession plan it should be college football, because there's a lot of succession going on (laughter). Anyways, certainly in this case where they have a program in place and they're doing a great job and want to keep the status quo working, I think it's a good move. It's certainly well-deserving. He's done a great job up there, as well as Auburn and other places he's been."