Aug. 25, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman proposed an idea of a "Countdown to Kickoff" dinner as a way to signal the end of two-a-day camp and the beginning of the regular season. Sherman held a similar event at Green Bay when he was the head coach of the Packers to mark the end of the preseason.
A sold out crowd in the Kyle Field Zone Club heard each position coach speak about his particular group, as well as a preview of the upcoming season. Every Aggie football player that went through fall camp was in attendance along with many former A&M players as well. Dignitaries such as Dr. Mike McKinney, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, Board of Regent Jim Schwertner, Director of Athletics Bill Byrne and former Texas A&M head football coaches Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum were also in attendance.
Coach Sherman presented a football to Ray Childress, who was recently voted into the College Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Former Texas A&M and Alabama football coach Gene Stallings was unable to attend the event, but Coach Sherman recognized his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as well. Stallings played football at Texas A&M under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and later coached with Bryant at Alabama before becoming the Aggies' head coach from 1965-71. After a successful pro football coaching career, Stallings became the head coach at Alabama and led the Crimson Tide to the 1992 National Championship.
Sherman also named the team captains for the 2010 season. Senior quarterback Jerrod Johnson (from Humble, TX) was named the offensive team captain, while senior joker (outside linebacker) Von Miller (from DeSoto, TX) was named the defensive captain. Senior wide receiver Terrence McCoy (from Midland, TX) was named the special teams captain. All of the honors were voted upon by the Aggie football team.
The Aggies open the 2010 football season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Kyle Field with kick scheduled for 6 p.m. against Stephen F. Austin.