A&M's Sherman ready for high expectations
DALLAS -- It didn't take long for Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman to get asked about the high expectations for his Aggies heading into this 2011 season.
The Aggies are coming off a 9-4 season in which they beat Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska and had a great run to the finish. Those wins helped take Sherman off any hot seat he might have been on and earned him a contract extension (and a raise).
He said he isn't changing any of his expectations.
"I always expect to win, expect to be [have a] good product," Sherman said. "This year, with what we've got coming back, those kids have been in this system for three years. They understand the culture, structure and how I want things done. I have a lot less headaches now than previously. Certainly winning in the second half of the season helped precipitate that."
Sherman ackowledged that his team loses some critical players on defense -- No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Von Miller and inside linebacker Michael Hodges. But he believes the defense will improve.
"I think we’re going to be a better team on defense even though we lose some significant players," Sherman said. "I do believe the second year in this defense, we'll make the biggest jump. Our guys will have more familiarity. I don’t think you replace Von Miller very easily with one player. You have to do it collectively with a group of guys."
More to come later.
Richard Durrett
ESPNDallas.comTEAM RESOURCES
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
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