Could ISU get a former NFL Head Coach?

Jeremy · 11-11-2006, 04:21 PM

Could ISU get a former NFL Head Coach?
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind

With all the talk of late surrounding Brewster and Harbaugh to replace Mac, is Jamie Pollard possibly looking elsewhere? There are suggestions that might just be the case if three sources and one online reporter are correct. Here’s how the story goes…

On Thursday evening two separate sources emailed me information that ISU could possibly be looking semi-seriously at former Packers Head Coach Mike Sherman, currently with the Houston Texans. I exchanged emails with the sources but haven’t heard any additional earth-shattering news to back up the claims.

All of that changed today with a previous source corroborating the fact that ISU does in-fact have some level of interest in Sherman. Also backing up the claims of the two original sources is a recent post by Mike Dienhart of The Sporting News in which Dienhart claims ISU could be exploring the possibility of talking to Sherman.

Is Sherman’s name being thrown out as a decoy to take the pressure off of Brewster and Harbaugh? It’s not clear at this time but that is a distinct possibility. It’s not known how much interest Sherman would have in coming to Ames but he would have some clear advantages over some of the other names being thrown around.

So what does all this mean? Things are never as clear as they may seem when it comes to coaching searches. ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard has a short list of names, many of which we know. Who else does he have interest in that none of us are guessing and are those real candidates or possible decoys? Only time will tell.

Cyphor · 11-11-2006, 04:23 PM

I always liked Sherman. He did well with some really crappy rosters. It would be a huge recruting boost as well!

BigDISU1 · 11-11-2006, 04:30 PM

Wow, as a packers fan, I have a slightly biased opinion, but this definately brings something different to the table.

Packers were somewhat sucessful during Sherman's season at Green Bay, with only one losing season (2005) His head coaching record is 57-39, (53-27 before 2005 season, 4-12 during 2005 season)

Prior to assuming head coaching duties for the Packers, Sherman had also been the team's tight ends coach, as well as offensive cordinator for the seawaks and o-line coach for texas A&M at various times. In addition, he was the offensive line coach at UCLA in 1994

Year College/Pro Team Position Coached 1981-82 Univ. of Pittsburgh Part-Time Coach 1983-84 Tulane Offensive Line 1985-87 Holy Cross Offensive Line 1988 Holy Cross Offensive Coordinator 1989-93 Texas A&M Offensive Line 1994 UCLA Offensive Line 1995-96 Texas A&M Offensive Line 1997-98 Green Bay Packers Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line 1999 Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends 2000 Green Bay Packers Head Coach 2001-04 Green Bay Packers Executive V.P./General Manager/Head Coach 2005 Green Bay Packers Executive V.P./Head Coach

isufox · 11-11-2006, 04:33 PM

http://www.packers.com/team/coaches/sherman_mike/

Tpups21 · 11-11-2006, 04:46 PM

Sherman is a great coach and probably a good recruiter, but he just doesn't seem like a fit for us. Brewster is said to be interested in the job. If so why hasn't Pollard contacted him?

BigDISU1 · 11-11-2006, 04:55 PM

I always thought sherman would get another head coaching job in the NFL, he was pretty solid with the Packers for 6 seasons, I figured it would be just a matter of time before he got another shot.

Not to be pessimistic, but head coach as ISU seems like a step backwards in his career, especially after he has proven he could win at the pro's. He won the NFC central 3 consecutive times and before the 2005 season, had the best winning percentage for a Packers head coach besides Lombardi. His major criticism was his inability to draft the best players and manage the free agent market (not the best evaluator of talent). There are a hand full of current NFL coaches who have not equalled success he had at Green Bay. Unless there is some other factor at work here I am unaware of, I am not going to get my hopes up until I hear some more details.

gocubs2118 · 11-11-2006, 04:58 PM

I dont think it would be a step backward for him. I mean it wasnt a step backward for Pete Carroll. Maybe College is the place for Sherman too.

mwitt · 11-11-2006, 05:01 PM

Pete Carroll wasn't that successful in the NFL, and going back to college to coach at USC is a little different than going to coach at Iowa State.

Tpups21 · 11-11-2006, 05:05 PM

The only Sherman/ISU connection I found is Johnny Majors. CycloneReport mentions that Majors is part of the search team. Sherman coached at Pitt during the 81-82 season. Maybe there is some truth to these rumors!

CYTIME · 11-11-2006, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by BigDISU1

Wow, as a packers fan, I have a slightly biased opinion, but this definately brings something different to the table.

Packers were somewhat sucessful during Sherman's season at Green Bay, with only one losing season (2005) His head coaching record is 57-39, (53-27 before 2005 season, 4-12 during 2005 season)

Prior to assuming head coaching duties for the Packers, Sherman had also been the team's tight ends coach, as well as offensive cordinator for the seawaks and o-line coach for texas A&M at various times. In addition, he was the offensive line coach at UCLA in 1994

Year College/Pro Team Position Coached 1981-82 Univ. of Pittsburgh Part-Time Coach 1983-84 Tulane Offensive Line 1985-87 Holy Cross Offensive Line 1988 Holy Cross Offensive Coordinator 1989-93 Texas A&M Offensive Line 1994 UCLA Offensive Line 1995-96 Texas A&M Offensive Line 1997-98 Green Bay Packers Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line 1999 Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends 2000 Green Bay Packers Head Coach 2001-04 Green Bay Packers Executive V.P./General Manager/Head Coach 2005 Green Bay Packers Executive V.P./Head Coach

My favorite part of his resume is highlighted above. What was he doing the rest of the time?

Possibilities:
1. Finishing his undergrad.
2. Helping George O'Leary with his resume.
3. "Good afternoon and welcome to Walmart!"
4. Too tired to do anything else...stayed up too late watching Tony Robbins.
5. Back-up singer on Captain & Tenille's comeback tour.
6. Had just sold his 1/3 ownership in Microsoft for $52,000 and Paul Allen's sweet cherry-red Firebird with T-tops...figured he could kick back and relax a little.

Thoughts?

Icky_Mettle · 11-11-2006, 05:28 PM

Jim Bates was the best coach on that Packer coaching staff.

9seven · 11-11-2006, 05:40 PM

That would be a fantastic hire, absolutely fantastic!!!

Psyclone Brian · 11-11-2006, 06:20 PM

It's just hard for me to accept NFL coaches that take that step down, are still that hungry to defeat other college teams. I don't think it really matters who we get... Whoever it is, it's going to be a gamble. Big or small gamble, will be the question.

CLONE2THEBONE · 11-11-2006, 06:53 PM

Mike Sherman would be a step down from Mac.

ISUFan22 · 11-11-2006, 07:51 PM

I'll say this much, when I said to Mr. Pollard today "I've been hearing of the rumored potential coaches, sounds like some nice options there".

He smiled and said "You really shouldn't pay much attention to rumors" and winked.

I then said "Well, you did take a left turn when we thought you were turning right with the basketball situation!" He laughed.

JP keeps his cards close to his chest, I like that about him. Not only does he do that, he likes to put deception out there as well, to make people think he's going one way while the entire time, going the other. I love that about him.

Not sure if that's what is going on here, but it somewhat seems like it.