Coaching changes not paying off for some

by Cody Barron, staff writer

 

Coaching transitions are always a risky gamble.

Sometimes switching teams or playing levels can resurrect a fading career, as is the case with the University of Southern California's Pete Carroll and the University of Florida's Urban Meyer. 

This transition, however, does not go over quite so smoothly for many.

Let's take, for example, a few coaches from around Division I college football who have not lived up to their expectations.

I realize that it is still very early in the college football season, but when Aggie fans are already searching the stands franticly for Dennis Franchione, things are not so good.  Current head coach Mike Sherman, in his Texas A&M debut, opened the season with two home losses for the first time in 36 years, a feat even Franchione failed to achieve.  The first loss came when the Arkansas State Red Wolves, which had lost its 15 previous contests against Big 12 conference opponents, came into Kyle Field and upset the Aggies, 18-14, to crash Sherman's welcoming party.  Two weeks and one win under-the belt later, the University of Miami Hurricanes embarrassed the Aggies at home, 41-23. 

Sherman was hired to restore the prestige that was once synonymous with Texas A&M football, but he has yet to impress. 

Franchione was brought in under similar circumstances, to succeed R.C. Slocum, who had just been fired despite being the program's all-time winningest coach.  Franchione brought with him to Aggieland an outstanding track record, but he was unable to produce anything more than a mediocre season.  Thus, after sub-par seasons and an incident involving booster money, Franchione resigned as coach in November 2007.

Sherman is predominately an offensive-minded coach. He won three division titles with the Green Bay Packers by implementing a West Coast offense.  Everyone loves to see good offense at work, but the Aggie faithful would love to see the once-vaunted “Wrecking Crew” defense return to complement Sherman’s offense.

Sherman’s collegiate coaching career may be off to a bit of a rough start, but he is definitely not alone thus far this season.

Bobby Petrino left the University of Louisville in January 2007 to try his luck in the National Football League as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.  After less than one season with the troubled-riddled Falcons, who had just lost starting quarterback Michael Vick to prison, Petrino resigned as Falcons coach.  Petrino returned this season to the college game as head coach of the University of Arkanasas Razorbacks.

And who can forget Rich Rodriguez?  Rodriguez left West Virginia University after brilliantly recruiting talent for his spread offense attack, led by yearly Heisman Trophy candidates Pat White and Steve Slaton.  Granted, it was a step up for Rodriguez as far as program prestige goes, but he will not be pacing the sidelines of the “Big House” for too much longer if he keeps losing home-openers to Utah.

All in all, it is too early to tell much about how these coaches’ careers at their respective schools will pan out.  Hopefully, they, Sherman particularly, will have spectacular careers.  But only time will tell.