Michael Francis Sherman(born December 19, 1954) is an Americangridiron footballcoach and former player who most recently was the head coach of theMontreal Alouettesof theCanadian Football League(CFL). He was the head coach of theGreen Bay Packersof theNational Football League(NFL) from 2000 to 2005. Sherman led the Packers to five consecutive winning seasons from 2000 to 2004 and threedivisionaltitles in 2002, 2003, and 2004, but never advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs.[1]He was also the head football coach atTexas A&M Universityfrom 2008 to 2011. He has also been a coach in the NFL for theSeattle Seahawks,Houston TexansandMiami Dolphins.Before he started coaching in the NFL, he served as an assistant coach at five different colleges, including Texas A&M, where he coached theoffensive linefor seven seasons. He is one of only a few coaches that has been a head coach at the high school, college, CFL and NFL level.[2]
 Sherman in 2003 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 19, 1954 Norwood, Massachusetts,U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Algonquin Regional(Northborough, Massachusetts) |
| College: | Central Connecticut(1974–1977) |
| Undrafted: | 1978 |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| As an executive: | |
| |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | NFL: 57–39 (.594) NCAA: 25–25 (.500) CFL: 5–13 (.278) |
| Postseason: | NFL: 2–4 (.333) Bowl games: 0–2 (.000) CFL: 0–0 (–) |
| Career: | NFL: 59–43 (.578) NCAA: 25–27 (.481) CFL: 5–13 (.278) |
| RecordatPro Football Reference | |
Early life and family
editSherman was born in 1954 inNorwood,Massachusetts.Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Sherman spent his life inHyde Park, Massachusetts,the southernmost neighborhood inBoston.He lived there with his parents, Claire and Frank Sherman, his two sisters, and his two brothers. His extended family members, who lived nearby, were devoutGreen Bay Packersfans and have dutifully followed Sherman's career. Sherman was also raised inNorthborough,Massachusetts,where he attendedAlgonquin Regional High School,playing for thefootballteam.
Sherman earned a scholarship to play atCentral Connecticut State University,where he playeddefensive endandoffensive tackle.He majored inEnglish.Though he was considered to be an average player with limited abilities in college, he was noted for his strong commitment. Right after college, Sherman became an English teacher and an assistant football coach, serving atStamford High Schoolin Connecticut in 1978 and atWorcester Academyin Massachusetts from 1979 to 1980.[3][4]
Sherman's father worked for a pipe company in New England and retired in 1991. Both his parents lived on Cape Cod. Sherman has been married to his wife Karen since 1982, and the couple have five children together (Sarah, Emily, Matthew, Benjamin and Selena). Sherman is the father-in-law ofCincinnati Bengalshead coachZac Taylor,who is married to his oldest daughter.
Sherman and his family reside onCape Cod.A former reading and special education teacher, Karen is a very active member of the West Dennis Library Board of Trustees.
Coaching career
editEarly career
editSherman started his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at theUniversity of Pittsburgh,where he was part ofJackie Sherrill's staff from 1981 to 1982.[5]While at Pittsburgh, Sherman wasn't able to afford an apartment; instead, he slept on acotinPitt Stadium.[3]After his stay at Pittsburgh, Sherman then coached theoffensive lineatTulanefrom 1983 to 1984, and later moved toHoly Cross,where he coached the offensive line from 1985 to 1987 before becoming theoffensive coordinatorfor the 1988 season.
From 1989 to 1993, Sherman coached theTexas A&Moffensive line. During the 1992–93 season, he met retired head coachGary Kubiak,who had coached the A&Mrunning backs.In 1994, Sherman left Texas A&M to coach theUCLAoffensive line, which included formerBaltimore Ravenspro bowlerJonathan Ogden.Sherman later returned to Texas A&M to coach the offensive line again for the 1995–96 seasons. Under Sherman, the Aggie offense averaged over 400 yards of total offense four times in his seven seasons at A&M. The 1990 Aggie team set a school record of 471.1 yards per game. Sherman also helped the Aggies to win threeSouthwest Conferencechampionships consecutively from 1991 to 1993. Additionally, he recruitedLeeland McElroy,who would become one of the Aggies' top 10 all-time leadingrunning backs.[6]
On December 20, 1996, A&M head coachR. C. Slocumpromoted Sherman to offensive coordinator to replace dismissedSteve Ensminger.[7]Months later, Sherman resigned to start hisprofessionalcoaching career as the assistant offensive line andtight ends coachfor theGreen Bay Packers.When asked by a reporter why he chose to accept the Green Bay job, Sherman responded: "There is absolutely no other college job I would have left Texas A&M for and only one professional job that I've ever had any interest in and that being the Green Bay Packers. I've enjoyed the small-town atmosphere of College Station for my family, and Green Bay offers that same atmosphere. If the truth be told, there is not a whole lot of difference between an `Aggie' and a `Cheesehead."[8]He served the position for the 1997–98 seasons. After Packers head coachMike Holmgrenresigned to accept theSeattle Seahawkshead coach position, Holmgren hired Sherman to become the offensive coordinator for the 1999 season.
Green Bay Packers
editIn 2000, Sherman became the head coach of theGreen Bay Packers.He led the Packers to five consecutive winning seasons from 2000 to 2004. From 2002 to 2004, he led the Packers to three consecutiveNFC NorthDivision titles. From 2000 to 2004, he compiled a 53–27 record, and a.663 winning percentage, which was the second highest in Packers history, trailing that ofVince Lombardi's, who is one of the most successful coaches in the history of football. Additionally, Green Bay and thePhiladelphia Eagleswere the only two teams to make the playoffs for four consecutive seasons from 2001 to 2004.
An offensive-minded coach, Sherman led the Packers to break franchise records for rushing in 2003 and passing in 2004. In 2003, PackersquarterbackBrett Favreled the NFL in touchdown passes, in addition to setting a franchise record for rushing yardage. The 2003 team also gained a total of 442 points, which is the fourth most in franchise history (560 in 2011, 461 in 2009, 456 in 1996, when the team won theSuper Bowl).
Despite receiving a contract extension earlier in the 2005 season, Sherman was fired by the Packers on January 2, 2006, after compiling a 4–12 record — Green Bay's first losing record since the1991 season(it was also Sherman's only losing season during his Packers tenure). The Packers had lostpro bowlersJavon Walker,Bubba FranksandAhman Greentoinjured reserveearly in the season.[9]
In his six-year head coaching career with the Packers from 2000 to 2005, Sherman compiled a 57–39 regular season record and a 2–4 postseason record. Sherman used theWest Coast offenseat Green Bay.[10][11]
General manager
editSherman succeededRon Wolfasgeneral manager(GM) of the Packers in 2001, taking on the dual role of head coach and general manager. Although the promotion of Sherman to GM was made prior to the2001 NFL draft,Wolf handled the draft duty in 2001. Sherman brought in three of the core players that were on the Packers 2010 roster. He draftedNick Barnett,Scott Wells,and acquired Cullen Jenkins as a rookie free agent after the 2003 draft.
Sherman's first solo draft pick as GM and in charge of the draft wasJavon Walkerin 2002, who made thePro Bowlin 2004, and was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2006.
In 2005 the Packers hiredTed Thompsonfrom theSeattle Seahawksto take over Sherman's general manager duties, although Sherman remained the Packers' head coach for one more season.
Houston Texans
editTheHouston Texanshired Sherman as the assistant head coach/offense coach on February 15, 2006. On January 17, 2007, he was promoted to offensive coordinator following the departure ofTroy Calhoun,who left the Texans to take the head coaching job atAir Force,and Sherman retained his role as assistant head coach. In the2006 season,the Texans'regular seasonoffenseranked 28th out of 32 NFL teams.[12]In the2007 season,Sherman's first year as the offensive coordinator, the Texans' regular season offense improved to a ranking of 14.[13]
The Texans finished the 2006 season with a 6–10 record. In 2007, they finished with an 8–8 record.
Texas A&M Aggies
editSherman became the head coach of theTexas A&M football teamin November 2007.[14]He signed a seven-year contract that at the time paid him $1.8 million annually.[15]Sherman abandoned thezone readoption offense run by former A&M coachDennis Franchione,and installed apro-style offensesimilar to those used in the NFL.[16][17]He uses a balanced offense run primarily out of pro-style formations.[18][19]
After two straight losing seasons, the Aggies started the 2010 season 3–3 but won their final six games to finish 9–3 and earn a share of the Big 12 South Division title.[20]After the 2010 season, he signed a contract extension through the 2015 season. His salary was raised to $2.2 million.[21]
In 2011, the Aggies began as a top 10 ranked team, but fell out of the polls after losing four games, three of which had double-digit half-time leads. Three of those four losses were to teams later ranked among the top ten in the nation. On November 19, 2011, the Aggies defeated Kansas by a score of 61–7 and became bowl-eligible for a third straight season. Five days later, on November 24, 2011, they would lose at home to the University of Texas 27–25 on a last-second field goal, in what would likely be the last game of the rivalry. It was the Aggies' sixth loss of the season, and the fifth in which they held a second-half lead of two or more scores.
Miami Dolphins
editThe Dolphins hired Sherman as offensive coordinator on January 27, 2012.[22]
On April 27, 2012, the Dolphins draftedRyan Tannehillwith the 8th overall pick. Sherman coached Tannehill at Texas A&M and was instrumental in the decision-making leading to the Dolphins selecting Tannehill.[23]
Nauset Regional High School
editIn May 2015,Nauset Regional High Schoolannounced Sherman would take over as head football coach following the resignation of coach Keith Kenyon, who became the new assistant principal.[2]After compiling a 4–18 record over two seasons, Sherman resigned in May 2017.[24]
Your Call Football
editIn November 2017, it was announced that Sherman had joinedYour Call Football,a new platform in which fans call plays in real-time in real, live games.[25]Prior to the season, Sherman was hired by theCFL'sMontreal Alouettes.He would still serve as the head coach during Your Call Football's inaugural season.[25]
Montreal Alouettes
editOn December 20, 2017, Sherman was hired by theMontreal Alouettesas head coach. During the2018 CFL season,Sherman, along withJune JonesandMarc Trestmanhad the distinction of having both CFL and NFL head coaching experience to coach in the same season.[26]He finished with a 5–13 record in his first full season with the Alouettes.[27]
On June 8, 2019, shortly before the start of the regular season and a week after the Alouettes ownership surrendered the franchise back to the CFL, the Alouettes released an ambiguously worded statement claiming that they and Sherman had "agreed to part ways."[28]
Head coaching record
editNFL
edit| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| GB | 2000 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3rd in NFC Central | – | – | – | – |
| GB | 2001 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 2nd in NFC Central | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost toSt. Louis RamsinNFC Divisional Game |
| GB | 2002 | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 1st in NFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost toAtlanta FalconsinNFC Wild Card Game |
| GB | 2003 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 1st in NFC North | 1 | 1 | .500 | Lost toPhiladelphia EaglesinNFC Divisional Game |
| GB | 2004 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 1st in NFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost toMinnesota VikingsinNFC Wild Card Game |
| GB | 2005 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 4th in NFC North | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 57 | 39 | 0 | .594 | ||||||
College
edit| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M Aggies(Big 12 Conference)(2008–2011) | |||||||||
| 2008 | Texas A&M | 4–8 | 2–6 | T–5th(South) | |||||
| 2009 | Texas A&M | 6–7 | 3–5 | 5th(South) | LIndependence | ||||
| 2010 | Texas A&M | 9–4 | 6–2 | T–1st(South) | LCotton | 21 | 19 | ||
| 2011 | Texas A&M | 6–6[n 1] | 4–5 | T–6th | |||||
| Texas A&M: | 25–25 | 15–18 | |||||||
| Total: | 25–25 | ||||||||
| National championshipConference titleConference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
| |||||||||
High school
edit| Year | Team | Won | Lost | Tied | Win % | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Nauset Regional High School | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | [29] |
| 2016 | Nauset Regional High School | 3 | 8 | 0 | .278 | [30] |
CFL
edit| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Result | |||
| MTL | 2018 | 5 | 13 | 0 | .278 | 3rd in East | – | – | Missed playoffs | |
| Total | 5 | 13 | 0 | .278 | 0 Division Championships |
0 | 0 | 0 Grey Cups | ||
Notes
edit- ^Sherman was fired at the end of regular season and replaced withTim DeRuyteras interim head coach. DeRuyter led the Aggies to a win in the2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.Texas A&M finished the season with an overall record of 7–6
References
edit- ^Davis, Brian (November 25, 2007)."Sources: Texas A&M expected to name Sherman as football coach".Dallas Morning News.RetrievedNovember 25,2007.
- ^abBill Higgins (May 30, 2015)."Football: Former Packers coach Mike Sherman will coach Nauset Warriors".Cape Cod Times.
- ^abTownsend, Brad (December 2, 2007)."New A&M coach Sherman has heart of a champion".Dallas Morning News.RetrievedDecember 2,2007.
- ^Christl, Cliff (January 18, 2000)."Mentor's suicide gave Sherman perspective on career".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2007.RetrievedDecember 2,2007.
- ^Davis, Brian (November 26, 2007)."Football coach with ties suited Texas A&M".Dallas Morning News.RetrievedNovember 26,2007.
- ^Sherrington, Kevin (November 27, 2007)."Sherman musters up positivity at Texas A&M".Dallas Morning News.RetrievedNovember 27,2007.
- ^"Slocum picks offensive coordinator; A&M coach promotes Sherman, hires Dorr to instruct QBs".Houston Chronicle.December 21, 1996.
- ^"Packers Hire Sherman as New Tight Ends Coach".The Capital Times.February 18, 1997.
- ^"Packers lose Green for year with thigh tear".ESPN. Associated Press. October 24, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 25,2008.
- ^Williams, Charean (November 27, 2007)."Sherman made his mark in Green Bay".Fort Worth Star-Telegram.RetrievedNovember 27,2007.[dead link]
- ^"Sherman's way".Archived fromthe originalon September 10, 2012.
- ^"2006 NFL Regular Season Offense Statistics".National Football League.RetrievedJanuary 2,2008.
- ^"2007 NFL Regular Season Offense Statistics".National Football League.RetrievedJanuary 2,2008.
- ^"Sherman is on march".
- ^"Sherman succeeds Franchione as Texas A&M coach".
- ^"Texas A&M ready to debut new look on offense, defense".
- ^"Sherman using old-school approach".Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2008.RetrievedNovember 22,2009.
- ^"Aggies Mailbag: Sherman offers clue to future offense".Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2008.
- ^Cohn, Bob (October 21, 2008)."College a different challenge for ex-pro coaches".The Washington Times.RetrievedSeptember 5,2024.
- ^"Express-News All-Big 12 team".
- ^Jimmy Burch (November 20, 2011)."Texas A&M won't fire Sherman, but he's feeling heat".Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- ^"Dolphins reach contracts with DC Coyle, OC Sherman".NFL.com.January 26, 2012.RetrievedAugust 7,2024.
- ^"Unknown".Archived fromthe originalon June 17, 2013.RetrievedNovember 1,2018.
- ^Larson, Craig (May 11, 2017)."Mike Sherman resigns as Nauset Regional football coach".The Boston Globe.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
- ^abFoley, Matt (November 27, 2017)."These Football Startups Plan to Crowdsource Coaching".OZY.com.RetrievedNovember 27,2017.
- ^"Alouettes name Mike Sherman new head coach - CFL.ca".CFL.ca.December 20, 2017.RetrievedDecember 31,2017.
- ^Zurkowsky, Herb (November 3, 2018)."Alouettes end 5-13 season against Ticats with modest two-game winning streak".Montreal Gazette.
- ^CFL Staff (June 8, 2019)."Als, Mike Sherman part ways; Khari Jones takes over".www.cfl.ca.CFL.
- ^"Nauset Regional 2015 Football Schedule".MaxPreps.
- ^"Nauset Regional 2016 Football Schedule".MaxPreps.
- Zwerneman, Brent (November 26, 2007)."A&M names Sherman coach".San Antonio Express-News.Archived fromthe originalon February 16, 2008.RetrievedNovember 26,2007.
- "Sherman Named Head Coach at Texas A&M"(Press release). Texas A&M Athletic Department. November 26, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon November 28, 2007.RetrievedNovember 26,2007.