A coach of conviction
Ex-NFL field boss Mike Sherman given task of turning around the Alouettes
MONTREAL — The Alouettes of late have been the epitome of a dog chasing its tail, eating up and spewing out head coaches — and quarterbacks — with alarming regularity, but achieving little.
And now it’s Mike Sherman’s turn in the batting order. The Alouettes’ new bench boss becomes the fourth guy in the past six years — after Marc Trestman, Dan Hawkins and Tom Higgins — who was on the fringe of the coaching fraternity, desperate for an opportunity, when Montreal came calling.
It worked for Trestman, but he had Anthony Calvillo at quarterback and an experienced general manager in Jim Popp. Sherman will have no such luxury. Kavis Reed enters his second year as GM with more questions than answers following a 3-15 season. Sherman, for his part, wouldn’t designate a starting quarterback on Wednesday, following his introduction, probably because one doesn’t exist at this time.
If only Sherman could lure Brett Favre, the man with whom he won three consecutive division titles at Green Bay between 2000 and ’05, out of retirement. Or even Johnny Manziel, who was coached by Sherman at Texas A&M, but who is on Hamilton’s negotiation list.
Don’t be scared by the fact Sherman has no CFL experience. As Trestman displayed over his five seasons with Montreal, and as the TigerCats’ June Jones did last season, 30 years removed from the league, that no longer remains a prerequisite.
The Als have to get it right one of these times — and Sherman provides them with their best chance since Trestman’s departure. Sherman led the Packers to a 57-39 record and five consecutive winning seasons, although he lost four of six playoff games. The Aggies were a .500 team in his four seasons there. He has been an offensive co-ordinator with Seattle, Houston and Miami, and succeeded Ron Wolf as Green Bay’s GM in 2001.
Yes, Sherman turned 63 on Tuesday. Yes, he had been coaching a high school team for two seasons — and not with much success — after taking a year away from the game. Should we be concerned no NFL teams came calling, or Sherman wasn’t interested, after the Dolphins fired him in January 2014, the 8-8 team ranked as the NFL’s 27th-best offence? Perhaps.
But Michael Francis Sherman said all the right things on Wednesday, and he said them with conviction, such as he has a plan and is determined to follow it through.
“It’s managing people, motivating people, keeping everyone on the same page, communicating at a high level, making sure our alignment as an organization is tight. We’re all in this thing together,” said Sherman. “If we do the process right, the reward is we win consistently.
“I love the challenge that exists here, to do something and create something that no one has done quite recently.”
Als management — particularly owners Robert and Andrew Wetenhall — saw what Jones accomplished, taking over an 0-8 team and leading it to six victories in 10 games, and took notice. And they’ve spent the past five years attempting to catch lightning in a bottle, trying with futility to replace Trestman with a name coach who has an NFL and NCAA resumé. Someone with high character and core values.
Reed said he was impressed with Sherman’s track record. Sherman, according to Reed, can lead players. He has an extremely high football IQ, a proven ability to manage and direct a staff, experience in turning a program around, tremendous character and has a desire to work in partnership.
“He’s an exceptional football mind with a passion for teaching,” said Reed, who knows his future is now tied to this hiring. “He’s an innovator that understands the process. He’s a proven winner. He’s the right man to help us turn around this team and return us to on-field success.
“Today marks a new step for our organization. We have reasons to be happy.”
Sherman said he wants a team that’s proud and passionate. He has three core values — integrity, passion and unselfish players who will give back more than they take. He has spent nearly four decades in coaching and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. The Als plan to change the way they practise, prepare and play. Everyone, he stressed, must be aligned, with the same objectives, goals and vision. And perhaps most importantly, the system will suit the players.
“We can wait it out and you can decide whether you want to trust us or not,” he said. “Or you can blindly trust us right now. We’ve got your back (but) you have to go through the process with us.
“I’m very aware of some of the problems we’ve had. That doesn’t mean they have to continue.”