Below is a look at reaction from former Texas A&M players and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops about the hiring of new Aggies' football coach Kevin Sumlin, announced today. Sumlin was have his first news conference as the Aggies' coach on Monday.
Sumlin, who compiled a 35-17 record as Houston's coach over the past four seaons, also was an assitant coach at Oklahoma under current Sooners' coach Bob Stoops. Sumlin led Houston to a 12-1 record this season, the most victories in a single season by any Cougars' team. A breakdown:
FORMER TEXAS A&M QUARTERBACK BUCKY RICHARDSON:
“I am really excited that Kevin Sumlin is our next head coach. Kevin's energy and youth will give us a great lift as we enter a new era in the SEC. He already has great Texas ties, and once our Aggie fans get to know Kevin, they are really going to love him. He is a winner."
FORMER TEXAS A&M LINEBACKER &
CURRENT HOUSTON CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH JASON GLENN:
"I am excited to hear that Kevin Sumlin is the next head coach at Texas A&M. I like the fact that he has served as an assistant at A&M and I am sure he will embrace our traditions and culture. I am also excited to see my university hire an African-American head coach, which I believe shows that the Aggies are committed to being trendsetters in diversity and equality. I wish Coach Sumlin the best as we move into an exciting new era."
FORMER TEXAS A&M QUARTERBACK MARK FARRIS:
“The thing I remember most about Coach Sumlin is the way he carried himself … always confident, but not cocky. There’s an energy and an aura when he walks into a room that says “winner”. He’s that rare guy who is a player’s coach and still has the respect of every player on the roster. I’m really excited that he’ll be the one leading the Aggies into the SEC.”
FORMER TEXAS A&M WIDE RECEIVER TERRENCE MURPHY:
“Coach Sumlin was a guy who really understood relationships and is a player’s coach. He adapted to different guys but knew what needed to be done to get the best out of each player, not just the receivers, but all the guys. He really cares about the players as individuals and that makes you as a player want to give everything you have for him. This is a great decision by Texas A&M.”
FORMER TEXAS A&M LINEBACKER STEVE SOLARI:
"Change is good. The hiring of Kevin Sumlin is a great opportunity to build on the solid foundation left by Coach Sherman. Hiring the first African-American head football coach at A&M is a momentous occasion. I've watched Coach Sumlin's growth as a coach and witnessed his success throughout his career. I am confident that with his leadership, we will have great success in the SEC."
FORMER TEXAS A&M HEAD FOOTBALL COACH R.C. SLOCUM:
“Kevin Sumlin is very respected in the coaching profession. He is an excellent recruiter, a solid coach with a lot of experience, and a great person. He will do well as head coach of the Aggies.”
OKLAHOMA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BOB STOOPS:
"Kevin did a great job for us at Oklahoma and obviously did the same at Houston. He's still a close friend to many of us here and we all wish the best for Kevin, Char and the Sumlin family."
_ Jimmy Burch
This is a press release.
Posted by: Shasta | December 10, 2011 at 10:30 PM