Mike Sherman has done so much for Texas A&M football that it’s not hard to love the guy.  He brought a proven name to a program that had slipped under previous coach Dennis Franchione. 
He has recruited well, overseen a solid team with no NCAA problems and restored a lot of luster to the program.  Many Aggie fans will say he’s done enough to earn the chance to lead the team into the Southeastern Conference.
Many others will disagree.  He has a losing record (15-18) in the Big 12 and is a combined 2-6 against Texas and Oklahoma.  Sherman’s Aggies have no wins in six games against SEC opponents.  
The team experienced too many second-half collapses this season, and their 6-6 record is one of terrible underachievement.
Detractors will say he has done a decent job, but the program needs to enter its new conference with a big splash and a better on-field product than what was seen this year.
Whatever the powers that be at A&M decide, they should not just dump Sherman for any coach.  They need to make a move only for someone who will bring a big name, cache and a proven winning record.  And in a year where the coaching carousel is spinning at light speed, the Aggies may not have many options.
Penn State is probably the highest-profile job open, since Ohio State locked up Urban Meyer.  Illinois needs to replace Ron Zook, UCLA openly covets Boise State’s Chris Petersen to replace Rick Neuheisel.  The Pac-12 in general is wide open for unemployed coaches, as Arizona State, and Washington State have joined the Bruins in seeking new leaders.
111202434_crop_340x234Jim Tressel
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Other programs looking for coaches include Ole Miss and Kansas, which are hardly the dream job for many coaches, but they will be filled and they will be lucrative, no matter how short-term they are.
Because of the glut of vacancies, it’s likely Sherman will stay. 
But if the NCAA passes judgment on the Ohio State situation and does not impose a show-cause restriction on Jim Tressel, the Aggies should offer him whatever it takes to get him to College Station.
Tressel’s on-field record is hard to beat.  He went 106-22 at Ohio State, won or shared seven Big Ten championships and went to three BCS Championship games (winning one).  He also proved that he can flat-out coach.  Because of his methodical preparation and ability to make halftime adjustments, he was rarely out-coached. 
He’s an outstanding recruiter with a track record of landing great players coveted by multiple schools, a trait that would serve him well in talent-rich Texas.
His current difficulties with the NCAA cannot be completely excused, but with a strong compliance office, which A&M has, he can be a good fit in College Station.
The show-cause penalty is usually reserved for coaches who commit recruiting violations.  It requires schools that want to hire coaches hit with the penalty to show cause why they should not be subject to sanctions.  Tressel would be virtually unemployable if hit with that.
However, since Tressel's problems stem from reporting issues and not recruiting, there’s little chance he’d be hit with that sanction.
The Aggies should watch this situation carefully. And while it may not be fair to Mike Sherman, the decision-makers have to do what’s best for the program.  A&M has the resources to land a big name and enter the SEC with a team good enough to compete for a championship right away. 
Despite all of his positive attributes, few in Aggieland would think Sherman is that guy.  That’s why Tressel should be given the chance.