Aggies selling SEC move to next class of football prospects

By BRENT ZWERNEMAN, COLLEGE STATION BUREAU

Updated 12:35 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2012    

First-year Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin has led the
program's fierce recruiting charge as it prepares to move
to the Southeastern Conference.
Photo: Brett Coomer / © 2012 Houston Chronicle         

COLLEGE STATION - With national signing day on Wednesday and Texas A&M's 2012 recruiting class all but wrapped up, the Aggies turned their attention to another talented bunch this past weekend - the youngsters next in line.
And for the first time, A&M offered a clear message to a fresh set of recruits during new coach Kevin Sumlin's first "junior day" at A&M: With the Aggies' shift to the Southeastern Conference this summer, the nation's top football league is at most a few hours from the state's largest cities.
"We're the only school in Texas where the state's top players can stay close to home and still play in what is undoubtedly the best conference in all of college football," said Justin Moore, A&M's new associate athletic director for football. "That's something we're now selling."
Is it working? Early indications are yes - and no.
"You want the best players who want to play against the best competition, and the SEC offers the best competition," Moore said of the league that has won the last six national titles. "That hits home with a lot of these guys - that challenge and the opportunity to do so while staying in-state. Now, you may have some guys who shy away from that, but at the end of the day you don't want those guys who aren't the right fit for the SEC anyway."
New coach leads charge
Sumlin inherited a highly ranked 2012 class from Mike Sherman, who was fired on Dec. 1 after posting a 25-25 record over four seasons. Sherman's reluctance to even address the move to the SEC from the Big 12 certainly didn't help his case for staying on board after a 6-6 regular season.
That hasn't been the case, however, with Sumlin, the former Houston Cougars coach who has embraced A&M's brave new world and trumpeted the move with every opportunity.
"Three things - facilities, the brand of Texas A&M with its reputation and tradition, and moving into the SEC - give you a great possibility to be successful in recruiting," Sumlin  said.
When Sherman first started rounding up the '12 class about a year ago, it appeared the Aggies would be in the Big 12 for the foreseeable future. That changed late in the summer, however, when school president R. Bowen Loftin propelled A&M toward the SEC. The 2012 class, currently ranked 10th nationally by Rivals.com, has changed little, however, even after Sherman's firing and Sumlin's hiring.
"We knew that in order to be the best, we have to beat the best," Klein Forest quarterback Matt Davis said recently when asked why the class mostly stuck together, first through the conference change and then the coaching change.
Early returns positive
But the true indication of whether A&M's move to the SEC will offer a marked difference in its recruiting - for better or worse - will start with the 2013 class.
"When surveying the landscape, more kids are listing A&M now that might not have listed them in the past," said Brian Perroni, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, of the early returns. "There's a prestige associated with the SEC because it's won the last six titles, and kids see A&M to the SEC as something new and something cool."
Running back Trey Williams of Dekaney, a 2012 Rivals five-star prospect who has verbally committed to A&M, told Rivals, "You're going to have competition no matter where you are, (but the SEC) is really just getting you ready for the NFL."
Perroni said the Aggies' move to the SEC has offered an early positive concerning recruiting, but it's what the Aggies do going forward that will tell the rest of the story.
"The question becomes what happens if A&M doesn't win in the SEC or if they struggle for a few years," Perroni said.
A&M's recruiting classes have ranked 16th, 22nd, 17th and 27th the last four seasons under Sherman. Sumlin expects an uptick in recruiting based on the SEC move.
"There are a bunch of guys in this state who want to play at that level," he said. "They can now and will have a chance to win there."
brent.zwerneman@chron.com
twitter.com/brentzwerneman

More Information

Stocking up
Nine current or future SEC schools, compared to three Big 12 schools, are part of rivals.com's top 25 classes for 2012:

SEC
No. 1. Alabama
No. 4 Florida
No. 10 Texas A&M
No. 11 Tennessee
No. 13 South Carolina
No. 16 LSU
No. 20 Auburn
No. 21 Georgia
No. 24 Vanderbilt

BIG 12
No. 2 Texas
No. 8 Oklahoma
No. 23 Texas Tech

Texas A&M Recruiting: Who Are the Aggies Likely to Close With?

By

Michael Taglienti

(Featured Columnist) on January 26, 2012     Courtesy Of Bleacher Report

There are six days left until signing day, and the Texas A&M coaches are trying to finish off a top 15 class. How they finish will determine whether the Ags' class finds its way back into the top 10 or not.
The Aggies currently have four members of the 2012 class already on campus taking classes and participating in workouts, with 16 more verbally committed.
With four or five spots still open, the question facing Aggie fans is, who is going to fill those remaining spots in the recruiting class? 
The Aggies still have a huge need on the defensive line and linebacker. They need to fill those needs if they want this to be considered a successful recruiting class.
According to Billy Liucci from TexAgs.com, Euless (Tex.) Trinity defensive end Polo Manukainiu will be taking an official visit to A&M this weekend. Manukainiu is a 6'5", 250-pound defensive lineman who the Aggies could play at DE and some DT in Mark Snyder's 4-3 scheme.
He is the kind of lineman who will show up in August at 270 and demand immediate playing time. The Aggies currently have commitments from four defensive ends in Julien Obioha, Michael Richardson, Tyrone Williams and Alonzo Williams.
All four project as defensive ends for the Aggies going forward. Obioha may eventually grow heavy enough to be a DT, but with his long, lean frame, he looks like a natural for the strong side DE spot. 
Richardson and Tyrone Williams are weak-side defensive ends, with both likely to play outside linebacker when the Ags go to a 3-4 look.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

None of the four appear physically capable of stepping onto the field in 2012 and giving the Aggies quality minutes on the inside, and that is why Manukainiu is such an important recruit. I think Manukainiu will sign with the Aggies and be one of the most important pieces of this class.
At linebacker, it appears the Aggies have cast their lot with Ben Weaver of Klein (Tex.) High School. Weaver is currently committed to Boise State.
Some project Weaver as an outside linebacker, but at 6'1", 220 with a 4.7 time in the 40, I think he will end up on the inside.While Weaver has been a longtime commit to Boise, I think the chance to play in the SEC and so close to home will be too much for him. I think Weaver inks a letter of intent with the Aggies on national signing day.
The Aggies are bringing in five defensive backs in this class, so they would appear to be full at that position. You always want to add playmakers to your team, so the official visit this weekend by Carthage DB Edward Pope is not all that surprising.
The TCU commit had a great showing in the U.S. Army All-Star Game and could play on either side of the ball in college. I think that Pope will receive a scholarship offer from A&M during his visit and he will accept.
I think Pope will end up at safety for the Aggies.
Thomas Johnson is the top-ranked wide receiver in the state and one of the top-ranked receivers and overall players in the nation. He will announce his decision on where he is going to attend college on national television on signing day.
The Ags have four wide receivers committed in this class and plenty of wide receiver talent on campus. However, you do not turn down a talent like Johnson. He is the type of offensive playmaker you need to have success in the SEC.
I expect Johnson to join his cousin, DB commit Devante Harris, and sign with the Maroon and White on Feb. 1.
If the Aggies do indeed sign those four players in addition to their current commitments, they will have inked a top 10 class and their best overall class on paper since 1999.
The Aggies really need to address their lack of depth on the interior defensive line, so an extra defensive tackle signee would be huge. We will just have to wait and see what Kevin Sumlin and his staff can come up with.

Dolphins hire Sherman, Coyle as coordinators

Courtesy of USA Today
MIAMI (AP) – Joe Philbin was once hired by Mike Sherman in Green Bay. On Friday, Philbin returned the favor.The new coach of the Miami Dolphins hired Sherman as offensive coordinator on Friday, also adding Kevin Coyle as the team's defensive coordinator. Combined, the 57-year-old Sherman and the 56-year-old Coyle have 68 years of football coaching experience.

"They are exactly what I am looking for in terms of leadership, character, and teaching ability," Philbin said. "They are both very passionate about the game of football and the players they coach, and that enthusiasm is evident in the meetings rooms and on the field. They are excellent family men and I'm thrilled they are joining the Dolphins' football family. I can't wait to get started to work with them."

In Sherman's case, that's more like a reunion than anything Sherman and Philbin have a relationship that goes back decades — Sherman was once Philbin's high school English teacher. When Sherman was head coach at Green Bay, he gave Philbin his first NFL coaching job.

Sherman joins Miami after four years as head coach at Texas A&M. He also has been on the staffs at Seattle and Houston, along with college stops at Tulane, Holy Cross and UCLA.

Coyle has been a coach in Cincinnati since 2001, serving the last nine of those years as the Bengals' defensive backs coach. He has been a defensive coordinator at the college level at schools including Syracuse, Maryland, Fresno State, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Holy Cross, and has also worked as a collegiate assistant at Cincinnati and Arkansas.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.else.

Future of Kyle Field Up for Discussion

Reporter: Steve Fullhart courtesy of KBTX.com
Email Address: fullhart@kbtx.com

A six-month study will begin in the next few weeks that will help decide the future of renovations for Texas A&M's aging football home.
At a speech Wednesday at the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce's annual Economic Outlook Conference, A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said the study will look at a wide spectrum of options for Kyle Field, which has major sections that are 90 years old.

Loftin told the room of business leaders that key local stakeholders would be consulted as part of the study, this as fears mount in the business community that A&M football games would move to another city -- possibly Houston -- as Kyle gets a makeover.
The president said he is fully aware of the economic impact a season away from College Station would have on the local community, especially coming off a season with 87,000 packing Kyle on average and with a move to the Southeastern Conference starting next season.
After the study, Loftin said the university would make a "rational decision" about Kyle.
News 3 has learned that earlier this week, top A&M officials met with representatives of the Chamber, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and other local leaders to discuss Kyle's future.
Loftin did not address whether building a completely new stadium was a heavily-weighed option.
The total economic impact A&M had on the region was $3.76 billion in 2011, according to Loftin.
A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne will deliver the keynote address at the conference Wednesday afternoon and provide more details on the upcoming study.


A six-month study will begin in the next few weeks that will help decide the future of renovations for Texas A&M's aging football home.
At a speech Wednesday at the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce's annual Economic Outlook Conference, A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said the study will look at a wide spectrum of options for Kyle Field, which has major sections that are 90 years old.

Loftin told the room of business leaders that key local stakeholders would be consulted as part of the study, this as fears mount in the business community that A&M football games would move to another city -- possibly Houston -- as Kyle gets a makeover.
The president said he is fully aware of the economic impact a season away from College Station would have on the local community, especially coming off a season with 87,000 packing Kyle on average and with a move to the Southeastern Conference starting next season.
After the study, Loftin said the university would make a "rational decision" about Kyle.
News 3 has learned that earlier this week, top A&M officials met with representatives of the Chamber, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and other local leaders to discuss Kyle's future.
Loftin did not address whether building a completely new stadium was a heavily-weighed option.
The total economic impact A&M had on the region was $3.76 billion in 2011, according to Loftin.
A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne will deliver the keynote address at the conference Wednesday afternoon and provide more details on the upcoming study.

Ryan Swope announces he will stay at Texas A&M one more year

Courtesy of NBC Sports

Posted by Ben Kercheval on January 12, 2012, 3:35 PM EST

APTexas A&M fans didn’t have a ton to cheer about with a disappointing 7-6 season, but they have plenty to whoop about today.
Receiver Ryan Swope announced on his Twitter account today — he’s not much of a tweet guy; you’ve been warned — that he will come back for one more year with the Aggies as they transition into the SEC.
“Looking forward to wearing maroon and white one more season! Can’t wait to play for Sumlin and be apart of something special. Gigem!” Swope said.
The junior from Westlake HS had a great 2011, catching 89 passes for 1,207 yards — both single-season school records — and 11 touchdowns.

Texas A&M Football: What Will the 2012 Aggie Defense Look Like?

By Michael Taglienti(Featured Columnist) on January 12, 2012

Courtesy of Bleacher Report

          

With the addition of Mark Snyder to the Texas A&M football staff, the Aggie defense will be moving from the 3-4 defensive alignment under former defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter to a 4-3 "under" alignment under Snyder.
With the new scheme, there will likely be some position changes and some growing pains as the defensive players learn a new system. The bright side for Aggie fans is that both Snyder and DeRuyter used some of the same zone blitz concepts that were made popular by Pittsburgh Steeler defensive guru Dick Lebeau.
The returning defenders who played under DeRuyter should recognize a lot of concepts, and it should make the transition easier.
This is a basic look at what the 4-3 under defense is and where we should expect the current players and the committed recruits to end up on the field in 2012.

What Does the 4-3 "Under" Defense Look Like?

The diagram above shows the basic formation of the 4-3 under scheme against a split-back scheme on offense when trying to defend the run. To a layman, the defensive formation will resemble the 3-4 scheme that A&M ran in 2011. This 4-3 under and the 3-4 defense are often referred to as "5-2" schemes because there appear to be five down linemen and two linebackers.
In the 3-4, you have three down linemen in a nose tackle and two defense ends. In Mark Snyder's 4-3 scheme, you have four down linemen in a nose tackle, a defensive tackle and two defensive ends.
In the 3-4, you have four linebackers, and in the 4-3, you have three.
Snyder's defense is referred to as the "under" defense because instead of the defensive tackles being lined up directly across from the guards, the defensive tackle and nose tackle are shifted over and lined up in gaps or in an "odd technique." In an "over" alignment the linemen are shifted towards the strong side. As you can see in the "under" scheme the defensive linemen are shifted towards the weak side.
In the 3-4, you have two outside linebackers lining up outside of the opposing offensive tackles. As you can see from above, in Snyder's defense, you will have on DE and one linebacker lining up outside of the offensive tackles. It is pretty much the same concept, but just different names for the position.

Nose Tackle

The Aggie lost starting nose guard Eddie Brown to graduation.
They return Ben Compton and Kirby Ennis, and those two look to be the leading candidates for the nose tackle position in Snyder's defense.
At 6'4", 310 pounds, Ben Compton has the size and strength to start on the interior defensive line in the Southeastern Conference. Compton was recruited as a center but moved over to the defensive line in 2011 and had six tackles and a tackle for loss in nine games.
Kirby Ennis is 6'4" 286 pounds. Ideally, he would add a little size in the weight room, but his frame may already be maxed out right now. Adding weight may not be beneficial to him. He will likely back up Compton at NT and could also see some time at the defensive tackle spot.
If Jonathan Mathis is granted a medical redshirt for 2011 and is allowed another season of eligibility, then he will likely see some time at NT also.

Defensive Tackle

If Jonathan Mathis is able to play in 2012, then he will start at defensive tackle. He has NFL talent and could be a major difference maker for the Aggies on the defensive line.
If Mathis is not granted a waiver, then expect Gavin Stansbury to start at defensive tackle. Stansbury is only 265 pounds and will have to spend a lot of time with Aggie S&C coach Larry Jackson in the offseason to add some good weight. He is simply not big enough to compete in the interior in the SEC right now.
Ivan Robinson is recovering from an injury and should be available in 2012. At 6'3", 270, Robinson needs to add some size and strength before he can help on the field. If Robinson is healthy and able to contribute, that will be a big boost to the Ags because they do not have much depth on the defensive line.

Defensive End

There are two defensive end positions in Snyder's scheme. The strong side defensive end position is more of a run stopping role, while the weak side is more of a pass rusher.
Expect to see Spencer Nealy start on the strong side. Nealy started nine games at DE for the Ags in 2011. He will be a senior in '12, and at 6'5", 277 pounds, you would like to see him add about 10 pounds of muscle before the fall.
He is a high-energy guy who plays with great effort and keeps his teammates motivated. In 2011, he had 45 tackles with eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. There is some concern that Nealy will be overwhelmed in 2012 by more talented competition.
Shayvion Hatten redshirted in 2011. The 6'4", 286-pound freshman should back up Nealy in 2012. Expect him to enter the fall at over 290 pounds and ready to contribute. He is a very talented  athlete. Quite frankly, the Aggies could use three or four more Hattens on the roster right now.
Alonzo Williams is an incoming DE recruit from California. Expect him to compete for immediate playing time at the strong side and weak side DE position. He should be ready to play right away.

Weak Side Defensive End

Sarah Glenn/Getty Images

The weak side defensive end is more of a rush defensive end spot. Aggies will recognize it as basically the same as the rush OLB spot in the 3-4.
Expect Damontre Moore to line up in this rush DE position. He had a great sophomore year in 2011 with 72 tackles 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He should be a force off the edge in the SEC.
Brandon Alexander suffered a dislocated elbow against Texas Tech and missed much of the season. The second-year sophomore will back up Moore at DE. Look for Alexander to add 10 to 15 pounds to his 6'6", 240-pound frame after his first offseason in a Division I strength and conditioning program. He should be a future star for the Aggies.
Depending on his weight, Tyrell Taylor could get a look at this spot. At 6'4", 205 pounds, he will need to add at least 25 pounds to get in the conversation, but he has the kind of pass rush skills that are coveted at this position.
Caleb Russell had four tackles for loss and three sacks in 2011 and should see some playing time in 2012 at this spot.
His brother, incoming recruit Tyrone Taylor, could also figure into the equation at DE.
Michael Richardson is a 6'2", 230-pound recruit who played linebacker in Desoto High School's 3-4 defense. He could compete for playing time here also.

Middle Linebacker

The middle or "mike" linebacker spot will be filled by Jonathan Stewart.
The senior linebacker led the Aggies with 98 tackles in 2011. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He has grown into a solid linebacker on the interior for the Ags.
Look for Darzil Washington, who is coming off a redshirt year, and incoming recruit Jordan Richmond to compete for the second team spot.

Weak Side Linebacker

Steven Jenkins started six games at the weak side, or "will," linebacker in the Ags 3-4 scheme in 2011. He really became a difference maker in the last three games. Expect him to start at the "will" linebacker sport in Snyder's 4-3 defense.
Dominique Patterson and Donnie Baggs will compete for the second team spot behind Jenkins.
Baggs had six tackles in limited action as a true freshman in 2011. Patterson has struggled to find playing time in his first two years on campus. A new staff should give him a new lease on life in a new scheme.

Strong Side Linebacker

Sean Porter will start at the strong side, or "sam," linebacker position.
Porter returns in 2012 as an All-American candidate and one of the best linebackers in America. In 2011, he tallied 79 tackles with 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He and Moore should give the Aggies a great pass rush off the edge.
He is one of the best linebackers the Aggies have had in the past decade and should be an impact player in the SEC.
It is up in the air who will back up Porter in 2012. The Ags have a lot of linebackers who are adept at rushing the passer and are a good fit for the rush DE spot in Snyder's defense, but not a lot who can drop into coverage.
Do not be surprised to see Charlie Thomas backing up Porter. He was recruited as a safety and is solid in coverage.

Cornerbacks

Both of the starting cornerbacks from the 2011 Aggie team have graduated.
Dustin Harris returns at corner. He was the third corner in 2011. He was a starter in 2009. Harris may be the most physically gifted player on the team. He is 6'0" tall and can run the 40 in under 4.4 seconds. He used his great speed to lead the nation in punt return average in 2011 with 18.6 yards per return and one touchdown.
The issue with Harris is that he is inconsistent. He is just as likely to get burned or make a senseless play on special teams as he is to make a great one. He needs to be more consistent to be a starter in 2012.
Look for Floyd Raven to start at the other corner spot. The 6'2" freshman saw some playing time in 2011 and stood out on special teams. Look for him to start at the spot opposite from Harris.
Toney Hurd, Jr. will compete with both Harris and Raven for a starting spot.
Otis Jacobs will be on campus for spring practice and will also compete for a starting spot.
Expect the incoming freshmen defensive backs to compete for back-up and even starting snaps.

Strong Safety

Steven Campbell started at strong safety until injury knocked him out for the year.
At six-feet tall and around 210 pounds, Campbell is the exact kind of physical safety you want in the SEC. He is big enough to play the run and fast enough to match up in coverage. If he can stay healthy during his senior season, he should play his way into the top three rounds of the NFL draft.
Expect to see Howard Matthews back Campbell up.
The Aggies are bringing in multiple defensive backs in the 2012 recruiting class. Corey Thompson, Colin Blake and Kenneth Marshall will all compete for playing time at strong safety.

Free Safety

Steven Terrell started four games at strong safety in 2011. Expect him to move to the free safety spot in 2012.
Terrell is solid in coverage but has not always been as physical as he needs to be to play the strong safety spot. He needs to improve his tackling if he wants to remain the starter for the entire year.
Just like the strong safety position, look for the incoming freshmen recruits to compete for immediate playing time in 2012.

Agent: Ryan Tannehill has broken foot

Courtesy of ESPN

Former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill broke a foot in training recently and will miss the Senior Bowl, according to his agent, Pat Dye. Tannehill broke a fifth metatarsal in a passing drill, an injury that might require surgery. The Senior Bowl is Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.
Even if he has the surgery and misses throwing at the NFL scouting combine, he may be able to throw in March, before the NFL draft.
The 23-year-old Tannehill is one of the highest-rated QB prospects in the next NFL draft. ESPN Scouts Inc. ranks him as the third-best QB prospect behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, and 28th overall of available players.
He played the first 30 games of his Aggies career almost exclusively at wide receiver but won the starting quarterback job midway through the 2010 season.
In 2011, Tannehill (6-foot-4, 222 pounds) threw for 3,744 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN

4-star CB De'Vante Harris pushes back planned Oregon visit

 Jesse (Max) Price, Oregon Ducks Football Examiner

11th ranked class of 2012 cornerback De'Vante Harris
  pushes back his planned visit to Oregon.

Credits: Rivals.com

The NCAA football recruiting game is heating up as signing day is just a few weeks away. On Wednesday, 11th ranked cornerback De'Vante Harris pushed back his scheduled visit to the University of Oregon after receiving new offers from Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Harris had planned on visiting Eugene, Oregon this upcoming weekend, but has pushed the visit back, with the possibility that he might not visit the Oregon facility at all.
“I know all won’t be perfect,” Harris said of his future college home, “but I’m trying to fit somewhere that’s best for me.”
The Texas native is intrigued by the Tennessee offer, saying that he hasn't had much time to look into out-of-state programs, and he plans to research the Volunteers in the coming weeks.
The Texas A&M offer is particularly interesting to Harris. His father, Rod Harris, was a receiver at A&M before going to the NFL and playing for the Saints, Cowboys, and Eagles. But De'Vante isn't going to let his father's past with Texas A&M change his recruitment plans.


“My dad is Rod Harris, and I’m De’Vante Harris. He has his future, and I’m going to have mine,” Harris said. “I like A&M, and people always say to follow a legacy. I kind of want to build my own.”
The 5'11, 160 pound cornerback is rated 4 stars by Rivals, and is ranked 11th in the nation at his position.

Texas A&M notebook: Sumlin will lean on Snyder

By BRENT ZWERNEMAN, College Station Bureau 

Updated 12:06 a.m., Thursday, January 12, 2012   Courtesy of The Houston Chronicle

          COLLEGE STATION - When Texas A&M officially announces Mark Snyder as its defensive coordinator, he should utter the same phrase he did about seven years ago when introduced as Marshall's head coach.

"We need that 12th man out there every Saturday in that stadium," Snyder said then.
On second thought, urging the 12th Man to show up at A&M - where the term "12th Man" is trademarked - is like telling Alabama coach Nick Saban he needs to get serious. It simply isn't required.
Saban and a host of other coaches of a handful of the nation's top programs await Snyder in his Southeastern Conference debut in September, and that's one thing Snyder, with no previous ties to A&M, has in common with the Aggies: Neither has any SEC experience.
Still, Snyder, 47, has shown a penchant for success in some rugged settings, primarily the Big Ten from 2001-04 as an assistant to then-coach Jim Tressel at Ohio State, the last season as Buckeyes defensive coordinator.
New A&M coach Kevin Sumlin will lean heavily on Snyder in the Aggies' first sojourn through the SEC, which has won the last six national titles.
To date, Sumlin's first staff looks like this: offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, running backs coach Clarence McKinney and offensive line coach B.J. Anderson all followed him from Houston. Sumlin has added David Beaty, formerly the offensive coordinator at Rice and Kansas, as his receivers coach, and Brian Polian from Stanford as his special teams coach. Sumlin retained defensive line coach Terrell Williams from Mike Sherman's staff.
Sumlin, a one-time offensive coordinator at A&M and co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, knows offense, and plenty of fans are curious to witness his plan of attack against the swift defenses of the SEC. That's also where his leaning on Snyder comes in.
Snyder, an Ohio native and a collegiate safety, spent five seasons as head coach at his alma mater Marshall - where he holds the record for interceptions in a season with 10 - and went 22-37 in that span. He quickly returned to his defensive roots as South Florida's coordinator the past two seasons.
The Bulls of the Big East ranked 17th nationally in total defense in 2010 and 39th this past season. Snyder employs a 4-3 scheme - four defensive linemen and three linebackers - in contrast to DeRuyter's 3-4 of the past two seasons.
In his lone season as a coordinator at a major program, Snyder's 2004 Buckeyes defense improved as the season wore on, and Ohio State wrapped up that year with a 33-7 victory over Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl.
"I saw a lot of growth every day," Tressel told the Columbus Dispatch of Snyder's improvement as a coordinator that season.
Since then, Snyder owns another five years of head-coaching experience, along with two more seasons as a defensive coordinator. Sumlin and the home of the 12th Man - the trademarked one - are banking on all of that experience in other leagues paying off in the SEC.

brent.zwerneman@chron.com

Source: Boise State defensive backs coach Marcel Yates to take job at Texas A&M

Courtesy of Idaho Statesman

Submitted by Chadd Cripe on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 9:53pm

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2012 Idaho Statesman
Boise State defensive backs coach Marcel Yates has decided to leave the Broncos to take a job at Texas A&M, a source told the Idaho Statesman on Wednesday night.
Yates’ specific title is unclear, but he is expected to coach the defensive backs.
Yates has been on the Broncos’ staff for nine years, three as the cornerbacks coach (2003-05) and six as the defensive backs coach (2006-11). He added defensive pass game coordinator to his title in 2011.
He has produced four NFL Draft picks in the past five years and likely will have one more this year. Plus, safety Jeron Johnson made the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
Just as importantly, Yates has been the Broncos’ primary recruiter in Los Angeles, one of the program’s key sources of talent. He is from Los Angeles and he played defensive back for the Broncos (1996-99).
Yates has been chased by larger programs before, but has been with the Broncos longer than any current full-time coach except Petersen. His departure leaves just two original Petersen staffers — defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and tight ends coach Scott Huff.
Yates is the third coach to take a job this week, joining offensive coordinator Brent Pease (Florida) and special teams coach Jeff Choate (Washington State). All three were key parts of the Broncos’ recent Texas recruiting pipeline.

Read more here: http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/01/11/ccripe/source_boise_state_defensive_backs_coach_marcel_yates_take_job_t#storylink=cpy

USF's Mark Snyder Top Texas A&M Defensive Coordinator Target, According To Report

  

By Jonathan Tjarks - Newsdesk contributor

Snyder was Jim Tressel's defensive coordinator at Ohio State in the early 2000's before an unsuccessful stint as a head coach at Marshall.

Follow @sbnhouston on Twitter, and LikeSB Nation Houston on Facebook.

Jan 9, 2012 - According to a report from Texags.com, Kevin Sumlin has decided to hire Mark Snyder, the current defensive coordinator at South Florida, to run his defense:

billyliucci: Confirmed per multiple sources connected to process, Sumlin tabs South Florida's Mark Snyder as defensive coordinator

The 47-year old Synder made his reputation as Jim Tressel's defensive coordinator at Ohio State from 2001-2004 before returning to Marshall, where he was a safety in the 1980's, to become the Thundering Herd's head coach.

He went 22-37 in five seasons at Marshall before being forced out at the end of the 2009 season and taking the job as South Florida's defensive coordinator as a part of new coach Skip Holtz's staff.

Even though the Bulls have gone only 13-12 in Snyder's two seasons in Tampa Bay, his defense was rated in the top 40 nationally in both years.

At Texas A&M, Snyder will have a lot of leeway to coordinate the defense under Sumlin, an offensively-oriented coach who has spent most of his career on that side of the ball.

For the most up-to-the-minute coverage of Texas A&M football on the interwebs, head on over to I Am The 12th Man.

Texas A&M Football: Meet the Coaching Staff

Courtesy of Bleacher Report

By 

Michael Taglienti

 (Featured Columnist) on January 5, 2012

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Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin has filled most of his coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball.

There is still one position available on offense, and that will likely end up being the tight end coach.

Sumlin is interviewing candidates for defensive coordinator. Whoever Sumlin decides to hire will be allowed to hire his own staff on the defensive side of the ball.

Terrell Williams will be retained from the previous staff and will likely coach the defensive line.

Right now there are coaches on A&M's campus, but their roles have not officially been defined yet. There are still some questions over the individual responsibilities of each coach.

This is a look at the coaches Sumlin has added to the staff. 

OC Kliff Kingsbury

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Kliff Kingsbury has been hired as the offensive coordinator—and likely the quarterbacks coach—at A&M.

Most Aggies will remember Kingsbury from his days playing quarterback under Mike Leach at Texas Tech.
After graduating from Tech, Kingsbury spent four seasons bouncing around the NFL and spent one season in the Canadian Football League. He then joined Kevin Sumlin's staff in Houston.
Kingsbury spent two years as the offensive quality control assistant, and spent the past two coaching the quarterbacks and as the co-offensive coordinator.
Kingsbury played for Washington State head coach Mike Leach, and has been mentored by Dane Holgerson and Kevin Sumlin. He learned offensive football from some of the top minds in the game.
OL Coach B.J. Anderson

B.J. Anderson will coach the offensive line at A&M.

Anderson coached the offensive line at Houston the past three years under Sumlin.

Anderson's lines have paved the way to top-ranked offenses in two of the last three years.

Anderson was a graduate assistant under Sumlin at A&M in 2001, and has also coached at Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State and Sam Houston State before coming to Houston.

He has coached All-Conference performers on the offensive line at every stop during his career.

RB Coach Clarence McKinney

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Clarence McKinney is the newrunning backs coach at A&M.

McKinney came to Houston after a successful stint as the head coach at Houston's Yates High School.

In his first year at Houston in 2008, he coached Bryce Beall to Freshman of the Year honors in Conference USA.

In 2009, he repeated the feat with running back Charles Sims.

In 2010, he coached Beall to first-team All-Conference honors at running back.

McKinney has extensive contacts in Houston area high schools from his days of coaching in HISD. He should be a great help to the staff in recruiting Houston.

WR Coach David Beaty

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David Beaty will coach the wide receivers at A&M.

Beaty has already made his mark on the A&M program, as he was instrumental to the Aggies' offering and signing of junior college wide receiver Derel Walker during the early JUCO signing period.

Beaty spent 2011 as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Kansas. He also served as the wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator at Rice. 

He helped produce NFL wide receivers Jarrett Dillard at Rice, and Desmon Briscoe at Kansas.

Beaty was a hugely successful high school coach in the DFW Metroplex area.

He was an assistant coach at Garland High School when they won the state title in 1999. In 2001, Beaty took the head coaching job at North Dallas High School and led the team to their first playoff appearance in decades.

He then moved on to Irving Macarthur, where he turned the program around and won two district titles during his three years there.

Beaty has extensive high school contacts in the Dallas area and should be an immense help in recruiting there.

Defensive Coordinator?

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Reports are coming out that Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has become the focus of Kevin Sumlin's search for a DC.

Michigan State led the B1G in total defense in 2011, allowing only 277 yards per game. They only gave up 18.4 points per game.

The Spartans allowed 2.8 yards per rush. MSU also led the B1G in sacks, interceptions and third-down defense.

Every single starter on the 2011 MSU defense earned some kind of All-Conference honors.

Narduzzi is one of the elite defensive coordinators in college football, and it will be a huge coup if Sumlin is able to add him to the staff.

Special Teams?

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The latest rumor is that Stanford special teams coach Brian Polian will join Sumlin's staff in the same capacity.

Polian has coached special teams at Notre Dame and Stanford, and served as the recruiting coordinator at Central Florida and Stanford.

Polian is recognized as one of the best recruiters in the country.

It is obvious that Sumlin is emphasizing recruiting with this staff. It appears he will be able to build a formidable staff to go on the road and recruit against their SEC rivals.

This is a staff that Texas A&M fans should be very excited about.