Sumlin era begins

Former University of Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin will make the 90-minute drive to College Station for his second coaching stint with the Aggies — this time at the helm.

Ten days after firing Mike Sherman, A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne announced that Sumlin will lead A&M into its first season with the Southeastern Conference. Sumlin's history with A&M dates to the days of then-head coach R.C. Slocum in 2001 and 2002.

"Having coached [at A&M] before, I understand the culture and embrace the commitment by the Twelfth Man regarding Aggie football," Sumlin said. "Aggieland is a special place and I look forward to working with the young men in the football program and recruiting the type of players we need to be successful in the SEC."

The Aggies' previous two head coaches — Sherman and Dennis Franchione — both struggled in their first seasons at A&M, leading the Aggies to identical 4-8, 2-6 Big 12 records.

Sumlin led the Cougars to an 8-5, 6-2 Conference USA record in his first season as head coach in 2008, and leaves with a 35-17 overall mark. His best season came in 2011, when Sumlin's team finished 12-1 with its lone loss coming in the conference championship game against Southern Mississippi.

From 2003 to 2007, Sumlin played a role in five consecutive BCS appearances with the Oklahoma Sooners while on Bob Stoops' staff. He rose to offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator while there.

"Kevin did a great job for us at Oklahoma and obviously did the same at Houston," Stoops said. "He's still a close friend to many of us here and we all wish the best for Kevin, Char [his wife] and the Sumlin family."

Sumlin left Norman, Okla., destined for Houston to take on the role of head coach. He groomed quarterback Case Keenum to become the NCAA's all-time career leader in passing yards and led the Cougars to three winning seasons and three bowl game appearances.

"The thing I remember most about Coach Sumlin is the way he carried himself," said former Aggie quarterback Mark Farris, who played for A&M while Sumlin served as receivers coach and offensive coordinator. "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."

When Sumlin was promoted to A&M

offensive coordinator in the 2002 season, the team's average points per game increased from 16 to 33. He was also in this role when the Aggies upset the No. 1 Sooners 30-26.

However, the team lost five of its remaining nine games — including a 20-50 loss to rival Texas — leading to R.C. Slocum's firing.

Sumlin will look to build on his previous success in his first season at A&M while the team transitions into the competitive SEC, which produced the past six BCS national champions and is guaranteed a seventh when Lousiana State University and Alabama square off in the title game on Jan. 9.

"This is probably a good time to bring in a new coach, while we're starting roots in a new conference," said Britton Bradley, senior

agricultural economics major. "I think he'll need a couple of years before he is expected to be relevant in a top conference, but I am always excited to see what happens."

The Kevin Sumlin era will begin Monday when he addresses the media at 11 a.m. in the Bright Football Complex. Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter will serve as interim head coach when A&M plays Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. on Dec. 31 in Houston's Reliant Stadium.