Jackie Sherrill on what to expect from his former DC Ron Cooper

Key notes from Jackie Sherrill interview

• A&M hired a really good person and a coach that can communicate with the players. Cooper is a knowledgeable coach and has coached some outstanding players who have been great at the next level.  He also recruits well and knows Coach Chavis, so it should be a smooth transition.

• It will no question help recruiting in the SEC, but especially in Louisiana.  Sumlin and company have also done a great job in that state and now it should be even better.  You have to understand your philosophy with be the same on defense, Chavis wants to run man coverage and if you can take away a team’s receivers, you can stack the box and to play against the run. 

• He has talent as a coach and is great at communicating. I always said that if you can’t teach a sixth grader, you can’t coach. He finds a way to communicate to the players in the best way possible. 

• I have known Ron for a long time. He has the ability to do a lot of things as a coach and Sumlin made a great hire here. I have known Chief for a long time and have coaches that actually coached him as a player.  If you take Watts and Wilson, you have started with a plus.  Those two positions will be fine, but the biggest issue with the defense is going to be the front.  I hope they have hopefully brought in some kids that can play.  It will take time to build a defensive team with the same philosophies. 

• I liked one voice for my secondary coach.  The coverage will be intermingled so much that you would like to have one secondary coach.  I would not mind having multiple at other positions, but I think having one at secondary is better. 

• A&M did a great job with this class without anyone coming in or leaving in the last few days.  I thought Texas would have closed stronger than they did, but there may still be some fallout with what happened recently.  I have always felt that when a kid commits, he shouldn’t be swayed.  I think A&M built relationships with coaches and players to make sure they will not go elsewhere.