Sumlin introduced as A&M head football coach

Texas A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne introduced new head football coach Kevin Sumlin Monday in a press conference at Hagner Auditorium. Byrne presented Sumlin with the traditional maroon blazer and a visor ? Sumlin's trademark headgear as a coach ? with an A&M logo.

Byrne said he met Sumlin for the first time last week in New York City and was impressed by Sumlin's passion for the university in their conversation that lasted two and a half hours.

"I knew we had someone who not only understood the values of Texas A&M University but embraced them," Byrne said. "The thing I liked was how genuine his love for Texas A&M is, how much he loves working in the state of Texas, how much he loves what we stand for here at Texas A&M."

This marks Sumlin's second stint with the Aggies, having coached under former head coach R.C. Slocum in 2001 and 2002. Sumlin said becoming A&M head coach feels like a homecoming.

"This is a very, very exciting time for me and my family," Sumlin said. "It's interesting. For me, having been here before, I have a real understanding and appreciation for the traditions and the history of Texas A&M, and the importance and tradition of the Twelfth Man in general."

Sumlin said he will meet with the team Monday afternoon and then make his first contacts with members of A&M's recruiting class, ranked No. 9 by ESPN. He said former head coach Mike Sherman laid the foundation by signing a fine recruiting class and Sumlin will take over the main recruiting role to retain those commitments.

Byrne said the five-year, $2 million per year contract is still pending approval from the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.

Former players Seth McKinney, Terrence Murphy, Bucky Richardson and John David Crow were in attendance for Sumlin's introduction. Crow, A&M's lone Heisman-winner and former athletic director, said Sumlin is capable but has some work to do for competition in the SEC that has produced the past five national champions.

?"We'll have to find out if he's the right guy or not going in to the SEC," Crow said. "It's a big step for us and a big step for him but I think we have someone that has experience and I think we'll be all right."

Student Body President Jeff Pickering also attended and said that Sumlin brings energy to the program.

"I'm excited to wait and see what Coach Sumlin can do," Pickering said. "It's good that we have someone young. [Former head coach Mike] Sherman's bringing a nice recruiting class and the more [Sumlin] can reach out to him, that will make the transition very smooth."

Sumlin said he had other coaching opportunities since going 8-5 his first year with Houston in 2008, but A&M's national brand and its acceptance to the SEC caught his interest.

While at Houston, Sumlin recruited A&M outside linebacker Sean Porter during his senior year at Clemens High School in 2009. After attending the press conference, Porter said he is happy to have the distraction out of the way and is looking forward to having Sumlin as head coach.

"He's focused on winning," Porter said. "I'm all about winning so that's going to bond us right there."

Source: http://www.thebatt.com/sumlin-introduced-as-a-m-head-football-coach-1.2733496?cache=03D163D03D163Dp:/he3D03Dna3FrepiiD19.11i45issed-1.1176/?parentPage=h118:ca.he=03D163D03D163Dp:/he3D03Dn63Frepo?cache?cache=03D163D03D163?par

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