December 22, 2017

10 things you should know about Coach Sherman

The year is closing on a high note here at the Alouettes! The new coach has been named and once the holiday season has come to an end the organization can immediately begin the next steps in executing general manager Kavis Reed’s plan. But in the meantime, we’ll take this opportunity to share more about the man who’ll be calling the on-field shots in 2018: Mike Sherman.

1. He’s a family man.
Coach Sherman and his wife Karen have been married since 1982 and have five children: Sarah, Emily, Matthew, Benjamin and Selena. The first thing he said at the press conference to announce his hiring was how happy he was that his wife and daughter were there with him. The team can certainly count on his family values to help assemble all the pieces required to get the team headed in the right direction, and ensure the players are aligned with the organization’s clear objectives.

2. He instills discipline and teaches the system.
We often see two types of football coaches: those who impose their system, and, those who teach their system. According to team president and CEO Patrick Boivin, “Coach Sherman is a teacher. He is known for developing talent both on the field and on the sidelines.” When a team is reinventing itself, with new players and young players coming together, it is crucial that the commander-in-chief knows how to adapt his strategies to maximize the strengths of his players.

3. He was at the helm of the Green Bay Packers from 2000 to 2006.
Not only did he lead the NFL’s third-oldest franchise, but he finished his first five seasons with the Packers with a record of 53-27 and a .663 winning percentage. That mark represented the second-best in franchise history, behind only the legendary Vince Lombardi. With Sherman in charge, the Packers were in the playoffs for four consecutive seasons (2001 to 2004), something only the Philadephia Eagles were able to do in the same timeframe.

4. He’s an offensive guru.
Coach Sherman was also the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans. His offensive expertise was particularly on display during his second year with the Texans, in 2007: Houston’s offence improved from being ranked 28th to 14th in the NFL and the team ended the season with a .500 record for the first time in its history. Explosiveness, precision and speed are all part of Coach Sherman’s M.O.

5. He is originally from Massachusetts.
This might be a great sign: the last Alouettes coach who hailed from Massachusetts was Don Matthews. You might know that he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, that he ranks second in the CFL all-time for number of wins and that he won the Grey Cup in his first year coaching the Alouettes.

6. He enjoys winning and shares the same passion that Montrealers have.
There’s no question Coach Sherman enjoys hearing fans offering their praise and encouragement, but he also appreciates hearing their criticism as well, as it’s a sign of the fans’ passion. “I want people to care. If they don’t care, they won’t come to the game. I want them to be excited about our team and, if we screw up, I want them to be critical about our team. I feel very fortunate to be in a city where there are champions and where there are expectations of winning.” Those are his own words. The man who grew up watching the rivalry between the Bruins and the Canadiens has grasped the concept that you expect more. A lot more.

7. He knows how to identify those who can put points on the board.
We already told you he’s an offensive specialist, but it bears repeating: Under Coach Sherman’s guidance, the Packers broke team records for rushing yards (2,558 in 2003) and passing yards (4,449 in 2004). Need to put points on the board or give your quarterback the chance to shine? Sherman’s your man. It was under his leadership that Brett Favre, Green Bay’s quarterback at the time, led the NFL with 32 touchdown passes in 2003. When Sherman was head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, Ryan Tannehill switched from playing wide receiver to quarterback and was ultimately selected in the first round of the NFL draft… and it was also when both Von Miller and Johnny Manziel were recruited.

8. He even brought some nice weather.
Did you happen to notice how mild it was on December 20 as compared to the seasonal average? Even Mother Nature wants the football season to get started! It looks like the coming summer is going to be both a hot one and an especially interesting one with a man of Sherman’s stature at the helm of our team. And along with our new coach, we also have a whole bunch of new products on offer! Find out all about them here and don’t wait to reserve your spot for the 2018 season.

9. Marv Levy is one of his mentors.
What more needs to be said? Three Grey Cup trips in five years with the Alouettes, two resulting in victory. Four Super Bowl appearances with the Buffalo Bills. NFL Coach of the Year in 1988. Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. And so much more. Obviously, Coach Sherman is inspired by the best.

10. His values are also the team’s values.
Integrity:Be honest. Be honest about how you play. If you didn’t play well, let’s talk about it. If you’re not honest, we can’t fix it. I want honest players and coaches. I don’t want things hidden underneath the rug.

Passion:When I watched tape of last year’s team, I thought that we could have played with a heck of a lot more passion. We’re playing for the Montreal Alouettes. We’re playing in a city that has great passion, great pride, great tradition and history. That should elevate our play and allow us to create lifelong relationships among us in the locker room and with the fans.

Giving back:You want to give back more than you take. I always found that when players give back more than they take, they are happier and they have a better impact on the team and on the community.

Speaking of giving back, check out how much Coach Sherman has done for the football community in this NFL Films video. We promise it’ll make you smile.