IRVING -- Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman found himself in the unenviable position of having to defend and explain the Aggies' past struggles Monday rather than discuss the possibilities of the upcoming season.

In previous years that task had been reserved for Dan McCarney or Gene Chizik at Iowa State, or whoever was coaching Baylor. Sherman, heading into his second season at Texas A&M, is wearing that crown at this year's Big 12 Football Media Days.

I'm sure he didn't wear it proudly, but he did wear it well.

When you finished tied for last in your division for the first time the previous season and just about every publication and Web site predicts you'll duplicate that feat this year, the questions are going to be a little more uncomfortable.

While others are discussing whether Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is a top 10 pick in next April's NFL draft or if Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson could be considered the best quarterback in the nation, Sherman was deflecting darts, some with last year's feathers on them for better flight.

What was the biggest problem last season? When will A&M be back in the picture? Is the Wrecking Crew a forgotten commodity? How does playing in the South affect the Aggies' turnaround? Do you ignore the fact the Aggies are picked last in the South Division or is it a motivational factor?

Those are the kind of questions where loose lips could sink a ship before it leaves the dock.

Sherman is aware of that, and though he'd much rather discuss giving the Texas Longhorns a run for their money in 2009, he was true to his personality concerning the media, responding with honest, well-explained answers with a pinch of political correctness.

A funny anecdote or two surely helped him get through it.

Even though some had heard it before, Sherman told the story of when he was feeling a little sorry for himself after losing to Texas last year and his 9-year-old daughter came into his study. Instead of saying 'I love you,' like he was expecting, she said, 'Dad, get over it.'"

The question is whether the Aggie faithful can get over it, which was foremost on the minds of those probing Sherman on Monday.

Expectations and pressure were two main topics as a couple dozen reporters surrounded him on the dais at the front of a hotel meeting room.

Sherman had an answer for both, while not pulling any punches about making sure he doesn't take either lightly.

"I'm familiar with those type of challenges and I'm happy I'm at a place that has those expectations," said Sherman, who preferred the word "obligation" over pressure. "I think I do better in that type of situation. We all have buttons in our life that need to be pushed and that button pushes me. It is pressure and you stress about it once in awhile, but at the same time I like coming to work with butterflies in my stomach, which I do on a pretty regular basis lately."

There were no senseless guarantees about the upcoming season, just a pledge that this group of players was confident in itself and would work hard to achieve those goals that the outside world uses to judge a season -- x-number of wins and/or a bowl game.

Sherman believes the Aggies that will take the field Sept. 5 against New Mexico have set the foundation for the turnaround with their approach. He admits, though, that it will take a little more speed, size -- and perhaps speed and size combined -- to appease Aggie fans through this trying time.

"As an assistant coach I was passionate about recruiting and I'm still passionate about recruiting, even more so because it definitely reflects our performance," Sherman said. "I knew we could get guys to come to Texas A&M, it's a great school, it has a lot of things that parents and young men are looking for in their school. If we can create a culture where we can feel comfortable that we can win and win consistently, I think we are back to where we need to be."

Which in the middle of the summer is answering questions on what it will take to win the South, not explaining why they brought up the rear the previous season.

Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.