NORTH EASTHAM – Sharply dressed like a Fortune 500 CEO, new Nauset Regional High School head football coach Mike Sherman greeted approximately 50 anxious but respectful candidates for the Warrior football program Wednesday afternoon.
New Nauset Regional High School head football coach Mike Sherman, former Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M head coach, talks to his Warrior players for the first time Wednesday afternoon.
Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports
With a healthy cadre of Boston media on hand to witness the Nauset team’s first-ever meeting with its new mentor, the former Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M head coach’s introductory speech was one- third low-key Lombardi, one-third Friday Night Lights and one-third Phil Jackson.
“I expect every player in this room to be passionate about the game of football (and) in the preparation of his skill to play football,” Sherman said. “I expect each person in this room to be passionate about his teammates and building relationship within our team.”
After being interviewed midfield by WCVB-TV’s Bob Halloran in Nauset’s new multisport stadium, Sherman came into the Nauset Regional High auditorium shortly after 3:00 pm and disseminated numbered team handbooks to the 43 boys – and one girl – all on hand to meet their new coach. Each player was required to stand up and introduce himself – and also spell out their surnames. Sherman jotted each name down and encouraged the players to speak with confidence.
Nauset Regional High head baseball coach Lou Melia even interrupted his practice and brought his players in to listen to what the new Warrior gridiron helmsman had to say. Athletic Director and former head football coach Keith Kenyon explained that a few dozen 8th graders who had expressed interest in playing next fall were not available to attend.
Each player on hand detailed which town he was from and revealed just how diversely populated Nauset has grown to become with student-athletes from as far away as Centerville all the way to Provincetown.
“I came over here for a specific reason, to do something special here at Nauset High School,” Sherman said. “One of the reasons why I came here is because I think it’s a special place… I’m honored to be here. A lot of people ask me why I want to do this… I want to do something special, I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and so a way to do that is to be a part of this program.”
Nauset sophomore Hunter Alexander introduces himself to new Warrior head football coach Mike Sherman.
Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports
In addition to his introduction, Sherman noted he will be hosting the Mike Sherman Quarterback/Wide Receiver/Running Back OTA (camp) starting June 9 at Nauset Regional High School for all Cape players from 8th grade to 12th grade (click here for flyer). He also noted that he will be meeting with players’ parents next week.
“We don’t have to start off at square one,” Sherman said. “Coach Kenyon has done a phenomenal job laying that groundwork and he’s passed me the baton to take it to the next step.”
Returning defensive tackle Tyreek Taylor, a former Dennis-Yarmouth student, said he was looking forward to learning everything possible from Sherman and to getting back on the football field.
“It’s exciting meeting the new coach. I am looking forward to seeing what he’s all about,” Taylor said.
Nauset Regional High School principal Thomas Conrad introduced Coach Sherman prior to Sherman’s near 50-minute speech about himself, his goals for the program and its “core values.”
“He’s about making a difference in teenagers’ lives,” Conrad said. “He told me at one point that he was blessed with the opportunities that he’s had and he wanted to give something back.”
— Sean Walsh is the sports editor for www.capecod.com. His email is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @coachwalshccbm
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