The Texas A&M Aggies are finally, actually, for real hiring Houston Cougars head coach Kevin Sumlin to replace Mike Sherman. Houston's athletic director, Mack Rhoades, confirmed as such Saturday evening, naming Tony Levine the interim coach.
@skhanjr Sam Khan Jr.: Rhoades joked on Sumlin taking assistants: "I told him he couldn't take any."
Sumlin has been the presumed next A&M coach for quite some time now, but the Aggies reportedly felt like undertaking a side quest in an effort to swipe Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt. The UGA coach's agent certainly appreciates the venture.
Going 35-17 at UH and nearly reaching the BCS, Sumlin now becomes the first African-American head coach at a major Texas program and A&M's first-ever SEC head coach. Expect A&M to officially announce him shortly.
For more on the Aggies, visit Texas A&M blog I Am The 12th Man. And check in with our 2011 Coaching Carousel Tracker.