Sherrill's tenure had plenty of ups to go with downs

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 28, 2003
STARKVILLE Jackie Sherrill has been many things for Mississippi State University.
Sure he has always held the title of head coach, but the 37-year coaching veteran meant more than just X's and O's to the Bulldogs.
He has been the controversial coach. He has been the arrogant guy on the sideline. He has been the opposing team's fans favorite person to hate. He has been the embattled coach for the past three seasons.
He has also been the sympathetic figure as his wife battled for her life. He has been the charitable hero. And he has been many more things to many different people.
"It all depends on who you ask," said Sherrill, who celebrates his 60th birthday today.
Sherrill, who lost his final game at MSU 31-0 Thursday night to Ole Miss in the annual Battle for the Golden Egg, walked into his final postgame press conference with a grandchild in his arm.
He told reporters he wanted to thank everyone in the Bulldog community for their support over the last 13 years.
"It was a good ride," Sherrill said. "I'm sorry we couldn't finish the last couple of years like we should have."
MSU closed out another disappointing season with a 2-10 overall record (1-7 Southeastern Conference).
Ole Miss limited MSU to just 192 yards on offense, and the Rebels' offense rolled up 359 yards.
"I hurt for the players," Sherrill said when asked if he was relieved that the season was over. "This is not about the coaches, the game is for the players. I'm thankful for the seniors and all the players that played as hard as they could play."
When the book closed on Sherrill's 13 seasons with the Bulldogs, the head coach left as both the winningest and losingest coach in MSU history. Sherrill chalked up as many victories on the Bulldogs' sideline as he did losses.
He left the MSU program with a total record of 75-75-2, while guiding the Bulldogs through the team's most prosperous stretch in school history.
MSU played in six bowl games under Sherrill's watch and met Tennessee in the 1998 Southeastern Conference Championship game.
Though the program has only won eight games over the last three seasons, the fans at Davis Wade Stadium let Sherrill know how much he has meant to them over the last decade and change.
After the senior players were announced prior to the game, Sherrill was called out of the tunnel to midfield.
The seniors met their coach in the big 'M' at the 50-yard line, as the Bulldogs' faithful chanted "Jackie, Jackie."
"He has had a great, great career," said MSU senior linebacker T.J. Mawhinney. "It is frustrating because we wanted to win for him. It didn't go that way, and now, the team just has to keep going."
Now the Bulldogs must move on.
Sherrill has hung up his whistle for a cowbell like the rest of the MSU fans.
Athletic director Larry Templeton, along with the advisory committee, will be naming a new coach SOON
The Associated Press reported that MSU may hire former Alabama player and current Green Bay Packers assistant coach Sylvester Croom. This came after LSU assistant Jimbo Fisher withdrew his name from the search.
Templeton, who kept his hiring of Sherrill under wraps back in 1991, has stayed as tight-lipped as ever about who the new coach may be.
No matter who the new coach is for the Bulldogs, Sherrill, who officially retired with the last whistle at 9:39 Thursday night, has a simple piece of advice for his successor.
"The guy coming in next to coach needs to have a feeling and understanding for the Mississippi kid," Sherrill said. "He will have a chance to put a lot of Ws up, and I am going to do whatever I can to help them."