Big 12 football: A&M embraces 3-4

Time was, Texas A&M was known for its defense. The Wrecking Crew. That defense was a 3-4 alignment.

Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman answers reporters questions during a news conference at the Big 12 Football Media Day Monday, July 26, 2010 in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Cody Duty) ORG XMIT: TXCD104

That’s what Aggie coach Mike Sherman wants A&M to get back to. The Ags will run the 3-4 this season.

“I wanted to get back to a 3-4 defense, because I think we can recruit to that structure,” Sherman said. “A&M has a history in the 3-4 defense. We’ve had a great history of linebacker play in the 3-4 defense in the state of Texas. I felt like we could find four quality linebackers who could impact our defense.

“It’s harder and harder to find the big guys inside, and so that plays to our strength.”

Sherman went to an unlikely place to find his 3-4 defensive coordinator: Air Force. Sherman hired away Tim DeRuyter from Air Force. Sherman said he wanted a coordinator who had had success in a league with offenses like the Big 12′s, and the Mountain West qualifies.