Coach Tommy Tuberville and Auburn have agreed in principle to a contract extension, but major contract issues must still be resolved, according to a report in The Birmingham News. Tuberville and AD Jay Jacobs met Tuesday, paving the way for the issues to be resolved, a source told The News. However, according to The Huntsville Times' Web site, Tuberville and Jacobs did not meet Wednesday as expected, and with Tuberville expected to leave town Thursday, it was uncertain when the issues could get resolved. If the issues are settled, the proposed new contract would run through the 2014 season, The Huntsville Times reported. Tuberville's name had been mentioned prominently in various reports over the past several weeks as a possible successor to Dennis Franchione at Texas A&M, but he indicated last week he planned to remain at Auburn.

Just three days after the resignation of Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M introduced Texans' Offensive Coordinator Mike Sherman as its new football coach Monday. "It is an honor and a privilege to be introduced today as the 28th head football coach at Texas A&M," Sherman said. "(Athletic Director Bill Byrne) has entrusted me to help write the next chapter with the players and coaches that will be working with me, and we look forward to doing that and the challenge that brings upon us." Sherman has agreed to a seven-year, $1.8 million annual contract to coach the Aggies. His base contract takes the unusual turn of being less than Dennis Franchione's $2 million-a-year deal in effort to be able to go out and hire the best assistant coaches.

With only one healthy quarterback on the roster and unsure about the availability of starter Tarvaris Jackson for Sunday's game, the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran free agent Koy Detmer to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Detmer, 34, played his entire 10-year career in Philadelphia, where Minnesota coach Brad Childress was the onetime offensive coordinator. The offensive system used by the Vikings is similar to the one in which Detmer played with the Eagles. Jackson suffered a concussion in Sunday's victory over the San Diego Chargers, and his status for this week's game at Green Bay is uncertain. His primary backup Kelly Holcomb, who has started three games because of previous injuries to Jackson, is himself recovering from a neck injury. If neither Jackson nor Holcomb can play against the Packers, five-year veteran Brooks Bollinger would get his first start of the season. Detmer, who should be able to pick up the offense quickly, would probably then serve as the backup.