Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Sherman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman will never greet prospective recruits with a fist bump. But he's gradually learning to communicate with current athletes utilizing "new" technology.

Sherman hasn't coached college football since 1997 after a lengthy career as an NFL head coach and assistant. Things have changed since he returned.

"I've got five kids. But I'm not hip and cool," Sherman said as he clumsily tried to demonstrate a fist bump. "They try to get me to do this, but that ain't me. Shake my hand."

A&M assistant coaches have told players they should try to greet Sherman in a conventional way.

But as most college coaches have learned, Sherman has picked up the art of text messaging. He's grasped the nuances of that form of communication, although he is a stickler in at least one regard.

"I refuse to go 'U R' for you are," Sherman said. "I was an English teacher in high school and an English major in college. I just can't bring myself to do that. And it makes me very upset when my children do that to me. Spell the word out. I know it drives them crazy because I'm slow when I type everything out."