Professional Football Player, Coach. As head coach of the New York Giants (1961 to 1968), Sherman will be best remembered for guiding the team to three consecutive NFL Championship Game appearances (1961 to 1963). Born Alexander Sherman, he attended Boys High School in Brooklyn where he participated in hand ball. He initially had aspirations to play on the football squad, but his undersized stature made it unsuitable for him. His fortunes changed during his collegiate years at Brooklyn College, as he achieved a spot on the football squad, first as a tailback and later the school's quarterback. He would go on to play five seasons (1943 to 1947) in the National Football League at the quarterback position with the Philadelphia Eagles (in 1943 the team was named the Steagles, when the Steelers and Eagles combined rosters due to the shortage of players during World War II). After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy coaching career, initially as backfield coach with the Giants. His first head coaching stint was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1954 to 1957) of the Canadian Football League. Sherman returned to the Giants in 1959 and succeeded Vince Lombardi (who went on to coach the Green Bay Packers) as offensive coach and in 1961, he succeeded Jim Lee Howell as head coach. During his tenure, the Giants were led by Hall of Fame players Y.A. Tittle and Frank Gifford. He earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in 1961 and 1962. New York advanced to three consecutive NFL Title Games, but failed to capture a world championship. He compiled a 57 win, 51 loss and 4 tie career NFL coaching record. He became an executive with Warner Communications Sherman was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Professional Football Player, Coach. As head coach of the New York Giants (1961 to 1968), Sherman will be best remembered for guiding the team to three consecutive NFL Championship Game appearances (1961 to 1963). Born Alexander Sherman, he attended Boys High School in Brooklyn where he participated in hand ball. He initially had aspirations to play on the football squad, but his undersized stature made it unsuitable for him. His fortunes changed during his collegiate years at Brooklyn College, as he achieved a spot on the football squad, first as a tailback and later the school's quarterback. He would go on to play five seasons (1943 to 1947) in the National Football League at the quarterback position with the Philadelphia Eagles (in 1943 the team was named the Steagles, when the Steelers and Eagles combined rosters due to the shortage of players during World War II). After retiring as a player, he began a lengthy coaching career, initially as backfield coach with the Giants. His first head coaching stint was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1954 to 1957) of the Canadian Football League. Sherman returned to the Giants in 1959 and succeeded Vince Lombardi (who went on to coach the Green Bay Packers) as offensive coach and in 1961, he succeeded Jim Lee Howell as head coach. During his tenure, the Giants were led by Hall of Fame players Y.A. Tittle and Frank Gifford. He earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in 1961 and 1962. New York advanced to three consecutive NFL Title Games, but failed to capture a world championship. He compiled a 57 win, 51 loss and 4 tie career NFL coaching record. He became an executive with Warner Communications Sherman was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Bio by: C.S.
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