AGGIES NAB EX-PACKERS COACH, TUBERVILLE STAYS PUT: Auburn fans can rest easy, as their head coach won’t be taking the next train to College Station.

The ASSOCIATED PRESS gets the newsletter that former Packers coach Mike Sherman has been tabbed by Texas A&M to replace the outgoing Dennis Franchione.Sherman had played QB and spent time as an assistant for the Aggies, last roaming the Kyle Field sidelines in 1996.

The current Houston Texans assistant won’t resume his new duties until after the NFL season. In the meantime, A&M defensive coordinator Gary Darnell will coach the team in their bowl game.

The move ends speculation that Tommy Tuberville would be leaving the Auburn Plains for Aggieland. After the Tigers’ 6th straight Iron Bowl win, it’s just the latest national tragedy to befall Nick Saban.

IRISH COACH WEIS OFFERED TO SKIP OUT OF SOUTH BEND? As the season nears its end, the college football coaching rumors are twirling around fast & furious. It’s a foregone conclusion that Nebraska’s Bill Callahan will be leaving Lincoln, while UCLA’s Karl Dorrell may be all washed up in Westwood.

Dennis Franchione might soon be emailing his VIP boosters that his time with Texas A&M is up, which may entice Tommy Tuberville to leave the Auburn Plains for College Station.Now Scott Wolf of INSIDE USC tosses the latest log on the coaching rumor fire, saying that Charlie Weis offered to resign, but Notre Dame wouldn’t accept:

We wouldn’t have tagged Charlie as a quitter, especially when it comes to eating. But if the Irish fall to Duke on Saturday, completing a winless season at home, maybe the whole school should just resign.On a side note, if the Dookies do manage to knock off Notre Dame, no one will be happier than offensive coordinator Peter Vaas.

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES notes how the Blue Devils’ OC was ND’s QB coach last season, but was fired by Weis and replaced by former Irish signal-caller Rick Mirer.

Vaas said the firing was a “surprise”, and Weis never gave any reasons for it. But Peter says he has moved on: “Charlie made a decision a year ago. It was a professional decision and one I’ve adjusted to and learned to accept. You move forward.”But we all know that deep down, Vaas has happy visions of voraciously vanquishing the villainous Veis, er, Weis.

FRANCHIONE TO LEAVE 12TH MAN BEHIND AFTER BUYOUT: Don’t know if this was covered in the newsletter, but Dennis Franchione could be cashing in his contract:

CBS SPORTSLINE reports that the Texas A&M coach is close to accepting a buyout that would end his stay in Aggieland.A&M AD Bill Byrne had said that he will wait until the end of the season before determining Franchione’s status as a university employee.

Dennis is just over .500 at the school with a 31-28 record, but is only 2-12 against the teams that matter: Texas, Oklahoma & Texas Tech.

Add the turmoil of sending out secret emails to boosters for $1200 a subscription, and it appears Dennis’ days with the 12th Man are done.If Franchione flees, who’ll step in? The DECATUR (AL) DAILY says the eyes of Texas A&M are upon Auburn, as Tommy Tuberville has been rumored for the impending opening. However, Tubes says he won’t talk about the Aggies situation - at least not during the season.

If Tommy T does leave the Auburn Plains, it will be the 2nd straight coach from Alabama to run around with Reveille. Franchione was previously rolling with the Crimson Tide before he arrived at College Station.And if Tuberville gets scalloped, there’s always UAB’s Neil Callaway or Troy’s Larry Blakeney - who can actually beat Big 12 schools.