At this time next week, Tom Herman's mouth will look something like a disco ball.
The Houston coach on Tuesday took a step toward delivering on a preseason promise to his players, getting fitted for a diamond grill from Houston rapper Paul Wall and jeweler Johnny Dang, also known as "TV Johnny."
Wall and Dang showed up at the Houston's football coaches' offices on Tuesday to get an impression of Herman's teeth for a diamond grill, essentially a custom mouth guard that slides on and off a person's teeth that is encrusted with diamonds. Wall, a one-time Grammy nominee who attended the University of Houston for three years, has seen his name become synonymous with grills since his music career took off. TV Johnny has done grills for stars such as Kanye West, Lil' Jon and Ryan Lochte.
Herman promised the Cougars in the offseason that he would get a grill if they won the American Athletic Conference championship, which they did on Dec. 5, beating Temple 24-13 in the league's championship game.
Houston @CoachTomHerman with @paulwallbaby. Herman getting fitted for a grill. pic.twitter.com/XkmG7yJf0S
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) December 15, 2015Tom Herman's grill will be ready next week. He said "my mouth will be looking something like a disco ball." Well played. @paulwallbaby
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) December 15, 2015The evolution of Tom Herman's expression during the grill fitting was entertaining. Also, a shot of @paulwallbaby pic.twitter.com/ITVGYqbhbu
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) December 15, 2015Dang estimated the grill will be worth "a little bit less than $15,000."
Wall, whose given name is Paul Michael Slayton, is a noted Houston sports fan and has recorded songs -- including one that was released days before Houston's 2011 Conference USA championship game appearance -- and included lyrics in his songs about the Astros, Rockets, Texans and Cougars, among others.
Herman, whose No. 18 Cougars are 12-1 and will play Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, said he's excited to see the finished product.
"I made this silly comment to DA [receiver Demarcus Ayers] back in February and they held up their end of the bargain," Herman said of his promise. "So I had to hold up my end."
Herman said his grill will be "iced out."
Wall said "he's definitely going to be shining."
How often will Herman wear it?
"Not very often," Herman said. "The next time I go see [Paul Wall] play, I'll wear it, I'll tell you that."
