Report: TCU's top candidate revealed following Gary Patterson dismissal

Following Gary Patterson’s mutual agreement to part ways with TCU, speculation about successors has spread quickly. Among the candidates, current SMU head coach Sonny Dykes has emerged as TCU’s top option, according to CBS Sports insider Dennis Dodd.

In his fifth season with the Mustangs, Dykes has them ranked in the top 25 at 7-1. After head coaching stops at Cal and Louisiana Tech, the 51-year old Texas native settled in the Lone Star State. Over his coaching career, Dykes is 70-60, including a 29-15 record at SMU.

More reports about Sonny Dykes

Sonny Dykes, a former Texas Tech baseball player, has become a hot target for several Texas schools, including his alma mater.

In-state rival Texas Tech parted ways with Matt Wells last week, joining the hunt for a new coach. After the TCU news, two Texas jobs are open with one obvious candidate on the board. Early reports indicate Sonny Dykes could be the main target for both.

TCU and Texas Tech each provide a unique situation for Sonny Dykes, but offer the same jump into the Big 12. Dykes last stint in the Power Five ended unceremoniously, but experts believe his Texas roots are better suited for these positions than Cal.

“(In addition to Texas Tech,) one other job that could open in [Sonny Dykes]’ native state of Texas, I was told by some sources this week close to the situation at TCU, that this could be Gary Patterson’s last year as the head coach of the Horned Frogs,” said Fox Sports analyst Bruce Feldman on Saturday night, one day before Gary Patterson’s dismissal.

Gary Patterson’s departure

The winningest head coach in Horned Frogs history, Gary Patterson helped them make the move to the Big 12 and become relevant on the college football landscape. But TCU has not won a conference title since 2011.

Patterson was one of college football’s longest-tenured head coaches, ranking No. 2 behind Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz. The 61-year old head coach joined the program as a defensive coordinator in 1998 and took over head coaching duties in 2000. Patterson accumulated a 181-79 record over 21 seasons with TCU.

TCU has switched conference membership twice during the Patterson era, going from Conference USA to the Mountain West before landing in the Big 12. He is a two-time AP Coach of the Year and won 11 bowl games over his career.

Gary Patterson and TCU agree to part ways after a three-game skid. His 2021 team is 3-5 overall, including a 1-4 record in the Big 12.