SMU athletic director calls out Gary Patterson in new statement

SMU athletic director Rick Hart released a statement responding to TCU head coach Gary Patterson’s allegations that an SMU player struck Special Assistant to the Head Coach Jerry Kill with a helmet, resulting in Kill being diagnosed with a concussion.

Kill was was knocked down twice during a postgame scuffle between SMU and TCU players that was set off by SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice attempting to plant a flag at midfield.

In a statement, first shared by Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News, Hart wished Kill a speedy recovery and responded to Patterson.

“I want to start by saying that we were glad to learn that Coach Kill is okay and wish him a continued speedy recovery,” Hart said. “After Saturday’s win at TCU, TCU Special Assistant to the Head Coach Jerry Kill was seemingly struck on the field. TCU Coach Gary Patterson admitted today that it was unclear as to who or what had contacted Coach Kill. We have thoroughly reviewed all the video available to us and have found no evidence of anyone associated with SMU being involved in this incident. I have spoken with TCU Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati and we agree that there is no evidence to support Coach Patterson’s initial claims.”

Hart responded to Patterson’s further allegations on Tuesday that the flag planting incident was planned because there was a member of the SMU media team filming the flag getting set in the middle of the field.

“To that end, I was assured any insinuation that this occurred would be “walked back’ by Coach Patterson during today’s press conference. While Coach Patterson acknowledged that his postgame claim cannot be substantiated, he accused our program, multiple times, of planning to plant our flag on the field following our win. This is a complete fabrication. I can state unequivocally that there was no such plan. He points to the presence of members of our creative staff on the field as evidence. We had numerous videographers and photographers on the field during and after the game and they were simply following any number of players and staff to document the win for our ESPN+ series, “The Hilltop.” I was on the field after the game, along with our coaches and President, and none of us were even aware there had been an attempt to plant the flag at midfield. When asked about the flag-planting during media availability on Saturday, Coach Dykes took ownership, denounced the behavior and apologized.”

On Saturday, Patterson stated he couldn’t substantiate who knocked Kill over, but that it wouldn’t have happened if Rashee Rice didn’t attempt to plant the flag at midfield.

SMU defeated TCU 42-34 on Saturday. The Mustangs outgained TCU 595-446, including 350 rushing yards. TCU now sits at 2-1 on the season and looks towards a matchup with Texas on Saturday. SMU improved to 4-0 on the season and opens conference play on Saturday against South Florida.