Bruce Feldman: TCU considering moving on from Gary Patterson, target emerges

Gary Patterson’s time at TCU could be on the clock. The second head coaching move in the Big 12 could be coming according to FOX’s Bruce Feldman.

The winningest head coach in Horned Frogs history, Patterson helped them make the move to the Big 12 and become relevant on the college football landscape. But TCU is 3-4 this season and has not had a double-digit win season since 2017.

Patterson is in his 21st season with the school, but for TCU to continue to be competitive, the move might have to happen. The Horned Frogs have also not won the conference since 2011.

“(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,” Feldman said.

SMU head coach Sonny Dykes could be the main target for the Horned Frogs. In his fifth season with the Mustangs, Dykes has them ranked in the top 25 and at 7-0. He was previously the head coach at Cal and Louisiana Tech.

TCU feeling pressure to make decision on Gary Patterson

The Horned Frogs were embarrassed last weekend at their own Homecoming, falling 29-17 to West Virginia. The TCU defense ranks 119 of 130 schools in the nation in team defense, allowing 451.1 yards per game.

Patterson has had his job called for before. The first time was after his third season, when he went 5-6 in 2004. The second time was when Baylor and Art Briles were finding success and the Horned Frogs finished their second season in the Big 12 with consecutive losing years and a record of 11-14.

Patterson has had the job since 2001, but the calls for his job might be different this year. College football continues to change and he might not want to adapt again. He has been very critical of players opting out, and he has not been the biggest proponent of the new Name, Image and Likeness era in college athletics.

More importantly for TCU, the Horned Frogs are not recruiting a level to truly compete with Oklahoma and Texas. While they have ranked in the top half of the conference in recruiting, the development has not shown on the field.

The last time TCU finished a season ranked in the AP top 25 was 2017.