Steve Sarkisian details the impact of having Gary Patterson on Texas staff
Gary Patterson is a coaching legend. A 22-year veteran of the TCU sidelines before being forced out after the 2021 season. But Patterson didn’t let his chin drop. Instead, the 62-year-old Big 12 icon switched allegiances within the state, joining the Texas football program this offseason.
At Big 12 media days in Arlington, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed how excited he is to have such an established presence in the locker room.
“Yeah, having Coach Patterson on board has probably been something that has excited me the most out of a lot of things we’ve done this off-season. I’ve always been intrigued by Coach Patterson from afar. Admired his defensive mind. I’ve always admired the style of play in which his teams played. I’ve always admired his ability to recruit and to project players to different positions in the recruiting process.”
Though, Sarkisian, notes, he really had to convince Patterson to take the position. “So to get him on board, which was not easy — I kept kind of swinging on him to get him to come down to Austin — has been fantastic.”
Top 10
- 1
Ryan Day
Buyout revealed from new contract
- 2
UNC president
Belichick hire fall out
- 3
'I'm 1-0 vs. PETA'
La. Gov. defends LSU live tiger
- 4
2025 CFB odds
Key game point spreads
- 5
Marshall Faulk
Deion Sanders adds HOFer to staff
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
To no surprise to any TCU fan, Sark raved about Patterson the man after spending some time with him so far on the staff.
“The one thing that I’ve learned more about Coach Patterson than any is the person that he is. He’s got great rapport with the other coaches on staff, with the other staff members, with our players. And then the biggest thing for me is him being a sounding board for our defensive staff. Him being a sounding board for Coach Kwiatkoski throughout spring ball as we’re game planning for our early game opponents of just different ways to play things, adjustments that may need to be made based on if something could occur. He’s a very forward thinker. And like I said, he’s been a joy to have on staff. Looking forward to just being around him for the next six, seven months as the season unfolds.”
Steve Sarkisian certainly loves having such a wise mind to share the sidelines with.