Sonny Dykes reacts to reports TCU is 'zeroing in' on hiring him

Reports have surfaced about TCU’s pursuit of SMU coach Sonny Dykes for a few weeks now. Tuesday morning, Dykes responded to the latest report that TCU is “zeroing in” on him to replace Gary Patterson.

Sources have continued to tell On3 insiders that Dykes remains the clear frontrunner for the open TCU job and has been ever since the process started in late October.

Monday afternoon, 247Sports reported TCU is closing in on hiring Dykes. In his press conference Tuesday, he declined to discuss the report. However, he confirmed he talked to the team about it because of the “noise.”

SMU head coach Sonny Dykes was asked if he wanted to address the 247Sports report about TCU zeroing in on hiring him. He declined to talk about it.

But he also confirmed he talked to the players about it, which is different. Said there was too much “noise” not to address it.

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) November 23, 2021

Dykes is in his fourth season at SMU and has led the Mustangs to a 30-16 record over that time. SMU is 8-3 this year and is coming off a blowout loss to American Athletic Conference powerhouse Cincinnati last week. Still, the Mustangs are going bowling and were 7-0 to start the year.

SMU reportedly offered Dykes a five-year extension worth $4 million per year to try and keep him in Dallas. But TCU is continuing its pursuit.

Dykes is no stranger to TCU. He was an offensive analyst under Patterson in 2017 before taking his current position at SMU. Before that, he was a head coach at Louisiana Tech and Cal from 2010-16.

After a 5-7 season in 2018, SMU has rattled off three straight winning seasons under Dykes. This year, the Mustangs are averaging 39.1 points per game under Dykes in the American this season, second only to Cincinnati. In terms of total offense, SMU is averaging more yards per game than anyone else in the American with 471.5 total yards per contest.

TCU, meanwhile, is seventh out of 10 teams in the Big 12 with 30 points per game. The Horned Frogs are 5-6 this year under Patterson and interim coach Jerry Kill. They’ll take on Iowa State on Saturday to try and get that sixth win to become bowl eligible.