TCU Promotes Patterson to Head Football Coach
12/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Defensive Coordinator Takes Over Top Post
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 8, 2000) -- TCU Athletics Director Eric Hyman formally introduced Gary Patterson as the Horned Frogs' 30th head football coach in a press conference held today in the John Justin Athletic Center on the TCU campus.
We like the direction that the program has taken over the past three years, so it was obvious to look within the program to fill this position, said Hyman. The nationwide search validated our belief that the best person to lead the TCU program was right on our campus in Gary Patterson.
Patterson, 40, has served as a college assistant coach for the past 18 years, including the last three as the Horned Frogs' defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
It's an honor to be named the head coach at TCU, said Patterson. And to be able to carry on the tradition that many great coaches including my mentor, Dennis Franchione, have established here in Fort Worth. I would like to thank Chancellor Ferrari, Provost Bill Koehler, Eric Hyman and the search committee for giving me this opportunity. I'm proud to be a Horned Frog.
Patterson has played a major role in the recent success on the gridiron at TCU. Under Patterson's tutelage, the 2000 Horned Frogs' defense ranked first in the nation in total defense, allowing just 245.0 years per game, and in scoring defense, surrendering just 9.6 points per game. They also led the Western Athletic Conference in both rushing defense (84.4) and passing defense (160.6). They posted two shutouts and held six of their 11 opponents to seven points or less. Each of TCU's 11 opponents were held below their season average in yards per game. The TCU defense allowed just 10 passing touchdowns, intercepted 15 passes and recorded a school record 43 sacks, breaking the previous mark of 37, which was set in 1999. Five of his players earned first team all-conference recognition, including defensive end Aaron Schobel, who was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Frogs finished the regular season with a 10-1 record and earned a share of the WAC title. They are ranked 13th in the Associated Press poll and 16th in the ESPN/Coaches poll.
Patterson has made his mark as a rapidly rising star among the college football coaching ranks. His 1999 TCU defense ended the season ranked fifth in the country in total defense, allowing only 284.5 years per contest. They posted two shutouts and led the WAC in every major defensive category. In 1998, the Horned Frogs scored a school-record six defensive touchdowns, intercepted 12 passes and allowed only 19.6 points per game - the fewest points per game in over 30 years.
Patterson's defenses have been even more spectacular in bowl games. In the 1998 Sun Bowl, TCU held USC to minus-23 years rushing. One year later, in the 1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl, TCU held East Carolina to minus-16 yards rushing.
Patterson came to TCU following a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at New Mexico. In 1996, UNM's defense accounted for 22 total takeaways including a dozen pass interceptions and chalked up three defensive touchdowns. A year later, the Lobo defense followed that up with 29 total takeaways, including 16 interceptions.
Patterson arrived at the University of New Mexico campus after having made a similar sudden impact in just one season as the secondary coach at Navy. In the 1995 Division 1-A statistics, the Midshipmen ranked 18th nationally in total defense, 17th in scoring defense and 28th in defensive pass efficiency.
Patterson and former TCU head coach Dennis Franchione have a long history of working together. Besides their stints at New Mexico and TCU, the two coached together at Kansas State in 1982, at Tennessee Tech in 1983 and 84 and at Pittsburg State in 1988.
A native of Rozel, Kansas, Patterson has enjoyed additional coaching stints at California-Davis in 1986, Cal Lutheran in 1987, Sonoma (CA) State from 1989-91, the Oregon Lightning Bolts of the Professional Spring Football League in 1992 and at Utah State from 1992-94.
Patterson received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Kansas State in 1983. He played strong safety and outside linebacker for the Wildcats in 1980-81, and KSU led the nation in pass defense in 81. Patterson earned his master's degree in educational administration from Tennessee Tech in 1984.
A member of the American Football Coaches Association, Patterson and his wife, Tawna, have three sons, Josh, Cade and Blake.
