Patterson Agrees to Contract Extension
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 31, 2003
TCU and head football coach Gary Patterson have agreed on a multi-year contract extension, TCU Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced today. Specific terms of the deal were not released per university policy.
"This contract extension is a reflection of the commitment by the university to the football program and specifically to Coach Patterson," said Hyman. "The university recognizes the success TCU Football has enjoyed both on and off the field, not only in the two years since Gary took over the program, but since his arrival in Fort Worth five years ago. We are confident that his leadership and coaching skills will keep TCU Football on the right path," added Hyman.
Patterson, 42, owns a 16-9 record in 25 games as the Horned Frogs' head coach. That matches Dennis Franchione's mark as the best record after 25 games of any TCU football coach since the legendary Dutch Meyer was 20-5 in 1934 and '35. The 2002 season marked the Horned Frogs' fifth consecutive bowl appearance, a school record, and Patterson has been part of all five. In addition, the Frogs have won three conference championships and three bowl games over the past five years. The Frogs have also recorded two of the school's six 10-win seasons in the past three years, their first 10-win seasons since 1938.
"The university has been very fair with my staff and with me, and I'm pleased we were able to come to this agreement," said Patterson. "I'm grateful that TCU gave me an opportunity to become a head coach two years ago and I'm proud to represent the university and the Fort Worth community. I've been blessed with a supportive administration, a hard-working staff and a group of student-athletes who strive to be the best," he added.
Named the 30th head coach in TCU history on December 8, 2000, Patterson was one of 17 head coaches at Division I schools that took over a program in 2001 with no previous Division I head coaching experience. Only eight of those 17 coaches, including Patterson, were able to lead their teams to bowl appearances in their first season.
Patterson, was named the 2002 Conference USA Coach of the Year after leading TCU to a 10-2 record, including an AXA Liberty Bowl victory over Mountain West Conference champion Colorado State. The Frogs finished the season ranked 22nd in the country according to the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, and 23rd in the Associated Press poll.
The Frogs have built quite a tradition of defense since Patterson's arrival in Fort Worth. Over the past four years, the Frogs have ranked fifth, first, 24th and first in the country in total defense and 13th, seventh, 10th and first in rushing defense.
This past season, TCU allowed just 240.2 yards of total offense per game, tops in the country. The Frogs surrendered an average of just 64.8 yards on the ground, the best mark in Division I college football. Included was a school record minus-53 yards rushing by Tulane. They also ranked second in the country in pass efficiency defense, allowing their opponents to complete less than 39 percent of their pass attempts. Six Horned Frog defenders earned all-conference accolades, including 2002 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and second team All-American LaMarcus McDonald.
Offensively, the Frogs averaged over 30 points per game in 2002. The offense featured Lonta Hobbs, the Conference USA Freshman of the Year and the first freshman running back in school history to gain over 1,000 yards rushing.
Patterson, a 2000 finalist for the Frank Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year award, served as a college assistant coach for 18 years, including three as TCU's defensive coordinator and safeties coach, prior to being elevated to the top spot just prior to the 2000 GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl.
Under Patterson's tutelage, the 2000 TCU defense ranked first in the nation in total defense, allowing 245.0 yards per game, and in scoring defense, surrendering just 9.6 points per game. Five of his players earned first team all-conference recognition, including defensive end Aaron Schobel, who was named the 2000 WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Patterson's 1999 TCU defense ended the season ranked fifth in the country in total defense, allowing only 284.5 yards per contest. The Frogs 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 just as spectacular in bowl games. In the 1998 Sun Bowl, TCU held USC to minus-23 yards 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 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 New Mexico campus after having made a similar 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.
A native of Rozel, Kansas, 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. He earned his master's degree in educational administration from Tennessee Tech in 1984.
The Patterson Profile
Age: 42 (born February 13, 1960)
Birthplace: Larned, Kansas
Hometown: Rozel, Kansas
High School: Pawnee Heights (Kan.) High School (1978)
Alma Mater: Kansas State (1983); Physical Education
Master's Degree: Tennessee Tech (1984); Educational Administration
Playing Experience: Dodge City C.C. (1978-79)
Kansas State (1980-81)
Children: Josh (15), Cade (7), Blake (4)
Coaching Experience:
1982 Kansas State (Graduate Assistant)
1983-84 Tennessee Tech (Linebackers)
1986 California-Davis (Linebackers)
1987 Cal Lutheran (Defensive Coordinator)
1988 Pittsburg (Kan.) State (Linebackers)
1989-91 Sonoma (Calif.) State (Defensive Coordinator)
1992 Oregon Lightning Bolts
1992-94 Utah State (Secondary)
1995 Navy (Secondary)
1996-97 New Mexico (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
1998-2000 TCU (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2000-2002 TCU (Head Coach)
Bowl Games:
1982 Independence Bowl (Kansas State)
1993 Las Vegas Bowl (Utah State)
1997 Insight.com Bowl (New Mexico)
1998 Norwest Sun Bowl (TCU)
1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl (TCU)
2000 GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl (TCU)
2001 galleryfurniture.com Bowl (TCU)
2002 AXA Liberty Bowl (TCU)
Coaching Record:
16-9 (Two Years at TCU and Career)
