Patterson Agrees To Contract Extension
4/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 7, 2004
TCU and head football coach Gary Patterson have agreed on a 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. "We feel very strongly about the direction of the program under Gary Patterson, not only what has been accomplished on the field, but what has been accomplished off the field - in the classroom and in the community. The university recognizes and rewards these accomplishments. We are confident that Coach Patterson's leadership and coaching skills will keep TCU Football headed in the right direction," added Hyman.
Patterson, 43, owns a 27-11 record in 38 games as the Horned Frogs' head coach. He ranks sixth on the school's all-time wins list after just three seasons. The 2003 season marked the Horned Frogs' sixth consecutive bowl appearance, a school record, and Patterson has been part of all six. In addition, the Frogs have won three conference championships and three bowl games over the past six years. The Frogs have also recorded three of the school's seven 10-win seasons in the past four years, their first 10-win seasons since 1938.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to stay in Fort Worth," said Patterson. "We want to keep improving and I believe consistency is the number one thing to being successful. The contract extension gives us the opportunity to continue to tie TCU into the community and bring the four corners of Fort Worth closer together."
Named the 30th head coach in TCU history on December 8, 2000, Patterson was one of 17 head coaches at Division I schools who 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.
In 2003, TCU posted an 11-2 record and finished the season ranked in the nation's top 25 by both major polls. After opening the season with a 10-0 mark, the Frogs climbed to as high as sixth in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, the highest spot ever for a school from a non-BCS conference. The Frogs had several players earn post-season accolades, including Nick Browne, who was a first team All-American placekicker on the field and a first team Academic All-American off the field.
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.
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: 43 (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)
Married: Kelsey; Children: Josh (16), Cade (8), Blake (5)
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); 2000-2004 TCU (Head Coach)
