Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
Sept. 8, 2003
Gary Patterson has a tough job. Sure, you say, it's tough because he is a head football coach at the highest collegiate level in a state that loves its football. But this year he has it a little tougher. Somehow, he must prepare his team for the rigors of a tough Conference USA schedule, while also keeping the lofty expectations for this team in check.
There is hardly a poll out there that doesn't have the Frogs in the top 25 at the start of the year, and I'd be the first to tell you that they deserve it. As fans, we see that, and visions of an undefeated season and a BCS bowl game come flashing through our heads. And both of those things are very possible.
But Gary will tell you it won't happen without a lot of work, a team commitment and little bit of luck along the way. Two of the three Gary seeks to control.
You have heard me say before that no one will outwork Coach P. and his staff. That's a given; he can control that. He'll work to outscheme and outwit all comers. Now, Coach Patterson is working to make sure that his team's commitment is there for a championship.
He is working to accomplish this with his latest pursuit of teamwork, his "I'm In" board. Let me fill you in. First, Coach knows how important veteran leadership is to success. That's why he is asking his elder Frogs to bring some of the young players along, bring 'em kicking and screaming if they have to. Teach them the ways of TCU football, show them the intensity that they need to practice with, the dedication to film work, the attentiveness in meetings, that it takes to win a championship. If they do that, take care of all that is expected of them both on and off the field, and all members of the coaching staff sign off on it, then a player's name can make it on the "I'm In" board.
It's not an easy list to get on and it's not one that the players take lightly. You hear them talking in the lockeroom, at the team meals and in the halls of the Justin Center between meetings. They want to know if anyone made it on there this week, they're curious as to who may have been considered and if they are in line to join the elite club.
Many of us have experienced similar team building exercises in our own lives. At work we have sales goals, staff functions and leadership exercises. Sometimes we take them seriously, other times we go through the motions. Coach Patterson will tell you that if this team goes through the motions, it won't be a successful season. If his "I'm In" list isn't filled with a majority of the team, he'll be disappointed. Maybe not in the wins and losses, because he'll know what to expect, he'll be disappointed in the level of commitment.
But I don't think we have to worry about that. When it comes to two of the three keys for success--hard work and team commitment--I think the Frogs will be fine. Fine because of the type of character of these young men and their coaches.
Now, if we can all just figure out a way to help Coach Patterson control that third element, "lady luck," our visions of BCS bowls and undefeated seasons may just come true after all. Just my thoughts.
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information superhighway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio.
