Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
Sept. 14, 2002
Tonight's matchup between two former nationally recognized defensive coordinators got me to thinking. Gary Patterson and Phil Bennett made their marks as defensive gurus; they also made their mark at TCU. These two head coaches bring an energy and competitive spirit that is contagious. And you know what, I think I am sold on their abilities to get the job done.
This column was supposed to be about today's matchup between TCU and SMU, but to me the more compelling story is the matchup between the two head coaches.
These two coaches have it figured out. In today's day and age of video games, high-speed internet and minimal attention spans, they push all the right buttons, say all the rights things and fan all the right flames. Bennett has promised a return to the winning tradition that SMU experienced on the Hilltop in the early '80s. Gary Patterson has promised Frog fans a continuation of the success that they have become accustomed to for the last five years.
On hot Kansas summer days, Gary Patterson toiled on the family farm, learning first hand what hard work was all about. In fact, he'll tell you today that 16 hour days spent in the Justin Center are nothing compared to his summer workouts with the wheat harvest in Rozel. He'd always been popular, but always been the underdog.
An undersized linebacker at Kansas State, he learned early on that in football he had to fight for success. And that is exactly what he did. He worked his way up through Division II, 1-AA and the Arena league before landing back in Division I football. And he hasn't looked back. Everyday he spent developing his 4-2-5 scheme, he was also preparing himself to lead a program of his own. He had great mentors, Gary Darnell at Tennessee Tech, Jim Dickey at Kansas State, Charlie Weatherbie at Navy and Dennis Franchione. When he made his way to Albuquerque, the Lobo's fortunes began to turn for the better, coincidence? I think not.
Much has always been made of the offensive prowess of Dennis Franchione's teams, but in actuality it was Gary Patterson's defenses that put Coach Fran on the map, regularly advancing to the top of the national defensive statistics. And even if fans hadn't noticed that it was Patterson's scheme making the difference at TCU, his peers did, nominating him for the Frank Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2000. And Frog fans don't fret; it will be Gary Patterson's team that keeps TCU on the national football map!
Personable, optimistic, energetic, all words to describe the head coach of the Ponies who got his start as a junior assistant coach at TCU. From Fort Worth he worked his way through the ranks as well. This Marshall Texas native became one of the youngest defensive coordinators at Iowa State at age 28 and he later returned to Frog land in 1997 to coordinate the defense under Pat Sullivan. His positive outlook will be a welcome change in Highland Park, and in time, his teams will compete for the WAC title.
Two coaches with similar backgrounds, two programs with storied pasts. One coach works daily to continue a pattern of success, the other works daily to find that magic touch that sends a dormant program back into prominence. Their competitive spirit will all but guarantee their success. Their aggressive nature will re-ignite a rivalry that had grown dormant. Keep your eye on the action on the field, but every once and a while, glance over to the sidelines and keep track of these two head coaches, they might just be as entertaining as the game itself.
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information super highway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio!
