Gary Patterson, TCU Agree to Contract Extension Through 2024
Nov 24, 2017
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs on the field for warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on November 18, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. TCU defeated Texas Tech 27-3. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
TCU and head football coach Gary Patterson have reached an agreement on a contract extension to keep him with the Horned Frogs program through 2024.
Patterson took over the Horned Frogs in late 2000 after nearly two decades working as a defensive assistant for various collegiate programs, including three years as TCU's defensive coordinator before taking over the top job from Dennis Franchione.
The 57-year-old Kansas native has gone on to become the program's winningest coach with a 159-56 record.
That includes a 10-2 mark so far in 2017 following Friday's 45-22 victory over Baylor to clinch a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma next Saturday.
Patterson, who often pops up in the rumor mill when the coaching carousel starts turning, downplayed speculation about potentially changing schools in October.
"We've been listening to that for 15 years," hetold reporters.
He ranks ninth in the nation among college football head coaches with just over $5.1 million in total pay for the 2017 season, according toUSA Today.
Terms of the extension weren't immediately released.
Hard-Hitting TCU Is Here to Prove the Big 12 Isn't Soft
Oct 24, 2017
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TCU is a hard-hitting football team that is catching the eye of CFB fans. Is the Big-12 Conference a national contender? Watch above as Michael Felder spotlights the Horned Frogs.
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Kenny Hill Leads TCU to Win vs. WVU with Passing, Rushing, Receiving TDs
Oct 7, 2017
TCU running back Sewo Olonilua (33) celebrates his touchdown against West Virginia with teammates Daythan Davis (38) and Matt Pryor (64) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The No. 8 TCU Horned Frogs overcame a big showing from West Virginia quarterback Will Grier to beat the No. 23 Mountaineers 31-24onSaturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, and remain undefeated.
TCU quarterback Kenny Hill led the charge, registering one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown while not turning the ball over.
Although the Horned Frogs were out-gained 508-406, they dropped WVU to 3-2 on the season and improved to 5-0, making them the only undefeated team in the Big 12 following Oklahoma's surprising home loss to Iowa State earlier in the day.
Grier completed 25 of 45 passes for 366 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, but it wasn't enough to overcome TCU's special teams excellence and resourcefulness on offense.
Per ESPN's Jake Trotter, TCU improved to 18-0 as a Top 10 team at home under head coach Gary Patterson. Also, West Virginia's 35-year drought against Top 10 teams on the road continued.
The first half was largely a defensive struggle, as TCU entered the locker room with a 7-3 lead despite generating little offense, according to Chris Anderson of 247Sports:
#WVU is out-yarding TCU, 236-131, but special teams and self-inflicted wounds have Mountaineers down, 7-3.
Punter Adam Nunez was arguably the biggest reason for the Horned Frogs' success in the opening half, as he pinned West Virginia inside its own 6-yard line on four occasions.
Nunez even earned a shoutout from former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro punter and West Virginia product Pat McAfee on Twitter:
While the Mountaineers were able to move the ball at times, they were only able to muster a field goal before the break. Also, kicker Mike Molina made a significant miscue when he missed a 29-yard attempt near the beginning of the second quarter.
The lone first-half touchdown came courtesy of TCU running back Sewo Olonilua when he dove into the end zone from two yards out, via TCU Football:
On the ensuing possession, Grier struck from long range again with a 76-yard touchdown to wideout Ka'Raun White, which tied the game after the extra point:
🎥 HIGHLIGHT: Ka'Raun White ties this game at 17-17 with a 76-yard touchdown! Two touchdowns on three snaps for the Mountaineers. pic.twitter.com/ZWtlYh52iC
TCU then answered with a trick play. Wide receiver KaVontae Turpin threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Hill with 15 seconds remaining in the third quarter:
Grier's dynamite second half yielded another touchdown pass to tie it, however, when he connected with Sills from four yards out just over five minutes into the fourth quarter:
🎥 HIGHLIGHT: David Sills V hauls in his nation-leading ninth receiving touchdown of the season and his second of the game. pic.twitter.com/yhbLCyd5vF
With that catch, Sills extended his national lead in that category with nine on the season.
Although the momentum was firmly on West Virginia's side, TCU put together an impressive drive to nudge in front again.
Hill and Co. orchestrated a 13-play, 65-yard drive, which culminated when Hill ran one in from three yards out to make it 31-24.
TCU left nearly three minutes on the clock, which gave WVU's explosive offense one more opportunity to come from behind.
The Mountaineers turned the ball over on downs, however, to preserve the victory for TCU and keep it atop the Big 12.
The Horned Frogs appear to be the favorite in at least six of the seven games remaining on their schedule, as their next four games are against unranked opponents before they travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to take on the Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium.
While Oklahoma lost Saturday, it may be the biggest obstacle standing between TCU and a College Football Playoff berth.
Former TCU DE Tipa Galeai Found Guilty of Assault Charges
Aug 17, 2017
TCU defensive end Tipa Galeai defends during an NCAA college football game against Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Former TCU defensive end Tipa Galeai was found guilty of assault Thursday after an incident that occurred in January, according to Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Ryan Osborne of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported in March that Galeai was alleged to have punched two students at a TCU dorm.
Per the affidavit, the two students said something about Galeai, who "appeared to be extremely intoxicated," which resulted in Galeai chasing them into a dorm.
He allegedly punched one of the students 21 times and punched the other three times. Galeai was arrested days later and charged with misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury.
Galeai was then dismissed from TCU's football team and from the school.
The Euless, Texas, native saw action for the Horned Frogs in 2015 and 2016 as a freshman and sophomore respectively.
During the 2016 campaign, he registered 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Galeaiannouncedin July that he was transferring to Utah State.
4-Star LB Prospect Ben Wilson Commits to TCU
Jun 23, 2017
Ben Wilson, a 4-star inside linebacker from Sumner, Washington, verbally committed to the TCU Horned Frogs on Friday.
Wilson made things official with a post on Twitter:
One of the most dynamic defenders in the country, Wilson is the 13th-ranked inside linebacker in the country and No. 1 player at his position in the state of Washington among all class of 2018 recruits.
And at 6'2'' and 215 pounds, Wilson is shaping up to be a physical force at the next level.
As Scout.com's official evaluation noted, Wilson is "a huge hitter who can fill a gap, get in the backfield and make plays from sideline to sideline. He just looks like a prototype inside backer with his size, aggressiveness and leadership."
That should be music to the Horned Frogs' ears as they continue to stockpile their defense with quality 2018 recruits like safety Atanza Vongor, cornerback Trevon Moehrig-Woodard and defensive end Ochaun Mathis.
Looking ahead, Wilson should give the Horned Frogs additional depth at the second level with Travin Howard and Ty Summers candidates to bolt for the NFL after the 2017 season.
4-Star QB Prospect Justin Rogers Commits to TCU over LSU, UNC
May 31, 2017
Dual-threat quarterback Justin Rogers announced Wednesdayhe will suit up for the TCU Horned Frogswhen the 2018 college football season begins.
Rogers made things official during an appearance on NBC 6, according to Scout.com's Bill Embody.
A 4-star signal-caller, Rogers is the 12th-ranked quarterback and 110th-ranked player overall among prospects in the class of 2018, according to Scout.com. Furthermore, he's the No. 6 quarterback in the South Region and No. 1 player among his positional peers in the state of Louisiana.
And when you turn on the tape, it's not hard to see why.
A 6'4", 198-pound athlete, Rogers is equal parts pocket playmaker and improviser. As a result, he can make big plays appear out of thin air with his legs or sit back in the pocket and sling the ball downfield effortlessly.
As Scout.com's official evaluation noted, he "combines great arm strength and velocity with dangerous running ability, especially when passing plays break down and become scrambles. Rogers can throw on the run or in the pocket and has a good feel for sensing pressure."
With the Horned Frogs, Rogers should put those tools to good use in a wide-open Gary Patterson offense that once allowed Trevone Boykin to thrive.
And while he may not see the field much as a freshman considering TCU has former 4-star recruit Shawn Robinson in the fold, Rogers should one day prosper once he cleans up his mechanics and polishes his footwork.
The good news is the pressure won't be on Rogers right away.
As a result, he can take his time and develop under coach Patterson's watchful eye as the Horned Frogs attempt to mold him into one of the nation's most dangerous quarterbacks.
TCU DE Tipa Galeai Charged with Assault from January Incident
Mar 3, 2017
FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 01: Tipa Galeai #47 of the TCU Horned Frogs before a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TCU defensive end Tipa Galeai was charged with misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury for an alleged incident that occurred on the TCU campus in January.
According to Ryan Osborne of the Star-Telegram, court records indicate that Galeai is accused of punching two male students inside a TCU dorm room.
He surrendered to police on Jan. 26 and was released on $5,000 bond later that day.
The alleged victims told police that an "extremely intoxicated" Galeai chased them into the dorm and assaulted them, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest, per Osborne.
Galeai registered 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season as a sophomore for the Horned Frogs.
The Euless, Texas, native is no longer listed on the team's official roster, however.
TCU has yet to issue a statement regarding Galeai's legal situation or his standing with the team.
Silent Motivation: TCU WR Signee Omar Manning Inspired by His Deaf Mother
Feb 22, 2017
TCU wide receiver signee Omar Manning is expected to be a contributor in head coach Gary Patterson's offense early in his career. His drive is inspired by his mother, Tracey, who is deaf.
LANCASTER, Texas — With every reception and touchdown scored throughout his high school—all 79 and 20, respectively—Omar Manning maintained the same philosophy.
Family first.
"Everything I do," he said, "I do it for my family."
Ask Manning, a TCU signee from Lancaster High School about family, and it all starts with the person he considers the strongest person he knows—his mother, Tracey Manning.
A particular scene with his mother recently caught the attention of a few onlookers. There was Manning sitting with his mother holding a conversation just before his U.S. Army All-American jersey ceremony presentation in September.
"How was your day?" she asked.
"It was good," Manning responded.
"I just want you to know I'm proud of you, and I love you," she then said.
"I love you, too," he replied.
It was a mom showing love and support for an achieving son. Seems simple enough, right?
What made the conversation so intriguing to outsiders: While pleasantries and compliments were exchanged, not one verbal word was uttered. The two used sign language to hold an engaging conversation.
For the first time, many outsiders noticed that Tracey was deaf. Many also noticed that Omar, in addition to being a 6'3", 203-pound dynamo at wide receiver, was bilingual.
"It's natural for me. I've been doing [sign language] as long as I can remember," he said. "I picked up on little things here and there, but I don't even remember learning it. It just happened."
Chalk it up as another talent for the 4-star athlete TCU has high expectations for.
Family first
For Manning, family is everything. During his senior season, he played with a special back protector that featured the first names of several family members: Tracey, LaKisha (his sister), Tammy (his aunt) and Lucille (his grandmother).
From an inspirational perspective contributing to his success, it all starts with his mother, who he said has lived her entire life deaf.
"Whenever something tough comes up, I think about her," Manning said. "She motivates me and pushes me. I know if she can go through that, I can go through whatever."
To which she responded via an interpreter: "I'm very proud of him. Very proud and blessed."
His mother is a part of a large family fanbase that supported him at Lancaster High home football games. A huge piece to that family puzzle is his aunt, Tammy Manning-Brown, someone whom Manning said not only helped raise him and someone he considers a second mother.
Collectively, Manning's family watched him put on a show throughout his senior year. He caught 45 passes for 742 yards and eight touchdowns and helped Lancaster advance to the Texas Class 5A state quarterfinals, according to the Dallas Morning News.
"He is driven by a strong relationship with his family, especially his mom and aunt," Lancaster head coach Chris Gilbert said. "They made it clear to me several times during the recruiting process that they wanted the absolute best for Omar, and he should make all decisions on what is best for him. They are great folks. His family is at the top of his list."
Another person who has been extremely influential in Manning's growth is his older sister. LaKisha Potter is a year older and a sophomore nursing student at Remington College. Potter is someone Manning considers his sidekick, someone who knows him in and out, and also one of his biggest fans as he prepares for college football.
"We both grew up in really tough times, and she was right there with me the whole time," Manning said of his sister. "She's my sister and my friend the whole way through."
Potter added: "Every little brother is supposed to be annoying, but he was a good kid. He was always focused and determined. What you see is what you get. Football was always No. 1 for him. It was like he was born for this."
Do well, stay humble
TCU is getting a big, physical receiver with great speed and a never-ending desire to improve. He is a part of a talented 2017 class that also features 4-star quarterback Shawn Robinson, 4-star receiver Jalen Reagor and 4-star offensive lineman Wes Harris.
Manning is relentless when it comes to progress, but Gilbert added that as good as he is, he's one of the first athletes to help others shine.
"Omar is just an outstanding young man. He's very humble and unassuming," Gilbert said. "He is an unselfish team guy who's very appreciative of any accolades he has received. He's always ready to assist young players, and he is a leader. They don't come like him often."
Manning chose TCU over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and other programs. He committed to the Horned Frogs on Oct. 21 and held his commitment, despite major pushes from Texas and Oklahoma, according to Gabe Brooks of Scout.com.
Officially Shutting down my recruitment.. Thanks to all the programs who offered me a wonderful opportunity to follow my dreams!
The reason for sticking with TCU, Manning said, was the same thing he keeps high on his priority list.
"It was the family feel," he said. "Each school had a different thing about it, but they [TCU] all are about family."
And Tracey is well aware of the player TCU is getting.
"He's a very good football player," she said via an interpreter. "Very good and very humble."
Manning has the tools to be the next great wide receiver for the Horned Frogs. He's hoping to use his mother's advice as fuel in his quest to become a household name in the Big 12.
That advice: stay humble, have respect and keep God first.
And never forget to keep family a top priority.
"I want to make it to the NFL for my mom, and she wants me to be happy," he said. "I see what she's gone through, and that's what drives me. Nothing will stop me."
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of Scout.com. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
Sonny Dykes to TCU: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction
Jan 15, 2017
BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the California Golden Bears questions a call during their game against the Oregon Ducks at California Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2016 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Sonny Dykes is returning to his Texas roots. The former Cal coach is joining Gary Patterson's staff at TCU in an undetermined role.
Dykes, 47, spent the last four seasons at Cal. He was fired Jan. 8, more than a month after finishing off a 5-7 season. The Golden Bears were 19-30 under Dykes, including a 10-26 mark in the Pac-12.
He said in a statement he was "surprised and disappointed" by the decision, per USA Today. He previously spent three years as the head coach at Louisiana Tech after more than a decade as an offensive assistant. Before landing head coaching gigs, Dykes was an offensive coordinator at Arizona and Texas Tech.
Dykes is a native of Big Spring, Texas, so this move represents something of a homecoming. He began his coaching career in Texas at the high school level and also worked at Navarro Junior College as an assistant. He also interviewed for the head coaching position at Baylor, which ultimately went to Matt Rhule.
TCU is coming off a disappointing 6-7 season that saw the Horned Frogs struggle with inconsistency on the offensive side. Quarterback Kenny Hill posted a 17-to-13 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and the Frogs scored just six points in two of their final three games.
“I think once you look back and kind of reflect and absorb and digest what happened last season, I think it will motivate you, if you want to play this game of football,” former co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham told reporters. “I know for us as coaches it does. It rejuvenates your mindset toward improving and just getting better in every aspect. It regenerates that.”
The Horned Frogs are a year removed from an 11-2 season, which concluded with an Alamo Bowl win over Oregon. Their offense saw a number of losses from that team, including quarterback Trevone Boykin. The 2016 season could be seen as a bit of a transition year, and the Frogs could be in store for a bounce back.
It's unclear what role Dykes will have, but odds are he'll help out the offensive staff. His positional focus in the past has been on quarterbacks and receivers, so Hill might wind up seeing the biggest benefit from Dykes' addition.
