TCU
TCU vs Kansas football in Fort Worth, Texas on October 21, 2017. (Photo by Gregg Ellman)
For 22 seasons, Gary Patterson proudly wore purple as its head football coach before moving on in 2021 after TCU's season ended. Now, just three years after hanging up his coach's whistle, reports are coming in that he is joining the Baylor football program as a senior-level strategic consultant.
According to SicEm 365's Colt Barber, Patterson's role will be to aid Baylor head football coach Dave Aranda's staff as a scout for Baylor's roster and opponents.
Patterson's record as a Horned Frog head coach touts 181 wins over 79 losses, including 11 bowl victories to boot. Under his leadership at TCU, Patterson coached legendary running back LaDainian Tomlinson and six consensus All-Americans. The highs of his tenure included victories in the 2011 Rose Bowl and 2014 Peach Bowl. Patterson was also named a two-time National Coach of the Year, adding to his legacy as the winningest coach in TCU history.
But his projected stint at Baylor wouldn't be the first time Patterson would work for another team. He also took on the role as a special assistant to Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian in 2022, a season after leaving TCU.
Patterson's journey as a Horned Frog began in 1998 when he joined TCU as a defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2001 after former TCU coach Dennis Franchione left to coach Alabama.
Patterson now joins coach Aranda, who already in his fourth season, led Baylor to a 3-9 record and a 2-7 mark in the Big 12 Conference. Since winning the Big 12 in Aranda's second season, the Bears have gone 8-16.
Editor's note: (Fort Worth Magazine reached out to Gary Patterson for comment but was not able to contact him before press time.)
