Tag: Sonny Dykes

Analysis: TCU football’s approach to the transfer portal shows confidence
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The first week of the transfer portal has been a good one for TCU football, as the Horned Frogs addressed most of their needs.

Not only did TCU land multiple players from the portal who should be immediate contributors, the program also re-signed most of its key pieces from last year. As it stands, quarterback Josh Hoover is the only full-time starter who has entered the transfer portal from TCU.

Player retention is never going to dominate headlines like player acquisition during college’s version of free agency, but TCU head coach Sonny Dykes has stuck to his vision of wanting the Horned Frogs to be a developmental program.

Coming off two straight nine-win seasons, Dykes has seen enough confirmation on the field that TCU has plenty of talent already inside the building; most of it just needs to continue to develop.

So what have we learned from TCU’s approach during the first week of portal season?

⚡ More on TCU’s transfer portal additions:

→Jaden Craig, QB, Harvard

→Landon Walker, RB, Colorado School of Mines

→Jeremy Scott, WR, South Alabama

→Noah McKinney, G, Oklahoma State

→Jaheim Buchanon, G/C, Florida International

→Cheta Ofili, DE, Texas Tech

→Koron Hayward, edge, Western Kentucky

→Michael Short, LB, Virginia Tech

→Teon Parks, CB, Colorado

→Kalen Carroll, CB, Central Michigan

→Jacob Fields, S, Louisiana Tech

→John Hoyet Chance, P, Louisiana Tech

Frogs find their quarterback

The biggest addition so far has been Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig, who has NFL upside with his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame. Craig owns most of Harvard’s passing records and led the program to its first appearance in the FCS playoffs with 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Craig doesn’t run often, but he has 11 career rushing touchdowns.

On paper, it’s a perfect partnership between the program and player. TCU lands an experienced quarterback who still has upside, but shouldn’t scare off freshmen quarterbacks Adam Schobel and Jack Daulton. Craig gets a chance to compete at the Power Four level in his final season, and he’ll also play in new offensive coordinator’s Gordon Sammis’ system.

Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack. Sammis molded UConn’s Joe Fagnano into one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. What could he do with a talent like Craig?

Internal approach at the skill positions

Despite losing key offensive pieces like All-American wide receiver Eric McAlister, wideout Joseph Manjack and running back Kevorian Barnes, TCU opted not to depend on the portal to replace their production.

The Horned Frogs did sign South Alabama wide receiver Jeremy Scott and Division II running back Landon Walker for depth, but it’s clear TCU will be relying on some of its younger players to take a jump.

At running back, Jeremy Payne emerged as the potential starter down the stretch with 100-yard games against Houston and Cincinnati, plus the game-winning touchdown against USC in the Alamo Bowl. True freshman Jon Denman showed he has the power to complement Payne’s speed. Those two should get most of the touches next year.

TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer ranked second on the team in receiving yards and TD catches this season and should be the lead wideout next season. Christopher Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com

At wide receiver, the program re-signed Jordan Dwyer, who was second on the team with 730 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He slides into the role of lead receiver, a job he filled at Idaho, and has All-Big 12 potential. The Horned Frogs are also bullish on the potential of freshmen wide receivers Terry Shelton, Dozie Ezukanma and Ed Small.

Rebuilding the offensive line

The strength of TCU’s transfer haul so far is on the offensive line, as the Horned Frogs landed two players with starting experience.

Oklahoma State guard Noah McKinney transferred to TCU during the fall shortly after head coach Mike Gundy was fired in Stillwater. Next, the Horned Frogs signed Florida International transfer Jaheim Buchanon earlier this week.

McKinney started seven games for the Cowboys this season before entering the portal and projects as an immediate starter. The same can be said for Buchanon, who was a second-team All-Conference USA selection for the Panthers this season.

These two signings, plus the return of Cade Bennett, give TCU a wealth of experience in the interior offensive line.

At tackle, Ben Taylor-Whitfield returns at right tackle, but who will man the left side with Ryan Hughes recovering from a season-ending injury? Sophomore Witten Van Hoy may get the first crack next season, or the Horned Frogs could look to add a tackle in the final week of the portal.

Building defensive depth

TCU needed to replace a plethora of stars on defense with the departure of All-Big 12 safety Bud Clark, All-Big 12 linebackers Devean Deal and Kaleb Elarms-Orr and linebacker Namdi Obiazor. The Horned Frogs also needed to strengthen the cornerback room, which was the glaring weakness of the team.

Louisiana Tech safety Jacob Fields should step in as a starter for TCU at safety, trying to fill the big shoes of Bud Clark. Tyler Kaufman Getty Images

The biggest splash on defense was the signing of safety Jacob Fields from Louisiana Tech. Fields was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA and should slide into Clark’s position at free safety. All-Big 12 safety Jamel Johnson announced his return to the program, and he’ll lead the unit next season.

The Horned Frogs lost nickel safety Austin Jordan, but TCU returns Kylin Jackson and promising freshman Julius Simms. Those two will likely compete for the spot during the spring and fall camp.

The Horned Frogs have only signed one linebacker so far with Virginia Tech’s Michael Short. He was a productive reserve with the Hokies and North Carolina, and now he’ll have a chance for his biggest role of his career. TCU will bet big on the development of Max Carroll to take over Elarms-Orr or Obiazor’s spots; the former four-star recruit has flashed his talent during his time on the field.

Finally, it’s been mostly quiet on the defensive line, as TCU re-signed its entire front and was able to convince Paul Oyewale to not enter the portal after his agency initially told reporters he intended to do so in December. The Horned Frogs did add Western Kentucky edge rusher Koron Hayward and Texas Tech reserve Cheta Ofili to compete at stud, the hybrid pass rushing position that Deal played.

Both players have great size and upside.

What’s left on the checklist?

The only true position of need remaining for the Horned Frogs had been cornerback, but consider that box checked.

TCU landed Kalen Carroll on Friday to bolster one of the starting spots. He started over a dozen games during his time at Cincinnati and also had 52 tackles and two interceptions with Central Michigan this season.

The Horned Frogs then added Colorado transfer Teon Parks on Sunday. TCU also returns starter Vernon Glover and promising freshman Gil Jackson, giving the Horned Frogs better depth at the position.

TCU linebacker Max Carroll (33) will have a chance to seize a starting role next season. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com

Adding another linebacker with starting experience at the Group of Five level would provide more stability to that position, as TCU will be leaning on Carroll, Short, reserve Michael Teason and a bunch of redshirt freshmen next season if things remain the same.

An offensive tackle would be nice, but isn’t necessarily a need.

The Horned Frogs got most of their important work done during the first week of the portal, and now the program will aim to finish strong with the portal closing on Friday.

Game schedule dates, times, locations

Jan. 3 Mavericks 110, Houston 104

Jan. 6 Mavericks 100, Sacramento 98

Jan. 8 Utah 116, Mavericks 114

Jan. 10 Chicago 125, Mavericks 107

Jan. 12 vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Jan. 14 vs. Denver, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, KFAA, MavsTV

Jan. 15 vs. Utah, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Jan. 17 vs. Utah, 4 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Jan. 19 at New York, 4 p.m., NBC, KFAA, MavsTV

Jan. 6 Kansas 104, TCU 100 (OT)

Jan. 10 Arizona 86, TCU 73

Jan. 14 at BYU, 10 p.m., ESPN2

Jan. 17 at Utah, 1 p.m., TNT

Jan. 20 vs. Oklahoma State, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Jan. 24 at Baylor, 5 p.m., ESPN2

Jan. 28 vs. Houston, 8 p.m., ESPN2

Jan. 3 Utah 87, TCU 77 (OT)

Jan. 7 TCU, 69, Oklahoma State 61

Jan. 11 TCU 77, Arizona State 46

Jan. 14 at West Virginia, 6 p.m., ESPN+

Jan. 17 vs. Arizona, 4 p.m., ESPN+

Jan. 19 vs. Ohio State (at Newark, N.J.), 11 a.m., Fox

Jan. 24 at Central Florida, 1 p.m., ESPN+

Jan. 29 vs. Kansas, 5 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 4 Montreal 4, Stars 3 (OT)

Jan. 6 Carolina 6, Stars 3

Jan. 7 Stars 4, Washington 1

Jan. 10 San Jose 5, Stars 4 (OT)

Jan. 12 at Los Angeles, 9 p.m., Victory+

Jan. 13 at Anaheim, 9 p.m., TNT, truTV, HBO Max

Jan. 15 at Utah, 8 p.m., Victory+

Jan. 18 vs. Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., NHLN, Victory+

Jan. 20 vs. Boston, 6:30 p.m., TNT, HBO Max

2026 season

Aug. 29 vs. North Carolina (at Dublin), TBA

New York Giants 34, Cowboys 17

End of season

May 1 NASCAR Truck Series: SpeedyCash.com 250

May 2 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Andy’s Frozen Custard 340

May 3 NASCAR Cup Series: Wurth 400

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Steven Johnson

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January 12, 2026
TCU football hires quarterbacks coach with ties to new offensive coordinator

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TCU football has found its new quarterbacks coach.

Tulsa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brad Robbins finalized a deal Thursday to join the Horned Frogs’ staff, the Star-Telegram confirmed.

Robbins previously worked with incoming Horned Frogs offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis at UConn under Jim Mora in 2024 as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

Robbins left to coach the Golden Hurricane’s offense in December 2024. Tulsa went 4-8 this season.

The opening was created at TCU by Kendal Briles’ departure to South Carolina last month. Briles served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during his tenure in Fort Worth.

At UConn in 2024, Sammis and Robbins helped develop quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 1,631 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fagnano was named the offensive MVP of the Fenway Bowl, and UConn finished 9-4.

Robbins previously served as receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Tennessee Tech in 2023. He also had coaching stints at Charleston Southern and North Greenville.

TCU will be looking for a new starting quarterback next season with the departure of Josh Hoover in the transfer portal. Senior backup Ken Seals played his final game in the Horned Frogs’ win over USC in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday.

TCU is expected to bring in an experienced quarterback in the portal, which opens Friday, to compete with freshman Adam Schobel, who didn’t play this season.

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Steven Johnson

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January 1, 2026
Why TCU football is expecting another close game vs. Cincinnati

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When TCU football hosts Cincinnati in its regular-season finale at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Fox, the Horned Frogs are expecting to see a much better team than the one it beat 20-13 last season.

At one point this season, Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) looked like it might be the best team in the Big 12, but the Bearcats have since come back down to Earth, in the midst of a three-game losing streak.

TCU (7-4, 4-4) has already learned that a team on a losing streak is a still a dangerous opponent after Iowa State snapped its four-game skid against the Horned Frogs on Nov. 8.

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said he doesn’t see a Cincinnati team that is struggling; he sees a team full of playmakers.

“I think they’re better. I think they’re further along,” Dykes said Tuesday. “I think they’re more diverse offensively than they were [last year]. They have a lot of the same guys on defense. They had a lot of returning starters and a lot of experience.

“They’re a really good football team. That’s a team that was 7-1 and I think in the top 15. They’ve played a tough schedule down the stretch. They’ve lost games to really good football teams.”

Dykes isn’t wrong. The Bearcats have gone through a three-game gauntlet of No. 14 Utah, Arizona and No. 11 BYU in the past three games.

TCU hopes to not provide a reprieve for the Bearcats as it aims to close the season strong after defeating previously ranked Houston last Saturday.

There are some similarities between the Bearcats and Cougars, starting with the heavy reliance on the quarterback in the run game. Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby is one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the conference and continues the Horned Frogs’ trend of facing mobile quarterbacks this season.

“This is the best quarterback league in college football,” Dykes said. “Just from an experience and diverse skill set standpoint. You look back last week, Houston’s quarterback [Conner Weigman], think about all the big plays he had running and getting out of the pocket.

“We’re going to have the same thing this week with Sorsby. He can run, he does a good job of knowing when to run. He’s got experience. … He’s a very smart football player and seldom puts the ball in jeopardy.”

On the season, Sorsby has 2,518 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 521 yards and nine touchdowns. Four of his interceptions have come in the past three games.

Sorsby is supported by a solid group of skill players led by running backs Tawee Walker (661 yards, four TDs) and Evan Pryor (514 yards, three TDs).

Cincinnati also has an underrated receiver room led by Cyrus Allen (623 yards, 11 TDs). The Bearcats have three other receivers averaging at least 15 yards per reception.

“They’re fast. All the guys are interchangeable,” TCU cornerback Vernon Glover said. “They all can play slot or outside. All the guys got speed. We’re going to have to do what we always do.”

Cincinnati’s defense has taken a step back during the losing streak, but when the Bearcats are at their best they have shown they can slow down explosive offenses. Before the losing streak, Cincinnati held six of its first eight opponents to 20 points or fewer.

The success of the defense starts up front with senior defensive lineman Dontay Corleone.

Nicknamed “The Godfather,” Corleone was a preseason All-American and has been selected All-Big 12 multiple times in his career. He’s not having the same production this season, but TCU’s offensive line believes he could be the biggest challenge the unit has faced outside of BYU.

“When he wants to go, he can go,” TCU offensive lineman Coltin Deery said. “Corleone is a great player. He’s quick, he’s got a motor. We’ve just got to stay on top of him and not let him go where he wans to go. Displace him and go to work.”

Cincinnati also has one of the league’s best linebackers, senior Jake Golday, who leads the team with 102 tackles, and a plethora of hard-hitting safeties who will fly down in run support. The top cover corner is senior Matthew McDoom, a Coastal Carolina transfer who has a 100-yard pick-six this season.

It should be another tight battle between teams that have flashed the potential of being two of the best teams in the league while also showing flashes of being among the most disappointing.

Which team will play up its potential? That will ultimately decide this one.

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Steven Johnson

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November 27, 2025
Is TCU trending in the wrong direction in Year 4 of Sonny Dykes era? | Opinion
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PROVO, Utah

Goodbye, AT&T Stadium. Hello, Liberty Bowl?

After TCU was dismantled 44-13 by No. 12 BYU on Saturday, the Horned Frogs’ ceiling might be a trip to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, as it’s very possible TCU will finish 6-6 with two more tough games at Houston and hosting Cincinnati to end the regular season.

The Horned Frogs’ performance in Provo was the most disappointing of a season that has already fallen well short of expectations.

It was an opportunity for TCU and head coach Sonny Dykes to secure a marquee victory for the program — a win over a top-15 team on the road would’ve been the Horned Frogs’ biggest victory since the 2022 Fiesta Bowl. Not to mention TCU still was technically in the running for the Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Instead of playing with passion, the Horned Frogs looked detached to start the game, falling behind 17-0 before the offense finally woke up. By that time it was too little too late.

TCU’s defense allowed BYU to score on its first seven possessions, while the offense continued to look like a finesse unit that isn’t built to win on the road or in November.

But if you ask the fan base, the most disappointing thing about Saturday night was how Dykes answered a question from the Star-Telegram.

Sonny Dykes says, ‘People can say what they want to say’

Over the past three seasons, TCU is just 20-15 overall, 12-13 in the Big 12 and 7-9 on the road. This writer asked Dykes what would he say to a fan base that may be growing anxious with the direction of the program?

“I can also sit here and say we’re whatever we are in the last 13 games [9-4],” a frustrated Dykes said. “Or I could sit here and say we are what we are. … People can say what they want to say.”

To be fair, Dykes isn’t wrong, as TCU is 12-5 in its past 17 games. Numbers don’t lie, but they can be manipulated to fit a narrative.

Dykes has won a lot of games at TCU, but when you lose the way the Horned Frogs did against BYU or how they did last week in the fourth quarter against Iowa State, you can’t blame the fan base for responding with an emphatic “So what?” when Dykes mentions TCU’s recent record.

The most notable wins during that stretch came last year against a Texas Tech team that finished 8-5 and this year against SMU, which sits at 7-3 with losses to Baylor and Wake Forest. Those aren’t exactly the type of wins that will fire a fan base up after it got a taste of being near the mountaintop in 2022.

It’s tough to come up with answers on the spot in the aftermath of a defeat like Saturday’s, but it was a missed opportunity for Dykes to speak to fans, especially after he had no problem repeatedly reminding them that the Horned Frogs know how to win and were the winningest team in the Big 12 in recent years after TCU survived against Baylor.

As TCU slips, Texas Tech rises

TCU is just 1-2 since that press conference and could be staring at a four-game losing streak to end a season that was supposed to be the year that the Horned Frogs got back to the Big 12 title game.

It doesn’t help that rival Texas Tech is looking like a juggernaut this season and also recruiting at a level that will likely keep the Red Raiders at the top of the conference.

For many TCU fans, that was what they expected after the Horned Frogs defeated Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl and made the national title game. Whatever momentum was generated from that magical season is gone, and the Horned Frogs seem to be drifting further and further away from the top of the Big 12.

In the 12-team era of the College Football Playoff, that’s increasingly problematic. With increased access to the postseason comes increased expectations.

In the old four-team format, most fans understood just how difficult it was to make the field. But it’s a new reality now.

If you win your league, you’re in the playoff. That has simplified things for every program in the country, and when you’re not competing for a league title, it feels like an empty season.

This was supposed to be TCU’s year

Remember, this isn’t a young TCU team. The offense returned an experienced quarterback in Josh Hoover and one of the nation’s top receivers in Eric McAlister and got offensive lineman Cade Bennett back after a season-ending injury last year.

Despite all the talent, TCU has taken a step back on offense. There’s still no run game, Hoover hasn’t taken the expected leap many anticipated, and the unit as a whole has no identity besides McAlister being elite.

The offense has repeatedly started slow and underperformed on the road. The Horned Frogs have been held scoreless in the first quarter in five of their past six games. When pressed about why he thinks that is the case, Dykes didn’t have an answer.

Dykes is supposed to be an offensive guru. It’s always a troubling sign when a head coach’s specialty begins to underperform.

Defensively, the Horned Frogs returned key leaders in safety Bud Clark and linebacker Namdi Obiazor while also having safety Jamel Johnson and linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr emerge as two of the best at their positions in the conference.

There’s individual talent across the board, but it was jarring to watch BYU play defense compared to TCU. Don’t get me started on how monstrous the Red Raiders’ defense has looked this season.

It’s not a question of talent. Dykes himself said before the season that he felt if the team finished 9-4 it would be a disappointment.

“That’s the standard here, compete for a conference championship and the College Football Playoff,” Dykes said. “We’re at that point as a program where you don’t do that, we don’t see it as a successful year. You look at last year, yeah you won nine games or whatever, but in the last week of the season we weren’t playing for a Big 12 championship.”

If winning nine games would be falling short of the standard, then what is winning six or seven games?

The Horned Frogs are trending in the wrong direction, and it’s on Dykes to turn it around before it’s too late.

Game schedule dates, times, locations

Nov. 19 vs. New York, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Nov. 22 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Nov. 24 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV

Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., Amazon Prime Video

Nov. 19 vs. Kansas City, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 27 vs. Florida (at San Diego), 2 p.m., FS1

Nov. 28 vs. Providence or Wisconsin (at San Diego), 2 or 4:30 p.m., Fox

Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Dec. 7 vs. North Texas (at Dickies Arena), 4:30 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 20 vs. Tarleton State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 23 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 4 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege

Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege

Dec. 3 vs. Incarnate Word, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 18 vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m., Victory+

Nov. 20 at Vancouver, 9 p.m., Victory+

Nov. 22 at Calgary, 9 p.m., Victory+

Nov. 25 at Edmonton, 8 p.m., Victory+

Nov. 26 at Seattle, 9 p.m., Victory+

Nov. 22 at Houston, 3 p.m., Fox

Nov. 29 vs. Cincinnati, TBA

End of the regular season

Nov. 22 at Rice, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

Nov. 28 vs. Temple, 2:30 p.m., ESPN

End of the regular season

NAIA playoffs

Nov. 22 at William Penn, noon

Nov. 23 vs. Philadelphia, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Nov. 27 vs. Kansas City, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Dec. 4 at Detroit, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video

Dec. 14 vs. Minnesota, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Dec. 21 vs. L.A. Chargers, noon, Fox

Dec. 13-14 Xtreme Xperience

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Steven Johnson

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November 18, 2025
TCU caught in the middle of college football’s ‘everything must go!’ madness

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Year 1 of the most important two years of TCU’s football program can be called a bust.

A bust because the team will not meet the expectations set by athletic director Mike Buddie. There will be no appearance in the Big 12 title game, or the playoff.

TCU’s 44-13 defeat Saturday night at No. 12 BYU was a nail gun to the needs of the program, and university. Barring a season-ending three-game winning streak, the finale being the Stale Milk Bowl, TCU will not equal its win total from 2024. It will also not finish in the Top 25 for the third straight year, during which it has been a ranked program for two weeks.

Year 4 of the Sonny Dykes era at TCU is supposed to be better than this.

The momentum created by TCU’s run to the national title game in 2022 has evaporated, and is overwhelmed by a current madness of firing coaches while worshiping the SEC, Big Ten and Notre Dame.

The development has put TCU in a difficult spot with coach Sonny Dykes. After starting the season with a 4-1 record, the weaknesses of the team have been fleshed out in defeats to Kansas State, Iowa State and BYU.

TCU is a decent team that has no margin for error, or mistakes. And the team doesn’t belong on the same field as BYU or Texas Tech, the top programs in the Big 12.

The reality for Dykes is that the program has not developed the type of talent that carried this team to the national title game; there has not been a new set of quality offensive linemen to the level of Steve Avila, Brandon Coleman and Andrew Coker.

There have been no new players to create the type of production on the defensive side, such as linebacker Dee Winters, defensive end Dylan Horton, or cornerbacks Tre Hodges-Tomlinson and Josh Newton.

(The easy shot here is that those players were recruited by Gary Patterson. Other than Newton, this is true. Also true, that group of talent was not winning games.)

Most damning of all for Dykes and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is their high-priced quarterback, Josh Hoover, has regressed in a season where in the first month he deserved to be in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy.

Too much is asked of Hoover, who needs help that he hasn’t received.

The state of the team has left angry fans to parcel together a slate of unflattering statistics that make Dykes look like a terrible coach who should be fired today. Stats that begin with the sentence, “Starting with the 65-7 loss to Georgia in the 2022 national title game … TCU is 0-7 against coaches who own Cockapoos, and are out-scored by an average margin of 24.5 points in games that start at 9:05 p.m. Hawaiian time.”

This is not a good place to be for a head coach, and worse for his school. A place where fans and alums want their team to lose, just accelerate the firing process. Once the momentum starts in this direction, it’s hard to convince the masses to be patient.

They have been able to do it at Oklahoma. And USC.

They couldn’t at Penn State. Or LSU. Auburn. Florida. The list grows by the week of coaches who are fired, despite their achievements, or the size of their buyouts.

Dykes was never the most popular hire to replace Patterson. There are circles and pockets of TCU supporters that regard any positive achievement by Dykes as dumb luck, while every defeat is the true indicator of his coaching acumen.

All of this is compounded exponentially by a culture that remembers nothing, whose impatience is satiated by a phone that says life is better elsewhere. If you’re not winning, and the game isn’t “big,” they’re not coming.

This puts TCU in a hard spot. Because it’s not in TheBIGSEC10, most schools in the ACC and Big 12 operate with the fear that those conferences will soon grab a few more schools, which will in effect turn the remainders of the lesser two leagues into glorified Group of Five universities.

This may not be an actual reality, but the prospect of it strikes the fear of 5,000 Greek Gods into schools. Without a winning football team that’s in the conversation of the playoff, their chance at national relevance, and leverage, is nearly disabled.

It’s why winning coaches are easily fired, and millions of dollars in buyout cash falls from the sky in states that are broke.

TCU is not apt to join the national trend of firing its coach this season, but more likely to “encourage” Dykes to make staff changes in hopes of improvement, because Year 1 of the most important time in the history of its football program has gone bust.

This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM.

Mac Engel

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mac Engel is an award-winning columnist who has covered sports since the dawn of man; Cowboys, TCU, Stars, Rangers, Mavericks, etc. Olympics. Movies. Concerts. Books. He combines dry wit with 1st-person reporting to complement an annoying personality.
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Mac Engel

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November 16, 2025