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Coach Gary Patterson will remain with the Horned Frogs at least through the end of the decade, according to Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. Del Conte told the Dallas Morning News that TCU's all-time winningest football coach agreed to a contract extension on Sunday, just a day before receiving his second Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
Patterson, who has led the Frogs to a 131-45 record through his 14 seasons at the helm of the TCU Football program, was recognized as the Home Depot National Coach of the Year and the Big 12 Coach of the Year, in addition to the Robinson honor, after leading the Frogs to an 11-1 record, a share of the Big 12 Championship, and the cusp of the inaugural College Football Playoff, in just their third year in the Power Five conference.
With several high profile jobs opening up this year, including some big surprises among power conferences, Frog fans were somewhat nervous that the phone would start ringing for the man who led the Frogs to six titles and two BCS bowl games through a 14 year journey through three conferences. Though it seemed doubtful Patterson would leave the small school whom he led to become a big time football power, it is a relief to see him given an extension that makes it even less likely he would find a reason to go. And, purely speculative, but often times new deals for the head coach come with incentives for his assistants, which may bode well for keeping coaching carousel hot commodity Doug Meacham in the fold for a while longer as well.
No details on the extension have been released at this time, but in light of 2012 Forbes report that labeled Patterson as "the second most powerful coach in America" (behind Nick Saban), with his then nearly $3.5 million annual salary, it's safe to assume he won't need to do any bargain shopping ahead of the holidays.
Patterson and the Horned Frogs will take on Ole Miss in the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl on December 31st, looking to win 12 games and finish their incredible season on a high note against a good SEC foe. Congrats to Coach P and his family, and we can all breathe a BIG sigh of relief!