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Baseball:
Schlossnagle not the only TCU coach who could be leaving | The Star-Telegram
I think it’s safe to assume that the Frogs will do everything to retain Saaarloss should Schloss leave, and that he would prefer TCU to Rice.
Saarloos, who turned 39 last week, has been with TCU since 2012. He has been the recruiting coordinator since 2014. He’s helped TCU pull in top 20 recruiting classes, including the No. 5 in 2016 and No. 14 in 2017, according to BaseballAmerica.com.
TCU has been among the nation’s earned-run average leaders under Saarloos, including 24th in 2018, 16th in 2016, tied for 2nd in 2015 and No. 1 in 2014.
The Saarloos news just days after TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle acknowledged that he’s a candidate for the head job at Mississippi State. Saarloos would figure to be the leading candidate to take over at TCU if Schlossnagle left.
5 names to consider if Jim Schlossnagle leaves TCU for Mississippi State | DieHards
If TCU can’t keep Saarloos - assuming Schloss leaves - then I will be worried. Though getting Walton or McDonnell would be intriguing backup plans.
For all the candidates available, it’s overwhelmingly likely TCU would stay within the clubhouse in replacing Schlossnagle, and Kirk Saarloos may be the one for the job. The Horned Frogs assistant coach of six years has overseen one of the top pitching staffs in the nation since he arrived in the summer of 2012, and his familiarity/existing relationships inside the TCU clubhouse are something that can’t be found outside the current staff.
Saarloos spent seven years as a pitcher in the Major Leagues and spent two seasons as the pitching coach at Cal State Fullerton. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact at TCU, as he coached the Horned Frogs pitching staff to the lowest ERA in the nation (2.22) during the 2014 season. TCU made its first of four consecutive College World Series appearances that June, and Horned Frogs ace Brandon Finnegan would become the first player ever to play in both the College World Series and MLB World Series in the same year after being drafted and called up by the Kansas City Royals that season.
As the saying goes — “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Saarloos would fit that just perfectly.
Football:
TCU special teams outlook for 2018: Horned Frogs return everyone -- can they be better? | Sports Day
Kicking. Kicking. Kicking.
Biggest unanswered question: Groin injuries can be nagging injuries. It’s what sidelined Jonathan Song late in the regular season. It’s the type of injury that can return even with good rehab and should be something for TCU to monitor moving forward. Cole Bunce is an adequate replacement, but certainly wasn’t as accurate as Song in 2017. He should be ready to go at all times.
Why 2018 production could be better: Desmon White is the only key loss from this group and he only returned punts occasionally. Replacing him won’t be challenging, especially with Omar Manning now available.
TCU football season tickets are available but pickings are slim | The Star-Telegram
It’s not too late to score season tickets, but you aren’t going to get a prime spot. So, invest in some sunscreen, too. It’s a great schedule though, so you should be there.
These season tickets don’t include the Horned Frogs’ game against Ohio State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sept. 15.
TCU’s season begins against Southern Sept. 1 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The Frogs host Big 12 teams Iowa State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State in 2018.
Reagor and Snell, former teammates of Richardson, could be the key to flipping him come signing day.
Where he’ll end up: He committed to Texas A&M on Feb. 24, 2018 after the Aggies received 43 percent of the Crystal Ball picks on 247. Texas was second with 29 percent followed by TCU and Alabama, which each had 14 percent.
Insight: TCU and Texas are two of the teams still recruiting Richardson pretty hard. Ohio State and Georgia are two other programs still after him. Regarding the Frogs, Richardson has a close relationship with TCU WR Jalen Reagor.