Coaching carousel Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Gundy longest tenured Big 12 coach after Patterson’s departure Dean Ruhl Sports Editor A stoic Gary Patterson, arms crossed, looms outside of Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Not the man himself, but a bronze statue dedicated to the Horned Frogs coach, who had transformed the program into a perennial conference title contender in his 21 years at the helm. But, on Sunday, Patterson and TCU announced they’d be parting ways effective immediately. “We asked (Patterson) to continue on as our head coach for the remainder of the season, and take on a different role in 2022, but he believed it was in the team’s and TCU’s best interests to begin the transition immediately,” Jeremiah Donati, TCU’s athletic director, said in a statement Sunday. Patterson joins Texas Tech coach Matt Wells as the second Big 12 coach fired this season, just one week apart. With Patterson’s departure, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy now becomes the longest tenured coach in the Big 12, and third longest in the entire FBS. Only Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham have held their position longer than Gundy, with Whittingham beating Gundy by mere weeks. “We never know what goes on in the walls of some people’s houses, other people’s home,” Gundy said.
“But I was surprised (by Patterson’s firing).” Patterson complied a 181-79 coaching record during his time at TCU, but since 2016 had dwelled around the .500 mark, amassing a 38-32 record with two bowl game victories. Turmoil between Patterson and TCU’s athletic department had slowly been brewing, and well-documented by The Athletic’s Sam Khan. From NIL accusations to verbal rants, Patterson had slowly annoyed the Horned Frogs athletic brass. Wells, fired before even coaching a complete three seasons, was on an opposite trajectory than Patterson. Wells went 13-17 in the games he coached for Texas Tech, but had already surpassed his season win total from this past two seasons. After winning just four games each in 2019 and 2020, he had compiled a 5-3 record this season. He appeared to TTU primed for its first bowl appearance since 2017, and first bowl win since 2013. “I think it is fair to say that, and when they texted me (Sunday), I was kind of shocked,” Gundy said. “That was a shocker to me. So, I don’t know what all is going on.” With financial troubles affecting universities from the fallout of COVID-19, and uncertainty surrounding Big 12 institutions with realignment looming large, both schools releasing their coaches seems puzzling. Gundy said it is likely someone else paid for the buyout of those coaches.
Parade perspective
Abby Cage
See Coaching on 2
Teyte Holcomb Staff Reporter
Burns and Ann Hargis were named the parade’s grand marshals last year and returned to fulfill the roles this year.
Ali Isbell
Students traveled from across the country to witness the traditions Oklahoma State’s Homecoming has to offer, like the Sea of Orange Parade. Last year, OSU’s America’s Greatest Homecoming was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Homecoming returned and the OSU community celebrated it’s centennial year. Chase Parker, junior at OSU, said the parade gave a new energy this year compared to years past. “COVID kinda gave a new meaning to Homecoming,” Parker said. “Coming out of the pandemic, it is refreshing to see what pre-pandemic life was like.” The parade featured individuals like Dr. Kayse Shrum, OSU president, as well as Gov. Kevin Stitt. The parade also included Stillwater locals, which gave students the opportunity to learn more about the parade and its traditions. Brody McCullough, OSU junior, said he has a
new appreciation for the parade. “It’s really cool to see how the parade wasn’t just focused around OSU, but it brought together all of Stillwater,” McCullough said. “Especially the governor, that was awesome to see.” This year’s 100-year celebration parade also gave students who have never been involved in Homecoming the opportunity to dive into the celebration. The parade was no exception, either. Students from all across the country came together to build everything from float decorations to decorating dorm buildings. Haylee Wiggs, sophomore at OSU, said she felt like this parade offered something special compared to other years. “I’ve been to the parade many times when I was little, but there was something different about it this year,” Wiggs said. “Being a student, especially during the 100-year celebration was something that you can’t really describe; the energy was so different than other years.” Although students were in attendance at the parade, they were not the only ones. Crowds lined the streets to see what the centennial celebration offered. news.ed@ocolly.com