Gary Patterson's convo with FCB about attending the National Championship tonight and if he will return to Texas next year
“It’s a veteran team,” Patterson told Horns247 on Sunday. “The average age of TCU’s starters is closer to 23, whereas our starters’ average age at Texas this past season was closer to 19. That makes a big difference.”
Patterson, who had a statue dedicated to him on the TCU campus in 2016, was fired during the 2021 season, finishing his time in Fort Worth with a 181-79 record (a .696 winning percentage).
“Some people think I went to work at Texas out of spite for TCU,” Patterson said. “But that wasn’t it. I just needed to get away.”
Patterson compared it to someone who gets divorced and needs to move out from the same house as their ex.
“If I went to work in the (TCU) chancellor’s office right after being let go, I think that would’ve been awkward,” Patterson said.
When I asked Patterson if he’ll remain as a special assistant to Sarkisian at Texas, he said, “I might. I really like Steve (Sarkisian), and I was a sponge. I think I learned more than I gave out.”
Patterson said he’ll take his time before deciding any next steps.
“After getting let go at TCU, I started working at Texas in January,” Patterson said. “So, Kelsey and I didn’t really take any time for ourselves. We’re doing that right now, even taking this trip to California. I’ve never had a bowl experience as a spectator. This is new.”
Patterson said it’s “bittersweet” to see TCU having a chance to win the national title one year after being let go as the Horned Frogs’ coach. But he said he and his wife, Kelsey, a Texas graduate, didn’t hesitate about making plans to attend the championship game against Georgia at Sofi Stadium Monday night at 6:30 pm CT
“Kelsey and I didn’t want to be a distraction,” Patterson said. “But a lot of these players were a big part of our lives, so it was the right thing to do for us to come out here and support them. They’ve put in a lot of work, and I’m happy for them.”