TCU football bracing for possible staff departures
TCU coach Gary Patterson hasn’t made any staff changes as of yet, but it could happen by default.
Multiple assistants on Patterson’s staff have been linked to other openings around the country, something that isn’t too surprising. TCU has become a powerhouse over the last two decades, going to bowl games in 16 of 19 seasons under Patterson.
As TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said, “Given the caliber of coaches we have on staff, it is easy to understand why some would be targeted by other schools looking to improve their football programs.”
The two names circulating the most are co-offensive coordinator Curtis Luper, who has emerged as a head coach candidate at New Mexico, and offensive line coach Chris Thomsen, who has been linked as a possible target at Florida State under new coach Mike Norvell.
TCU co-offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie also drew some interest and interviewed for the head coaching position at UTSA earlier this month, according to a source. UTSA ultimately went with Jeff Traylor, a former associate head coach at Texas, SMU and Arkansas.
Luper, meanwhile, has ties to UNM after serving as its running backs coach from 2002-04 under Rocky Long. And, despite the offense’s struggles this season, the running game served as a bright spot with TCU averaging more than 200 yards a game on the ground.
A Football Scoop report named Luper, along with Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, as “strong candidates” for the New Mexico job on Friday.
If offered, Luper is expected to take the job, according to sources.
Thomsen and Norvell have a history together, as well. Thomsen was on Central Arkansas’ staff when Norvell was a player there, and were then assistants on Todd Graham’s staff at Arizona State from 2013-15.
But a source said there’s been “no movement” as far as Thomsen possibly heading to Florida State in recent days.
Thomsen, as well as Luper, have been on the recruiting trail for TCU, trying to bolster the 2020 class with the early signing period taking place next week.
The same can be said for other young, promising assistants on Patterson’s staff who could be on other program’s radars as well such as wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly, defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch and safeties coach Paul Gonzales.
For now, TCU’s staff remains in tact but that could change in the coming days.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 3:59 PM.
