TCU head football coach is making an album, staying ‘as busy as ever’ amid pandemic
TCU head football coach Gary Patterson is one of best when it comes to scripting up a defensive game plan. But it turns out he’s also capable of scripting lyrics for a music album.
Patterson revealed this week on a conference call with reporters that the coronavirus pandemic has created enough of a window for him to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream of making an album with a recording artist to be named.
“I used to write music when I was younger,” Patterson said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. “I actually sent somebody some of my music, and somebody’s going to record it.”
Patterson’s love of music has been known for years. He played an ‘unplugged’ session for the Star-Telegram in 2013 and has been seen busting out his guitar a number of other times around Fort Worth. He’s also been known to trade signed football helmets for guitars with some big-time singers such as Brad Paisley.
Patterson’s next public display of his musical talents will come on Monday, as he’s a guest on former Colorado and Washington coach Rick Neuheisel’s show on SiriusXM called “A Neu Conversation.” The two had a 40-minute conversation last week that featured both playing their guitars and singing.
The show will air at 9 a.m. Monday on SiriusXM’s ESPNU Radio (channel 84).
It’s safe to say that Patterson is thrilled being on the verge of becoming a published “songwriter.” He’s had time to put an album together, courtesy of extended down time amid the recent shutdown, but Patterson acknowledged some of his songs have been updated.
“I’ve always wanted to do it,” Patterson said. “They’ve been in studio and recorded some tracks so that’s something I never thought I’d be able to get because I’ve been so busy.”
Patterson said he’s written about 15 songs over the years. And, hey, one of them might even become a top hit.
“You’ll be really surprised,” Patterson said, with a chuckle. “If these songs hit No. 1, I’m going to make you all go to some country place where we can go and dance to it. I’m not letting somebody steal my music, that’s a lot of words and heartache through the years.”
Patterson even thought of another possible song during his hour-long Zoom session with reporters, saying the pandemic forcing people to “slow down” could be for the better.
“Maybe I’ll write a song about taking that deep breath, see what that looks like.” He then quipped, “You guys will be the first ones to hear it. I’ll do a Zoom call and get the guitar out.”
Patterson went on to say that, along with his musical endeavors, the rare down time has allowed him to spend more time with his grandkids. He’s also been able to do more work for the Gary Patterson Foundation, which put together 500 bags with essential supplies for underprivileged families last month.
Patterson was among the volunteers who handed out the bags while wearing protective masks.
“It’s not just thinking about football,” Patterson said. “It’s, ‘How do I give back to Fort Worth and the community?’ This [free time] has given me an opportunity to talk to some people that I maybe have never been able to.”
Still, football remains a constant for Patterson’s everyday life.
Patterson is the president of the American Football Coaches Association and has been part of high-level meetings of late. He’s optimistic football will be played this season, although has been preparing for a number of contingencies in the meantime.
“Sitting on this table is 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019 and all the years of practices because — is it going to be a 25-practice schedule? Is it going to be a 29-practice schedule? Is it going to be a six-week, four-week, five-week, eight-week practice?” Patterson asked rhetorically.
“I want to be ready to go,” when it’s time for team activities to start. To that end, Patterson said would rather use his time now to plan for a variety of scenarios so he can focus on his players once everyone is able to return. “It may be overkill, but I’d rather be over prepared than under prepared.”
