Could TCU poach its next coach from the Big 12? Here’s the latest candidate to emerge.
TCU has its eyes on a fellow Big 12 coach to potentially replace Gary Patterson.
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell is someone TCU is “definitely interested” in, sources told the Star-Telegram on Sunday night. It’s unknown how much interest Campbell has in the position.
But sources told the Star-Telegram earlier Sunday that three candidates have emerged as the strongest with the search nearing its one-week mark. Patterson and TCU parted ways on Oct. 31, and a national search got underway the following day.
Campbell would be a home-run hire if TCU is able to lure him from Ames. He has coached the Cyclones since 2016, gaining bowl eligibility the past five seasons. Last year’s Iowa State team reached the Big 12 championship, falling to Oklahoma, but went on to win the Fiesta Bowl and finish No. 9 in the country.
Campbell’s first head coaching job was at Toledo from 2011-15 as he reached four bowl games in five years.
Campbell, 41, is a three-time Big 12 coach of the year and just signed an extension through 2028 last offseason. His contract has a $4 million buyout should he leave for another job, something that TCU would gladly pay should Campbell become the top choice.
That goes for any candidate, of course. Once TCU determines the right person for the job, a buyout is not expected to stand in the way.
Campbell has a career record of 3-2 against TCU, including winning the past two games in 2019 and 2020. TCU travels to Iowa State for the 2021 regular-season finale on Black Friday, Nov. 26.
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati listed off his desired credentials for the next head coach, saying he’d prefer a sitting head coach from an offensive background. Campbell checks every box as he was Toledo’s offensive coordinator before becoming its head coach.
Along with Campbell, TCU’s list of known candidates includes SMU’s Sonny Dykes, Louisiana’s Billy Napier, Jackson State’s Deion Sanders, Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Denver Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins.
Among the names you can cross off the list include UTSA’s Jeff Traylor and former coaches such as Chris Petersen. A source said that everyone TCU is interested in is currently coaching.
It’s unknown which of the group has emerged as the three strongest but Campbell would certainly make the cut, if interested.
As one source said, “It’ll come down to who is the best fit for TCU and who gives us the best chance to be successful in the near term.”
Donati said he would like to have the next coach in place by early December with the early signing period for the 2022 class starting Dec. 15.
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 8:34 PM.
