TCU football has found its next defensive line coach, bringing in former OU standout
TCU football has landed its defensive line coach.
The program announced Thursday that JaMarkus McFarland, who spent the past three seasons at Stephen F. Austin, is joining Sonny Dykes’ staff. McFarland recently joined Louisiana Tech’s staff under former TCU offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie, but he’s found a better opportunity in Fort Worth.
The Frogs had a D-line coach opening with Chidera Uzo-Diribe recently leaving to become outside linebackers coach at Georgia. Along with McFarland, sources indicated that Keller Fossil Ridge product and former Tulsa and Arkansas defensive line coach Jermial Ashley, as well as UTSA co-defensive coordinator and D-line coach Rod Wright, were among the candidates considered for the position.
McFarland, 31, is originally from Lufkin, playing on the same high school team as former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. McFarland, a five-star prospect coming out of high school, went on to have a standout college career at Oklahoma, being named an All-Big 12 freshman in 2009 and being a three-time Academic All-Big 12 first-team member. The Sooners won three Big 12 championships and earned two berths in the College Football Playoff when McFarland played.
McFarland briefly pursued a professional career before joining OU’s staff as a graduate assistant from 2016-18. He then went to Stephen F. Austin for three seasons before the stop at Louisiana Tech and now TCU.
Last season, SFA had 40 sacks, including 27 sacks combined by three defensive linemen coached by McFarland. SFA ranked No. 3 in the country in sacks last season.
TCU is looking to improve its pass rush as it ranked last in the Big 12 in sacks last season with 15. The Frogs return Dylan Horton in 2022. Horton tied for the team lead with four sacks last season. Fellow defensive end Ochaun Mathis also had four sacks on the year, but he entered the NCAA transfer portal last month.
TCU’s spring practices start on March 22 with the spring game set for Friday, April 22 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 10:43 AM.
