TCU to dedicate Patterson statue Saturday

TCU is dedicating statues next weekend to three of its best-known football figures — Davey O’Brien, Dutch Meyer and Gary Patterson.

Which makes Patterson shake his head.

It’s not exactly his kind of thing.

“I’m not dead, I’m not retired,” he said with a smile.

But in his way, he seems proud of the honor. TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini said in December that Patterson finally agreed to be honored with a statue, and Patterson said it was time the donor long pushing for the project got to see it through to completion.

“I’m humbled that somebody would want to do it, the university would want to do it,” Patterson said after Thursday’s practice. “But we’ve got football games to win.”

The statue dedications at 10:30 a.m. Saturday outside Schollmaier Arena are part of a long weekend of activities for TCU.

Thursday morning, the school hosts its Pro Day for NFL scouts and coaches at the Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility. That night, after practice, Patterson hosts a dinner at his home for TCU players who are in the NFL.

Friday, the school hosts recruits on campus. Friday night, the spring game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium, the last of 15 spring practices.

Saturday, in addition to the statue dedications, the school hosts a letterman luncheon as part of its alumni weekend.

“By Sunday, we’ll be ready to rest,” Patterson said.

Patterson on Dixon

Patterson provided a tour of the football facilities for new basketball coach Jamie Dixon last week and pledged his support.

“Obviously, he wouldn’t have come here if he didn’t think they had the potential to do the things they need to do,” he said. “I’ll help him in any way I can, like I have every other sport, to become successful.”

Patterson said he has known Dixon “for a while.” He said they hadn’t had a chance to sit down and talk yet, but he’s committed to helping the new coach.

“Around here, it’s really hard to be selfish,” he said. “You don’t have time to be selfish. We all win. I help everybody else with recruiting I can. They can bring anybody through my office. You never win if you take your ball home, not in the long run.”

Spring notables

Patterson said receivers John Diarse and Isaiah Graham have been standouts in spring practice.

“Unbelievably mature,” Patterson said of Diarse, a graduate transfer from LSU. “He’ll start on all special teams. Will push at the Y position.”

Diarse, 6-1, 209, graduated in three years from LSU and played in 2014 and 2015, catching 28 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns. The Horned Frogs hope he can help make up for the production loss from Josh Doctson and Kolby Listenbee.

“And probably the guy that stands out as much as any of them is Isaiah Graham,” Patterson said.

JUCO help

Patterson said junior college safety Markell Simmons has been “unbelievable” in pushing sophomore Niko Small.

“We have two guys pretty even,” Patterson said.

He also said guard Chris Gaynor and receiver Taj Williams, both junior college transfers who enrolled early, are having good springs.

Simmons, Gaynor and Williams are three of four junior college transfers in spring practice. Defensive end Mat Boesen is also participating, along with four early enrollees out of high school.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "TCU to dedicate Patterson statue Saturday."