After the notable struggles on the defensive side of the ball last season, hiring former TCU head coach Gary Patterson was a fantastic move by Steve Sarkisian in any capacity.
While many assumed Patterson would take on more of an analyst role behind the scenes, the school announced that he would serve as the special assistant to the head coach.
Sarkisian is continuing to make positive strides to improve Texas’ football program, both with fantastic hires as well as a strong recruiting class. The Longhorns have added Brennan Marion, Tashard Choice and Gary Patterson to the staff this offseason, while also signing a top five recruiting class for the 2022 cycle.
The future of the Texas football program is trending upwards, and while results still need to be produced on the field, it’s clear that Sarkisian just “gets it” off of the field.
ESPN’s Alex Scarborough recently detailed the thought process behind Texas’ hiring of Patterson. Sarkisian notably mentioned the success that Alabama head coach Nick Saban has had with similar hiring’s.
Quite frankly, I got some of that idea from Coach Saban. You know, in my time in Alabama, you know, how many head coaches have come through there in analyst type roles? I know a lot has been made of that benefited their own — like myself, my own personal career. But I like to think some of those guys help benefit what Alabama was able to do as well. So hopefully, this is a two-way street.
We are all aware of Patterson’s impressive defensive mind and the success he had while at TCU, but Sarkisian mentioned how his knowledge of the conference and relationships within the state will have an impact on the recruiting trail.
But for me, more than anything, this guy knows our conference really well. He knows the recruiting landscape in the state of Texas really well. Twenty-four years later, he’s still here. He still knows the coaches.
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