Special assistant Gary Patterson already ‘really interactive’ at Texas

Gary Patterson Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Gary Patterson Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

As maybe the most exciting addition to the coaching staff so far this offseason for second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas football program, new special assistant to the head coach Gary Patterson looks to be contributing to the team right away. While that doesn’t seem like a huge surprise for the longtime former TCU Horned Frogs head coach to get to work right away knowing his work ethic with his previous Big 12 employer, this is still good to hear as winter workouts closeout.

According to a report from Inside Texas on Feb. 25 (part of the On3 Network, paid content), Patterson is “getting really interactive” with the team thus far and he’s getting a “good feel for the program”. That is great to get word that Patterson seems to be integrating well with the team and coaching staff in particular.

It also sounds like Patterson is getting along well in his work early on with second-year Texas co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Pete Kwiatkowski. This IT report details how many Longhorns faithful would rather have Patterson as the DC over Kwiatkowski in 2022.

New Texas football special assistant Gary Patterson reportedly getting “really interactive” already with the staff this offseason

But the fact of the matter is that Texas is going to give Pete a chance this fall. If his new system is going to work on a consistent basis, there must be some level of patience through the transition process.

Granted, there will be a lot of pressure on Pete this year to improve the results that one of the worst defenses in recent history for Texas posted in 2021.

Moreover, this is part of the reason why Patterson was brought in to join the Texas coaching staff in this special assistant role. He is looking to help Sark, Pete, and the Longhorns better evaluate talent and personnel fit in this defensive system.

Patterson has a long track record of success doing so during his roughly two-decade-long tenure as TCU’s head coach. It will also help that the bright defensive mind of Patterson can readily help Texas prepare for some of the better offenses in the Big 12 this fall.

dark. Next. 3 notable former Texas players still in the portal

Texas finished up last season with a record of 5-7 (3-6 Big 12) following their Black Friday win in the regular season finale over the Kansas State Wildcats. The 2022 season opens up on Sep. 3 at home against Louisiana-Monroe.