The rumors of an extension for Gary Patterson have officially come to fruition as TCU has announced they have reached an agreement on a two-year extension with their head coach.
And, with the announcement, you can almost -- almost -- officially take him off Notre Dame’s wish list.
Patterson had been rumored as a potential replacement for Charlie Weis, but this extension -- which could keep him at the school through the 2016 season -- seemingly takes him out of the running.
“Gary Patterson is a perfect fit at TCU,” athletics director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “We are most appreciative of the commitment Gary and [wife] Kelsey have made to TCU and Fort Worth.
“There’s tremendous momentum around our football program and in thecommunity. Gary and his staff have done an excellent job. We believe we havethe best coach in America and are excited to have him as a Horned Frog formany years to come.”
There are a couple of items of interest pertaining to Patterson’s contract -- although, with TCU being a private institution, they do not release salary figures -- that should be noted.
One, and according to Patterson himself on the Dan Patrick radio show, there is no buyout in his contract. That would seemingly still make him a very attractive candidate for any high-profile opening. Also, Patterson secured raises for his assistants as part of the new extension.
Add it all up, and it looks as if Patterson will not be anywhere but Fort Worth come the 2010 season. Still, Patterson didn’t completely shut the door on leaving at some point in the future.
“I’ve been here 12 years. I’ve shown my loyalty to TCU,” Patterson said according to a transcription of his interview with Patrick. “And I asked them a year ago to be able to give a little bit back. I never said that I’d never leave. But on the other side of it, I’ve been here a long time and I’ve never left.
“This has been my home up to this point as much as a football coach can call a town and a school a home.”