Jamie Plunkett
Frogs Today staff writer
With news breaking Thursday that TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley is heading to Clemson to take the same position with the Tigers, coach Sonny Dykes is now on the hunt for a new assistant coach.
It’s the third time Dykes has been tasked with replacing an assistant since taking the TCU job. Running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples and defensive line coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe took jobs with the Los Angeles Rams and Georgia Bulldogs after just a few months in Fort Worth.
Dykes did well in replacing them both. Anthony Jones Jr. coached Kendre Miller to the best single season for a running back since LaDainian Tomlinson was still on campus. Defensive line coach JaMarkus McFarland took a true freshman defensive tackle, a converted high school safety and several transfers, and turned them into a strong defensive front.
Of course, there’s a difference in replacing a position coach and a coordinator, but Dykes has shown he’s capable of identifying coaching talent.
The criteria for the open coordinator role are straightforward: Texas ties, play-calling experience at the G5 level or better, respect for the run game, and a connection to the Air Raid offense.
