By Jamie Plunkett
Frogs Today staff writer
Just over a week after offensive coordinator Garrett Riley left TCU for Clemson, TCU has found his replacement.
Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is expected to take the same post with the Horned Frogs following three seasons with the Razorbacks, sources confirmed to Frogs Today. Briles signed an extension with Arkansas less than two weeks ago, but will now make his way to Fort Worth.
Frogs Today broke the news that Briles was TCU’s leading candidate on Saturday, and the two sides spent the past few days ironing out details in his contract.
Briles has spent the past eight seasons as the offensive coordinator at various universities.
The Razorbacks had the No. 15 offense in the country in 2022, averaging over 471 yards and 32.5 points per game.
Under Briles’ leadership, K.J. Jefferson has developed into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. Jefferson finished the 2022 season with 2,648 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 68 percent of his passes while also rushing for 640 yards and nine touchdowns.
Prior to his time at Arkansas, Briles spent one season as Florida State’s offensive coordinator. The coaching turmoil that season — head coach Willie Taggert was fired in week three — ensured that it was a short stint for Briles in Tallahassee.
Before his short stint at Florida State, Briles spent the 2017 season at his alma mater, Houston. Briles coached the Cougars and quarterback D’Eriq King to the No. 2 offense in the country before King was injured.
Prior to his time at Florida State, Briles spent one season with Florida Atlantic.
Briles was also at Baylor as offensive coordinator under his father, Art Briles, staying on staff under Jim Grobe after his father’s dismissal from the program. The senior Briles, along with Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw, and president Ken Starr, were all removed from their positions with the university following a series of rapes and sexual assaults stemming from the Baylor football program.
Briles inherits a TCU offense that loses eight starters from the 2022 season, with Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, Kendre Miller, Derius Davis, Taye Barber, Steve Avila, Alan Ali, and Wes Harris all graduating or entering the 2023 NFL Draft. TCU’s offense ranked 27th in the country this season, as the Frogs reached the College Football Playoff for the first time.
Jamie Plunkett, jamie@frogstoday.com
