SMU's Sonny Dykes Reportedly Emerges as Frontrunner to Become Next TCU HC

SMU head football coach Sonny Dykes is reportedly the "frontrunner" to become TCU's next head coach, according to Blake Brockermeyer, Jeremy Clark, Billy Embody and Chris Hummer of 247Sports.com.

Per that report, "Dykes has contract offers in front of him from both TCU and SMU with each deal valued at over $4 million a year, per sources."

TCU is reportedly looking to make a hire by Sunday to replace Gary Patterson, who was fired on Oct. 31 after 20 years leading the program. Jerry Kill has been serving as interim head coach.

Patterson was 181-79 during his time at the school and was an impressive 7-3 against Texas, helping put TCU's football program back on the map.

"The story of Gary Patterson and the rise in the fortunes of the TCU football program over the last 20 years is clearly one of the most remarkable in the history of college football," athletic director Jeremiah Donati said in a statement at the time. "We are grateful to Gary and Kelsey Patterson and appreciate everything they have meant to TCU and the Fort Worth community. Under his leadership, TCU has become a nationally recognized brand name in football and in collegiate athletics."

But the Horned Frogs are a disappointing 5-6 on the season, which included a 42-34 loss against SMU in September. That ushered in the end of Patterson's time at the helm, though replacing him will require filling some pretty big shoes.

Dykes would bring a solid resume to Fort Worth. He's gone 71-62 in his career, with head coaching stints at Louisiana Tech (2010-12), California (2013-16) and SMU (2017-present). Under his watch, the Mustangs have gone 30-17, including an 8-3 mark this year, and played in two bowl games.

It's unclear if Dykes would continue coaching SMU, which is bowl eligible, through the rest of the season or join TCU immediately if he chooses the Horned Frogs' offer.