TCU’s dream of winning CFP title quickly became a nightmare
January 10, 2023 GMTINGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — TCU coach Sonny Dykes sensed something wasn't right with his team when they came into the locker room after pregame warmups for Monday night's College Football Playoff championship game against Georgia.
Dykes, Smart stump for changes to recruiting calendar
January 8, 2023 GMTEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The College Football Playoff championship on Monday night is the biggest game of TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ career. But it didn’t have his full attention this week.
“Look, we were preparing this week for a national championship game and we had six transfers on campus on an official visit.
Column: A round of applause, please, for playoff-crasher TCU
January 6, 2023 GMTLet's all give a round of applause to TCU, the interloper at this year's national championship game.
The Horned Frogs might not win the title — reigning champ Georgia is a two-touchdown favorite heading into the game Monday night — but they've given the College Football Playoff something it desperately needed.
3-3-5: Atypical defense takes TCU to national title game
January 6, 2023 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes needed only about five minutes with Joe Gillespie to know that he wanted the defensive coordinator who wields an atypical 3-3-5 base scheme on his staff at TCU.
TCU’s defense holds on in Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan
January 1, 2023 GMTGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — TCU's defense, built for speed, turned off Michigan's power in a dominating first half.
When the Fiesta Bowl turned into a touchdown party, the Horned Frogs kept the lights on just long enough to earn a chance to play for their first national championship since 1938.
No. 3 TCU upsets No. 2 Michigan 51-45 in wild CFP semifinal
January 1, 2023 GMTGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — TCU's wild ride has one more stop.
The Horned Frogs are headed to Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, about 10 miles from Hollywood, just about the perfect place to end a storybook season for the most improbable College Football Playoff team.
No. 3 TCU beats No. 2 Michigan 51-45 in CFP semifinal
January 1, 2023 GMTGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Max Duggan accounted for four touchdowns, TCU returned two interceptions for scores and the third-ranked Horned Frogs withstood a frenetic second-half surge by No. 2 Michigan to win the Fiesta Bowl 51-45 on Saturday night and advance to the College Football Playoff national championship.
TCU brings ‘fight for credibility’ to CFP against Michigan
December 31, 2022 GMTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A day before facing off in the College Football Playoff, TCU's Sonny Dykes and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh talked fondly about the fathers they followed into coaching and a time when they might have shared more than a stage for one final pregame press conference.
No. 2 Michigan faces No. 3 TCU in Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal
December 31, 2022 GMTCollege Football Playoff
Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Michigan (13-0) vs. No. 3 TCU (12-1), Saturday, 4 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)
FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Michigan by 7 1/2.
Dykes: Nine-game Big 12 schedule a grind others don’t face
December 29, 2022 GMTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Sonny Dykes appeared to take a veiled shot at the mighty Southeastern Conference on Thursday morning.
The first-year TCU coach later said he was actually trying to pay the SEC a compliment.
Johnston’s patience during TCU coaching change pays off big
December 29, 2022 GMTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Quentin Johnston had options when picking his college destination, eventually deciding on TCU because of the two decades of coaching stability provided by Gary Patterson.
TCU’s cornerbacks 2 examples of transfer portal success
December 27, 2022 GMTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson knows a good cornerback when he sees one — no matter if the school's three letters are ULM or TCU.
So when he heard that the Horned Frogs were looking to add Louisiana-Monroe transfer Josh Newton, the first-team AP All-America cornerback immediately wanted to see if the new guy could make the jump from the Sun Belt Conference to the Big 12.
TCU’s Sonny Dykes at home, coaching 1st CFP team from Texas
December 26, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes was nearing the end of a season as an off-field offensive analyst, and pondering his next move.
Fired from his previous head coaching job and with three young kids at home, the son of longtime college coach Spike Dykes even considered a career change after more than two decades in football.
TCU’s Sonny Dykes named Associated Press coach of the Year
December 19, 2022 GMTTCU's Sonny Dykes was named The Associated Press Coach of the Year on Monday after leading the No. 3 Horned Frogs to the College Football Playoff in his first season with the school.
Dykes received 37 of 46 first-place votes and 120 points from AP Top 25 voters to become the second TCU to win the award, which is presented by Regions Bank.
Remembering the Pirate: Reaction to death of Mike Leach
December 13, 2022 GMTSome of the reaction around college football following the death of veteran college football coach Mike Leach:
TCU dominates AP Big 12 honors, led by QB Duggan and Dykes
December 9, 2022 GMTTCU quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan is The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player of the year in a unanimous vote, as was the selection of Sonny Dykes for coach of the year after his first season with the Horned Frogs.
TCU’s Garrett Riley is Broyles Award winner as top assistant
December 6, 2022 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — TCU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley is the winner of the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation, the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation announced Tuesday.
TCU’s dream season leads to Fiesta Bowl tilt vs. Michigan
December 5, 2022 GMTSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — TCU had done nearly all it could to complete a massive turnaround under first-year coach Sonny Dykes, putting itself in position to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
No. 2 Michigan faces No. 3 TCU in College Football Playoff
December 4, 2022 GMTFIESTA BOWL
No. 2 Michigan (13-0, No. 2 College Football Playoff) vs. No. 3 TCU (12-1, No. 3 CFP), Dec. 31, 4 p.m. EST, ESPN
TCU takes its CFP hopes into Big 12 title game vs K-State
December 1, 2022 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — It has been quite a comeback for third-ranked TCU, one much bigger than that 18-point deficit the Horned Frogs erased to beat Kansas State six weeks ago.
A year after Sonny Dykes became their coach, the Frogs (12-0, 9-0 Big 12, No.
Big 12 coaches tab Duggan, Anudike-Uzomah as top players
December 1, 2022 GMTIRVING, Texas (AP) — TCU quarterback Max Duggan was named the Big 12's offensive player of the year Wednesday by the league's coaches, and Kansas State end Felix Anudike-Uzomah was picked as the top defensive player.
TCU QB Duggan goes from losing job to winning every game
November 29, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Without Max Duggan, the fourth-year quarterback who had lost his starting job going into this season, third-ranked TCU might not be undefeated, getting ready for the Big 12 championship game and on the verge of making the College Football Playoff.
TCU has definite CFP route after rout of ISU in 12th game
November 27, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Third-ranked TCU has a definite route to the playoff after another regular season-ending rout of Iowa State.
Tired No. 4 TCU has done its job for playoff so far at 11-0
November 20, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — There will be some people who look at how fourth-ranked TCU is still undefeated going into the final week of the regular season, and they will question if the Horned Frogs really deserve to be part of the playoff discussion.
Top 25 Takeaways: Contenders live on edge, where TCU thrives
November 20, 2022 GMTCollege Football Playoff contenders lived on the edge in Week 12, with the top four teams all teetering to varying degrees and at various points. Then No. 5 Tennessee went down with a thud.
No. 4 TCU still undefeated after game-ending FG at Baylor
November 19, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Fourth-ranked TCU had players shuffling on and off the field as the final seconds were ticking off the clock. Kicker Griffin Kell was the last one to get into place.
“That looked like chaos, but we practice it every Thursday exactly like that,” Frogs coach Sonny Dykes said.
No. 4 TCU still more to play for at Baylor with B12 spot set
November 17, 2022 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — There have been times in Sonny Dykes' coaching career when he was up all night at the start of each new week, trying to think of ways to motivate his team and keep players focused on the present.
Big 12 teams enter final stretch knowing there are no gimmes
November 15, 2022 GMTWith two weeks left in the regular season, six teams remain alive for the second spot in the Big 12 championship game and others are still trying to become bowl-eligible.
Based on how the season has played out so far, it’s likely many of these final games will be close.
No. 4 TCU tops No. 18 Texas 17-10 to earn Big 12 title berth
November 13, 2022 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — TCU was far from pretty against Texas, yet the Horned Frogs are still undefeated and playing for a Big 12 championship.
And maybe even bigger things to come.
Kendre Miller rushed for 138 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter that broke open a tense defensive struggle, and No.
Duggan and No. 4 TCU chasing playoff at No. 18 Texas
November 10, 2022 GMTNo. 4 TCU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12, No. 4 CFP) at No. 18 Texas (6-3, 4-2, No. 18 CFP), Saturday 7:30 p.m. EST (ABC)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Texas by 7
No. 4 TCU’s bid for playoff, Big 12 arrives at No. 18 Texas
November 10, 2022 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The big picture is laid out before No. 4 TCU, and the Horned Frogs have everything to play for.
They are undefeated and in striking range of clinching a berth in the Big 12 title game.
Georgia is new CFP No. 1, followed by Ohio St, Michigan, TCU
November 9, 2022 GMTGeorgia was the new No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night, followed by Ohio State, Michigan and TCU.
The Bulldogs' rise from No. 3 was no surprise after their dominant victory against previously top-ranked Tennessee on Saturday.
No. 7 TCU knows winning only factor in CFP talk; Tech next
November 3, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Even before undefeated Big 12 leader TCU was seventh in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, coach Sonny Dykes talked about how that wouldn't have any impact on his team.
No. 7 TCU, West Virginia heading in different directions
October 27, 2022 GMTNo. 7 TCU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-4, 1-3), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET. (ESPN)
Line: TCU by 7 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Focused Frogs: TCU now 7th after 4th win in row over Top 25
October 23, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU coach Sonny Dykes is not hearing what could be expected from his players as they keep winning games, and that is a good thing.
No. 8 TCU rallies again to beat No. 17 K-State for B12 lead
October 23, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan, Kendre Miller and their TCU teammates certainly don't get fazed by double-digit deficits in the second half. For the second week in a row, they just came back to win and stay undefeated.
Big 12 lead at stake when No. 8 TCU hosts No. 17 Kansas St.
October 20, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman and TCU's Sonny Dykes provide similar descriptions about the focus of their teams, while players from both sides think much the same way.
Sonny forecast at No. 8 TCU with Horned Frogs undefeated
October 20, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes and TCU have gotten halfway through their first regular season together still undefeated, a fact the coach succinctly put into perspective.
TCU rallies for 43-40 win in 2 OTs over No. 8 Oklahoma St
October 16, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan and No. 13 TCU found themselves down in a hurry in their biggest game so far with coach Sonny Dykes.
When it was all over against eighth-ranked Oklahoma State, the Horned Frogs were getting swarmed by their fans after needing some extra time to wrap up an impressive comeback.
Duggan exceling for No. 13 TCU after he lost starting QB job
October 13, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan has certainly surprised new TCU coach Sonny Dykes, who has even gotten emotional talking about the fourth-year quarterback who went from losing his job to being one of nation's most efficient passers.
Duggan, Johnston lead No. 17 TCU past Kansas; Daniels hurt
October 8, 2022 GMTLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Max Duggan almost single-handedly carried TCU to wins in its first four games. Against Kansas, another threat emerged for the Horned Frogs, and that should concern defensive coordinators across the Big 12.
No. 17 TCU heads to No. 19 Kansas with Big 12 lead on line
October 6, 2022 GMTLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Sonny Dykes has built winning programs all over the country, from Louisiana Tech to California to SMU and now TCU, where he has the Horned Frogs ranked in the Top 25 for the first time in more than three years.
Big 12′s October oddity: TCU-Kansas trumps Red River rivalry
October 6, 2022 GMTSome things to watch in Week 6 of the Big 12 season:
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas. An unexpected matchup of undefeated teams on the second Saturday in October when the Big 12 is usually focused on the Red River rivalry.
No. 18 Oklahoma to TCU looking to bounce back from home loss
September 29, 2022 GMTNo. 18 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) at TCU (3-0, 0-0), noon ET, Saturday (ABC)
Line: Oklahoma by 6 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
TCU provides Dykes happy “homecoming,” defeats SMU 42-34
September 24, 2022 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Max Duggan completed 22 of 29 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns and Emari Demercado ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in TCU’s 42-34 win over SMU on Saturday as coach Sonny Dykes’ Frogs won the Iron Skillet rivalry game against the program that he coached the previous four seasons.
Dykes seeks another DFW rivalry win, for TCU instead of SMU
September 22, 2022 GMTTCU (2-0) at SMU (2-1), noon ET, Saturday (ESPNU)
Line: TCU by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Sonny on other side: Big change for TCU-SMU rivalry in DFW
September 22, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes is now on the other side of the SMU-TCU rivalry, a 100-game series reinvigorated by two wins he had with the Mustangs before moving to become coach of the Big 12 program on the opposite end of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Duggan 5 TD passes and TCU 2-0 under Dykes after 59-17 win
September 11, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan completed 23 of 29 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns as TCU won its home opener 59-17 over lower-division Tarleton State on Saturday night, making Sonny Dykes the first new Horned Frogs coach to win his first two games since Dutch Meyer in 1934.
Sonny Dykes is set for home opener as TCU hosts Tarleton
September 8, 2022 GMTTarleton (1-0) at TCU (1-0), 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
TCU starting QB Morris out with sprained knee from opener
September 5, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU quarterback Chandler Morris has a sprained left knee and will miss the next game for the Horned Frogs.
Chandler got hurt late in the third quarter of TCU's season-opening 38-13 win at Colorado on Friday night.
TCU cruises by Colorado 38-13 to kick off Sonny Dykes era
September 3, 2022 GMTBOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Derius Davis scored on a 60-yard punt return and a 27-yard reverse to help TCU open the Sonny Dykes era with a 38-13 win over Colorado on Friday night.
Dykes took over for longtime TCU coach Gary Patterson after spending the last four seasons at SMU, where he revived the program.
Horned Frogs travel to Colorado to kick off Sonny Dykes era
September 1, 2022 GMTTCU (0-0) at Colorado (0-0), Friday, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: TCU by 13 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Big 12 changed offensive identity over years, lot new in ’22
August 30, 2022 GMTNew TCU coach Sonny Dykes saw a drastic shift in Big 12 offenses during his first stint in the conference in the early 2000s.
Now that he's come back, he sees the times are a-changin' still.
TCU could play 3 QBs, Dykes not saying who takes 1st snap
August 29, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Duggan has started 29 games as TCU's quarterback and Chandler Morris had 531 yards of total offense in his only full game last fall. New Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes still hasn't said which of them will take the first snap in the season opener Friday night at Colorado.
Dykes opens things up at TCU since replacing Patterson
August 19, 2022 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU senior linebacker Dee Winters and his teammates certainly weren't used to the sometimes carnival-like atmosphere during spring practice with fans around the field watching their every move.
Ties to Texas, Big 12 bind coaching newcomers Dykes, McGuire
July 14, 2022 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two of the three new head coaches in the Big 12 aren't really new at all when it comes to the state of Texas, the conference and the traditional Dallas-area home of the league's football media days.
SMU, Virginia meet in first Fenway Park D-1 bowl game
December 6, 2021 GMTSMU (8-4, American Athletic Conference) vs. Virginia (6-6 ACC), Dec. 29, 11:00 a.m. ET
Dykes introduced at TCU, always knowing what it could be
November 30, 2021 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes got an up-close look at TCU during one season working as an offensive analyst for the head coach he would replace four years later. The Texas native and son of a former Southwest Conference coach knew a lot about the school long before then.
TCU announces SMU’s Dykes as new coach after campus arrival
November 30, 2021 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Sonny Dykes landed as TCU's coach Monday night, arriving at the purple-lit stadium in a helicopter that settled down near midfield.
After weeks of speculation, TCU announced his hiring when welcoming Dykes back to the Fort Worth campus to meet with his new team.
SMU names former OC Rhett Lashlee as coach, replacing Dykes
November 29, 2021 GMTDALLAS (AP) — SMU hired Rhett Lashlee as its new head coach Monday, bringing back its former offensive coordinator to replace Sonny Dykes.
Lashlee had been Miami's offensive coordinator for two seasons after serving in the same role for the Mustangs during Dykes' first two seasons in 2018 and 2019.
Ridder does everything for No. 3 Cincinnati in rout of SMU
November 21, 2021 GMTCINCINNATI (AP) — Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes, ran for another score and even caught a TD pass to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past SMU 48-14 on Saturday.
Alec Pierce had a pair of TD catches for the Bearcats (11-0, 7-0 American Athletic).
From Sooner to SMU, Mordecai starts with record 37 TD passes
November 17, 2021 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Tanner Mordecai has already set a single-season SMU record with 37 touchdown passes after finally getting his opportunity to be a starting quarterback, which is no surprise to the former Oklahoma teammate he recruited to join him on the Hilltop.
NFL Prospect Watch: Return star Marcus Jones of Houston
November 12, 2021 GMTWhy would they kick to him?
That was the obvious question after Houston's Marcus Jones returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown with 17 seconds left in an Oct. 30 game against SMU, giving the Cougars a 44-37 victory and ending the Mustangs' bid for an unbeaten season.
No. 23 SMU visits Memphis, aims to bounce back from 1st loss
November 4, 2021 GMTCoach Sonny Dykes believes his No. 23 SMU Mustangs are still in a good spot with plenty of time to rebound from their first loss and win the American Athletic Conference championship.
That doesn't change the fact he wishes his Mustangs hadn’t kicked directly to a dangerous returner who went 100 yards for a touchdown with 17 seconds to stun SMU.
No. 19 SMU visits Houston, looking to improve to 8-0
October 28, 2021 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — No. 19 SMU has been in this position before.
The Mustangs (7-0, 3-0 American Athletic) enter Saturday’s game at Houston (6-1, 4-0) among the group atop of the league standings with a month left in the season.
Mordecai throws 3 more TDs, No. 21 SMU beats Tulane 55-26
October 22, 2021 GMTDALLAS (AP) — SMU coach Sonny Dykes saw the best first half of the season from his team, which made it easier to excuse a drop-off after halftime.
Tanner Mordecai threw three touchdown passes to push his nation-leading total to 29, ran for another score and No.
No. 24 SMU rallies, stays unbeaten with 31-24 win over Navy
October 10, 2021 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The last thing No. 24 SMU needed was to fall too far behind against a methodical Navy team.
The moment the Mustangs seemed like they might be in trouble, Bryan Massey turned the game around with a long kickoff return.
SMU’s Dykes apologizes to TCU over postgame flag scuffle
September 26, 2021 GMTFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — SMU coach Sonny Dykes reiterated his respect for TCU and apologized for any attempt by his players to plant a flag at midfield after a brief scuffle broke out following the Mustangs' 42-34 victory at the home of the Horned Frogs.
Rising Again: Fueled by culture, South winning football race
August 18, 2019 GMTSonny Dykes has spent most of his career coaching and recruiting football players in his home state of Texas and around the South. When he became a head coach in the Pac-12, he found an unfamiliar environment at some high school games in California.