TCU hiring Arkansas offensive assistant Mark Cala following Kendal Briles addition
TCU is continuing to add to their offensive coaching staff, bringing former Arkansas quarterback analyst Mark Cala to the Horned Frogs.
On Saturday, Cala took to Twitter to tweet a photo of the TCU mascot, “Excited for this new chapter,” he wrote, revealing he’s following Kendal Briles‘ path.
Afterwards, Matt Zenitz of On3 explained what it all means for the Horned Frogs.
“TCU has hired Arkansas QB analyst Mark Cala to the same position,” tweeted Zenitz. “Cala has worked with new Horned Frogs OC Kendal Briles at FAU, Houston, Florida State, Arkansas and now TCU.”
Moreover, TCU made things official with Kendal Briles last week, announcing he would be their next offensive coordinator, coming over from Fayetteville. A huge hire for head coach Sonny Dykes, poaching from an SEC program.
Continuing, TCU will be the sixth different offensive coordinator job Briles has held throughout his career. Things got started at Baylor before having two Group of Five jobs at Florida Atlantic and Houston. Florida State then hired Briles before making the move over to Fayetteville.
Additionally, Briles has spent the past three seasons with Arkansas, being a key part of the quick turnaround under head coach Sam Pittman. His offense alongside quarterback KJ Jefferson gave the SEC fits, averaging over 30 points per game over the past two years.
Dykes is only in Year Two with TCU and now has his second offensive coordinator. He will be hoping this one sticks as they look to build something long-term with the Horned Frogs.
Kendal Briles replacing Garrett Riley as TCU offensive coordinator
Meanwhile, Briles will have some shoes to fill, replacing Garrett Riley — who accepted the Clemsonoffensive coordinator job shortly after the national championship. TCU was one of the top offenses in the country this year, averaging 38.8 points and 455 yards per game.
Some big names will be leaving Fort Worth as well, with Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, and a slew of offensive linemen heading to the NFL.
Chandler Morris, who originally won the starting quarterback job in September, will return. Some portal additions have been made as well, including three from Alabama (Tommy Brockermeyer, JoJo Earle, and Trey Sanders).
While the personnel might look different, there will still be plenty of offensive talent in Fort Worth. Briles will be hoping for similar results as this past season and to keep the Horned Frogs atop the Big 12.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.