TCU RB sends message to administration, Deion Sanders on head coaching search

On3 imageby:Ashton Pollard11/12/21

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TCU is searching for a new head coach after firing Gary Patterson, and running back Zach Evans is not holding back on who he thinks should take over the Horned Frogs football team.

Sanders is currently in his second season as the head coach at Jackson State, and the Tigers are 8-1 this year. A report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported earlier this week that Sanders is “squarely in the mix” for the Big 12 opening after impressing the Horned Frogs’ brass in his first interview for the gig.

The head coach is a former Florida State defensive back and All-American and is widely considered to be one of the best NFL players of all time. He is a member of both the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame and won two Super Bowls and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Sanders was also a part-time professional baseball player for four MLB teams.

Earlier this week, Sanders was released from the hospital after complications from a foot surgery.

Other candidates in the mix at TCU include Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, Nevada head coach Jay Norvell and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Evans already a young leader on offense

Evans, a sophomore, was the first five-star signee in the history of TCU football. The On3 Consensus ranking had him listed as the top running back recruit in Texas in 2020. In his short time in Fort Worth, he has already made a sizable impact.

He leads the team in carries (92) and rushing yards (648) and is averaging seven yards per carry. As a freshman, he averaged 7.7 yards per carry, the second-best average in TCU history.

Unfortunately for TCU, Evans could miss his third consecutive game this weekend as the Horned Frogs face No. 10 Oklahoma State. He suffered a toe injury against Texas Tech on Oct. 9 and was reportedly getting an MRI this week.

“I think he’s questionable,” interim head coach Jerry Kill said on Tuesday. “They haven’t said that, they said it’s better and so forth, but I still think he’s questionable. You know you can’t play running back unless you’re full tilt, full speed, so no I don’t see him playing at this point in time unless I’m told differently.”

TCU is a 12-point underdog on the road in Stillwater. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. CT on Fox.