Steve Sarkisian explains how experience under Nick Saban led him to hire Gary Patterson

Steve Sarkisian explained how his experience under Nick Saban led him to hire Gary Patterson to the Texas staff. As the Alabama head coach has implemented a system for former head coaches to contribute with the Crimson Tide, Sarkisian is doing the same with the Longhorns.

“Adding Gary Patterson on staff, as kind of my special assistant, in an area I just kind of lean back into my time at Alabama and Coach Saban,” stated Sarkisian. “That was not uncommon for head coaches that maybe were taking a year or two to come on board at Alabama. When I was there, my last year, I think we had five former head coaches on staff. Actually six former head coaches on staff. Four of which were analysts at that time.

“So, anytime you can get somebody with the wealth of experience and knowledge — 21 years as a head coach in the Big 12 conference in the state of Texas. Just a valuable asset for us on a lot of fronts. So, we’re excited to have him on-board, as well.”

As Sarkisian mentions, Patterson has immense experience in the position the Texas coach is getting used to. To have such a talented coach to lean back on for wisdom will be invaluable for Steve Sarkisian and Texas.

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Moreover, Steve Sarkisian hired Gary Patterson to assist defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and his staff, looking to improve on poor results from last season. Texas was one of the worst defenses in the Big 12, giving up 426 yards per game. Being able to stop the run was a major issue for the Longhorns.

Now, the man who continually got results against Texas will be joining the Longhorns. Since TCU joined the Big 12 back in 2012, Patterson was able to win seven of the nine matchups. Although Steve Sarkisian got his sole victory during the 2021 season, Patterson swept Charlie Strong (3-0), had a winning record against Tom Herman (2-1), and split matchups with Mack Brown (1-1).

Brown and Patterson did meet up in 2007 as a nonconference game, with Texas winning out.

Patterson will have different colors on for the first time since the 1998 season when TCU hired him as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He was promoted to head coach before the 2000 season and was in Fort Worth for just over two decades.

The Horned Frogs program reached a level it never has before. The team contended for national championships during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. A Rose Bowl win over the Wisconsin Badgers was the peak under Patterson, finishing with a perfect 13-0 record and No. 2 in the AP poll after Oregon lost in the national championship to Auburn.

Patterson has widely been known for his intense defensive scheme. He has put countless players into the NFL, especially in the secondary. Now, he will work with Texas, a school that has struggled to cover in the Big 12 for years now.