Around the Horned with Brian Estridge
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 9, 2006
Finally it's here. The much anticipated home opener. A chance to show the world that TCU belongs. Or as Jeff Ballard so aptly put it at the Mountain West Conference media days in San Diego, "a chance to prove everyone right."
I like that way of thinking. Jeff and I are on the same page. At least I thought we were ... until I spoke with the head coach of the Frogs.
Gary Patterson always seems to bring me back to reality. I like his way of thinking, too. I mentioned to Gary that things were different this year, the Frogs being favored and all.
We discussed the talk of the BCS and undefeated seasons and such. And every time I did, he grimaced. He frowned at the BCS talk, bristled when I mentioned rolling through the schedule, and almost walked out when I asked him what it felt liked to be favored to win the league again.
He was uncomfortable. Don't misunderstand; he wants to accomplish all of that as much as the next Frog. He works hard to make sure that it happens everyday. It's just not a position of strength for Gary-being the favorite that is. And it's been that way his entire life.
Coming out of Pawnee Heights High School near Rozell, Kansas, he wanted nothing more than to play college ball, and Kansas State was his first choice. But comments that he was "too small" and "not fast enough" from the recruiters forced him to junior college first. Not to be denied, he eventually transferred to Kansas State and proved everyone wrong. As a young coach out of college, he was told on many occasions that he needed to stick to the high school ranks. He "didn't have the pedigree" and "didn't have the connections" to make it at the college level. But with 11 stops in 13 years, he built his own pedigree and list of connections at colleges and universities all around the country. From Sonoma, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., no place was too far out of the way for Gary to gain experience. (And believe me, that is true, I have been to Cookeville, Tennessee!)
After the vagabond years as an assistant, it came time for the call to be a head coach. He had worked for it all his life, but the doubters were there again. "Doesn't look the part" and "not polished enough" were bantered about. But once again, his abilities rose above others' expectations. Recognized as one of the "bright young stars" in college coaching now, he shuns the label and the hype. Instead, he prefers to talk about his kids (his players) who are working hard for him now or who have already proven themselves in the real world.
The gist of the story that Gary Patterson was trying to tell me in his body language during our morning visit in August, is that he is much more comfortable as an underdog. He has been that way his whole life and his team plays better that way, he thinks. He's not comfortable with the "favored" role.
I guess that's why he convinced me that this season isn't about proving everyone right. No, he rolled off a whole list of doubters for me that morning. He convinced me, as a matter of fact, that this year for him and for his team, is still about proving everyone wrong. The life of an underdog...sorry, Jeff Ballard, I think I kind of like it.
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information superhighway, I'm Brian Estridge. I'll see you on the radio today!
