All three privates would do so much better if they could put together a quality staff and keep them together for a few years.

TCUs ascension was aided by several factors including - a quality staff that has largely remained intact, recruiting and coaching at a high level, and seven years beating up on the absolutely dreadful MWC, where they averaged 11 wins a season. That's gonna build some confidence and a fan base.

Their administration has made smart moves when it comes to Conferences, breaking free from SMU, Rice, and Tulsa to make their own path. They have invested heavily in football and it paid off with a golden ticket to the Big 12. And to their credit, they have remained competitive and relevant in the much more competitive Big 12.

After leaving Cal, Sonny spent a year at TCU observing the program and learning what works there - or at least that were his words. I hope that is true. Because he is a coach who I think "could" be SMUs version of Gary Patterson, minus about 75 lbs. He is recruiting some outstanding players, and working the grad/transfer market very effectively, which usually works quite well with Dallas kids getting homesick.

2019 will be a key year to see if we can get back to a bowl, and see if our grad transfer QB (Shane Buechele) is another Garret Gilbert, or Rafe Peavey, Sonny just landed another transfer Cam'ron Jones. There are always going to be a few highly recruited Dallas kids who just want to come home.