Former TCU football coach visits New Mexico State football camp

LAS CRUCES – Former Texas Christian football coach Garry Patterson goes back to the late 1980s with New Mexico State football coach Jerry Kill.

Kill's success at NM State in his first year last season didn't go unnoticed by Patterson, who was on the Texas staff after TCU let him go during the 2021 season.

Kill replaced Patterson as the interim coach to close out the 2021 season and was hired at NM State following the season.

"My thought process when they let me go at TCU was to do it early so he could be the interim head coach and kind of show that he still had it," Patterson said. "Enough people were paying attention and saw that he still had it and New Mexico State gave him an opportunity. Not only New Mexico State, but Las Cruces and the area are better because Jerry Kill is in this area of the country."

More: New Mexico State football coach Jerry Kill optimistic entering Year 2

Patterson and Kill both worked under Dennis Franchione at different stages, starting at Pittsburg State, where Patterson replaced Kill as the linebackers coach when Kill was hired at Webb City High School in 1988. Patterson was hired by Franchione at New Mexico as defensive coordinator for two years in 1996-97, where he recruited Brian Urlacher and current Lobos head coach Danny Gonzalez who was a walk-on safety.

The Lobos didn't lose to NM State during Patterson's time at UNM and he interviewed for the head job that went to Rocky Long.

"There is very strong unity in the state with that rivalry and I hope both keep on rising," said Patterson, who has 181 wins as a college coach and league titles in the Mountain West, Big 12 and Conference USA at TCU. "I've always paid attention to both UNM and the Aggies."

Kill was on Patterson's staff at TCU in 2021 along with several current Aggies assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

"I've known him for a long time and if you ask anyone in college football, he's in the top one or two defensive coordinators," Kill said. "Anytime you can get someone like that out at practice and observe what you are doing and help your process and making sure you are making the right decisions.

His visit is more about our coaches and what he sees scheme-wise. It's more of a coaching clinic."

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Former TCU football coach visits New Mexico State football camp