The 2014 season for TCU was three points away from nearly being perfect. Still, this was a great year and a great time to be a Horned Frog. With a turnaround season never experienced before at TCU, the Frogs go into 2015 with high expectations. However, if TCU wants to keep this momentum rolling and meet these high expectations, they will need to win in the offseason.
While it might appear that the College football season is all wrapped up following the National Championship game, it’s not. Just like the NFL has the draft and the hoopla surrounding it, college football has National Signing Day. The importance of this day cannot be understated. It is on this day, February 4th, that TCU could secure one last important win to finish this season off. If TCU can add to their already great class of twenty-two commits, with defensive tackle Daylon Mack, they would sign their first ever five star recruit. It is the potential that Daylon Mack brings, along with his skill set, that should make him an immediate contributor. With the departure of starting defensive tackle Chucky Hunter, Mack would have a chance to flex his power early on in Fort Worth.
The next important win for TCU during the offseason, is retaining both offensive coordinators. Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie have been instrumental in developing this offense and helping TCU turn it’s football fortunes around. Prior, to both offensive coordinators arriving in Fort Worth, the offense was terrible and the losses followed. Now, TCU has always had a rock solid defense it can hang its hat on. However, with the departure of five seniors on defense, the offense will need to carry more weight than ever before. TCU might very well get caught up in a couple of shootouts next season. If Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie stay, I am confident that TCU will have the better triggermen, with Trevone Boykin, to win these games.
The last way TCU can secure an offseason win is to find the replacements from the departures on defense. While TCU lost Sam Carter, Chris Hackett, Kevin White in their secondary, they also said goodbye to their defensive backs coach Kenny Perry. Coach Perry recently decided to join the coaching staff at Kansas University. With all these holes and turnovers on defense, the offseason should be spent on trying to get the defense up to speed. With one of the best defensive coaches in the nation at head coach and long time defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas, I have full confidence TCU can find the right players. With the addition of early enrollee cornerback Deshawn Raymond, and the further development of cornerback Ranthony Texada and safety Derrick Kindred, the secondary should be solid. Still, TCU would be smart to rely on their strength on defense, which is now the defensive line. Relying on the line should help mask the inexperience at the linebacker positions and secondary, until those units are more adjusted.
In moving forward into next season, TCU has some lofty expectations that have been placed on them. After entering last season unranked and skyrocketing up to number 3 in the polls, TCU will have its work cut out for them to remain at the top. It is one thing to be the hunter. But, TCU is about to find out what it’s like to be the hunted. If TCU wants to find a way in the College Football Playoffs next year, winning in the offseason is a must, and it starts now.
