TCU's Gary Patterson remains optimistic despite playoff snub

Many considered TCU a top contender for a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. 

But the Horned Frogs were curiously bumped three spots in the final edition of the rankings and left out of the national semifinal games despite a 52-point victory over Iowa State to close out the regular season.

Instead of pouting, TCU head coach Gary Patterson has remained focused on the positives. 

"There is a lot of good. That is how I approached not getting into the playoffs," Patterson told theScore. "There is a lot of bad in the world, whether it is politics or sports. No one ever takes the high road anymore. So I just decided that was the way I would do it. 

"This is my football team and I am supposed to teach them life lessons. The negativity just wouldn't do them any good."

Patterson knows how to get the best out of his players, having guided the Horned Frogs to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 title in 2014. He was named the Associated Press coach of the year Wednesday, joining Nick Saban as the only two-time winners of the award.

The native of Rozel, Kansas, who never thought he would be more than a high school coach, has always spent late nights in the office, pouring over film - all for the love of the game. And despite being an elite head coach in one of college football’s Power 5 conferences, not much has changed.

"They do not give defensive coaches a lot of opportunities to be head coaches," Patterson said. "But I think that is one of the reasons our team plays so hard - that passion."

TCU's decision to elevate Patterson from defensive coordinator to head coach in 2000 has paid off; the 54-year-old is the winningest coach in the program's history.

Patterson added to his already impressive resume this year by leading TCU to its first Big 12 title - much to the chagrin of Baylor which, despite beating the Horned Frogs earlier this season, was named conference co-champion.

The instate rivalry between Baylor and TCU has been emotionally charged since the Frogs joined the Big 12 in 2012. Patterson understands that rivalries are at the heart of college football.  

"It's good for college football if there is a rivalry, honestly. And I have a lot of friends who are Baylor people," Patterson said.  

As TCU prepares for its Peach Bowl matchup against Ole Miss on Dec. 31, Patterson is trying to keep things in perspective. He's proud of his team's accomplishments and refuses to get hung up on the playoff snub.

"It's never good to get too high or too low for the simple reason that one injury can affect everything," Patterson said. "We have always been a group that has worked really hard. It's hard to ask kids to work hard, to come out and do everything every day if you're not a good example. 

"I have just always been one of those guys."

Patterson paused, then laughed, adding, "Unless you ask the Baylor people. Then the Baylor people would tell you different."