Texas DL Keondre Coburn discusses Gary Patterson’s early impact
Although it was only the first year of the Steve Sarkisian era at Texas, it was evident that changes needed to be made, and they needed to happen fast.
The team lacked accountability, mental toughness, and it was evident that certain members of the coaching staff likely weren’t a fit. Sarkisian made it a point of emphasis to address all of those issues this offseason, and one of the best acquisitions was bringing in former TCU head coach Gary Patterson.
Patterson’s title with Texas is the special assistant to the head coach, but he has already been very hands on with helping the defense make adjustments. Fifth-year defensive tackle, Keondre Coburn, spoke with 247Sports about how much of an impact Patterson has made throughout his short tenure in Austin thus far.
Just having him here helps (the program) improve and adds more knowledge to the game that find is really important. You’ve got all of these coaches that have got all of this knowledge, you’re just taking lessons from each person. We’re good that we have him here and we’re not worried about him up at TCU.
Coburn also touched on how Patterson has been helping him personally.
He’ll see a play that I didn’t use my hands the right way and he’ll tell me while I’m getting dressed, walking to the TANC, ‘Hey, use your hands this better way.’” “I’m like, ‘OK. I appreciate that, coach.’”
Patterson has also had a chance to show a side of himself that Longhorns players wouldn’t know he had due to the fact he has been a rival all these years.
He’s always being funny and I didn’t know he had energy like that. Think about it: I only knew him as a recruiter when I was a recruit, so the fact that he laughs and plays around and all of that, you really wouldn’t expect from him. It’s cool to have him here.
Patterson’s impact is something that Longhorns fans are hoping to see immediately during the 2022 season, as Texas was statistically one of the worst defenses in the country in 2021.
