Overview
- Multiple outlets reported that TCU dismissed co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach A.J. Ricker after the program’s 24-20 loss to West Virginia, with the news emerging late Sunday and confirmed in follow-up reports.
- Offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis will assume play-calling and oversee the unit while assistant Ryan Swingle takes over day-to-day offensive line coaching on an interim basis, sources said.
- The change targets specific performance problems: TCU ranked near the bottom nationally in total yards and scoring, averaged about 3.3 yards per carry, and had surrendered around 20 sacks through seven games, including a game-ending sack-fumble against West Virginia.
- The firing follows recent staff turnover that already reshaped the offense this year, including Kendal Briles’ departure to South Carolina and Jimmy Smith leaving for Georgia Tech, with Sammis earlier replacing Briles.
- Sonny Dykes remains head coach and framed the move as a quick fix to shore up protection and the running game; Ricker had worked with Dykes since their SMU days and joined TCU in late 2021, and further staff updates could follow as the team tries to salvage the season.