Gary Patterson Reportedly Jeff Long's Number One

Coachingsearch.com's Pete Roussel is reporting that sources tell him that TCU's Gary Patterson has emerged as the leading candidate for the Razorback's head coaching job next season. He has a 115-33 record at TCU.

Patterson will be hard to lure away from Fort Worth. TCU is a private school and salary numbers are not released, but it is estimated he is making around $3 million a year. However, we know Jeff Long will pay big bucks for top coaching talent.

The question will be whether or not Patterson wants to leave what he has set up over the past 12 years at TCU. Throw in the fact that he has fertile recruiting ground, the anonymity of a private school, and the Big 12, which is much easier to win in than the SEC leaving Fort Worth could be tough.

Patterson's his recruiting knowledge of Texas, especially the Dallas/Fort Worth area, would be invaluable to Arkansas. He also knows a thing or two about defense, a huge problem for the Hogs over the years.

So this means John L. won't be back next season? I sure hope this does not rattle him too much for tomorrow's game against the Fightin' Chickens in Columbia. I had no idea when I wrote The Weekend That Will Be this week I was playing the role of Rasputin.

Patterson, who has been at TCU for the last 12 years, was named the 2009 AP Coach of the Year. He led the Horned Frogs to an undefeated season before losing to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The following year, his TCU team beat Wisconsin to capture an undefeated season. Its first since 1938.

The Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 this season, have a 6-3 record, and host the No. 2-ranked Kansas State Wildcats this weekend.