Pat Sullivan, the former Heisman Trophy winner entrusted with turning around the Texas Christian football program six years ago, is on his way out.
Sullivan announced Sunday that, in light of the Horned Frogs' 0-7 record this season, "it's appropriate that I step down as head football coach at the end of the season.""This has been a disappointing year for our players, as well as our coaches, the university, our fans and myself," he said in a brief statement.
A former Auburn quarterback who won college football's top award in 1971, Sullivan led the Frogs in back-to-back winning seasons in 1994 and 1995 and an Independence Bowl bid in 1994. But a series of disciplinary problems decimated his roster last year, and the team has been hapless in 1997.
Chancellor William E. Tucker described this season as "a keen disappointment."
"This morning, Coach Sullivan and I mutually agreed that his stepping aside at the conclusion of this season will be in the best interest of all parties," Tucker said. "Be certain that the university will honor his contract."
Tucker also mentioned Sullivan's successes.
"We must not forget that in the not too distant past, he led TCU to the first back-to-back winning sesaons we have seen around here in some time," the chancellor said.
Sullivan, hired on Jan. 2, 1992, after 10 years as a quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant at Auburn, was 23-39-1 as TCU's head coach. His best record was 7-5 in 1994, when the Frogs' season ended with a 20-10 loss to Virginia in the Independence Bowl.
Sullivan, 47, reportedly has two years left on his contract.
TCU has struggled through this season, most recently against Brigham Young on Saturday when a 3-3 halftime tie ended in a 31-10 defeat.
But the gridiron problems began last year. After TCU opened with a stunning 20-7 upset of Oklahoma in Norman, it suffered lopsided losses to Kansas, New Mexico and Tulane. The 1996 season ended with a national television audience watching as the Horned Frogs squandered a 17-6 halftime lead in losing to SMU.
Off-the-field troubles also go back to last year.
Center Ryan Tucker, guard J.P. McFarland, linebacker Jay Davern and tackle Billy Thompson were charged with felony assault for the May 11 beating of a TCU student outside a Fort Worth bar.
Sullivan was roundly and repeatedly criticized for his handling of the incident when the players were placed on probation but allowed to remain on the team.
Later, Sullivan permanently suspended Tucker for an undisclosed violation. Davern was kicked out after he was arrested and charged with assault by threat and public intoxication.