TCU Horned Frogs Revamp Offense as Dykes Picks New QB

TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes announced that Harvard transfer Jaden Craig will start at quarterback and Gordon Sammis has been hired as the new offensive coordinator, setting the stage for the Horned Frogs' 2026 campaign.

Who are the new leaders for the TCU Horned Frogs?

Dykes confirmed that 6‑2, 215‑pound Craig, a two‑year starter at Harvard, joins TCU after posting 52 touchdowns and only twelve interceptions. Craig’s dual‑threat skill set fits Dykes’ fast‑paced offense. Meanwhile, Gordon Sammis, who impressed Dykes while coordinating UConn’s offense in 2024, signed a contract in January to become the Horned Frogs’ play‑caller.

Why did the changes become necessary?

The Horned Frogs lost starting quarterback Josh Hoover, a Rockwall‑Heath product who threw 71 touchdowns in three seasons, when he entered the transfer portal and chose Indiana. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles also departed for South Carolina in December. Dykes said the program could not afford a gap at either position, prompting a rapid search that landed on Craig and Sammis.

How will the new staff shape the offense?

Dykes praised Craig’s tape, noting his “big strong arm” and low turnover rate, traits that mirror Sammis’s philosophy of balanced run‑pass attacks. Sammis’s work at UConn produced a seventh‑nation ranking for quarterback Joe Fagnano’s passing yards and back‑to‑back nine‑win seasons, evidence of his ability to protect the ball and generate production.

What challenges lie ahead for the TCU Horned Frogs?

During spring practice, Craig turned the ball over twice in the final scrimmage after a spotless record in earlier sessions, a reminder that the transition won’t be seamless. Dykes emphasized that limiting turnovers remains a top priority. The Horned Frogs will test the new combo in their opening game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on 2026‑08‑29, a matchup that will reveal how quickly Craig and Sammis can gel with the existing roster.

How does this affect TCU’s outlook for the season?

With a 68% win rate over Dykes’s four‑year tenure and a 2022 College Football Playoff appearance, the Horned Frogs have built a winning culture. Adding Craig’s arm and Sammis’s scheming could sustain that momentum, especially as the Big 12 landscape tightens. Fans will watch closely to see if the new leadership can keep TCU competitive and return to the playoff conversation.