Story perspectives

Sonny Dykes fires A.J. Ricker after TCU loss

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sonny Dykes Fires Ricker

Head coach Sonny Dykes fired co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach A.J. Ricker after the 24-20 loss to West Virginia.
The defeat dropped TCU to a 3-4 overall record and 1-3 in Big 12 play.
First-half mistakes included an interception, a fumble and a missed field goal.
TCU will host Kansas on Oct. 31 before traveling to Arizona, Kansas State, Utah and Texas Tech.

Summary

West Virginia Beats TCU

West Virginia beat TCU, improving to 5-3 and moving within one win of bowl eligibility.
Defensive coordinator Zac Alley was praised after WVU held TCU to 20 points, the fewest in his 14-game span.
West Virginia forced three turnovers, highlighted by David Afogho’s strip-sack and fumble recovery with 34 seconds left.
Cam Cook rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown against his former team, TCU.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 Ohio State University fired John Cooper after a 6-5 season, paying a $1.5 million buyout, reflecting the university’s response to declining football success amid Ohio’s broader shift from manufacturing to a service economy that shed over 300,000 factory jobs since 1990. TCU’s 2024 mid-season dismissal of A.J. Ricker shows a similar trend of programs using coaching changes to adapt in the recruiting landscape.

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Sonny Dykes Fires Ricker

Head coach Sonny Dykes fired co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach A.J. Ricker after the 24-20 loss to West Virginia.
The defeat dropped TCU to a 3-4 overall record and 1-3 in Big 12 play.
First-half mistakes included an interception, a fumble and a missed field goal.
TCU will host Kansas on Oct. 31 before traveling to Arizona, Kansas State, Utah and Texas Tech.

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