Gary Patterson, TCU show character after drug bust

TCU's administration wasted no time reacting the right way to Wednesday's breaking news that DEA agents arrested 17 students, four of them football players, for dealing drugs.

This is the way university administrators must act — quick, swift, uncompromising — if they are to keep credibility when serious issues surface. Take note, Penn State.

I like the reaction by TCU coach Gary Patterson, who told reporters hours after the news broke that DEA agents, using a long sting operation, had arrested four of his players. "I was first shocked, then hurt, and now I'm mad."

Patterson ordered a surprise "pop" drug testing of his entire team back on Feb. 1 when he caught wind of trouble from a recruit who told him he was headed another direction because of TCU football drugs. One of Patterson's players, Ty Horn, is quoted in an affidavit to an undercover cop that "only 20 people (players) (on the roster) would pass the drug test."

If this becomes the case, this is a bigger story than appeared during public discovery Wednesday. The four football players identified in arrest reports are DJ Yendrey, Tanner Wilson Brock, Devin Johnson and Ty Horn. Dealing drugs as mentioned in the allegations is a felony.

This is a chance for Patterson to show his character. This is a tough one.

Patterson has a right to be mad. Sports Illustrated recently praised Patterson for running a program that did extensive background checks on recruits. I've always believed him to be a straight shooter and honorable coach.

"There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days," Patterson said on Wednesday.

On Feb. 1, the day that Patterson ordered his TCU squad to undergo a surprise drug test, an undercover cop reportedly was able to make a buy later that night from one of his players, who gave a report on Patterson's move.

"I failed that (expletive deleted) for sure," the player told the policeman, but added he was "not too worried," it was not a big deal "because there might be about 60 people being (expletive deleted)" in the testing.

If so, that puts TCU football in a precarious position. If a bulk of the team failed that drug test, what would be the university's reaction and policy?

Patterson explained on Wednesday.