FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU is expected to turn to one of its former quarterbacks to coach the position.
Kenny Hill is in line for a promotion from offensive analyst to quarterbacks coach, a source said on Wednesday afternoon. The hire is not official yet and is still in the “paperwork” stage.
Barring something unforeseen, though, Hill will become the next QB coach. Hill has already updated his Twitter profile to reflect the promotion.
Hill has been the leading candidate since former offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach Sonny Cumbie bolted to Texas Tech last month. Doug Meacham, who served as the play-caller last season, is the favorite to assume the OC duties.
Coach Gary Patterson has not announced any staff plans for the upcoming season. He will wait until everything is official and finalized before making an announcement.
Hill is viewed as a rising star in the coaching industry and will be overseeing the most important position group on the team. Even though Hill will be the program’s youngest assistant, TCU feels it has surrounded him with several veteran mentors including special assistant Jerry Kill and Meacham. Former Pittsburg (Kan.) State coach Tim Beck is also expected to have a role with the program after serving as a volunteer assistant last season.
Improving the passing game is among the top priorities for TCU going into next season. The Frogs ranked eighth in passing offense among Big 12 teams, averaging just 196.3 yards per game through the air.
TCU starting quarterback Max Duggan returns next season as a junior. The hope is Duggan continues to take strides under Hill. Sources indicated that the best QB practices of the season happened during bowl prep with Hill in charge after Cumbie departed.
Along with Duggan, Oklahoma transfer Chandler Morris will join the QB room, although it’s unknown whether he’ll be eligible to play next fall. Matthew Downing, who served as Duggan’s primary backup, is expected to return too. TCU also signed three quarterback prospects in its 2021 class (Sam Jackson, Alexander Honig and Trent Battle).
Hill started his coaching career as a student assistant during the 2018 season for TCU. He was then moved into a graduate assistant position for the 2019 season, and served as an offensive analyst in 2020.
On the recruiting front, Hill should be able to connect with high school players given his age and background. Hill was a four-star prospect coming out of Southlake Carroll in the 2013 class, earning 2012 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year honors and being named to the Star-Telegram’s Super Team.
Hill started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to TCU. In his two seasons and 26 starts as TCU’s starter, the Frogs went 16-10.
Hill threw for 3,208 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2016, leading the Frogs to the Liberty Bowl. In 2017, Hill threw for 3,152 yards with 23 TDs and eight interceptions in leading TCU to an Alamo Bowl victory and No. 9 ranking at the end of the season.
Hill’s 40 passing touchdowns in two seasons are tied for fifth-most in TCU history.
