TCU coach ejected after picking up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls

Texas Christian University head coach Sonny Dykes was ejected during the Sept. 21 game against rival Southern Methodist University, in a game played at SMU. Dykes picked up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls after protesting a holding foul that negated a TCU kick return for a touchdown.

Already some pregame spice

Dykes used to coach SMU, and then left to coach TCU. The game was played at SMU, so fans were ready to “welcome” back their former coach. TCU is in the Big 12 conference and SMU is in the Atlantic Coast conference.

Referee Kevin Boitman led the Big 12 crew.

The play

TCU returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a holding foul. The foul looked marginal — at least from all the TV angles.

Sonny Dykes argued the flag. For lip-readers, the flag was justified — even Dykes said he deserved the unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

Dykes continued to argue the play and did not stop. Thus Boitman’s crew called a second unsportsmanlike conduct foul, and by rule, Dykes was ejected from the game.

First Power 5 coach to get the gate

We have discussed the poor behavior of college football coaches for eight years. College officiating conferences gave officials the tools to eject coaches if they pick up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Conferences also told officials they would back them up if they flagged coaches for stepping onto the field to argue a play.

In 2021, two mid-major coaches got ejected for picking up two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. This is the first Power 5 coach to get kicked out of a game.

While the call Dykes was arguing about appeared marginal-to-possibly-incorrect, that does not give coaches or players a free shot to cuss out the officials and put on a histrionic show.

Kudos to Boitman and crew for giving Dykes his early walking papers.