for starters, the owls were a conference peer of the frogs back in the wac days or have you conveniently forgotten that matter? that was one of the schools the frogs had to beat not ou or texas and they weren't going against the power 5 schools for recruits
tcu in 1998-2000 had a winning record overall, won 2/3 of their conference games, tied for first in the conference in 1999 and 2000 and went to back to back bowls for the first time in 40 years
please remind me which of the frogs conference peers in 2001 when gary took over had talking lockers, staffed barbershops in the players lounge, mid 8 figure budgets, and damn near as many support staff and analysts as players on scholarships
tcu had become THE program in their conference in 2001.
yes, sonny has better facilities, support, and resources available than gary in 2001 but he also faces stiffer competition for players and the expectations are much greater today