Texas Tech Football: What Big 12 coaching moves mean for Red Raiders

With Texas Tech going up against some major Big 12 coaching moves this Fall, it begs the question on just how the moves will impact the Red Raiders’ season.

The Big 12 has seen the same faces for years now, and with Texas and Oklahoma hitting the reset with Tom Herman and Lincoln Riley (respectively), that puts Texas Tech in an interesting spot.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma returns several key players in 2017, including Heisman finalist and former Texas Tech quarterback, Baker Mayfield. I don’t anticipate the Sooners’ offensive strategy to change much under Riley, so Tech should know what to expect there, however, defensively, it might be a different story.

Clearly, Bob Stoops was brewing this move behind the scenes for quite some time, and the Sooners felt comfortable with its current coaches, or the move to promote Riley would have been announced with ample time for hiring moves.

With that said, the Sooners have been transitioning to a 4-3 defense in response to the Big 12’s increasing air assault. This might be a deal breaker to some defensive recruits, but experimentation in a league where defenses have a high failure rate is necessary.

Not only did the Sooners promote Riley, it also brought back a familiar face to Texas Tech: Ruffin McNeill, to coach the defensive line.

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McNeill was with Texas Tech from 2002-09, where he worked as the linebackers’ coach, to the Assistant Head Coach/Interim Head Coach, and defensive coordinator. He was much loved by Tech fans, and players, and was instrumental in making Tech’s defensive competitive; something it’s lacked for years now.

Unfortunately, McNeill was one of former head coach Tommy Tuberville’s coaching cuts, so don’t expect any sympathy from a coach who wasn’t rewarded for his loyalty.

The motivation from Riley and McNeill could have major implications on Texas Tech this upcoming season. If the Red Raiders were ever looking for an opportunity to take advantage of a situation, this is that ideal moment.

Texas

The Tom Herman hire at Texas wasn’t unexpected; the Longhorns had their target, and stopped at nothing to get him in Austin. For Texas Tech, the background with Herman lies in a place many wouldn’t expect.

From 2001-04, Herman was the wide receivers’ and special teams coach for Sam Houston State. From 1998-03, current Texas Tech strength and conditioning coach Rusty Whitt was the strength and conditioning coach for eleven of SHSU’s Division 1 sports–including its football team.

As is the case with most coaches who have worked together at some point in their careers, there could be psychological advantage when they know how each other operates. For Coach Whitt, if year two of his conditioning program means beating Herman in front of his Alma Mater, that’s a pretty solid measure at his program’s efficiency.

It’s hard to see a situation where these backstories aren’t mentioned throughout the fall, especially during the weeks of the Oklahoma, and Texas games. In a season that could decide the employment fate of an entire coaching staff, these backstories can’t be a distraction, however, but a catalyst for motivation.

With several big-time commitments this week for Tech’s 2018 recruiting class, it’s important that Tech recruiters use coaching changeups to its advantage. If the program can deliver wins through other Big 12 coaching changes, the product will eventually speak for itself, and we could begin to see a shift in whether Tech can compete for the blue chip players.

For tickets to 2017 Texas Tech Football games, visit TexasTech.com.

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