Former Texas Tech Football coach Spike Dykes passes away

Legendary former Texas Tech football coach Spike Dykes passed away early Monday morning, according to the University. He was 79 years old.

A tweet by Texas Longhorns’ director of high school relations, Bob Shipley, set off concern throughout the Texas Tech community on Spike Dykes’ health.

The concern was then confirmed by Texas Tech, and followed up by Don Williams of the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal, citing what’s believed to be the cause of death.

While the cause hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, the response since the announcement has been overwhelming, and somber. Dykes was a legend in the Texas Tech community.

Dykes was Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator from 1984-86, and its head coach from 1986-1999. In that span, he became the first Texas Tech head coach to reach seven straight seasons of bowl eligibility, and beat the Texas Longhorns for six straight seasons.

As a member of the Southwest Conference, Coach Dykes led Texas Tech to a 38-27-1 record, and was named the Southwest Conference’s Coach of the Year in 1989, 1993, and 1994. When Texas Tech jumped to the Big 12 Conference in 1996, Coach Dykes lead the Red Raiders to a 28-20 record through four seasons, and earned the Big 12 Coach of the Year in his first year.

Coach Dykes’s coaching philosophy was balanced, which is something fans have felt the program has lacked since his retirement in 1999. His contributions to the football and sports community led to his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

Coach Dykes is survived by current TCU Horned Frogs’ offensive analyst Sonny Dykes, Rick Dykes, and daughter Bebe Petree. His wife Sharon passed away in 2010.

Our sincerest condolences to Dykes’ family and friends.