Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury reached out to the family of former walk-on quarterback Luke Gonsioroski, who passed away after a battle with cancer two weeks ago, providing them with mementos honoring their loved one. This is the latest in a series of gestures in which Kingsbury has gone beyond what most in his position would do for regular fans.
The designer sunglasses. The custom suits. The perfectly quaffed hair. The Hollywood good looks. Those are the most common attributes associated with Kliff Kingsbury and often they have led to criticism and mocking, especially as the Texas Tech football program has languished under his leadership.
However, there is another side of the Red Raiders’ head coach that is overlooked or under appreciated by football observers around the nation and, unfortunately, those close to the program.
Simply put, Kingsbury has a grasp on what it means to be more than just a football coach, but to be a decent human who happens to be in a position of influence. He has repeatedly shown that he is a thoughtful and empathetic person who uses his celebrity status to bring joy, humor, and encouragement to fans in personal ways.
On Monday, Hannah Gonsioroski, the mother of Luke Gonsioroski– a walk-on freshman quarterback who passed away two weeks ago after a battle with cancer–tweeted out a photo of a gift the Texas Tech football program sent her family in Luke’s honor.
@TTUKingsbury @TexasTechFB Thank you so much! #GunsUp 🏈❤️ pic.twitter.com/bxRJGFhquX
— hannah rae gonsioroski (@hannah_gonzo) August 21, 2017
The framed number five jersey she received was a nod to Luke’s high school number. Meanwhile, the three number 18 jerseys represent the number her son was set to wear at Texas Tech.
The thoughtful and poignant gesture certainly brought a modicum of comfort to the Gonsioroski family as they grieve their loss. Though Luke Gonsioroski never made it to campus because of his disease, Kingsbury still made the effort to let Luke’s family know that he will always be a member of the Texas Tech family.
And this is far from the first time Kingsbury has reached out to fans in a way that most college football coaches would not.
In March of 2015, Kingsbury sent a personally autographed helmet to U.S. Air Force veteran Tim Wilhelm, upon his return from a tour of duty overseas. As you can see in the video below, the gesture had a great impact on Wilhelm, a Texas Tech fan.
Another fan who had his day made by Kliff Kingsbury was a child that dressed up as a miniature Kingsbury for Halloween in 2013. Given the busy nature of a college football coach’s life (especially in the middle of the season) it is hard to imagine too many head coaches taking time out to snap a photo with a kid just because it would make the youngster happy.
Of course, Kingsbury has also shown a light-hearted side with fans, even responding to a supporter of another school. As Texas Tech prepared to face Arkansas in 2014, a female Razorbacks fan sent a satirical letter to Kingsbury explaining why she was breaking up with him. To her surprise, Kingsbury responded with an autographed photo and a hand-written letter graciously accepting her decision.
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In each of these instances, Kingsbury has reached out to people that were not major donors to his program and will likely never be able to do much for Texas Tech football other than cheer from the stands. He had no ulterior motives and nothing to gain from giving of himself but still he made the effort to make these people feel special.
In a sports climate that seems to focus on coaches partaking in the unethical (Hugh Freeze) and immoral (Art Briles), coaches like Kingsbury that go out of their way to make the world a better place for the common fan are largely ignored.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Kliff Kingsbury, his human side is overlooked by Red Raider fans as often as it is by the national audience. Talk surrounding the Texas Tech football program in 2017 is centered almost entirely on Kingsbury’s job status reducing him to nothing more than a winning percentage.
If he fails to get his team to a bowl game this year, it is likely that he will be fired. And the prevailing sentiment from the fanbase is that most have grown tired of waiting for Kingsbury to get his program turned around.
While it is fair to be upset or disappointed with a coach that has a losing record (24-26 overall) in four seasons, fans should also consider the quality of the character of the man representing our university. Winning is paramount in college athletics, but so is integrity and rectitude, especially in those tasked with leading a program of young people through the most formative years of their lives.
So before we become entrapped in the madness of the upcoming football season with its euphoric highs and soul-crushing lows, take a moment to look at the big picture, and appreciate Kliff Kingsbury for the upright and thoughtful person he is.
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After all, the “Matador Song” implores all Red Raiders to “Strive for honor, evermore…” and that is what Kliff Kingsbury has done as head coach. And if living honorably is important enough to be in the school song, those who are living by the credo should be appreciated and applauded.