Kirby Hocutt admits being “frustrated” but still confident in football team

Athletic director Kirby Hocutt took to the airwaves Wednesday for the second edition of his weekly radio program where he admitted to being “frustrated” with the progress of the Texas Tech football program following the loss to Ole Miss.

Wednesday, athletic director Kirby Hocutt gave his thoughts on the Texas Tech football program following the season-opening loss to Ole Miss.  Hocutt was not shy in expressing his disappointment with the outcome of the game.

Appearing on the Kirby Hocutt Show on 97.3 FM in Lubbock, Hocutt spent the majority of his show discussing the state of the Red Raider football program. When asked if he understood the growing frustration of Texas Tech football fans, Hocutt said that he shared the feeling to a certain degree.

"“We’re frustrated.”  Hocutt said.  “Let’s don’t pretend that we’re not.  We’re competitors and we’re in this profession because we want to win and we want to win at the highest levels. And when I saw ‘we’, I speak for myself, I speak for this coaching staff on the football side, I speak for the young men in that locker room.  We’re competitive.”"

But while Hocutt did not hide his disappointment in regards to the lack of results against Ole Miss, he was quick to reiterate the confidence he has in the current roster.

"“You have to feel confident that you have the leadership in the young men…and I’m confident that that we have the leadership in that locker room that is going to pick themselves back up and move forward.  And I saw that in the locker room post game on Saturday afternoon.  I saw that on Sunday and Monday and this is a proud group of young men.”"

Hocutt also shared some insight on his perception of where the Texas Tech football program stands.  He said that he recently reiterated to the team that this is a critical juncture for the football program which is true as the current Big 12 media rights deal expires in 2024 meaning that the conference could potentially face significant changes in the near future.

More from Wreck'Em Red

• Texas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these Mountaineers
• Texas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025
• Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?
• Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 title
• Texas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives

Many have speculated that the Big 12 is one of the most vulnerable power 5 leagues in the nation and could be the subject of realignment discussions when its current deal with its television partners expires in six years. Thus, it will be critical for the Texas Tech football program to be as healthy as possible by that time in case something unforeseen were to happen in the world of college football.

And make no mistake, the fate of the entire athletic department will be determined by the football program.  Football is responsible for the vast majority of Texas Tech’s athletic revenue and likewise, football will drive the decisions television executives and major conference officials will make when conference realignment comes back up.

"“[Football] is our economic engine.” Hocutt said.  “If you add the conference revenue that they attribute to the football telecasts and we look at the Red Raider Club that is tied directly to priority seating, you know I’m going to say it’s 85% of our $80 million budget this year…”"

As the football team has continued to scuffle under Kliff Kingsbury, many fans have begun to wonder why Hocutt has been so loyal to his head coach who has just a 30-34 overall record.  Hocutt gave some insight about that when he talked about the connection Kingsbury has with his players.

"“There has to be that connection of you being your authentic self and building those relationships and caring about young men and women that you are leading for those young people to lay it all on the line for you…And that’s the same connection I see Coach Kingsbury and this coaching staff having established with this locker room today.” Hocutt said.“I’m confident and I believe in these young men, and I believe in this coaching staff, it’s because I see that connection there.”"

Many may see this vote of confidence as a smoke screen from Hocutt but his history with Kingsbury would indicate a much different reality.  In short, Hocutt has shown supreme confidence in Kliff Kingsbury for the past five-plus years, even when it may not have been the popular viewpoint.

Following Kingsbury’s first season on the job, Hocutt rewarded his 8-5 record with a 6-year contract extension that runs through the 2020 season.  And in each of the past two years, Kingsbury has been given what many saw as reprieves from the unemployment line by Hocutt who announced after a win over Baylor to close the 2016 season and after a win over Texas to end the 2017 regular season, that Kingsbury was going to remain head coach.

Now, it looks like Hocutt will have to face the Kingsbury dilemma earlier than ever in 2018.  After all, the season is only a week old and that discussion is already looming heavily over the Texas Tech football program.