Texas Tech football: 3 Reasons Kingsbury will not be fired

Texas Tech football fans are about to get an answer to the question that has hung over the program all season: Will Kliff Kingsbury retain his job?  As we near the point where Kirby Hocutt has to make that decision, let’s take a look at three reasons Kingsbury will likely keep his job.

In what has become an annual November tradition, Texas Tech football fans have begun partaking in heated debates about whether or not Kliff Kingsbury should return as head coach for another season.  In each of the past two years, we have entered the final game of the season unsure of whether the first-time head coach would be retained only to learn after the 2016 season finale against Baylor and the 2017 regular season finale against Texas that AD Kirby Houctt was squarely on board with Kingsbury.

But just thee weeks ago, it looked like we might not have to wrestle with this question in 2018.  After a 5-2 start, Kingsbury looked to be in great shape with half of the season remaining.

However, three-consecutive losses have changed the narrative and made the final two games of the year an audition for the current coaching staff.  Many believe that Kingsbury must win the final two games (at Kansas State and versus Baylor in Arlington) to guarantee that he will be back next season.

At first glance, that appears to be more than possible.  Kansas State is just 4-6 so far and is dealing with its own head coaching drama.  Meanwhile, Baylor is also 5-5 but the ESPN.com F.P.I. system gives the Red Raiders a 78.7% chance of beating the Bears.

But there is always more to consider than just what the standings suggest.  With no marquee win, even a 7-5 record will leave many fans feeling empty and regardless of how this season plays out, we will likely have to deal with the same questions about Kingsbury next year.

The divide between the “keep Kliff” and the “fire Kliff” factions seems to grow daily.  And those on either side of the debate have reasonable and convincing arguments.  But in the end, Kliff Kingsbury isn’t likely to be fired, even if he doesn’t get to seven wins.  Let’s take a look at why.