Texas Tech football mourns the passing of Tommy McVay
Texas Tech football Director of Operations Tommy McVay passed away Thursday leaving a huge hole in the Red Raider program.
Members of the Texas Tech football program past and present are mourning the loss of Tommy McVay, the long-time Director of Operations for the Red Raiders. A member of the program for 24 years, the former high school football coach passed away Thursday at the age of 76.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the type of man McVay was is the fact that he had remained as Director of Operations for five different head coaches since being appointed to that position in 1997. During that time, he was the right-hand-man for Spike Dykes, Mike Leach, Tommy Tuberville, Kliff Kingsbury, and Matt Wells, something that is almost unheard of in the world of major college football.
According to his bio on the Texas Tech website, McVay oversaw many of the administrative duties for the Red Raider football program, including team travel as well as being the liaison to the NFL. And during his time at Tech, he made a lasting impression on hundreds of student-athletes. Now, many of them are expressing their appreciation for him.
I’m going to miss you Tommy McVay. No one resembled being a Red Raider like Coach McVay. My all time favorite Texas Tech Employee. Prayers to his family. The Silver Fox will be with us forever. Thank you and We Will Miss You. #RedRaiderFamily
— Davis Webb (@Davis_Webb5) August 13, 2020
Saddened by the loss of Tommy McVay. I was a student athlete at Texas Tech for 7 seasons and he always made people smile and brought positive energy to the football facility! #RIP
— Tony Morales (@CoachMorales51) August 13, 2020
gutted by the news of Coach McVay passing away. For those of us that played for @TexasTechFB he was like a dad to us players. He always had an encouraging word and listened to all that was going on in our personal life. His office was a safe haven. Sad day for Raiderland.
— Cody Hodges (@_codyhodges) August 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/4Jmack/status/1294044250049597440?s=20
https://twitter.com/CoachFilaTTU/status/1294071283664265216?s=20
"“He was the first guy that I met when I walked into this football facility.” Matt Wells said of McVay earlier this week. “Big smile, a handshake, and a hug.” It wasn’t just the first time they met. McVay continues his welcoming spirit every time he sees you: “Every morning he comes in and says how’s my coach and gives me a fist bump.“I can’t even talk about the impact that he’s made in this red raider community. Tremendous impact. Coaches, players, people, and players’ families.“He is Texas Tech football. Mr. Red Raider. There’s not a better encourager that I’ve met in my life than Tommy McVay.”"
After a long tenure in the high school ranks in both Oklahoma and Kansas, McVay broke into the college game as an assistant coach at Kansas State. But though he was not a Texas Tech alum, he became a Red Raider legend because of the way he loved the young men that came through the Hub City.
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In fact, many called him “Mr. Red Raider”. So to say that he will be missed around the Texas Tech football facility is a massive understatement. Our condolences go out to the McVay family.