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Texas Tech football: Ten coaches Texas Tech could target to replace David Yost

By Andrew Gleinser

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Offensive coordinator David Yost of the Texas Tech Red Raiders instructs players before the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Offensive coordinator David Yost of the Texas Tech Red Raiders instructs players before the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Graham Harrell #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Graham Harrell #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Five with Texas Tech Ties

Graham Harrell – USC Offensive Coordinator

This is the name atop every fan’s wish list, and many fans would want him as head coach if Wells isn’t retained. Harrell is the school’s all time leading passer and has done well as an offensive coordinator at North Texas and now at Southern Cal. The Trojans are ranked 12th nationally in passing offense and 21st in total offense.

The question is whether he’d want the job. For any other coach, going from USC to the same position at Tech would be a step down. The athletic department would have to be willing to give him a nice pay raise and hope the allure of coaching at his alma mater would be enough. Wells should at least make a call to gauge Harrell’s interest, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Eric Morris – Incarnate Word Head Coach

This is another one who may not want the job, but you have to at least consider asking. Morris served as an offensive coordinator and receivers coach at Tech from 2013-2017 after coaching under Mike Leach for a year at Washington State. He’s also a Tech alum, playing wide receiver for the Red Raiders from 2004-2008. But if he left this same job for Incarnate Word, why would he come back to it?

Well, serving as offensive coordinator under Kingsbury is similar to being one under Leach, so the chance to come back and actually call plays and lead the offense himself could be intriguing. His team hasn’t played this year, and now that he has two years of head coaching experience under his belt, maybe running a Power Five offense on his own could help further his career. Again, you at least have to consider asking.

Garrett Riley – SMU Offensive Coordinator

This could be a really exciting hire. Riley started his playing career at Texas Tech before transferring to SFA, but he finished his degree at Tech. He got some early coaching experience at Roosevelt High School outside Lubbock. Oh, and he’s also the younger brother of Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, which would add some serious intrigue to that matchup.

Aside from the connections, Garrett Riley has proven himself rather quickly. In his first season at SMU, the Mustangs are 13th nationally in both total offense and passing offense. He spent some time on Ruffin McNeill’s staff at East Carolina (with his brother Lincoln) and was on the coaching staff of the 2019 Appalachian State team that won 13 games. He looks to be a rising star.

Kevin Johns – Memphis Offensive Coordinator

If that name sounds familiar, it should. Johns replaced Morris as offensive coordinator for Kingsbury’s final year in 2018, so he has a history at Texas Tech (albeit limited). Before that, he was on the coaching staffs at Indiana, Northwestern and Western Michigan, so he’s not necessarily part of the Leach-Kingsbury Air Raid tree, but he’s run some high flying offenses.

Memphis is 15th in passing offense and 22nd in total offense this season after cracking the top 10 in total offense in 2019. Johns might not be the most exciting hire of all, but he would be a solid choice nonetheless.

Zach Kittley – Houston Baptist Offensive Coordinator

Tech fans will remember how much difficulty Keith Patterson’s defense had against the Houston Baptist offense in the first game of the 2020 season, so why not bring it to Lubbock? In the four games they played this year, the Huskies averaged a whopping 547.5 yards per game and 459.5 yards passing. They had no trouble moving the ball, and three of their games were against FBS opponents.

The ties here run deep. Kittley is the son of longtime Texas Tech track and field coach Wes Kittley, and he was on Kingsbury’s staff before taking the HBU job in 2018. The HBU staff also features former Tech offensive lineman Jared Kaster as the offensive line coach, and running backs coach/special teams coordinator Tyler Schovanec is the son of Tech president Lawrence Schovanec.

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