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Texas Tech: Ranking Kirby Hocutt’s coaching hires in Lubbock

By Andrew Gleinser

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 11 : Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is congratulated by Texas Tech Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt after the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 11 : Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is congratulated by Texas Tech Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt after the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Jun 19, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Tim Tadlock looks out from the dugout prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Tim Tadlock looks out from the dugout prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Home Runs

2. Chris Beard – Men’s Basketball

We all hate him now of course, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Texas Tech basketball reached new heights under Beard, coming just one shot away from a national championship in 2019. The program saw an explosion in fan interest, and his success is part of what fueled the new basketball practice facility which is sure to be a plus in recruiting.

His unceremonious exit to take the reins of the Longhorns is what prevents him from challenging for the top spot on this list, but make no mistake — this was an excellent hire. Hocutt may have whiffed on Gillispie, but he made two strong hires after that and looks to have made another good one in Adams.

1. Tim Tadlock – Baseball

Beard’s exit means Tadlock is again the undisputed honorary mayor of Lubbock. After Dan Spencer put together four middling seasons following the legend Larry Hays, Hocutt stayed in house and promoted Tadlock, who played shortstop at Texas Tech under Hays. After an uninspiring first season in 2013, Tadlock got this program off and running.

In a six-season stretch from 2014-2019, Texas Tech reached the College World Series four times, hosted four regionals and four super regionals. The Red Raiders also won two outright Big 12 regular season titles and shared another. They went 16-3 in 2020 before the season was cut short, and they’re one of the top teams in the country again this year. Tadlock has built a juggernaut.

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