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Texas Tech football: 5 reasons many are optimistic about 2021

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Krishon Merriweather #1, Michael Nelson #39, Colin Schooler #17 and Christian LaValle #45 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Krishon Merriweather #1, Michael Nelson #39, Colin Schooler #17 and Christian LaValle #45 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Co-Offensive Coordinator Sonny Cumbie in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Co-Offensive Coordinator Sonny Cumbie in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Sonny Cumbie

Last season was odd for Texas Tech in the sense that it was usually the offense that held the Red Raiders back, not the defense.  That’s why Matt Wells was compelled (if not forced) to fire offensive coordinator David Yost and hire former Red Raider QB Sonny Cumbie to be Yost’s replacement.

That move has generated a ton of excitement around Raiderland.  But is that more because of the fact that Cubmie is an alum and a familiar face?  Those are certainly two qualities that Texas Tech fans seem to covet more than most.

But while Cumbie’s offenses at TCU did not set the world on fire in recent seasons, there will be one huge difference for him this year…one that could completely change the way he is viewed as a play-caller.  In 2021, for the first time in Cumbie’s coaching career, he will have complete and total control of his offense.

Don’t forget that in 2013, while working as Tech’s offensive coordinator, he was subordinate to head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who called the plays and was the team’s true offensive coordinator. Then, in Fort Worth, he not only had defensive-minded Gary Patterson serving as a suppressive overload to his offense, but he also had to split OC duties with Dough Mecacham for most of his time with the Frogs.

This year, Cumbie will have complete and total freedom to do what he wants on offense.  That will tell us what type of coordinator he can truly be.  And if he proves to be as effective as many in the industry believe he will be, Tech could see a return to being a true offensive juggernaut.

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