The list of Texas Tech football alums who have made successful transitions to the coaching world is lengthy. While Lincoln Riley, Eric Morris, Sonny Dykes, Kliff Kingsbury, and others who've become head coaches have garnered most of the attention, former Red Raider quarterback Seth Doege is beginning to turn heads as the offensive coordinator at Arizona.
This week, the West Texas native will return home as an opponent to face his alma mater. He'll be bringing with him one of the best offenses in America. It will certainly be a special and unique week for the Frienship High School product.
"It was a special place to me," Doege said this week when asked about his time at Texas Tech. "You know, playing quarterback at Texas Tech was literally my dream and my goal as a little kid...So that place is special to me, and it's exciting to get to go back and see a lot of the people that are still there that were a special part of my playing career."
Doege played for the Red Raiders from 2008-2012. He was the starting QB in 2011 and 2012. In all, he appeared in 31 games, throwing for 8,636 yards and 69 touchdowns to rank fifth in program history in both categories.
His most famous moment came in 2011 when he passed for 441 yards and four touchdowns to help the Red Raiders upset No. 3 Oklahoma on the road 41-38. That victory still marks the only win the program has ever secured in Norman, Oklahoma.
Another unforgettable day came in 2012 when Doege went off for 499 yards and six touchdowns as Tech thumped No. 5 West Virginia in Lubbock 49-14. That afternoon, Doege completely outclassed WVU QB Geno Smith, who entered the game as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner.
Doege is an important quarterback in Texas Tech history, not only because of his stats but because of what he helped guide the program through. He started his career at the end of the Mike Leach era and then became the starter during the tumultuous Tommy Tuberville years.
At a time when Tech fans were divided over the controversial Tuberville hire (as well as the circumstances surrounding Leach's firing), the program needed a figure that the fans could rally around. That proved to be Doege, a local kid who had overcome torn ligaments in both knees during his high school career to become an excellent college QB.
Now, Doege returns home, where he will have plenty of familiar faces in the crowd. But he says that not all will be in his corner on Saturday.
"My parents still live there," he said. "My in-laws live there. I've got grandparents there. Some of my best friends that were in my wedding still live there, that played there. So it's going to be fun. Now, it's unique because most of those friends are cheering against you now."
Texas Tech will have its hands full with Arizona's offense
Doege is doing a wonderful job in his second season with the Wildcats. His offense ranks 17th nationally in yards per game at 459.4.
Additionally, he and senior QB Noah Fifita are one of the best coordinator/quarterback combos in the sport. Fifita is throwing for 294.8 yards per game this year. He's tossed 18 TDs to only four picks. He's also completing a remarkable 74.2% of his passes, which is on pace to be a career best.
The year before Doege arrived at Arizona, Fifita struggled. He threw 12 interceptions and completed only 60.5% of his passes.
Under Doege's guidance, though, Fifita has thrown only ten total picks in one and a half seasons. He's also completed 67.7% of his passes.
Now, he leads the No. 9 passing offense in America into a matchup that might be favorable for him. This year, Tech has been dreadful against the pass, allowing 266.1 yards per game through the air, a number that ranks just 126th in the FBS.
Certainly, Doege had plenty of huge days in Lubbock playing for the Red Raiders. Now, he hopes to have a big day back in his old stomping grounds as an opposing coach. If the Texas Tech defense isn't better than we've seen so far in 2026, it could be a happy homecoming for Doege.
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