Texas Tech Red Raiders News: New Ring of Honor Inductees, softball gets a new HC, more

Here is you Texas Tech news roundup for June 21, 2024.

Howard, Tillman join Welker in Texas Tech football Ring of Honor

We have already discussed Wes Welker's selection as one of three new members to the Texas Tech Football Ring of Honor. Today, let's give the other two inductees their due as well.

Thomas Howard played linebacker for the Red Raiders from 1974-76. During that time he was a first-team All-American as a senior. That year, he led the team in tackles with 110 while recovering two fumbles, picking off two passing and breaking up three others.

A third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977, Howard played nine years in the NFL making 98 career starts in 113 games. The Lubbock ISD product had seven interceptions and eight fumble recoveries (including three that were returned for a touchdown) in his professional career.

Andre Tillman is regarded as one of the best tight ends in Red Raider history. From 1971-73, he amassed 54 catches for 766 yards and 5 touchdowns. Though those numbers are modest by today's standards, they were eye-popping for Tillman's time.

Tillman was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press in 1973 after putting up 26 receptions for 428 yards and five touchdowns. That season, he averaged an impressive 16.5 yards per catch.

Gerry Glasco named Texas Tech softball head coach

Perhaps Gerry Glasco is the one who can bring stability and success to the chaotic Texas Tech softball program. The former Louisiana head coach has been named the tenth softball head coach in Red Raider history.

The fourth person to hold that position in the last six years, Glasco might come with the best resume of any. Over the last seven seasons at Louisiana, he has gone 300-88 (.773). What's more, his program captured five Sun Belt Conference titles during that time.

"At the onset of this search, it was vital we find a leader to continue the positive momentum with our softball program. With Coach Glasco, we have not only found that right leader but one who has won at an elite level throughout his career," Texas Tech A.D. Kirch Hocutt said. "We look forward to building a consistently successful softball program under Coach Glasco and are excited to welcome him, his wife, Vickie, to Texas Tech."

Glasco coached six full seasons at Louisana. During that time, his program never won fewer than 40 games. Meanwhile, Tech hasn't won 40 games in a season since 2019 and has won more than 30 games just once since 2020.

Houston fires A.D. Pezman

In news from around the Big 12, Houston has fired its athletic director, Chris Pezman. A former Houston football player, Pezman was let go on Thursday in an unexpected move.

"This was a difficult but necessary decision as we navigate a paradigm shift in collegiate athletics," said University of Houston President Renu Khator in a statement.

Pezman had been on the job since 2017. During that time, he had his hits and misses. In 2019, he hired Dana Holgorsen to lead his football program.

That move didn't pay off as the former West Virginia head coach went just 31-28 in five seasons. Holgorsen was fired after a 4-8 2023 campaign and replaced by Tulane head coach Willie Fritz.

On the other hand, Pezman oversaw the rise of the Houston basketball program. Though he didn't hire current U of H head coach, Kelvin Sampson, Pezman did see the program rise to national prominence under his watch. During Pezman's tenure, Houston has won four conference titles and reached one Final Four and one Elite Eight.

Pezman's downfall was likely his inability to raise funds at an elite level. According to reports, Houston has the smallest operating athletic budget in the Big 12.