Texas Tech Football: A Timeline of Coaching History

The Early Years: 1925-1941

Texas Tech football began in 1925 under the leadership of Ewing Y. Freeland. Freeland led the Red Raiders to a 5-3 record in their inaugural season.

In 1930, Texas Tech hired Doc Warner as their head coach. Warner was a legendary coach who had previously led Alabama to three national championships.

Warner led Texas Tech to a 6-3-1 record in his first season. In 1933, he led the Red Raiders to their first bowl game, the Sun Bowl.

The Post-War Era: 1946-1959

After World War II, Texas Tech football entered a new era under the leadership of Dell Morgan.

Morgan led the Red Raiders to a 48-33-6 record during his tenure. He led Texas Tech to two bowl games, the 1947 Sun Bowl and the 1952 Gator Bowl.

In 1959, Texas Tech hired J.T. King as their head coach. King led the Red Raiders to a 56-37-4 record during his tenure.

The Bob Knight Era: 1971-1976

In 1971, Texas Tech hired Bob Knight as their head coach. Knight was a legendary coach who had previously led Indiana to three national championships.

Knight led Texas Tech to a 40-22-1 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to two bowl games, the 1973 Sun Bowl and the 1975 Peach Bowl.

Knight left Texas Tech after the 1976 season to become the head coach at Indiana.

The Spike Dykes Era: 1986-1999

In 1986, Texas Tech hired Spike Dykes as their head coach. Dykes was a successful coach who had previously led Texas A&M to a Southwest Conference championship.

Dykes led Texas Tech to a 84-60-1 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to eight bowl games, including the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic and the 1995 Citrus Bowl.

Dykes retired from coaching after the 1999 season.

The Mike Leach Era: 2000-2009

In 2000, Texas Tech hired Mike Leach as their head coach. Leach was a successful coach who had previously led Valdosta State to a Division II national championship.

Leach led Texas Tech to a 84-43 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to 10 bowl games, including the 2002 Cotton Bowl Classic and the 2009 Alamo Bowl.

Leach was fired from Texas Tech after the 2009 season.

The Tommy Tuberville Era: 2010-2012

In 2010, Texas Tech hired Tommy Tuberville as their head coach. Tuberville was a successful coach who had previously led Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004.

Tuberville led Texas Tech to a 21-17 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to one bowl game, the 2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Tuberville left Texas Tech after the 2012 season to become the head coach at Cincinnati.

The Kliff Kingsbury Era: 2013-2018

In 2013, Texas Tech hired Kliff Kingsbury as their head coach. Kingsbury was a successful coach who had previously led Houston to a share of the American Athletic Conference championship in 2011.

Kingsbury led Texas Tech to a 35-40 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to four bowl games, including the 2015 Texas Bowl and the 2017 Birmingham Bowl.

Kingsbury left Texas Tech after the 2018 season to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Matt Wells Era: 2019-2021

In 2019, Texas Tech hired Matt Wells as their head coach. Wells was a successful coach who had previously led Utah State to a Mountain West Conference championship in 2018.

Wells led Texas Tech to a 13-17 record during his tenure. He led the Red Raiders to one bowl game, the 2020 Liberty Bowl.

Wells was fired from Texas Tech after the 2021 season.

The Joey McGuire Era: 2022-Present

In 2022, Texas Tech hired Joey McGuire as their head coach. McGuire was a successful coach who had previously led Baylor to a Big 12 Conference championship in 2021.

McGuire led Texas Tech to a 8-5 record in his first season. He led the Red Raiders to the 2022 Texas Bowl.