Texas Tech announced contract extensions for the entire coaching staff, which include new 3-year contract extensions for defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and offensive coordinator Zach Kittley, DeRuyter’s new contract is $3.15 million and Kittley’s is $2.55 million.
“We’re thankful our entire staff will enter this next season with a multi-year contract,” head coach Joey McGuire said. “This was a top priority for me personally as I truly believe in this staff and the direction of this program. The leadership and support we receive from our administration and Red Raider Nation are unmatched, and we look forward to continuing to build upon the success of this past season.”
Additionally, the other coaches are on two-year deals other than special teams coach and running backs coach Kenny Perry and passing game coordinator Marcel Yates, who are on 3-year deals. New wide receivers coach Justin Johnson is making $550,000 for 3 years. Strength and conditioning coach Lance Barilow and associate athletics director for football administration Antonio Huffman have signed 2-year deals.
This is terrific news for the program. Stability for the coaches and that’s a great thing to sell to recruits.
Via the Star Advertiser, former Texas Tech defensive coordinator and head coach at Hawaii Greg McMackin died yesterday.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly ($) has his first go at his SP+ preseason rankings with Texas Tech checking in at No. 35. Connelly also thinks that the ranking may be too high and before you think that this is a shot at Texas Tech, I took it as a compliment to how good Tyree Wilson and Marquis Waters were for the defense and their production will need to be replaced.
No. 35 Texas Tech (23rd in the Way-Too-Early Top 25). I’m not going to lie: I expected the Red Raiders to rank a little higher here. They rode a late four-game winning streak to an 8-5 finish and No. 32 SP+ ranking, and they return a load of super seniors, including oft-injured quarterback Tyler Shough. But as with Oregon State, the defense has holes to fill. Tech must replace by far its two most disruptive players (edge rusher Tyree Wilson and slot corner Marquis Waters), and even with these two players the Red Raiders still only ranked 82nd in defensive SP+ last season. The offense should be good, especially with Joey McGuire’s progressive fourth-down philosophy, but the defense doesn’t yet get the benefit of the doubt.
I would love it if there was another guy in the pipeline, and maybe there is someone like Isaac Smith, Robert Wooten, Bryce Ramirez, or L.B. Moore, ready to step up. I sort of have less of an idea for Waters, but you get the idea.