On the Diamond
Texas Tech softball is the #9 preseason ranked team in the nation by Softball America. I remember the old head coach leaving for Tennessee as a hitting coach and the thought was that things looked bleak and here we are. My point is that things can look bad with a program and then things can turn very quickly.
On the Court
Lady Raider Jordyn Merritt announced that she is medically retiring from basketball:
“Dear Lady Raider Nation – After speaking with my family, coaching staff and sports medicine staff about the ongoing medical issues I’ve been unfortunately experiencing, I have decided to medically retire from basketball. This was not an easy decision, but with respect to my long-term health and well-being, it was one that I had to make. I would like to thank God who has blessed me with my teammates, sports medicine staff and coaching staff, who have believed in me and helped me create lifelong memories. To Lady Raider Nation – Thank you for your continued support and welcoming me with open arms. These last two years have been unforgettable and I will always cherish my time as a Lady Raider. I will continue to be on the sidelines supporting my sisters on our mission in any way I can. Let’s Press On, Lady Raider Nation,” Merritt said.
On the Gridiron
Graham Harrell will be inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame and that is a deserved honor. Congrats!
Over his three seasons leading Texas Tech’s record-setting offense, Harrell torched opposing defenses to the tune of 15,793 passing yards over his Red Raider career. Harrell finished fourth in the 2008 Heisman Trophy voting, narrowly topping Crabtree, who was fifth overall after a memorable season that saw the Red Raiders finish 11-1 in the regular season and rise to No. 2 in the national polls.
Harrell was named the Sammy Baugh Trophy winner as a junior in 2007 before claiming the Johnny Unitas Award as well as AT&T All-America Player of the Year and Sporting News Co-Player of the Year honors in 2008. He was also tabbed a first team All-American by the AFCA following a 2008 season where he threw for 5,111 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Harrell previously threw for 5,705 yards through the air in 2007, which ranks third all-time in NCAA FBS history and second in school history only to fellow Red Raider signal caller B.J. Symons. To this day, Harrell remains Texas Tech’s career leader for passing yards, touchdown passes (134), pass attempts (2,062), completions (1,403), passing yards per game (350.9), 300-yard games (32) and 400-yard games (20). He broke seven NCAA records during his playing career and remains in the top five of seven FBS statistical categories, including career passing yards and career touchdown passes.
Texas Tech football made it official in hiring Lindsey Scott, Jr. as the quarterbacks coach.
FootballScoop is reporting that inside linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder will not be retained as new defensive coordinator Shiel Wood will take over that position group:
Texas Tech: Inside linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder shared today that he will not be returning to TTU and is seeking his next position. Bookbinder has served these three years with Joey McGuire at TTU and the two previously worked together at Baylor as well.
I am guessing that McGuire will do everything he can to make sure that Bookbinder lands somewhere great, having the prior relationship at Baylor and his success in coaching linebackers should bode well for Bookbinder.
Texas Tech football also announced that long-time Wofford assistant coach Jack Teachey will be the defensive analyst for Texas Tech. Of course Shiel Wood was at Wofford and that’s the connection, with Teachey being an assistant coach from 1994 to 2013. Most recently, Teachey was the head coach at Topsail High School
Offszn.
New year, new facility, same brotherhood. pic.twitter.com/lZICqJVdYl
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 15, 2025
Here is where it starts. pic.twitter.com/VBb144LIZz
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 16, 2025