$26,000,000 McGuire
Texas Tech and Head Coach Joey McGuire agree on a new 6 year, $26.6 million dollar contract.
Congratulations are in order for Texas Tech University and head football coach Joey McGuire after inking a new 6 year $26.6 million dollar deal. It appears Texas Tech brass has seen enough after one year for McGuire to earn this new deal. With the University of Texas and Oklahoma University on the way out to the Southeastern Conference, Texas Tech made a smart move to lock up McGuire now. Coach McGuire is a great recruiter in the state of Texas, which is the golden key to competing in the Big 12 and across the country. McGuire won three state championships at Cedar Hill High School in Texas, moved up to the Baylor Bear staff under Matt Rhule & Dave Aranda and is now building a culture at Texas Tech.
With all evidently going in the right direction for the Texas Tech football program it only seems right to ask if it was too early to go all in on Joey McGuire?
First off, I would like to note that I am a fan of Coach McGuire and his accomplishments at the high school level in Texas because three state championships at any classification is no easy feat. I had my eye on him after he arrived in Waco on the Baylor staff due to the way he would be able to recruit Texas. Huge get for Baylor at the time. I was also very critical of McGuire throughout the season due to his game management. Of course I’m just sitting back watching from afar and not in the coaches room with him on a daily basis. This is the only scope I have to view him, his decisions and the program.
After his first year at the helm McGuire has show an extremely aggressive play calling style, which I have not always agreed with from a game management standpoint. I also applaud how he stays very consistent in those decisions. That’s his style. We could breakdown each Big 12 game and those situations when the game was in the balance for Tech but we’ll save that for a film day in the summer.
For the duration of the season Coach McGuire flipped between three quarterbacks, which felt odd at first. Senior QB Tyler Shough started the season but was injured in the season opener. QB Donovan Smith from Las Vegas jumped in and it felt like he would be able to handle the job in Lubbock but some injuries and ball security was a major issue. Then, a last second start in Stillwater vs. Oklahoma State the country was introduced to Behren Morton from Eastland, Texas. Morton played fearless on the road against a then #7 Oklahoma State team throwing for 379 yards with 3 total TDs and 1 interception. He continued by putting up a similar performance stomping West Virginia in Lubbock on homecoming. The hot streak was put to an end during Texas Tech’s home loss to Baylor 45-17 where Morton got roughed up. His welcoming to Big 12 football. The hangover lingered the next game in a loss vs. TCU. Senior QB Shough returned to finish the season and help Texas Tech finish on a four game winning streak (bowl game included). Smith has since transferred to U of H, Shough most likely graduating (who knows these days) and Behren Morton should take over the reigns next year as an experienced Sophomore - watch out!
Joey McGuire has the support and confidence from the Texas Tech athletic department to continue his culture takeover in Lubbock. He also has a pretty good QB prospect in Behren Morton returning to lead the way along with a top 25 recruiting class per On3.com. As Coach McGuire said, “The country is goin’ to find out, everything runs through Lubbock. We’re the team to beat.” I can’t wait to see what the next 6 years looks like for the Mighty Red Raiders from Lubbock, Texas.
