Easy to forget that it wasn’t that long ago Texas Tech was 20 seconds away from winning a national title in men’s basketball. Tech’s painful, overtime loss in the title game to Virginia was in the spring of 2019, which only feels like 2,019 years ago, as does nearly everything else that happened before COVID. Since that game, Texas Tech somehow maintained its reputation as the Stranger Things of college basketball, specifically with their coaches. Every time Tech was sure it had “The Guy,” something happened. Bob Knight quit. They fired his son. They fired the next guy. The next guy was only an interim. The next guy left for Memphis. The next guy left for Texas, where he was fired. The next guy “resigned.” Since 2000, Texas Tech has had 10 head coaches. This time it actually feels like their guy on the sideline won’t leave. Or get himself fired. In his first season as the head coach at Texas Tech, Grant McCasland has the Red Raiders in the top 25 and they should make the NCAA Tournament. On Tuesday night in Lubbock, the No 23. Red Raiders trailed TCU by 10 points with 6:29 remaining before coming back to win, 82-81. The Red Raiders are 19-7, and 8-5 in the Big 12. This was not expected. Not in Year One.
was 16-16 last season before head coach Mark Adams “resigned” for making racially insensitive remarks, specifically referencing a Bible verse about slaves serving masters. The entire saga was bizarre, but consistent with the Texas Tech basketball program since James Dickey was fired in 2001. Adams’ exit created the opportunity for Tech to hire McCasland. “To be a part of this atmosphere, and have this home court advantage, we don’t win that game if not for the people in that building,” McCasland said after the win. “I am so thankful for the people that love watching us play. I love being at this university. This place is special.” Not every man who has had this job means it. McCasland sounds like he does.
