Took a chance on an inventive and successful HS coach, got a **** ton of NIL money throw at kids, and that's all she wrote. 1 loss this year.
### The Rapid Rise of Texas Tech Football Under Joey McGuire
Texas Tech's football program had been mired in mediocrity for over a decade before Joey McGuire's arrival, posting just one winning Big 12 record from 2013 to 2021 and enduring five straight losing seasons (2016–2020). Fast-forward to December 2025: The Red Raiders are 11-1, ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff, and preparing for their first-ever Big 12 Championship Game appearance against No. 11 BYU. Every regular-season win came by at least 20 points, showcasing dominant play on both sides of the ball. This turnaround isn't luck—it's the result of McGuire's high school-honed coaching philosophy, aggressive infrastructure investments, and savvy use of the NIL/transfer portal era. Below, I'll break down the key factors.
#### 1. **Hiring Joey McGuire: A Culture-Building High School Wizard**
McGuire, hired in November 2021 after a stellar 14-year run at Cedar Hill High School (where he built a dynasty from a winless program), brought an emphasis on relationships, grit, and Texas recruiting ties. He's often called "a high school coach coaching college football," prioritizing player buy-in over schemes. His blueprint:
- **Instant Momentum**: In Year 1 (2022), Tech upset Texas and Oklahoma—the first time the program beat both in the same season—and finished 7-6 with a bowl win, snapping an eight-year drought for a winning conference record (5-4 in Big 12).
- **Consistent Improvement**: McGuire has posted winning Big 12 records every year (5-4 in 2022, 6-3 in 2023, 6-3 in 2024, 8-1 in 2025), the first such streak since Mike Leach's 2002–2004 teams. He's 34-17 overall through four seasons, tying for the most wins by a Tech coach in that span.
- **November Dominance**: Tech is 11-3 in November/December under McGuire (including 3-1 each of the last three Novembers), turning late-season games into "Joevember" highlights.
- **Player Development**: Stars like Tyree Wilson (No. 7 overall NFL pick in 2023) and Jacob Rodriguez (2025 Butkus Award winner) emerged, with 22 All-Big 12 honors in 2025 alone (league-high six first-team picks).
McGuire's staff, including holdovers like associate head coach Kenny Perry (with him since high school days), fosters a "tough, hard-working, competitive" brand he preached from Day 1.
#### 2. **Aggressive NIL and Transfer Portal Investments**
The NIL era (post-2021) supercharged Tech's talent acquisition, fueled by West Texas oil money from boosters like Cody Campbell and Dustin Womble. Tech committed $50 million+ to NIL deals, creating a "war chest" that rivals blue-bloods. Key moves:
- **Portal Dominance**: After a porous 2024 defense (worst passing defense in the Big 12, allowing 305.3 yards/game), Tech signed the No. 1 transfer class nationally (per On3) with 17 additions, including elite defensive linemen David Bailey (Savannah Benedictine), Romello Height (Benedictine), and Howard Sampson (North Carolina). This flipped the script: Tech now ranks top-5 nationally in scoring offense *and* defense in 2025.
- **Roster Depth**: Additions like tackles Will Jados (Miami-Ohio) and Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State) bolstered the O-line, while returners like QB Behren Morton (3,335 yards, 27 TDs in 2024) provided continuity. The result? An 11-win juggernaut that's "the best team money can buy—but coached to gel," as one analyst put it.
This wasn't just buying wins; McGuire's culture ensured transfers bought in, avoiding the pitfalls of "Frankenstein rosters."
#### 3. **Elite Facilities and Recruiting Surge**
Tech invested $242 million in Jones AT&T Stadium upgrades (largest continuous football facility in the U.S.), including a massive weight room, indoor practice field, and player lounge with podcast studio. This, plus a 2024 Adidas partnership (featuring Patrick Mahomes' logo), elevated "The Brand."
- **High School Pipeline**: McGuire's THSCA connections landed top Texas talent. The 2026 class ranks No. 19 nationally (No. 1 in Big 12 per ESPN/On3/247Sports), rebounding from a down 2025 (#51) with headliners like WR Chase Campbell (national top-100, 889 yards/13 TDs in 2025 HS season).
- **Texas Focus**: Emphasis on in-state recruits (e.g., five-star OT Felix Ojo, CB S'Vioarean Martin) built depth, with 10+ undrafted free agents and multiple NFL draft picks under McGuire.
#### Record of Progress
Here's a quick snapshot of McGuire's tenure, highlighting the steady climb:
| Season | Overall Record | Big 12 Record | Bowl Result | Key Milestone |
|--------|----------------|---------------|-------------|---------------|
| 2022 | 7-6 | 5-4 | Won Holiday Bowl (42-25 vs. Ole Miss) | Beat Texas & Oklahoma; first winning conf. record since 2009 |
| 2023 | 7-6 | 6-3 | Won Independence Bowl (34-14 vs. Cal) | Back-to-back bowls (first since 2004) |
| 2024 | 8-5 | 6-3 | Lost Liberty Bowl (39-26 vs. Arkansas) | 8-win regular season (first since 2019); fired DC, loaded portal |
| 2025 | 11-1 | 8-1 | Big 12 Championship (vs. BYU, Dec. 6) | 11 wins (most since 2008); No. 4 CFP ranking; contract extension |
#### The Bigger Picture
McGuire's extension through 2032 (averaging ~$7M/year) underscores the commitment: "Our success is not a one-year plan," said AD Kirby Hocutt. Tech's boosters turned Lubbock into a destination, but McGuire's relational style—evident in sellout crowds of 60,000+ and alumni like Mahomes hyping games—made it sustainable. As one X post noted, "Tech was a sleeping giant waiting for NIL... Glad Joey's the guy." If they win the Big 12 title and snag a playoff spot, this could mark the start of annual contention. Wreck 'Em.
