Texas Tech, Baylor's Joey McGuire Reportedly Agree to Contract to Be New Football HC
Nov 8, 2021
A Texas Tech helmet sits on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Iowa State and Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 31-15. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas Tech didn't wait long to decide on its next head football coach. The Red Raiders have hired Baylor assistant Joey McGuire, according to Don Williams and Carlos Silva Jr. of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports also reported the news, noting McGuire's local ties in Texas helped him stand out in the interview process.
The move comes two weeks after Texas Tech fired Matt Wells following a 5-3 start to the 2021 season. Sonny Cumbie has served as the interim head coach.
McGuire will be the long-term replacement after spending the past five seasons at Baylor. He has been the associate head coach since 2019 while also leading the tight ends, defensive ends and outside linebackers at different points during his tenure in Waco, Texas.
Baylor has undergone a massive transformation, going 1-11 in 2017 before reaching the Sugar Bowl under Matt Rhule with an 11-3 record in 2019. McGuire stayed on staff after Rhule left for the Carolina Panthers, assisting Dave Aranda the past two seasons. The Bears are 7-2 and No. 18 in the Associated Press poll.
Prior to his time with Baylor, McGuire was the head coach at Cedar Hill High School in Texas, leading the squad to three state championships in 14 seasons. He was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2020.
Texas Tech will hope this experience helps him as he takes over a program that hasn't finished a season with a winning record since 2015 under Kliff Kingsbury.
The Red Raiders began 2021 with a 4-1 record but have lost four of the last five games and have a tough remaining schedule with games against Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt discussed what he was looking for in a new coach after firing Wells last month:
The right fit for the next head coach, good question, you know I believe we, if possible, you want to see somebody that has strong state of Texas ties. Somebody who knows this state, knows the recruiting landscape, the recruiting landscape continues to change as all of you know with the transfer portal, but still the ability to go into Texas high schools and have a relationship there, and be able to recruit and sell West Texas and everything that Texas Tech has to offer would be important to us.
McGuire's time in Texas as a high school coach and Baylor assistant seemingly make him a perfect fit.
Texas' Steve Sarkisian: Viral Monkey Story Involving Assistant Isn't a 'Distraction'
Nov 4, 2021
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Texas Longhorns Casey Thompson (11), head coach Steve Sarkisian and TE Jared Wiley (18) get ready to hit the field prior to game between the Texas Longhorns and the Baylor Bears on October 30, 2021 at McLane Stadium in Waco, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Texas Longhorns football team has a lot to worry about, but the recent story about a monkey bite is not one of them.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the viral story Thursday:
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said the monkey story is not a distraction at all. Said that's a personal matter.
There were online reports that a monkey belonging to Danielle Thomas, the girlfriend of Texas assistant head coach Jeff Banks, bit a child at their home on Halloween night.
Austin Animal Services confirmed there was a report of a monkey biting a child on Sunday and they are currently investigating the situation, per Katie Hall of the Austin American-Statesman.
Thomas seemingly referenced the situation on Twitter before her account was deleted.
"I had a haunted house on one side gated off ... I had no idea he went in my back yard," she wrote on Twitter. "Neither did I know anything about a bite! Until a doctor of neighborhood told me."
Banks is in his first year at Texas, serving as an assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. He followed Sarkisian from Alabama, where he spent three years on Nick Saban's staff.
The head coach doesn't believe this story will affect the team, but it's one more thing to worry about after three straight losses dropped the Longhorns to 4-4 on the year. Texas is set to face Iowa State on Saturday.
Report: Joshua Moore Had 'Heated Exchange' with Steve Sarkisian After Texas Practice
Nov 3, 2021
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: University of Texas Long Horns wide receiver Joshua Moore (6) lines up during the game against the Louisiana - Lafayette Ragin Cajuns on September 04, 2021, at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Texas Longhorns football team is on a three-game losing streak, and tensions are reportedly starting to boil over.
Longhorns beat writer Anwar Richardson reported that wide receiver Joshua Moore got into a "heated exchange" with head coach Steve Sarkisian after Wednesday's practice. Richardson added that Moore's future with the team is "questionable."
Moore had five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Longhorns' loss to No. 16 Baylor on Saturday, but he also had some negative plays in the second quarter of that game. Moore lost a fumble, dropped a potential touchdown pass and another pass was intercepted after it deflected off his hands.
Moore is Texas' third-leading receiver with 22 receptions for 233 yards and three touchdowns over eight games. He hasn't had more than five catches or 100 yards in a game this season.
The Longhorns have already lost second-leading receiver Jordan Whittington to a broken clavicle, so the uncertainty surrounding Moore's status is another blow to an already depleted receiving corps.
A redshirt junior, Moore led Texas in 2020 with 30 catches for 472 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors for his performance.
The Longhorns' three-game losing streak was a tough stretch in which they faced off against three ranked teams. At 4-4 and 2-3 in the Big 12, Texas will enjoy the fact that none of its final four opponents of the season are currently ranked.
While Moore's status remains in question, Texas will continue to lean on true freshman star receiver Xavier Worthy. Worthy leads the Longhorns with 33 receptions, 657 yards and seven touchdowns.
Texas will look to end its skid Saturday night in a road tilt against Iowa State.
Lincoln Riley: Gary Patterson, Matt Wells Firings 'Not Good for Our Game'
Nov 3, 2021
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners talks to players during warmups before a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Lincoln Riley is not a fan of the recent coaching changes in the Big 12.
Texas Tech fired head coach Matt Wells on Oct. 25 despite having a 5-3 record at the time. TCU and longtime head coach Gary Patterson mutually agreed to part ways Sunday. Riley wasn't happy with the timing of the midseason oustings.
"It's not good for our game, not good for our league," Riley said. "I hope we can find a better solution than this because I'm afraid it's going to become the trend. If you're asking maybe a reason why, I think everybody is scared they're going to miss out on who they want to hire."
Patterson was the second-longest tenured active head coach in the FBS, trailing only Iowa's Kirk Ferentz. He is TCU's winningest coach in program history with a record of 181-79. The 61-year-old led the Horned Frogs to six conference titles and nine bowl game wins, including the 2011 Rose Bowl and 2014 Peach Bowl.
Riley expressed how he felt about the firings, and he didn't hold back.
"To see two guys out in midseason like that, one with a winning record and one is undoubtedly the greatest coach in the history of his school," Riley said. "Seeing Gary Patterson go out in the middle of the season is just β I don't know what to think of it, man. I was sick when I heard the news, to be completely honest.
"I know it's a tough business," he continued. "Our jobs are scrutinized and we're big boys and can live with big-boy decisions. But man, what he did at that place and to not even finish out the year, I don't know."
Riley acknowledged it's likely that these coaching changes happened when they did because schools don't want to fall behind in the recruiting period. But he feels strongly that coaches need to be better protected and the timing of the firings didn't sit right with him.
"We may have to look at something maybe like the pros do, or something like that that really draws some hard lines on when [firings] can happen and when they can't," Riley said. "Gary Patterson not finishing a season at a place he built? Man, that ain't right."
Patterson declined TCU officials' offer to finish the season. The eighth-ranked Sooners are off this weekend before returning to action on Nov. 13 against No. 12 Baylor.
Gary Patterson, TCU Mutually Agree to Part Ways; Jerry Kill Named Interim HC
Oct 31, 2021
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 09: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs shouts to his players during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 09, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
The TCU Horned Frogs football team and head coach Gary Patterson have mutually agreed to part ways amid a three-game losing streak.
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati noted the school asked Patterson to continue to lead the team for the rest of the season, but the coach declined:
Special assistant Jerry Kill was promoted to interim head coach.
Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported the news of the coaching change.
Patterson stepping down represents the end of an era for TCU. He's the winningest coach in program history with a record of 181-79. The 61-year-old led the Horned Frogs to six conference titles and nine bowl game wins, including the 2011 Rose Bowl and 2014 Peach Bowl.
TCU won double-digit games 11 times under Patterson, including a 13-0 season in 2010 that culminated with a No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll. In the first year of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the Horned Frogs finished sixth in the final ranking after going 12-1.
Patterson started at TCU in 1998 as a defensive coordinator. He was promoted to head coach in December 2000 when Dennis Franchione left to take the head coaching position at Alabama. Patterson, who was in his 21st season as TCU head coach, was the second-longest tenured head coach in FBS.
TCU fell to Kansas State on Saturday 31-12 to fall to 3-5 and 1-4 in the Big 12 this year. The Horned Frogs offense is averaging just 20 points during its three-game skid.
Donati will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.
Matt Wells Fired as Texas Tech HC After 2-Plus Seasons with Program; Had 13-17 Record
Oct 25, 2021
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 16: Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Matt Wells in the third quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Kansas Jayhawks on Oct 16, 2021 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders fired head football coach Matt Wells on Monday, the school confirmed in an announcement.
Chris Vannini of The Athletic first reported the decision to part ways with Wells.
Texas Tech is 5-3 on the season following a 25-24 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats and faces the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
Wells took over the program prior to the 2019 season and was just 13-17 overall with the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech said offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie will take over as interim head coach.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported SMU's Sonny Dykes and UTSA's Jeff Traylor are "early names to watch" as potential replacements for the Big 12 program. He also reported former Baylor head coach Art Briles likely will not be a candidate.
The timing of this move is somewhat surprising considering the Red Raiders have shown some improvement this season.
They were just 4-8 in Wells' first season and 4-6 last year, but they already have five wins with four games remaining this season. They also defeated a 6-1 Houston team and led Kansas State by 14 points at halftime before losing the lead in the second half.
Cumbie will have his work cut out for him as the interim despite that progress given that Texas Tech closes with four straight games against nationally ranked foes in Oklahoma, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Baylor.
Still, the opportunity is there for the program to finish with its first winning season since 2015.
As for Wells, he was the head coach of Utah State for six years prior to coming to the Red Raiders and finished with a 44-34 record. His best season was in 2018 when the Aggies went 10-2.
No. 8 Oklahoma State Upset by Brock Purdy, Iowa State 24-21 in Big 12 Action
Oct 23, 2021
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) celebrates with teammate Sean Foster (75) after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa State football upset No. 8 Oklahoma State 24-21 on Saturday from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
Running back Breece Hall's four-yard touchdown run with 5:29 left in regulation proved to be the winning score.
The two teams then traded three-and-outs before Oklahoma State mounted one last drive.
The Cowboys had a 4th-and-2 on the ISU 42-yard line with 1:09 left. Quarterback Spencer Sanders tossed a short pass to Brennan Presley, who reached for the first-down line.
Officials marked him inches short, and ISU ran out the clock.
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy finished 27-of-33 with 307 yards and two touchdowns. Cyclones wideout Xavier Hutchinson caught both of Purdy's touchdown passes en route to 12 catches for 125 yards. Hall finished with 70 rushing yards.
Sanders tossed three touchdown passes, two of which went to Presley (six catches, 84 yards). Tay Martin caught the other score while amassing four receptions for 80 yards.
Neither team led by more than one score in this seesaw affair. Oklahoma State led 14-7 at halftime thanks to Presley's two TD catches.
The Cowboys became the second Top 10 team to lose to an unranked opponent Saturday, as No. 7 Penn State fell 20-18 in nine overtimes to Illinois.
Lincoln Riley After Kansas Win: Oklahoma's Toughest Opponent Right Now Is Itself
Oct 23, 2021
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Dallas. Oklahoma won 55-48. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley wasn't happy with his team's performance after surviving a scare against Kansas on Saturday.
After the Sooners' 35-23 win, Riley told reporters that his team is its own worst enemy right now.
"The toughest opponent that we've got right now is ourselves," Riley said. "And we beat ourselves too much. I love the way we finish, and damn, if we will ever figure out how to play a complete game, combined with the way this team finishes, we could have something."
The Sooners were trailing 10-0 through two quarters after a horrendous performance by the offense. They gained a total of 53 yards on just 17 plays with an interception by Caleb Williams and a turnover on downs when a 4th-and-6 pass was incomplete.
Coming out after halftime, Oklahoma gained more yards on its first drive (75) than it did in the entire first half. Williams capped it off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Haselwood.
The Sooners scored touchdowns on all five of their second-half possessions. Williams threw for 178 yards, ran for 70 and accounted for three scores.
Despite being 8-0 so far, the Sooners have rarely played an entire game at an elite level. They had to make a defensive stop on the final drive in a 23-16 win over Nebraska. They spent most of their game against West Virginia tied before Gabe Brkic's 30-yard field goal as time expired.
Oklahoma had to score 35 points in the second half against Texas to steal a 55-48 win on Oct. 9.
Early season issues at quarterback are at least partially to blame. Spencer Rattler was seen as a Heisman favorite coming into the year, but turnovers have moved him behind Williams on the depth chart.
If there is a silver lining for Riley and the Sooners, they keep winning games as other playoff contenders fall. Illinois upset Penn State 20-18 in nine overtimes Saturday. Alabama and Ohio State already have one loss this season.
Oklahoma still has two games remaining against teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, including a Nov. 27 showdown at Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale.
If the Sooners can iron out their issues, they are still in a prime position to be in the College Football Playoff.
Caleb Williams, No. 3 Oklahoma Rally in 2nd Half to Thwart Kansas' Upset Bid
Oct 23, 2021
Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners overcame sloppy play and a 10-0 halftime deficit to beat the Kansas Jayhawks 35-23 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday.
Oklahoma improved to 8-0 and kept its hopes of an undefeated season alive, while Kansas fell to 1-6 and dropped its 17th consecutive game to the Sooners.
Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for just 50 yards with one interception in the first half, but he bounced back in the second half and finished with 248 yards and three touchdowns.
Kansas' near-upset was spearheaded by running back Devin Neal, who paced the Jayhawks with 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Oklahoma entered the game as a 38.5-point favorite and avoided what would have been one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
Notable Stats
Caleb Williams, QB, OKLA: 15/20 for 178 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT; 8 CAR for 70 YDS, 1 TD
Jason Bean, QB, KAN: 17/23 for 246 YDS, 1 TD; 14 CAR for 59 YDS
Kennedy Brooks, RB, OKLA: 24 CAR for 79 YDS, 2 TD; 1 REC for 24 YDS
Devin Neal, RB, KAN: 23 CAR for 100 YDS, 2 TD
Jadon Haselwood, WR, OKLA: 3 REC for 38 YDS, 1 TD
Kwamie Lassiter II, WR, KAN: 7 REC for 101 YDS
Caleb Williams Bounces Back in Come-from-Behind Win
In just the second start of his collegiate career, Williams faced and overcame a significant amount of adversity.
Williams was the hero two weeks ago when he replaced Spencer Rattler in the Red River Showdown against Texas, leading Oklahoma to victory. He followed that up with a good performance in an easy win over TCU.
The expectation was that Williams and the Sooners would cruise against a struggling team, and while that wasn't the case, winning in the fashion they did may have set OU up for sustained success.
Williams and Co. were out of sync in the first half, likely due in large part to the fact that Kansas possessed the ball for long stretches.
Even when the Sooners had the ball, things didn't go well, as Williams was picked off by Ricky Thomas Jr. on a deep pass in the second quarter:
The Sooners gained fewer than 100 yards in the first half, and in the second half Kansas opened the stadium to anyone, regardless of whether they had a ticket:
Wow! They just announced on Kansas radio network that stadium gates are open, no more tickets required. βIf youβre in town, come on down!β
But Williams led Oklahoma on a touchdown drive to open the second half, throwing a five-yard scoring pass to Jadon Haselwood.
After Kansas restored its 10-point lead on the next drive, Oklahoma struck again three plays later when Williams threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Hall.
Oklahoma then forced a three-and-out and took a 21-17 lead on a four-play, 48-yard drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown run by Kennedy Brooks.
Williams later helped put the game away with two massive plays that further showed why he separated himself from Rattler.
The first was a 40-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-3:
Williams was far from perfect, but he sprinkled in some of his trademark magic to lead the Sooners to victory.
Oklahoma will have to be better in every aspect to remain undefeated and reach the College Football Playoff, but with Williams behind center, it will have a chance.
Neal, Kansas Running Game Nearly Complete Upset
Though Kansas fell short of what would have been the program's biggest victory in over a decade, it may have found a winning formula.
The Jayhawks dominated possession, keeping Oklahoma's high-powered offense off the field.
While quarterback Jason Bean was effective as a runner, Neal chewed up yards and the clock, and his physicality proved difficult to handle.
Neal's one-yard plunge accounted for the only touchdown of the first half, and he scored again late in the third quarter on a hugely important drive for Kansas.
After Oklahoma cut the deficit to 10-7, the Jayhawks orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Neal on 4th-and-goal:
Kansas had seemingly regained control of the game at that point, but Oklahoma was unstoppable the rest of the way, with the Sooners' Key Lawrence forcing a big fumble near midfield with his team up 21-17.
Head coach Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks have a long way to go in terms of becoming a winning team, but they showed they can be competitive against one of the best teams in the nation.
If Leipold can execute similar game plans moving forward, Kansas will have a chance to be a problem for opponents.
What's Next?
Oklahoma will look to keep its undefeated season going next Saturday when it hosts the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Kansas will attempt to score its first Big 12 win next Saturday when it visits the No. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Kansas Opens Gates, Waives Ticket Requirement in 2nd Half of Oklahoma Upset Bid
Oct 23, 2021
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 23: Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
The unranked Kansas Jayhawks held a surprising 17-14 lead over the No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners entering the fourth quarter of Saturday's game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Kansas hadn't been in such a close game against Oklahoma for decades. The Jayhawks decided to waive the ticket requirement for most of the second half to encourage fans to enter the stadium and get loud:
The gates are open on the east and west sides of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, no ticket required.
