Kirby Hocutt Announces Kliff Kingsbury Will Remain Texas Tech Football Head Coach for 2017
Sunday afternoon at a press conference lasting more than 40 minutes, Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt (pictured, above) announced Kliff Kingsbury (pictured, below) will remain as the head coach of the Texas Tech Football team.
"I believed in Kliff Kingsbury when we hired him in December 2012, and I believe in Kliff Kingsbury today," said Hocutt. "I look forward to future success under his leadership as we move forward. I am confident there are much better days ahead for Texas Tech Football. Again, disappointed where we are today (ending the season in November), but optimistic about our future."
Hocutt voiced his disappointment with the Red Raiders (5-7) record in 2016 and said the team must improve next year.
Hocutt also said that the organizational structure of day-to-day operations will change with the football team. Kingsbury will spend more time focusing on the defensive side of the ball, but he will remain the offensive play caller during games. Someone on Kingsbury's staff will take over a set of yet-to-be-specified duties to allow Kingsbury time to focus on the defense.
When asked about the status of defensive coordinator David Gibbs, Hocutt said he expects Gibbs to return to Kingsbury's staff in 2017. Gibbs' contract is now expired after he signed a two-year contact when joining the Red Raiders for the 2015 season. He came to Texas Tech after spending time with the Houston Cougars in the same capacity.
Hocutt has already had his "end of season" meeting with Kingsbury. He said the two talked for an hour on Saturday, watching the end of the Ohio State-Michigan game.
When asked by 1340 The Fan's Rob Snyder if Kingsbury's contract will be restructured or realigned in any way, Hocutt said he anticipated no changes to Kingsbury's contract. Kliff Kingsbury is signed through the 2020 season.
Texas Tech Football opens the 2017 season Saturday, September 2, 2017 against Eastern Washington at Jones AT&T Stadium.