At today's weekly Texas Tech Football press conference, head coach Tommy Tuberville publicly apologized for a sideline outburst that was directed toward a graduate assistant. The incident occurred in Saturday's win against Kansas. Tuberville's anger was directed toward Kevin Oliver, a graduate assistant who helps with the special teams. On a 4th and 2 play, Texas Tech was penalized for an illegal formation after the wrong substitution package was called in from the sideline.

FOX Sports Net cameras caught Tuberville grabbing Oliver's headset while yelling at him on the sideline. "After watching the film, when I got home, it was obvious what a lot of people were upset about," Tuberville said. He continued, "And it upset me too. You don't do things like that and it was obvious that I reached up and grabbed his (Oliver's) headset and pulled on it. (It was) heat of the battle. Some things happen sometimes you would like to take back. I can't ever remember anything like that happening to me. It was a tough game. I have apologized to Kevin."

FOX Sports Net
FOX Sports Net
loading...

Tuberville regretted the incident occurred, "It was unfortunate that happened. I've got kids of my own. I've got 100 kids on the sideline and coaches. And I've got to hold myself to a higher regard than that."

Concerning the media coverage surrounding Saturday's incident, Coach Tuberville took issue with reports that he "slapped" Oliver. "Some have reported that I slapped or hit-- you're dead wrong," Tuberville said. "I did not do that. I never thought about it in 35 years (of coaching). Never dreamed of hitting anybody and never have."

When asked about the incident in further detail during the press conference, Tuberville refused to say anything else.

Texas Tech University officials have not commented on the incident as well as the Big 12 Conference. However, both Sports Illustrated and ESPN have reported that the Big 12 Conference will look into the incident.

More From Talk 103.9 & 1340