Texas Tech Hires Tuberville

Photo: Charles Goldberg/The Birmingham News

Multiple sources are now reporting that Texas Tech has hired former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville to replace the fired Mike Leach. A news conference is set for Sunday at 3 P.M. eastern in Lubbock, Texas to officially introduce Tuberville.

Tuberville resigned from Auburn after 2008 season and did not coach this past season. He had been head coach at Auburn since 1999 and led the team to an 85-40 record, including a 13-0 campaign and No. 2 national ranking in 2004.

Despite all the names being thrown around in connection with the job, Texas Tech only interviewed two people… Tuberville and current Red Raider defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill. They also had phone conversations with Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes and Baylor head coach Art Briles.

Tuberville was considered a strong candidate because he was open to keeping some of Tech’s current coaching staff. No word yet on who will be retained.

I felt all along that Tuberville was the right man for the job. He has a history of performing well against very tough competition. While at Auburn, he beat Alabama seven of 10 times, including a streak of six straight seasons and had consistent success against the big boys of the Southeastern Conference. From 2004-2008 his teams were able to compile a 9-6 record against top 10 teams.

I think it’s a great hire but we will just have to wait and see how Tuberville is accepted by the Texas Tech fans.