On the Track
If you have 4 minutes, I cannot recommend this enough, former Red Raider Jonah Koech running the 1500m in Eugene, Oregon for the USATF Outdoor Championships. If you don’t have 6 minutes and maybe only 2 minutes, start at the 2 minute mark. Koech’s kick is unbelievable.
On the Pitch
Texas Tech soccer was picked to finish 2nd in the Big 12 this year and had 5 players picked for preseason honors including goalkeeper Faith Nguyen, defender Macy Blackburn, midfielders Sam Courtwright and Peyton Parsons as well as forward Taylor Zdrojewski.
On the Hardwood
Texas Tech basketball announced the hiring for former Red Raider basketballer Toddrick Gotcher as an assistant coach. I’m honestly a bit surprised that Gotcher is an assistant coach without having coached at all on any level or to serve on any sort of staff in any capacity (recruiting or ops or otherwise), to then be a Power Four assistant coach. Ultimately, I know that Grant McCasland wouldn’t do this if he didn’t think it was a good addition. He was a tremendous Red Raider and has played professionally for nearly a decade so he doesn’t lack for real world experience.
On the Gridiron
ESPN has a look at Big 12 things with lots of Texas Tech mentions and power rankings and all sorts of stuff.
The Athletic’s Sam Kahn with a look at Texas Tech’s “open checkbook”:
Tech paid multiple transfers over $1 million, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, granted anonymity to discuss financial decisions schools are not compelled to publicly disclose. Many who didn’t reach that threshold are getting compensated in the high six figures. Personnel staffers at schools who competed for some of Tech’s transfers have remarked that the Red Raiders have gone well above “market value” to obtain players.
Campbell calls it sour grapes.
“Market value is what somebody’s willing to pay for them,” he said. “So that’s just mostly from people that are upset because they get outbid. … I think other places just didn’t have the resources or weren’t organized enough.”
Blanchard viewed it as a necessity, given Tech’s historical place in the national football landscape and lack of blue-blood status.
“We can’t say, ‘Someone offered this player $500,000, so we’re going to match.’ That’s not gonna work,” Blanchard said. “You’ve got to put your ego and pride to the side and say, ‘If one of the top five schools in the country offered $500,000, for us to be equal, we have to offer $675,000.
“Some people may say that’s over market value. No, I got the f—ing player.”
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams on how Vinny Sciury and Hunter Zambrano are out with what’s being described as injuries, both are to be back on Monday, Zambrano with a back and Scuiry with intestinal issues.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams on 7th-year linebacker Bryce Ramirez giving college players who play a long time a good name.
A couple of videos, the media availability with head coach Joey McGuire, summarized by AI, which didn’t do a great job, but I don’t have time to do a non-transcript. and also mic’d up with DC Shiel Wood.
The YouTube video “Texas Tech Football: Joe McGuire Media Availability” features Coach McGuire speaking to the media about the upcoming season. While a full summary isn’t available from the snippets provided, some key takeaways include:
*Sudden Change Drills: Coach McGuire mentions incorporating “sudden change” drills into practice, potentially referring to simulating unexpected game situations.
* Team Passion: He emphasizes the team’s passion for the university and for playing football.
* Fan Support: Coach McGuire encourages fans to attend the games, especially the first one, hoping for a large turnout (over 60,000 Red Raiders).
* The video seems to convey excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming Texas Tech Football season.