Red Raider Ravioli: What if Kingsbury goes?

Everything must change, for everything to remain the same
(Tomasi di Lampedusa, “The Leopard”, 1958)

Buongiorno gente, come va? (“Hi folks, how are you doing?)

The Red Raiders snapped their four-game losing streak, and the sun shines again in the sky. They defeated the mighty Baylor Baloos, there are no clouds in this brilliant Italian afternoon, and they need only one more victory to earn a Bowl berth.

Today, I want to discuss the eventuality of Kliff’s dismissal after this season, and widen the debate to what he represents in this moment, so the Air Raid offense.

If he gets fired, there is a big doubt that would afflict athletic director Kirby Hocutt, and people who have some importance in this decision. If they’ll decide to maintain the Air Raid in Lubbock, there aren’t many coaches who can run this kind of offense, and even less who can be available to accept the job.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

We can name, and please note that we are EXCLUSIVELY in the field of fantasy, Ruffin McNeil, currently assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach at Oklahoma, Sonny Cumbie, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for TCU, Dave Aranda, defensive coordinator at LSU, and maybe Seth Littrell, who’s currently head coach at North Texas where’s leading the Mean Green to one of their best seasons ever, but then? And would they take the position if offered?

That said, let’s imagine the administrative staff decides to let the Air Raid offense behind its back, and let’s concentrate on the three problems that will eventually rise in this case.

1- Short term. This kind of revolution, because of this we’d talk, would affect recruits, who’ll have to decide if maintain their commitments or not, but also returning players, who should learn a brand new system. We have to expect at least two seasons of purgatory before seeing something good.

2- Money. I am not sure that donors would welcome this change, as the Air Raid offense basically is the trademark of the school, the thing that sometimes gives some national notoriety for some broken records, and offers quarterbacks and receivers to the NFL.

3- Fans. Victories cure everything, but let’s talk about this. Around the FBS there are many capable coaches who would be interesting fits, but I wonder if their styles would be accepted by supporters.

Defiant example: let’s imagine Texas Tech hires a Rocky Long-type coach. He’s currently the head coach at San Diego State since 2011, he’s leading the Aztecs to their seventh consecutive winning season, and he won three Mountain West Championships.

He runs the ball relentlessly. Rashaad Penny, Donnel Pumphrey, and Ronnie Hillman are his best creations. In 2017, the Aztecs have the No. 16 rushing offense in the nation and the 118th passing offense.

That’s the 2017 game log of his starting quarterback, Christian Chapman.

Are we mentally prepared to see Texas Tech calling rushing plays for 70% of the time? When Kingsbury ran an equilibrate playcalling against West Virginia, with 39 passes and 33 rushes, comments weren’t exactly Oxonian.

So, let’s carefully think about the thing. Future could be brighter, but that’s not a given fact.

In the end, just a quick thought for the basketball team, that started its season with a convincing victory over South Alabama. According to our new colleague Jacob Harris, this could be the best team in a long time. Why not follow them?

Alla prossima! (See you next time!)