Texas Tech Hires New Defensive Line Coach

Texas Tech hired Terrance Jamison on Thursday as the team's new defensive line coach. He'll take over for Kevin Patrick, who left a few weeks ago. With the addition of Jamison, Kliff Kingsbury now has a full coaching staff ready to go for 2017.

Jamison spent the last three years as the defensive line coach at Florida Atlantic University. Before FAU, he was a defensive quality control assistant at the University of California. From 2011 through 2012, he was on the Wisconsin coaching staff as a defensive quality control assistant and later a graduate assistant.

In his three seasons at Florida Atlantic, Jamison turned the Owls' defensive line into one of the best in the Conference USA. In 2015, the line was ranked 13th in the country and first in the C-USA in sacks. FAU also set a school record for sacks that year with 35.

While Jamison coached at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, he mentored future NFL all-pro J.J. Watt. He spent time there as a student assistant, quality control assistant, and graduate assistant. Jamison also played defensive lineman for the Badgers until he was forced to quit football due to knee injuries.

Jamison is taking over coaching a defensive line with a solid mix of young talent and seniors. While the loss of Breiden Fehoko hurts, there are young lineman on this team who I believe can step up. Nelson Mbanasor and Tyler Carr are the only defensive line recruits for the 2017 class, but there are other underclassmen who could find themselves starting come September. Guys like Broderick Washington, Joeseph Wallace, Houston Miller, and Eli Howard come to mind. Zach Barnes, Taylor Nunez, and Mychealon Thomas are all seniors going into this season and Jamison will be looking to them to lead the way.

I believe Texas Tech's hire of Jamison is a good one. Tech's defense only had 14 sacks last year and their leader was linebacker Kris Williams who had 4.5. Bringing in Jamison, who helped turn FAU's defensive line around, I feel can definitely help Tech improve their defensive line. Jamison has some young talent and senior leaders who can help him accomplish this.

With Kingsbury's coaching staff complete, the team can finally prepare for the 2017 season. Spring practices for the Red Raiders begin on March 4th. Jamison will be joining the team then.