For Texas Tech, it’s been an interesting week. It’s too early to be mysterious so lets jump right in, shall we?

Texas Tech football hires Matt Wells, associates

Following the dismissal of Kliff Kingsbury and a quick-but-exciting coaching search, Texas Tech landed on Utah State’s Matt Wells. Kirby Hocutt was adamant that Coach Wells fulfilled every box that he was looking for to help elevate Texas Tech football to the next level. Wells, whose Alma Mater was Utah State, reflected on the choice to come to the Big 12:

“It was a tough and emotional decision for me, and a lot of that is because that was my school, and I was an alumni there. And I knew it would take somewhere special. Somewhere with a vision to where they wanted to go and how they wanted to go.”

Along with Coach Wells, offensive coordinator David Yost and defensive coordinator Keith Patterson will also join the Red Raider staff. Coach Wells finished the 2018 regular season with a 10-2 record at Utah State. The Aggies ranked third in the nation in offense with 47.2 ppg. Their defense also stood out with an NCAA-best 18 interceptions, 10 recovered fumbles, and their plus-11 turnover margin is among the best in the country.

More information about the new coaches are available below:

Matt Wells can take Tech back to the Leach days and beyond

Matt Wells is the right man to lead Texas Tech football

What to expect from a Keith Patterson defense

Alan Bowman talks to press

One of the most important developments in the wake of the new coaching regime was Alan Bowman being able to meet with the press about it. In what many had feared would be his announcement to transfer, Bowman actually put doubters to rest. The breakout freshman stated that “I’m here for Texas Tech. I love the university, love the team. I met with the coaches yesterday, really enjoyed ‘em, so I’m excited for it.” Other football players shared similar sentiments and expressed excitement for the coming year.

Mens basketball rallies against Memphis

On Saturday, Texas Tech’s basketball traveled to Miami to take on Memphis at the American Airlines Arena. Despite their 3-3 record Memphis came out of the gates on fire. Texas Tech lead the game at 3-2 but wouldn’t see a lead until late in the second half. The Tigers were a turnover machine, forcing Tech to give up the basketball ten times before the half. Coach Beard, visibly upset, took the halftime to readjust the course of his team as he had to in the USC game. In the second half the Red Raiders were put into an even deeper deficit of thirteen points, but with an incredible effort from Tariq Owens the team caught fire. Owens recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds along with setting a new Texas Tech single-game record with eight blocked shots. This defensive effort alone allowed Texas Tech to manage a comeback with offensive efforts from Jarret Culver (20pts) and Deshawn Corprew (12 points). With 4:35 left in the game the Red Raiders took the lead 60-59, and never gave the Tigers an opportunity to climb back. The 27-8 run at the end of the game assured Texas Tech a 78-67 win, continuing a seven game streak of double-digit victories. Coach Beard had this to say about the team’s resolve:

“I thought above everything, we just stayed the course. On a night when some teams could say it’s not our night, we just stayed the course. We knew we couldn’t get it all back at once so we broke the game into little three and four minute games.”

Up next for the Red Raiders they will return home for Tuesday evening to take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:30pm.

Womens basketball falls to Florida

In a difficult SEC/Big 12 match up, Texas Tech dropped an absolute heart breaker to (then winless) Florida, 72-67. The Lady Raiders and the Gators fought a close game that saw momentum swing back and forth. It was at the half the two were tied up at 24-24, and in the third the two went point-for-point until Florida’s Funda Nakkasoglu made a jump shot at the buzzer to give Florida a 47-46 lead. As much as Florida tried to get away from Tech, Brittany Brewer put the team on her back by racking up 28 points (15 coming from three-pointers) and keeping it close until fouls and free throws put it out of reach. The loss moves the basketball team to 5-2 on the season and the next game isn’t until December 15. Tech is set to face Nevada at 3 p.m in Reno, Nevada.