Texas Tech is locking in its future-and not just on the field.
Fresh off a Big 12 championship and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, the Red Raiders are doubling down on the leadership that got them here. The program announced contract extensions for all three coordinators-offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, and associate head coach/special teams coordinator Kenny Perry-along with general manager James Blanchard. All four are now signed through the 2028 season.
This move comes just two weeks after head coach Joey McGuire landed his own extension through 2032, along with a sizable raise. It’s clear Texas Tech isn’t just celebrating a breakthrough season-they’re building a foundation for sustained success.
“I appreciate Kirby Hocutt and our administration for proactively investing in the future of our football program,” McGuire said in a statement. “Our expectation is to compete annually for championships with this staff and the resources we have in place here at Texas Tech.”
And that expectation isn’t just talk. Texas Tech isn’t sneaking into the CFP-they earned their spot. Sitting at 12-1 and ranked No. 4, the Red Raiders are heading to the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day, where they’ll face either Oregon or James Madison in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
The timing of these extensions is no coincidence. With the transfer portal humming, recruiting battles heating up, and playoff prep underway, stability matters.
These are the coaches and decision-makers who helped engineer one of the program’s best seasons in recent memory. Leftwich’s offense has been explosive and efficient, Wood’s defense has stepped up in big moments, and Perry’s special teams unit has been a difference-maker.
Behind the scenes, Blanchard has been instrumental in building the roster through smart talent evaluation and recruiting strategy.
Texas Tech isn’t just riding a hot streak-they’re staking their claim as a power player in the new-look Big 12 and the expanded playoff era. Locking in the core of their football brain trust is a clear message: they plan to be a fixture on the national stage, not a one-season storyline.
With the Orange Bowl looming and the College Football Playoff spotlight shining bright, the Red Raiders are showing they’re not just ready for the moment-they’re built to last.