Kliff Kingsbury will return to Texas Tech next season, the school’s athletic director said on Sunday.
The Red Raiders went 5-7 this season in Kingsbury’s fourth as the program’s head coach. They beat TCU and Baylor, but Texas Tech had the worst defense in college football as they allowed a nation-worst 44 points per game.
Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said the season was “disappointing” but that he still believes in Kingsbury.
Kirby Hocutt announces he believes in Kliff Kingsbury and he will remain Texas Tech's football coach pic.twitter.com/IjQU8EeGQO
— Pete Christy (@pchristy11) November 27, 2016
Hocutt said Kingsbury would “absolutely” be back, though things with the program need to change, including the defense.
Hocutt: I think Kliff will continue to be play caller on game days but he needs to focus more on defensive side of ball (moving forward)
— Pete Christy (@pchristy11) November 27, 2016
Kingsbury is 24-26 in four seasons. His best year came in his first as head coach when Texas Tech went 8-5. They went 4-8, 7-6 and now 5-7 in the three ensuing seasons.
