Kliff Kingsbury’s tenure as the head coach of Texas Tech Red Raiders has come to an end after he finished the season with a losing record for the third consecutive time. The university’s decision to part ways with Kingsbury was confirmed Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt.
“I’d like to thank Kliff Kingsbury for his six years of dedication leading our football program,” – said Hocutt in a statement. “He’s worked very hard and represented us in a first-class manner.“
Thank you, Kliff Kingsbury, for leaving this university better than you found it, twice.
You’re forever a Red Raider.
🔴#WreckEm⚫️ pic.twitter.com/RIW0WCxuHg
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 25, 2018
In a statement issued on Monday, Kingsbury said that it has been his “honor” coaching the school and that his only regret is not bringing Texas Tech football program to the level “this University and community deserves.”
He leaves the program with 35–40 record in six years.
Thank you. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/X7znxRdz2u
— Kliff Kingsbury (@TTUKingsbury) November 26, 2018
Kliff Kingsbury served as a quarterback for Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1998 to 2002, before being selected in the sixth round of 2003 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. After not getting much playing time in NFL, he went on to play in NFL Europe and Canadian Football League before retiring in 2007.
Kingsbury started his coaching career in 2008 with the University of Houston, where he served on several positions before joining Texas A&M as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012. After just one year with the Aggies, he was named the head coach of Texas Tech football program.
Reportedly the main candidates for the vacant position of the Red Raiders’ HC are Troy University’s Neal Brown and North Texas’ Seth Littrell. Both coaches previously served as assistants at Texas Tech. Clemson’s defensive coordinator Brent Venables might also be in the mix according to ESPN.