Grant McCasland named head coach at Texas Tech
Fresh off UNT‘s first-ever NIT Championship title on Thursday night, Grant McCasland is leveling up to the Big 12. As expected, the 46-year-old Texas-native has been announced as the new head coach at Texas Tech. McCasland spent two seasons at Tech as DBO early in his career and has gone 135-65 over the last six years with the Mean Green.
“We’re excited to welcome in the next era of Red Raider Basketball under the leadership of Coach McCasland,” AD Kirby Hocutt said. “This position received tremendous interest nationally as we firmly believe this program is one of the best jobs in college basketball. Our search committee was immediately impressed not only by Coach McCasland and his ability to win at every level of college basketball, all while creating a positive culture built upon toughness, but also his passion for Texas Tech and his vision for our basketball program.”
Considered a favorite for the job as soon as it opened, McCasland has been one of the most impressive coaches (mid-major or otherwise) in the country for the past seven years. Hired at Arkansas State in 2016 after five years on Scott Drew‘s staff at Baylor, McCasland won 20 games in his lone season with the Red Wolves and then headed back to his home state for the UNT job.
Originally from Irving, Texas, McCasland has also served as the head coach at D-II Midwestern State (TX) and at Midland College (TX) after his stint on James Dickey‘s staff in Lubbock.
“I want to thank President Lawrence Schovanec and Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt, and the committee for the opportunity to coach at Texas Tech,” said McCasland. “The commitment and vision for Texas Tech has no limits and we look forward to loving our team everyday with a greater purpose. We will strive daily for excellence in every aspect of our program, do things the right way, winning championships that values relationships throughout. Our family looks forward to joining the Red Raider nation and can’t wait to get started in Lubbock.”
The Texas Tech program has gone through a series of highs and lows over the last few years. Chris Beard took the team to the doorstep of a National Championship in 2019, then left for rival Texas two years later (that didn’t end well, but it still stings in Raider land). Mark Adams took over, going to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022 and then finishing tied for last in 2023. Adams stepped down earlier this month amidst rumors of discontent in the locker room.
McCasland moves into one of, if not the strongest league in the country and will need to quickly construct a roster that is ready to compete for a league title. Beard’s tenure raised expectations in Lubbock and most around college basketball think that McCasland is the perfect leader for the program moving forward.
credit to Texas Tech Athletics for the image
