From high school hero to architect of a historic conference crown
In short: Joey McGuire didn't just build a winning program; he engineered a cultural shift at Texas Tech. After dominating the Texas high school circuit, he transitioned to the collegiate stage, eventually leading the Red Raiders to their first-ever Big 12 title and a record-breaking season.
McGuire’s coaching pedigree is rooted in the Texas high school system. He began his career at his alma mater, Crowley High School, before moving to Cedar Hill High School in 1997. As head coach there from 2003 to 2016, he transformed a struggling program into a powerhouse, securing three state championships and a staggering 141–42 record. His tenure was defined by consistency, leading the Longhorns to 12 consecutive playoff appearances.
His move to the collegiate level saw him serve Baylor University in various capacities, including tight ends coach and associate head coach. He notably served as interim head coach in 2020 before being named the 17th head coach at Texas Tech on November 8, 2021. His first year was historic for the Red Raiders, marking the first time in program history that they defeated both the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners in a single season.
The pinnacle of McGuire's tenure arrived during the 2025 regular season. Under his leadership, Texas Tech finished 11–1 and secured their first Big 12 title since 1994 by defeating BYU in the championship game. This campaign resulted in a 12–1 record—the most wins in program history—and a #4 ranking in the final College Football Playoff poll. Despite a quarter-final loss to Oregon on January 1, 2026, McGuire solidified his legacy as one of the most successful modern architects of West Texas football.
The coaching lineage continues with his son, Garret McGuire, who serves as the running backs coach for the Red Raiders. Together, they oversee a program that has navigated high-pressure environments, from student section incidents to navigating the complexities of the transfer portal.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Joey McGuire
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