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Texas Tech Football: Top 5 Candidates to replace Kliff Kingsbury

By John Mitchell

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Houston Cougars on September 15, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 63-49. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Houston Cougars on September 15, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 63-49. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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3. Sonny Dykes (HC/SMU)

Dykes was a candidate for this job when Kingsbury was initially hired, and his chances this time around probably aren’t as good, but Dykes is a name that is synonymous with the university.

He is the son of a beloved former Red Raiders head coach, Spike Dykes, who coached in Lubbock for 13 seasons, amassing a then school record 82 wins, which was ultimately surpassed by Leach.

Dykes is another native son, a graduate of the university where he played baseball. He returned to Lubbock to spend seven seasons as a Leach assistant, the final two seasons as a co-offensive coordinator.

The bloom on the Dykes rose has faded since the last time he was considered for the position. After a successful three-year stint as the head coach at Louisiana Tech, Dykes went 19-30 in four seasons at California before being terminated following the 2016 season.

You have to put his tenure in Berkeley in perspective though, as Dykes inherited a massive rebuilding job. After a 1-11 first season, Cal improved to 5 wins in 2014, and then 8 in 2015. A retread season of 5-7 in 2016 ultimately led to Cal moving on, but it’s fair to wonder if they pulled the plug prematurely.

Dykes was given a second chance at SMU, replacing Chad Morris. His first season with the Mustangs didn’t go as hoped, but the cupboard wasn’t stocked full when he arrived in Dallas, either. A season ending loss to Tulsa prevented SMU from going bowling, but they were also a win over Memphis last week away from winning the AAC West.

Dykes wouldn’t move the needle as much as some others, but expect his name to be in the mix once again.

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