Even on the morning of its softball team playing for a national championship, Texas Tech leadership proves once again why it's the laughingstock of college sports.
According to a source-and in direct contradiction to a statement made last week by Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire- the Red Raiders never received agreement from Texas State head coach GJ Kinne to cancel their game with Texas, nor did McGuire, athletic director Kirby Hocutt, or Tech chairman Cody Campbell receive it from any other athletic official at Texas State.
"All it was, was a PR stunt, clear as day," a source told On Texas Football.
During the Big 12 spring meetings last week, McGuire specifically told reporters that the Red Raiders were challenging Texas to a game in Week 1 of the season. Furthermore, McGuire said he had already talked to and received agreement from multiple parties needed to make such a match-up a reality, including gaining approval from the Horns' scheduled opponent, Texas State.
“I’ve actually talked to (Abilene Christian head coach) Keith Patterson, and I’ve talked to (Texas State head coach) GJ Kinne, and they’re willing to take our games, and Abilene Christian will go to Texas State," McGuire told reporters. "We’ll buy our contract out of Abilene Christian. I’m sure, ‘cause Texas has got a lot of money, they can buy their contract out. But I do know there’s a lot of Red Raiders that will help them buy their contract out.”
According to a source, discussions resulting in such an agreement with Texas State never occurred.
Texas Tech chairman of the board of regents, in a show of bravado, went even further despite never having allegedly received such an agreement from Texas State.
Campbell tweeted, “Upping the ante: @TechAthletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let’s go! @CoachSark @_delconte”.
Giving up a game with Texas would make little sense for Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne and his university, a newly minted member of the Pac-12 which is attempting to elevate its own growing program.
The timing of McGuire's and Campbell's comments are noteworthy given another major issue facing Texas Tech, and that’s quarterback Brendan Sorsby who is working to retain eligibility this season despite admitting to betting on his own team when he was at Indiana earlier in his career. The NCAA ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible, yet Sorsby is appealing and his attorney went before a judge in Lubbock this week to seek an injunction.
Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec and McGuire have both voiced their support of Sorsby to return to play this year despite the university voting against legalizing gambling for college athletes in the last year.
Campbell did not respond via text for comment and McGuire through Texas Tech Sports Information did not immediately return a call.
Texas State athletic director Don Coryell and head coach GJ Kinne did not respond for comment.
Abilene Christian issued a statement to the Abilene Reporter News following McGuire’s comments.
“We are planning on playing Texas Tech as scheduled on Sept. 5 in Lubbock," the release stated. "We look forward to playing the Red Raiders barring any changes.”
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