Today’s column brought to you in part by McAlpin Chiropractic. Trusted in West Texas for years!
CULTURE MATTERS. ALWAYS.
Can one man change the culture around a losing program in not quite a full week?
Not to over-hype Texas Tech’s 41-38 win over Iowa State Saturday in Lubbock, but it sure felt different this week and Texas Tech played different. And Joey McGuire isn’t even on the sidelines yet as Texas Tech’ new head coach.
While McGuire wasn’t physically out there, his positivity and relentless desire to ingrain himself into the Red Raider community seemed to be on display Saturday and the days leading up to the game. For the first time in a long time, we heard from Texas Tech fans who felt good about the program. They felt good about the future. They felt good about buying-in to the program literally and figuratively.
This past week, McGuire was seemingly everywhere.
He was getting recruits in, call players offering them scholarships right after their play-off game win, if there was a tail-gate party Saturday, it felt like McGuire was there, shaking hands, taking pictures and winning the hearts and minds of the Texas Tech fans. That’s one of the advantages Kirby Hocutt and Texas Tech gave their new coach with the hiring time-line. McGuire can be the Head Coach without having to coach. . .
If he was doing that outside the team, could his actions be carrying over to the players as well?
McGuire’s presence around the program seemed to have a carry-over effect to how Texas Tech played, responded to adversity and expected a good outcome, not allowing the slow train of momentum for ISU to overwhelm them and chalk up another close loss. This time, Sonny Cumbie and crew refused to let it happen.
Could it be that the hiring of McGuire freed up players and coaches. Not so much a nothing-to-lose attitude but rather a Why Not Us attitude?
Saturday’s was a game Texas Tech has perfected in losing for the last decade or so. It’s what losing teams do. They lose.
Winning programs on the other hand find ways to win. Overcoming officiating, bad luck and more, winners win.
Texas Tech as a program carried itself like winners this week. Staring from the first McGuire presser to the final blast by Garibay’s leg for a game-winning 62-yard FG. Texas Tech was different this week.
Does this mean Tech will take down Oklahoma State? Baylor? No. But it does mean that internally amongst the team and externally amongst the fans, it’s OK to expect something positive.
Did one man change a culture at Texas Tech this week?
I’m not sure, but I am sure it’s going to be fun to watch as the days go by if this tidal-wave of positivity pays off. If it does, that Sleeping Giant McGuire talked about, may be stirring from a long slumber. The Giant may need a bigger pump jack. . .
Hyatt
I have to believe Joey has made a positive difference in the attitude of the players. Almost like you want to play harder to make Dad proud!
A bigger pump jack – I love it!!
Actually, I love the whole idea of the sideline pump jack. It’s perfect!
Yes, the culture can be changed in one week. I told you a couple weeks ago that following, watching, and attending Texas Tech football was no longer an enjoyable pursuit – even when they won.
Last night, Red Raider football was fun again. They played hard. They played smart. They played determined. And they played confident.
The way it ended was HUGE for the future of the program. Had they hung on to win by 14, it would have been a nice 6th win but otherwise just another forgettable footnote in meaningless season.
However, winning in that fashion, with that kick, with those coaches, against that team, and against those officials – everyone will remember THAT game!
Guns Up!
and Wreck ‘Em Tech!!