Kliff Kingsbury Introduced as new Texas Tech Football Coach

Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance, Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt, members of the Board of Regents, Texas Tech administration, former players, fans, cheerleaders and the Goin' Band were on hand for today's official introduction of Kliff Kingsbury as the new Texas Tech Football head coach.

In introducing his new head football coach, Hocutt pointed out Kingsbury's ties to Tech and his academic accomplishments, "Last Saturday, six days ago, we said we wanted to identify a winner.  Mission accomplished.  Last Saturday, we said we wanted to identify somebody who knows the fabric of West Texas, somebody who wants to be at Texas Tech.  Mission accomplished.

"It is only very fitting that today, prior to graduation, we celebrate the homecoming of Kliff Kingsbury.  In just a few hours thousands of Texas Tech students will walk across this very stage and permanently join the Red Raider family as they receive their diploma. Let us not forget that when Kliff Kingsbury walked across this very stage and received his diploma, he had just received the award as the Academic All American College Football Player of the Year."

As Kingsbury took the podium he immediately separated himself from the Red Raiders previous head coach, "It's good to be home. I find it a little poetic today that it's a classic, windy, West Texas day, and I'm going on record that I actually enjoy the wind. You'll never hear me complain about it." Tommy Tuberville wasn't fond of the West Texas wind while he coached at Tech and he complained about it at times.

Kingsbury thanked the fans for their support, "These last two days, the support, the outpouring of support has been incredible. It's made me feel at home. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that from the fans.

"Every former player that I've played against, when I meet them, the first thing they want to talk about is the fans at Texas Tech and how they hated playing there. And that's a credit to Texas Tech nation, the Red Raider Nation. We don't have the biggest stadium, but we have the rowdiest. And I love that place and can't wait to get back in it."

He also took a jab at his previous employer, by not naming rival Texas A&M, much to the delight of the fans in attendance, "When I got into coaching, I went to the University of Houston. That was a business decision. When I went to that other university (Texas A&M), that was definitely a business decision. But being here now, this is personal to me. This is where I want to be."

As far as next year's team goes, Kingsbury says it will be high-tempo, "I'm more of a walking‑type guy, not a talking‑type guy. So I'll let you all see that in the fall. But it's going to be an exciting brand of football. We'll be attacking on both sides of the ball, we'll play with confidence. The kids are going to have fun. They're going to have swagger, and you'll enjoy this next year's team. I promise you."

When asked about his family's reaction to his being hired at Tech, Kingsbury's father ended up talking about his wardrobe,"My dad's fired up. He sent me a text right after I got it, he said, "You mean I can throw all this maroon away now?" So some of his greatest moments with my mom were coming out here. They met some of the best friends in their entire lives out here watching me play. So this means the world to them."

The offense won't be a direct copy of Mike Leach's Air Raid previously run at Tech, "It will be different," said Kingsbury. "We adapt to personnel everywhere we've gone. In Houston, we led the nation in passing. Last year (2012, with Texas A&M) we led the SEC in rushing. We'll adapt to the personnel we have and play at our strengths. Bottom line is scoring points and getting first downs, stopping people on defense and winning ballgames. So we'll go from there."

Kingsbury also had a tongue-in-cheek request of Hocutt for the non-conference schedule, "I was going to see if there's anyway possible we can get Cincinnati on the schedule next year?" Kingsbury's request was met by thunderous applause by the fans in the United Spirit Arena.

Assistant coaches and other members of the Red Raider football staff are expected to be hired by Kingsbury within the coming weeks.