Tommy Tuberville to Texas Tech: Big 12 Gets Interesting

Will Muschamp and Paul Rhodes have something in common. No it is not that they coach in the Big 12. They were both hired into the Big 12 after coaching for Tommy Tuberville. In fact, the last two Texas defensive coordinators and the last two Iowa State head coaches worked for Tommy Tuberville.

This is the same Tommy Tuberville that has accepted the open slot at Texas Tech. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but it is. This will change the dynamics of the entire Big 12. 

For some time the Big 12 has been known for high flying offense and mediocre defense. Only Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma had good defenses this year. If anyone needs to be refreshed as to what this means, then stand bye. 

Bob Stoops came to Oklahoma after being the defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators under Steve Spurrier. He has since become the most successful head coach in the Big 12 over the last decade.

Gene Chizik was hired by Texas as their defensive coordinator after a successful stint under Tommy Tuberville at Auburn. Texas won their most recent national championship with him as defensive coordinator. He then moved on to Iowa State as head coach.

Will Muschamp was hired away from the Tommy Tuberville coaching staff to replace Gene Chizik. Texas was back to the national title game this year with him as defensive coordinator. He is also Texas head coach in waiting.

Auburn hired Gene Chizik away from Iowa State and Paul Rhodes was hired to take his place. He was the last defensive coordinator on Tommy Tuberville's staff at Auburn. He led the Iowa State team to their first bowl victory in years.

Tommy Tuberville is hired at Texas Tech. Tommy Tuberville is 110 and 60 all time as a head coach. All of his coaching career was in the SEC. Nick Saban is 77 and 24 in the SEC. Tommy Tuberville is a program builder. He built programs in disarray at both Ole Miss and Auburn. 

Some would say the program at Texas Tech is not a build job. In some ways this is true. There is a good foundation for a football team. Texas Tech made the bowl season again this year. Tommy Tuberville will take the program up a notch.

To be the best, you must beat the best. I would think this hire has fired a shot across the bow of Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. They just said move over boys, we came to play!