HISTORIC HONOR: Texas Tech Head Coach Grant McCasland Crowned National Coach of the Year Following Record-Breaking Elite Eight Run, Program-Defining Season, and Groundbreaking Culture Shift in Lubbock

🎓🏀 HISTORIC HONOR: Texas Tech Head Coach Grant McCasland Crowned National Coach of the Year Following Record-Breaking Elite Eight Run, Program-Defining Season, and Groundbreaking Culture Shift in Lubbock

 

In a season marked by transformation, resilience, and excellence, Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland has been named Coach of the Year—a monumental recognition of his leadership and success in turning the Red Raiders into a national powerhouse.

 

At just 48 years old, McCasland has established one of the fastest-rising programs in college basketball history: a 51–20 record across two seasons, highlighted by a 28–9 performance in 2024–25 that included a second-place Big 12 finish and an impressive run to the Elite Eight .

 

 

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🔥 A Season to Remember: From Underdog to National Contender

 

Historic Success: Under McCasland’s guidance, Texas Tech achieved a 15–5 conference record, setting the school record for Big 12 victories and accumulating 8 road wins—the most in program history .

 

Elite Tournament Run: The Red Raiders were seeded No. 3 in the NCAA Tournament, swept through the West Region, and reached the Elite Eight for the first time under McCasland—only the third time in Red Raiders history .

 

Program Record Ranking: Texas Tech cracked the AP Top 10 for six straight weeks—another school record—and finished the season at No. 8 .

 

 

 

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🏀 The Architect Behind the Turnaround: McCasland’s Hands-On Leadership

 

McCasland’s rapid rise from a celebrated North Texas coach—including an NIT championship in 2023—to Big 12 contender has been fueled by his belief in defense, balance, and player development .

 

This season in Lubbock, he melded his defensive pedigree with high-octane offense. Texas Tech averaged 80.6 points per game, ranking in the Top 40 nationally and ninth in adjusted offensive efficiency . The program even earned praise from rival head coach Bill Self, who nominated McCasland as a contender for Big 12 Coach of the Year .

 

Hiring elite assistants such as Jeff Linder, nurturing stars like Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin, and integrating transfers like Chance McMillian into high-energy lineups reflects McCasland’s sharp eye for talent .

 

 

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📈 A Commitment Beyond the Court

 

McCasland’s impact stretches well beyond wins and losses. In back-to-back seasons, he’s reshaped Texas Tech’s culture and fan environment:

 

Historic attendance: Nine sellouts at United Arena and over 450,000 fans in two years .

 

Player development: From cultivating defensive intensity to honing offensive execution, McCasland has consistently grown depth and flexibility in his squad .

 

Integrity & Character: A vocal Christian and recipient of the FCA John Lotz Award, he’s guided the team with a foundation of values and accountability .

 

 

 

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📜 Securing the Future: A Landmark Extension

 

Reflecting his success, the university has extended McCasland’s contract through 2030–31 with a total value of $31.5 million, beginning at a $5 million salary next year . Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt emphasized McCasland’s ability to “raise and deliver on high expectations” .

 

 

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🎙️ Voices of Praise

 

Bill Self (Kansas head coach): “If you’re going to look at teams in our league… Grant McCasland would win Coach of the Year as much as anybody” .

 

Robbie Hummel (analyst): “I’ll go with Grant McCasland… they are the No. 9 offense in college basketball, that’s pretty impressive” .

 

Kirby Hocutt: “We look forward to an exciting future under Coach McCasland’s leadership” .

 

 

 

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🏛️ Legacy in the Making

 

From a promising rebuild at North Texas to transforming Texas Tech into a national contender, McCasland’s journey is a masterclass in vision, work, and values. The Coach of the Year honor isn’t just a personal triumph—it validates the bold culture shift he’s instilled and sets a new standard for the program.

 

 

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With Coach of the Year honors secured, an Elite Eight run behind him, peak fan engagement, and a secure multi-million-dollar contract through 2031, Grant McCasland’s Texas Tech story is only beginning. As the Red Raiders gear up for future seasons, one thing is clear: under McCasland’s leadership, they’re no longer chasing respect—they’re claiming it.