In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire has turned down lucrative head coaching offers from two of the nation’s most prestigious programs—Georgia and Notre Dame. According to ESPN sources, both schools were prepared to offer McGuire a staggering $7.5 million per year to lure him away from Lubbock. Instead, McGuire delivered a resounding message of loyalty: he’s staying put.
“I have no plans beyond being the Texas Tech head coach,” McGuire told ESPN late Tuesday evening. “This is home now. This is where I belong. We’re building something special here, and I’m not done yet.”
The reported offers would have placed McGuire among the top five highest-paid coaches in college football, but the 54-year-old coach, known for his energetic leadership and recruiting acumen, made it clear that money isn’t the driving force behind his mission.
Since taking over the Red Raiders program in 2021, McGuire has completely transformed the team’s culture and trajectory. Under his leadership, Texas Tech has posted back-to-back winning seasons, secured a top-15 recruiting class for 2025, and scored landmark wins against rivals Texas and Oklahoma. His gritty, blue-collar coaching style has resonated not just with players, but with the entire Red Raider community.
The news comes at a critical time for both Georgia and Notre Dame, who are reportedly on the hunt for fresh leadership following the unexpected departures of Kirby Smart and Marcus Freeman, respectively. Both programs had McGuire at the top of their wish lists, seeing him as the ideal candidate to bring energy, innovation, and discipline to their sidelines.
Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt released a statement Wednesday morning, praising McGuire’s loyalty and reaffirming the school’s commitment to its football program.
“Joey McGuire is not just our head coach—he’s the heart of Texas Tech football,” Hocutt said. “The fact that he turned down two of the biggest jobs in the sport speaks volumes about his character and dedication. We are proud to have him leading our program into the future.”
Fan reaction in Lubbock has been nothing short of euphoric. Social media exploded with praise for McGuire, with hashtags like #McGuireLoyalty and #TexasTechForever trending throughout the night. Students gathered outside Jones AT&T Stadium, many holding up signs reading “Joey for Life” and “Not Going Anywhere.”
Recruiting insiders suggest McGuire’s decision could have a ripple effect across the country, strengthening Texas Tech’s pipeline and giving the program even more national attention.
For McGuire, however, the message is simple.
“We’re just getting started,” he said. “This is about legacy. About doing something that’s never been done before in West Texas. I’m here for the long haul.”
As the dust settles on this blockbuster report, one thing is clear: Joey McGuire isn’t chasing the spotlight—he’s building one right where he stands. And coll
ege football is watching.
