as joey mcguire continues to build the Texas Tech program, and the next step is to see a significant increase in the win column. The team has been very competitive since the opening kickoff in 2022 and has achieved high results in year one. Unfortunately for McGuire, the team failed to live up to its high preseason expectations in his second year. On Friday, head coach McGuire officially introduced the biggest edition to his coaching staff for the 2024 season. clay mcguire He served as Washington State University's offensive line coach for the past two seasons, and it was announced that he will serve in the same role with the Red Raiders for the 2024 season.
Who is Clay McGuire?
To answer the most pressing question, Clay is not a brother or cousin to Joey and has no family relationship. The past two years as the Cougars' offensive line coach marked his second stint at Washington State University.before his latest mission jake dickertMcGuire previously coached the Cougars' offensive line under the late coach. mike leech From 2012 to 2017. McGuire has had several stops in his recent coaching career. McGuire came to Washington State from USC and coached the Trojans' offensive line in 2021. His Trojans offensive line allowed the third-fewest sacks in the Pac-12 in his only season in Los Angeles.
Prior to that, McGuire served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach. kliff kingsbury He was the offensive line coach at Texas State University from 2019 to 2020 before leaving Lubbock for San Marcos. McGuire is a Texas native who coached multiple times at Texas Tech and played for the Red Raiders from 2001 to 2004.McGuire takes over stephen humbywas fired last week.
What are McGuire's top priorities?
This is very simple. Secure the offensive line to protect the quarterback. Texas Tech has been forced to play two or three starting quarterbacks a season since 2016. Quarterback Behren Morton is poised to take full control of the offense, but has suffered a serious injury during his playing days. McGwire's challenge is made even more difficult considering he's working with a disjointed offensive line. Caleb Rodgers is the only returning member from last season's starting offensive line. Additionally, Rodgers will move from right tackle to center, meaning no player will return to the same position for the 2023 season. McGuire's recent seasons don't give him much confidence that things will change in the passing game.
Last fall, the Cougars' offensive line allowed 16 sacks, third-most in the Pac-12. The Cougars allowed 91 pressures, the second-most in the conference, according to PFF. Another reason for concern for the Red Raiders is that the Cougars have had major problems with run blocking. They finished second to last in run blocking with a grade of 51.0. That number ranked them 116th out of 133 FBS teams. Indeed, All-Big 12 running back Taj Brooks finished fourth in the nation in 2023 with 96 forced missed tackles and fourth in the nation in yards after contact. But the offense could take even greater strides if Brooks didn't have to constantly create for himself.
I have the full support of Joey.
McGuire didn't put up big numbers on the offensive line last season. Joey knows how much the offensive line has struggled in his two seasons, so he has to get this hire right. However, Clay had multiple stops and saw a unit that performed well in both the passing game and running game. The head coach said of the new offensive line coach: He will only enhance the culture we have established within our football program. ”
