HUGE CONGRATULATIONS: Coach Grant McCasland Named Coach of the Year After Remarkable Season with Texas Tech
In a stunning yet well-earned recognition, Texas Tech Red Raiders Head Coach Grant McCasland has officially been named Coach of the Year, capping off one of the most thrilling and improbable comeback seasons in recent college basketball history. The announcement, made by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, comes on the heels of a campaign that saw the Red Raiders rise from unranked underdogs to national contenders under McCasland’s relentless drive, strategic genius, and unwavering belief in his players.
When McCasland took the reins at Texas Tech, he inherited a program in transition. After a turbulent year and early roster losses, expectations were low. But the former North Texas coach, known for building winning cultures and developing gritty defensive squads, wasted no time reshaping the team’s identity. Through intense offseason conditioning, tactical recruiting, and a complete cultural overhaul, McCasland turned doubters into believers.
The Red Raiders finished the regular season with an astonishing 28-5 record, dominating Big 12 play with a conference-best 16-2 mark. The squad’s success wasn’t just about wins—it was about how they won. McCasland’s system prioritized physical defense, smart ball movement, and a team-first mentality. His “No Star, All Grit” mantra became the heartbeat of the locker room.
Standout moments from the season included the Red Raiders’ dramatic overtime win against Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse—snapping the Jayhawks’ 52-game home winning streak—and a dominant sweep of in-state rival Texas. In the postseason, McCasland’s team surged into the Elite Eight, thrilling fans with a Cinderella-esque run that featured back-to-back upsets of national powerhouses.
But perhaps McCasland’s greatest triumph came off the court. He turned a fractured team into a family. He mentored young stars like sophomore point guard Jalen Witherspoon and transfer forward Malik Dawes, whose breakout performances were credited to McCasland’s faith and development plans. His commitment to mental health, academic excellence, and leadership growth made the Red Raiders a model program.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas called McCasland’s season “a masterclass in program-building,” while former Tech legend Chris Beard praised his successor for “bringing back pride to Lubbock in a way few could’ve imagined.”
In his acceptance speech, McCasland humbly deflected the praise: “This award is about our players, our staff, and Red Raider Nation. It’s a blessing to lead a program that fights with heart every night. We didn’t chase trophies—we chased growth. The wins followed.”
With the Coach of the Year honor now secured, speculation swirls about McCasland’s long-term future. But for now, Texas Tech can celebrate a leader who didn’t just coach a season—he led a revolution. And in doing so, he brought national respect back to the scarlet and black.
