Built or Busted: Why 2025 Must Be the Year Joey McGuire Delivers for Texas Tech Football
When Joey McGuire was hired as the head coach of Texas Tech in 2021, he brought with him a wave of energy, recruiting prowess, and a promise to build a sustainable winning culture in Lubbock. Now, heading into the 2025 season, the time for patience is over. The foundation has been laid. The recruiting classes have been strong. The staff has been molded. And the expectations have reached a boiling point. Simply put: 2025 is the year McGuire must deliver—or risk having his program labeled as all hype and no results.
McGuire’s first few seasons were marked by flashes of potential. In 2022, the Red Raiders showed grit and resilience, pulling off some key wins and finishing with a winning record. 2023 saw improvement in talent and depth, but inconsistencies—especially on the offensive side—kept Texas Tech from taking a big step forward. By 2024, fans were no longer satisfied with “building”; they wanted results. And now, with a full recruiting cycle behind him and most of the roster consisting of players he and his staff handpicked, 2025 stands as a referendum on McGuire’s vision for the program.
One of McGuire’s biggest strengths has been recruiting. He brought in some of the most talented classes Texas Tech has seen in years, regularly competing with Big 12 powerhouses for top prospects. He’s established strong pipelines in Texas high schools, particularly leveraging his long-standing relationships from his time coaching at Cedar Hill. But recruiting victories mean little if they don’t translate to wins on the field.
The Big 12 landscape is also in flux. With Oklahoma and Texas off to the SEC, the path to conference contention has theoretically opened up. Programs like Kansas State, Utah, and UCF are vying to take control of the new-look Big 12. Texas Tech needs to be in that mix. In 2025, there’s no excuse for not being a top-tier team in the conference. The quarterback situation should be settled, the offensive line experienced, and the defense more disciplined and physical—hallmarks McGuire promised when he took over.
Moreover, the fanbase has bought in. McGuire has been embraced in Lubbock as a coach who understands the culture and spirit of Texas Tech. That goodwill, however, isn’t infinite. A mediocre season in 2025 would not only frustrate fans but could also begin to erode recruiting momentum and administrative support. College football is a results-driven business, and the pressure to win is relentless.
McGuire doesn’t need to win a national title in 2025—but a Big 12 Championship Game appearance, or at minimum, a 9+ win season with tangible progress, is essential. Anything less, and the narrative shifts from “he’s building something” to “maybe he’s not the guy.”
Joey McGuire has had time to build. Now he must prove it wasn’t just a house of cards. In 2025, it’s built or busted.
