Netflix Announces August 2025 Premiere for Spike Dykes Documentary
On June 10, 2025, Netflix sent shockwaves through Lubbock and beyond, announcing the release date for a heartfelt documentary honoring the late Texas Tech Red Raiders football coach Spike Dykes. Titled I Like Spike: The Legacy of a Red Raider Legend, the film is set to premiere on August 15, 2025, just weeks before the 2025 college football season kicks off. This emotional tribute celebrates Dykes’ remarkable life, his transformative 13-year tenure at Texas Tech, and his enduring impact on West Texas and college football.
Spike Dykes, who passed away in 2017 at 79, was more than a coach—he was the embodiment of Red Raider spirit. Born in Lubbock, Dykes led Texas Tech from 1986 to 1999, amassing 82 wins, a program record until Mike Leach surpassed it in 2009. His folksy charm, hard-nosed coaching style, and deep love for West Texas endeared him to fans, players, and peers. The documentary, produced by Netflix in collaboration with Texas Tech University, promises an intimate look at Dykes’ journey, from his roots in Ballinger, Texas, to his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
The film features never-before-seen archival footage, including Dykes’ iconic water-dousing celebrations, alongside interviews with former players like Zach Thomas and Kliff Kingsbury, who started as quarterback in Dykes’ final game in 1999. Dykes’ son, TCU coach Sonny Dykes, and daughter Bebe Petree share personal stories, revealing the man behind the headset—a devoted father and community pillar. “Dad wasn’t just coaching football; he was building men and a community,” Sonny says in the trailer, posted on X to an outpouring of fan excitement.
Dykes’ legacy is one of resilience. Taking over a struggling program in 1986, he led Tech to seven bowl games, including the 1995 Cotton Bowl, and earned three Southwest Conference Coach of the Year awards (1989, 1993, 1994) and the inaugural Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1996. His teams famously upset rivals Texas and Texas A&M six times each, cementing his status as a Lubbock hero. The documentary highlights his balanced philosophy—tough defense paired with gritty running games—while showcasing his humor, like calling losses “a bad day at Black Rock.”
Fans on X are buzzing. One post read, “August can’t come soon enough! Spike’s story is gonna hit us right in the feels #WreckEm.” Another fan noted, “This is for every Red Raider who grew up chanting ‘I Like Spike.’” The film also explores Dykes’ high school coaching days, including his 1983 state title game run at Midland Lee, and his assistant stints at Texas, New Mexico, and Mississippi State.
At 500 words, this preview only scratches the surface of Dykes’ story. Netflix’s I Like Spike promises to be an emotional touchdown, celebrating a coach who turned Texas Tech into a contender and left a legacy that still resonates in Lubbock and beyond.
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