Texas Tech Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim DeRuyter — What’s Next for Head Coach Joey McGuire’s 2025 Season?

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through Lubbock, Texas Tech University has officially parted ways with defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. The announcement came early Thursday morning, following weeks of speculation surrounding the Red Raiders’ underwhelming defensive performance throughout the 2024 season.

DeRuyter, a seasoned coach with more than two decades of experience, was brought in by head coach Joey McGuire in 2022 to solidify a defense that had long been seen as Texas Tech’s Achilles’ heel. Initially, there were signs of progress. The Red Raiders showed more discipline in coverage and increased quarterback pressure during his first year. However, that momentum didn’t sustain. By the end of the 2024 campaign, Texas Tech ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in total defense, surrendering an average of 33 points and over 420 yards per game.

For a program hoping to establish itself as a serious contender in the new-look Big 12—especially with traditional powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas having departed for the SEC—such defensive lapses proved unacceptable.

Multiple sources close to the program cited Texas Tech’s late-season collapse as the final straw. After starting the year 5–2, the Red Raiders dropped four of their last five games. In each loss, the defense failed to make key stops in the fourth quarter, allowing opposing offenses to march downfield with little resistance. The breaking point came during a 52–31 blowout at the hands of rival Baylor, where the Red Raiders gave up over 600 yards.

Tim DeRuyter is a great football mind and a respected coach, but at this time, we felt a change was necessary to move the program forward,” McGuire said. “We appreciate everything he has contributed to Texas Tech football and wish him the best in the future.”

The move signals a new sense of urgency for McGuire, who now enters his fourth year as head coach with increased pressure to deliver results. Although he has revitalized recruiting and brought an energetic culture to the program, inconsistency—particularly on defense—has kept the Red Raiders from taking the next step.

The question now shifts to who will take the reins of the Texas Tech defense heading into 2025. McGuire and athletic director Kirby Hocutt are reportedly casting a wide net for DeRuyter’s replacement, targeting both up-and-coming defensive minds and established veterans with Power Five experience.

One name generating early buzz is Arkansas defensive backs coach Dominique Bowman, a rising star known for his aggressive style and player development. Other potential candidates include former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and Kansas State linebackers coach Steve Stanard, who have both drawn attention for their ability to turn around struggling units.

Whoever gets the job will inherit a defense in flux. While there’s talent on the roster—particularly at linebacker and in the secondary—depth has been a persistent problem. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the unit in 2024, and the next coordinator will need to rebuild both the scheme and confidence from the ground up.

While DeRuyter’s dismissal is certainly a pivotal development, it also raises larger questions about Joey McGuire’s long-term future. The former high school coaching legend turned collegiate head coach has enjoyed early praise for his energy and recruiting prowess, but wins and losses will ultimately define his tenure.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining chapter. With quarterback Will Hammond entering his sophomore year and a strong core of offensive playmakers returning, the pressure will be squarely on the defense to hold up its end. The new coordinator will need to make an immediate impact if the Red Raiders hope to compete for a conference title.

Recruiting, too, could be affected. DeRuyter had strong relationships with several current commits and was seen as a steadying influence on the coaching staff. McGuire must now work to reassure recruits that the program is stable and trending in the right direction.

Fan response to the firing has been mixed, though many agree it was time for a change. Some expressed gratitude for DeRuyter’s initial contributions but acknowledged that the defensive woes had become unsustainable.

Another user chimed in, “If we want to compete with Kansas State, Utah, and Arizona, we need a defense that can shut the door late in games. No more excuses.”

With the clock ticking toward spring football and the 2025 season opener against Oregon State looming, Joey McGuire has little time to waste. A new defensive coordinator must be hired, a new scheme installed, and a new culture forged on that side of the ball.