Texas Tech is set to fire defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, sources confirm to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The Red Raiders won eight games in the 2024 regular season despite a defense that struggled throughout the year. They were 121st in scoring defense while allowing 34.5 points per game. Texas Tech also let go of Marcel Yates. 

DeRuyter is the second major coaching change by Joey McGuire in his three seasons as head coach in Lubbock. His first was along the offensive line after last season. DeRuyter, who made his name at Texas A&M and Oregon, was a member of McGuire’s original staff. Tech was 93rd in scoring defense in 2022 and 63rd last year. The 2024 defense is allowing over eight points more a game. 

McGuire will begin a national search for a defensive coordinator. The Texas Tech fan base is ultra motivated to win quickly in a wide-open Big 12 landscape.