Texas Tech Reportedly Adds Tuberville, Bowden to Wish List

The line to replace ousted Mike Leach at Texas Tech seems to be getting awfully long.

In addition to interim head coach and defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers has now added former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville and former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden to his radar, according to a story appearing in Tuesday's Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Both highly successful coaches are set to interview, with Tubervillle slated to talk about the job with school officials Wednesday.

When reached by FanHouse Tuesday morning, Tuberville's agent Jimmy Sexton declined to discuss his clients interest in the job. Tuberville has been out of coaching for a year since being ousted by Auburn last year following his first losing season in 10 years.

McNeill, who led the Red Raiders to a victory over Michigan State in Saturday's Valero Alamo Bowl, interviewed with school officials Monday. The talks between McNeill and Tech administrators were positive and productive, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Myers said last Wednesday when Leach's firing was announced that he would conduct a national search to replace the program's winningest coach. Myers is said to be seeking a coach that would keep most of Leach's staff in place.

According to the Avalanche-Journal, the defensive-minded Tuberville has said he would keep Leach's quick-strike passing attack offense, which would be a huge change from anything he has ever done. It's not known what Bowden, whose background is in offense, would do if hired.

Conventional wisdom says McNeill might be the ideal hire for a few key reasons. Texas Tech fired Leach for cause last week after its investigation found he had mistreated wide receiver Adam James and perhaps others, which means the school isn't obligated to pay the remainder of his five-year $12.7 million contract he signed last February.
Leach, however, vowed to sue Tech for the money owed him which could mean the school doesn't have as much available money to pay someone from the outside.

McNeill also is a favorite among the current Tech players, coaching staff and fans, which means there would likely be an easier transition. McNeill showed Saturday night that he and Lincoln Riley, the acting offensive coordinator, can call the quirky offense.

In addition to McNeill, Tuberville and Bowden, Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes is also said to be interested in the job. Dykes is the son of former Tech head coach Spike Dykes and he had worked under Leach with the Red Raiders. Baylor coach Art Briles, who was also an assistant of Leach's for a few seasons, confirmed his commitment to the Bears last Friday which all but takes him out of the picture.

Myers had not yet returned a phone call from FanHouse as of late Tuesday afternoon.