LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) – Texas Tech has fired three defensive assistant coaches, all of them former players with the Red Raiders.
Mike Smith was co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, Kevin Curtis coached the secondary and Trey Haverty handled outside linebackers. All had been on the staff since coach Kliff Kingsbury arrived in 2013.
The move comes about a year after Kingsbury hired defensive coordinator David Gibbs away from Houston. Gibbs took over for Smith, who became interim defensive coordinator when Matt Wallerstedt resigned in September 2014.
The Red Raiders’ defense fared poorly this season. After 12 games, they ranked 125th in total defense, giving up 540.2 yards per game.
Texas Tech improved from 4-8 last year to 7-5 this season.