Texas Tech parts ways with 3 defensive assistants (Update)
Update: Dec. 1 - 12:15 p.m. ET
Texas Tech announced that three defensive assistants – co-defensive coordinator Mike Smith, defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis and outside linebackers coach Trey Haverty – will not return to the staff in 2016.
The changes are effective immediately, meaning they will not coach in the team's upcoming bowl game.
“We appreciate all that Mike, Kevin and Trey have done at Texas Tech over the last three seasons,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said in a statement. “All three are great Red Raiders and we wish them the very best.”
All three Kingsbury’s staff when he was hired as head coach in 2013.
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Two of Texas Tech’s defensive coaches reportedly will not return for the 2016 season.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and Dallas Morning News, Red Raiders co-defensive coordinator Mike Smith and defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis have been let go. The news was first reported by RedRaiderSports.com ($).
Both newspapers spoke with prospects who have verbally committed to Texas Tech in the 2016 class. Demarcus Fields, a three-star defensive back, told the Avalanche-Journal that Curtis told him the news in an in-person meeting.
“He told me face-to-face,” Fields said. “I know it’s a business, man. I’m still going to stay in contact with him though, I just know we’re going to get some coaches that will be top-notch and ready to go.”
Ivory Jackson, a two-star defensive lineman, told the Dallas Morning News that the decision was made earlier in the week.
“They both called me on Sunday after church and let me know that the decision had been made a few days ago and they were making it official,” Jackson said. “I was really surprised because I was so close to the both of them.”
Both Smith and Curtis joined head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s staff when he was hired as head coach in 2013. The Red Raiders had one of the worst defenses in the country in 2015 by allowing 540.2 yards per game – 125th in the nation. The defense was also ranked 125th in rush defense and 112th in pass defense.
Smith, a former TTU linebacker, started as Kingsbury’s linebackers coach in 2013, but was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014 after the messy departure of former defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt. In 2015, he served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach alongside defensive coordinator David Gibbs.
Before his time as a Red Raiders assistant, Smith spent three seasons on the staff of the New York Jets and was also a graduate assistant at Hawaii.
Curtis, a former TTU safety, was in his third season as cornerbacks coach. He previously spent time at Louisiana Tech and Navarro Junior College.
The 7-5 Red Raiders are riding a two-game winning streak into postseason play after knocking off Kansas State and Texas in back-to-back weeks.
For more Texas Tech news, visit RedRaiderSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
