Title: Texas Tech Red Raiders Under Renewed NCAA Scrutiny for Historical Violations
The Texas Tech Red Raiders’ athletic department is once again under scrutiny as the NCAA tightens its control of collegiate sports compliance. This fresh examination comes after previous punishments placed on programs such as Baylor and LSU, raising concerns about Texas Tech’s adherence to NCAA rules.
Texas Tech has a history of NCAA violations. In 2011, the institution was placed on two years probation after an investigation discovered that 16 coaches or assistants sent roughly 1,000 inappropriate text messages to recruits in the football, softball, and golf teams. The NCAA agreed that Texas Tech self-reported these offences and applied its own sanctions, such as probation, recruitment limitations, and scholarship reductions.
Previously, in the mid-1990s, the men’s basketball program was involved in a major scandal. The NCAA discovered breaches in nine sports dating back to 1990, including issues about eligibility, extra rewards, recruiting, and a lack of institutional supervision. As a result, Texas Tech was placed on four years’ probation, and the 1996–97 men’s basketball team was deemed ineligible for conference wins and participation in the NCAA tournament .
More recently, in September 2024, Texas Tech University charged its former rodeo coach with financial mismanagement, disdain for animal welfare, and policy infractions. While this episode is outside the NCAA’s customary scope, it highlights recurring concerns about oversight in the university’s athletic departments.
As the NCAA continues to pursue compliance in university athletics, Texas Tech’s history of violations puts it under closer scrutiny. University leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to honouring NCAA regulations and ensuring that all athletic programs are run with honesty.