LUBBOCK, Texas — Red Raider Nation confirmed Monday that Joey McGuire will be named the next Texas Tech University head football coach.

McGuire will take over after Matt Wells was fired in late October. Sonny Cumbie has been the interim coach since then.

“The sport of football is so much about relationships, and I can’t wait to build those bonds with our players and all of Red Raider Nation,” McGuire said Monday.

Before taking the Texas Tech job, McGuire was the outside linebackers coach and associate head coach at Baylor. He was in his fifth season at Baylor. He had also served as the tight ends and defensive ends coach.

Kirby Hocutt said after Wells was fired that he wanted his next coach to have ties to Texas football. McGuire checks that box.

Prior to his time at Baylor, McGuire was a high school coach at Cedar Hill and Crowley. He led Cedar Hill to three state championships and has been inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

“We are excited for this new chapter in Texas Tech Football under the direction of Coach McGuire,” Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said. “Our search committee was impressed from the outset not only with his significant ties throughout the state of Texas but his enthusiasm and desire to serve as the head coach at Texas Tech. We are thrilled to be able to welcome Coach McGuire and his wife Debbie to our Red Raider family.”

Dave Aranda, Baylor’s current head coach, spoke highly of McGuire after news broke that he landed the Texas Tech job.

“I think Joey has a great heart,” Aranda said. “He has a real fondness for his players and for the team. He has a real ability to connect with people. He’s a guy who brings energy and a spark and fire. He’s a ball coach’s ball coach.”

McGuire will join Texas Tech after the 2021 football season, Texas Tech said. Cumbie will finish the season as interim head coach.