The Red Raiders coach spoke with the media during Big 12 Media Days.
Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire is ready to move on from an adversity-stricken offseason and focus on the promise of this 2026 football season for the Red Raiders.
The major story centered on the program this spring was transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby and his eligibility after an admitted gambling addiction during his collegiate career.
While McGuire, who spoke with Lubbock's Double T 97.3 on Tuesday at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, acknowledged the seriousness of the ordeal, he took ownership of the national spotlight that was shone on Texas Tech.
"It's one of those deals. It was a hot topic ... but anything Texas Tech is a hot topic," McGuire said.
The fifth-year coach gave a nod to Gerry Glasco and the Red Raiders softball program, which has also been the subject of criticism for NIL spending and a reliance on the transfer portal in recent years.
"It's not just our football team, it's our softball team. You saw that," McGuire said. "I thought Glasco did a great job of saying, 'Hey, look, if you want to paint us as the villain, then we'll play the villain.'"
Texas Tech overcame that national dialogue by reaching the Women's College World Series championship for the second year in a row.
"I think right now, anything that's Texas Tech-wise, people are trying to use it against us," McGuire added.
McGuire said that he believes the "shared adversity" of this offseason will prepare his squad for battle-tested competition this season.
"Our team, we'll be ready to go," he said. "Shared success and shared adversity bringing you close together - we've had some shared adversity. Some real, true adversity these last few months. Our guys - whenever you go through stuff like that, you find out what kind of culture and what kind of foundation you have, and we have a strong culture and a strong foundation.
"Our guys are ready to play. They have a high belief in each other on all three phases. We feel great..." McGuire pointed to how the Red Raiders have shown a similar confidence in the reigning conference champions. Seven players were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 teams, including A.J. Holmes Jr. being named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
That same honor was given to senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez this time last year. "J-Rod" went on to turn in an unforgettable season where he finished highest among all defensive players in Heisman Trophy voting.
When it comes to the 2026 personnel, McGuire said he's most excited about the offensive line, the running backs, and the tight ends.
Joey McGuire Addresses Back-And-Forth Spat with Steve Sarkisian
The Red Raiders and Texas Longhorns stirred "drama" online with McGuire and Steve Sarkisian trading blows through various media quotes. The conversation began with Sarkisian calling out Texas Tech's Big 12 schedule, and McGuire challenging back with an offer to buy out the Longhorns' opponents and schedule a matchup as soon as this upcoming season.
"One, spot the ball. We're ready to roll," McGuire began about the topic. "It was fun. I understand what Sark was saying, and some of it was kinda a back-and-forth, but there was a gentlemen's agreement with ADs that we would continue to play, and they chose not to."
Instead of a newfound rivalry with Texas - a la the in-state matchups of the Southwest Conference during McGuire's youth - Texas Tech will turn its attention to the Sept. opener against Abilene Christian.
McGuire parted with another firm stance in his team's confidence and mentality going into the new season.
"We're playing the schedule we have in front of us. We're trying to add to that schedule over the next couple years," McGuire said.
"We're not scared of anybody. We feel like we got a really good football team, and we'd love to spot the ball and play."
