Texas Tech University Athletics
Three Texas Tech coaches recognized by FootballScoop
December 15, 2025 | Football
Texas Tech ranks among the nation’s leaders at only 10.9 points and 254.4 yards allowed per game this season
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech had three members of its football staff recognized by the website FootballScoop.com Monday as Zarnell Fitch was named the publication's Defensive Line Coach of the Year, while Shiel Wood and C.J. Ah You shared top honors for linebackers.
In total, Texas Tech has claimed three of FootballScoop's annual coaching awards as Kenny Perry was previously named the Special Teams Coordinator of the Year last week. Wood was also a finalist for the top defensive coordinator in the country for his role in leading one of the top defensive turnarounds in recent history. He is also a finalist this season for the prestigious Broyles Award, which is presented to the nation's top assistant coach. Fitch was previously a finalist for National Defensive Line Coach of the Year by FootballScoop while at TCU in 2017. Â
Texas Tech enters the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl as one of the nation's top defenses, ranking third in the FBS for scoring at 10.9 points allowed per game and fifth for total defense after giving up only 254.4 yards a contest to this point. The Red Raiders are on pace to record the largest year-to-year improvement in both categories for an FBS team since 2000 after cutting their scoring average by 23.9 points a game from 2024 as well their yards surrendered by an average of 207.1 yards a contest.
Texas Tech is also the FBS leader with 31 takeaways this season thanks in part to one of Wood's mainstays at linebacker in Jacob Rodriguez. The winner of multiple national awards already, Rodriguez finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting after becoming the first player since 2005 to record at least five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions in the same season. He contributed to nine takeaways during Big 12 play alone to lead a Red Raider defense that is also the FBS leader at only 68.5 rushing yards allowed per game.
In addition, Texas Tech's defensive line under Fitch and outside linebacker room under Ah You have been able to get to the quarterback at near record numbers this season to rank among the top defensive fronts in college football. The Red Raiders enter bowl season with 39.0 sacks and 96.0 tackles for loss on the season, ranking fourth in the FBS for both categories.
David Bailey currently ranks second in the FBS with 13.5 sacks this season, earning him first team All-America honors alongside Rodriguez by the Walter Camp Foundation and Associated Press. Defensive linemen A.J. Holmes Jr. and Lee Hunter were also recognized as second and third team All-America selections, respectively, by the Associated Press after helping lead a Red Raider defense that is the highest-graded unit in college football by Pro Football Focus (96.9). Texas Tech is also the publication's highest-rated defense against the run (96.4) and in pass-rush opportunities (92.1).
Texas Tech have held five of its last six opponents to at least single digits for points en route to a 12-1 record and its first Big 12 title, snapping the single-season school record for wins in the process. The Red Raiders will make their College Football Playoff debut on New Year's Day against either No. 5 Oregon or No. 12 seed James Madision in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
