Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt Declares Houston as the 8th Home Game: “Houston is West Texas

Kirby Hocutt, the Athletic Director at Texas Tech, recently made waves by officially naming Houston as the Red Raiders’ eighth home game for the current football season. In a statement reported by Yahoo Sports, Hocutt asserted that “Houston is West Texas,” signaling a deliberate expansion of Texas Tech’s regional identity beyond its traditional West Texas base. This move reflects a broader strategic effort to deepen fan engagement and broaden the university’s influence across the state’s diverse markets.

Hocutt highlighted several compelling reasons why Houston holds a pivotal role in Texas Tech’s scheduling philosophy:

• Recruiting Edge: Direct access to Houston’s abundant high school football talent pool.
• Market Penetration: Growing the fanbase within one of Texas’s largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduced travel demands compared to distant non-conference games.
• Financial Upside: Enhanced ticket sales and increased local media partnerships.