LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire is no stranger to Friday night football. After all, he led the Cedar Hill Longhorns to three state titles- 2006, 2013 and 2014. However, when it comes to the potential of moving Tech’s home game with Houston (currently set for Saturday, Sept. 19) up one day, he would prefer to keep his Friday night football days behind him.
Last week, Texas Tech Board of Regents chair Cody Campbell voiced his opposition to having the game played on Sept. 18 and was met with a rebuttal from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark. During Monday’s media availability, Coach McGuire was asked to weigh in with his perspective; and he says he understands both sides.
“I know it’s great for ratings, and so it’s awesome that our “Brand” is going to be the “Brand” on Friday night. I understand the TV part, I understand the money behind that, so I get all that and understand TV and our commissioner and the conference’s stance, but we’re forgetting too- we’re going to put a lot on our fans to make sure we got that game sold out. But like, how much money are we losing in the city of Lubbock playing on Friday night?,” he said.
Last season, Fox Sports aired ten Friday night games involving teams from the Big 12. McGuire says he’s not only concerned about how it affects the game at Jones AT&T Stadium, but the impact on other schools in the area.
“How many people are going to be at the Frenship games, or at all of the Lubbock ISD games, Lubbock High, Lubbock-Cooper, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty if they’re playing out of town, and then just any of our alumni outside of this area?,” McGuire said. “I’m pretty sure that Ratliff Stadium in Odessa still sells out every Friday night. Those lights are bright, and so it’s different. It’s totally different in this state, and so it’s frustrating- and again, I understand the deal behind it, but I would much rather be playing on a Saturday in that game. I do think when we get to that point, we’re missing a great opportunity.”
The Ole Miss-LSU game on Sept. 19 is widely expected to host ESPN’s College Game Day next year in Oxford, Miss.- especially since it will be Lane Kiffin’s return since he left the Rebels at the end of last season to accept the new coaching position in Baton Rouge, La. However, Coach McGuire says he still expects the Red Raiders- Cougars showdown to be a marquee matchup- just not on a Friday night, especially if there are other alternatives.
“You should go ahead and put College GameDay wherever LSU-Ole Miss is playing that day. I mean, come on, we know where College GameDay is, right? Lane Kiffin against Ole Miss, I mean, you’re going to put it there, but we’re going to have a Top 25 matchup, and I could be totally wrong, you guys can look at it, but I don’t think there’s going to be a better game around the nation as a Top 25 matchup that should be on Big Noon in Lubbock, Texas, and we’re missing that opportunity. Gaining an opportunity, of course, we may be one of the only games on Friday but missing an opportunity.”
Much like any pigskin purist, McGuire says every day of the week has its purpose for when the games should be played.
“For me as a high school coach of 23 years, you play high school football on Friday night, you play college football on Saturday, you go to Church on Sunday, and you watch the NFL on Sunday, and I think that’s how it should be, and I think we’re all stepping on each other’s toes in football, and it’s going to catch up to us all as a group, NFL college and high school at some point.”
Spring football wraps up for the Red Raiders Friday, April 17 at Jones AT&T Stadium. The 2026 football season officially begins Sept. 5 when Tech welcomes Abilene Christian.
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