Texas Tech isn’t distracted by coaching change

HOUSTON – Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege has seen this before.

The Red Raiders head into tonight’s Meineke Car Care Bowl against the Minnesota Gophers after some serious upheaval with head coach Tommy Tuberville abruptly leaving the team for the job in Cincinnati.

Doege, a senior, remembers how the Red Raiders came together for a win in the Alamo Bowl under an interim coach just days after coach Mike Leach – now Washington State’s head coach – was fired in the 2009 season.

The Red Raiders have hired Kliff Kingsbury to replace Tuberville, but interim coach Chris Thomsen will lead Texas Tech against the Golden Gophers.

“It’s settled now, and the young guys are excited. I remember … when I was younger how close we became as a football team,” Doege said. “Because with all the uncertainty, all the distractions, that’s what gets you through it.”

Thomsen, who coached the offensive line before becoming the interim head coach, said he believes his team has dealt with the changes and is ready to move forward.

“It’s really just business as usual for us,” Thomsen said.