Texas Tech fires DC DeRuyter, secondary coach Yates

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st December, 17:23 2024

Texas Tech defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter gestures during a drill during football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, at the Sports Performance Center.

After Texas Tech allowed the second-most passing yards in the country this season, it cost defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and secondary coach Marcel Yates their jobs on Sunday.

The Red Raiders (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) beat West Virginia 52-14 on Saturday to close their regular season but finished last in the conference in passing yards allowed (305.3).

DeRuyter, 61, had been Texas Tech's defensive coordinator since 2022 following a season in the same role at Oregon. Among many collegiate coaching jobs since 1989, he served as Fresno State's head coach from 2012-16.

Yates, 47, has been a college assistant coach since 2001, joining the Red Raiders' staff in 2022 as passing coordinator. This was his first season as Texas Tech's secondary coach.

"I appreciate the work Coach DeRuyter and Coach Yates have provided our program the past three seasons," Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said in a statement. "This was a difficult but necessary decision as we continue to elevate this program to competing annually at the highest levels of college football."

Texas Tech will name an interim defensive coordinator for its bowl game, McGuire said.

--Field Level Media