Joel Klatt blasts Texas Tech for firing Matt Wells

Joel Klatt had some strong criticism for Texas Tech following the announcement that it has fired football coach Matt Wells. The FOX Sports analyst took to Twitter to voice his disagreement with the Red Raiders’ decision.

“Texas Tech reportedly firing Matt Wells,” Klatt wrote. “They are 5-3 and play Oklahoma this week. Clearly administration cares deeply for players. Also, Wells should rest well knowing the last coach who wasn’t good enough is now head coach of the NFL’s only unbeaten.”

The NFL coach to whom Klatt is referring to is Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals. He spent six seasons in Lubbock, compiling a 35-40 record before being fired at the end of 2018.

Wells was hired in 2019 to take over for Kingsbury. Wells had a 13-17 overall record at Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders were off to a 5-3 start in the 2021 season. The news of his firing surfaced days after Texas Tech’s third loss to the season to Kansas State, a game in which the Red Raiders led 24-10 at halftime but got shut out in the second half, losing 25-24.

Sonny Cumbie, Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will take over as the interim head coach, according to a report from Max Olson.

“For the players’ sake my hope is they can rise above and find a win down the stretch against a tough schedule in order to go to a bowl game,” Klatt added.

Wells signed a six-year deal at Texas Tech that runs through the 2024 season and is worth $18.8 million. According to local reports, Texas Tech will owe Wells $7 million in buyout fees.

Prior to his arrival in Lubbock, Wells spent six seasons at Utah State, his alma mater. He saw plenty of success with the Aggies, leading them to a 44-34 overall record, and won two of his four bowl game appearances. He was named the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2013, his first season at Utah State, and again in 2018, his last year at Utah State.

To the point of Joel Klatt, more coaches than just Matt Wells have struggled with the Red Raiders. In the past 20 seasons, they have reached the 10-win mark only once. Cumbie will get his first chance at a win when Tech takes on the Sooners at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Norman.

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.