Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland Shocks College Basketball World, Rejects $7.5M Offers from Georgia and Notre Dame — Vows Loyalty to Red Raiders
Lubbock, TX – According to an ESPN report released Sunday morning, Texas Tech men’s basketball head coach Grant McCasland has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world by turning down lucrative head coaching offers from both Georgia and Notre Dame — reportedly worth up to $7.5 million annually. In a bold move signaling rare loyalty in today’s high-stakes coaching carousel, McCasland reaffirmed his commitment to Texas Tech, stating unequivocally, “I have no plans beyond being the Texas Tech head coach.”
Sources close to the situation revealed that Georgia and Notre Dame each made aggressive pitches in recent weeks, seeking to lure McCasland away with promises of long-term security, access to elite recruiting pipelines, and financial packages among the richest in NCAA basketball. Despite the allure, McCasland remained firm in his decision to stay in Lubbock.
“I’m proud of what we’re building here,” McCasland said in a statement released through Texas Tech Athletics. “This program, this community, and these players mean everything to me. No amount of money can match the pride I feel wearing Red and Black and representing this university. My focus is here — and only here.”
The 48-year-old coach, who took over at Texas Tech in 2023, has quickly re-established the Red Raiders as a competitive force in the Big 12. Under his leadership, the program returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, exceeding preseason expectations and earning praise for its disciplined defense and team-first mentality.
ESPN’s report notes that McCasland’s decision was especially surprising given the modern trend of quick transitions among top-tier coaching talent, where loyalty often takes a backseat to financial and professional advancement. Analysts had pegged McCasland as a top target for multiple Power Five programs this offseason, with insiders calling Georgia’s and Notre Dame’s overtures “all but done deals.”
Yet for McCasland, the decision was rooted in culture and commitment.
“He’s a coach who believes in building something lasting,” one Texas Tech booster told ESPN. “He’s not chasing paychecks — he’s chasing championships, and he believes that can happen right here.”
McCasland’s decision has already resonated across the NCAA, drawing admiration from fans and fellow coaches alike. Social media erupted Sunday with praise for his integrity, with former players and analysts calling the move “a rare breath of fresh air.”
Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt expressed deep gratitude in a public statement: “Coach McCasland embodies everything we want this program to represent — commitment, integrity, and excellence. We are honored to have him leading our team.”
While Georgia and Notre Dame now return to the drawing board in their coaching searches, Texas Tech celebrates a major offseason victory of its own — securing not just a coach, but a visionary committed to the long haul.
As college basketball’s landscape continues to evolve, Grant McCasland’s decision stands as a reminder that for some, loyalty still matters more than money.
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