Go ahead and file this in the “whoa, didn’t expect this so soon” folder.
Within minutes of each other Thursday afternoon, both CoachingSearch.com and FootballScoop.com reported via Twitter that Matt Wallerstedt has been fired as defensive coordinator by head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Mike Smith is expected to take over the coordinating duties on that side of the ball.
Tech is expected to release a statement confirming the move at some point this afternoon.
The apparent decision to can Wallerstedt, in his second season at Tech, comes just five days after Arkansas ran over, through and around the Red Raiders in an embarrassing 49-28 loss Saturday in Lubbock. In that game, the Razorbacks ran for 438 yards while passing for just 61.
Smith, a 2004 TT graduate, held the titles of co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
As it stands now, the Red Raiders’ defense is second-to-last in rushing defense and 106th in scoring defense through three games. Last season, Wallerstedt’s first, they were 74th and 90th, respectively, in those categories.
(Photo credit: Texas Tech athletics)