Editor’s Note: The Avalanche-Journal is revisiting defining moments in Texas Tech football history as the Red Raiders head toward their 1,000th game on Sept. 5.
One of the biggest what-ifs in Texas Tech football history is this: What if Tech had hired Tom Osborne when it had the chance?
Osborne, then a 32-year-old Nebraska assistant coach, came to Lubbock to interview in late December 1969 when JT King stopped coaching to become full-time athletic director.
Ultimately, the job went to Jim Carlen, who produced one of the Red Raiders’ best eras, going 37-20-2 in five years including an 11-1 season in 1973.