Cochran promoted to run game coordinator

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire announced Monday the promotion of assistant coach Josh Cochran to run game coordinator. Cochran, entering his third season on the Texas Tech staff, will continue to oversee the Red Raider tight end room.

“Josh is a valued member of this staff and one of the top young offensive coaches in the country,” McGuire said. “This is a deserved recognition of his contributions on our staff the past two seasons as his work ethic and genuine belief in his student-athletes are second to none.”

Cochran was credited by both McGuire and offensive coordinator Zach Kittley with helping develop many of Texas Tech’s run-game schemes this past season that allowed Tahj Brooks to rush for more than 1,500 yards. Brooks totaled 1,538 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, ranking fourth nationally in rushing yards as well as fourth on the Texas Tech single-season chart.

Cochran’s tight end room was essential in that production as the duo of Mason Tharp and Baylor Cupp graded out as two of Texas Tech’s top run-game blockers by Pro Football Focus. Tharp was second on the team (among those with at least 50 running play snaps) with a 73.5 run-blocking grade followed by Cupp in fourth at 69.0 overall.

In the passing game, the tight end room hauled in seven touchdowns overall as Tharp, despite missing time due to injuries, caught 18 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns, while Cupp added 11 receptions for 114 yards and a pair of scores. The tight end room has accounted for 12 receiving touchdowns in total during Cochran’s two seasons.

Cochran was one of the first members named to McGuire’s charter staff at Texas Tech in 2022 as he arrived after two seasons as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Austin Peay. Cochran, who worked alongside McGuire at Baylor, is one of several one-time Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) members now on the Texas Tech staff.

McGuire rounded out his coaching staff for the 2024 season this past week with the hiring of Clay McGuire as offensive line coach. Texas Tech opens spring practices in exactly one month as the Red Raiders kick off their first of 15 allotted workouts on March 19.

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Release Provided By Matt Dowdy Texas Tech Athletics