Ex-Texas Tech assistant responds to allegations he gave away signals
Texas Tech coaches believe former defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt has been giving away Red Raider defensive signals to opponents, according to The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Wallerstedt left the program on Sept. 18.
On Monday, interim defensive coordinator Mike Smith said that other coaches have called Texas Tech to let them know that signals have been passed around, according to the report.
“They have been passed around. ... I know other coaches have called and our signals have been passed around the whole time. All I know is karma’s a bad deal.
“I don’t want to get into what’s going on with all that, but it’s not right and, to me, it’s not fair to the kids. So if that’s how that person wants to handle business, they can handle business that way. I sure hope I don’t run into him anytime soon.”
Smith told The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the team learned of the potential breach two or three weeks ago.
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After the team's 42-30 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters that three staffers used towels to shield signals from Oklahoma's coaches sitting in the box due to fears over the compromise. Saturday's game was the first time the staff's fears became apparent.
Wallerstedt responded Monday, through his attorney Gaines West, to the allegations: “I have not shared with anyone the Red Raiders defensive signals. I respect the players at Texas Tech and would never do such a thing.” Wallerstedt went on to say: “It sounds like something that’s done in the political arena -- blaming someone else for what you now control. Coach Kingsbury and Smith would do well to simply execute their own game plan instead of trying to blame others for what may be their own shortcomings.”
Texas Tech (3-7) has struggled defensively this season. The Red Raiders have allowed 41.6 points per game, which is 126th in the nation.
In three games prior to Wallerstedt's departure, the team gave up an average of 29.7 points per game.
The team has lost three straight games and seven of its last eight contests, including an 82-27 loss to TCU on Oct. 25. Since Wallerstedt left the program, the Red Raiders are 1-6.
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