Texas Tech basketball coach Mark Adams will miss the Red Raiders’ Big 12 Conference tournament game against West Virginia on Wednesday after being suspended.
Adams was sidelined after “inappropriate, unacceptable, and insensitive” remarks he allegedly made to a player, Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said.
Hocutt was notified that Adams was attempting to encourage a player and motivate him to be more open to coaching. He used a Bible verse the player found offensive, Hocutt said.
Adams defended himself when speaking to the website Stadium, saying, “I was quoting the scripture. It was a private conversation about coaching and when you have a job, and being coachable. I said that in the Bible that Jesus talks about how we all have bosses, and we all are servants. I was quoting the Bible about that.”
Hocutt issued a written reprimand and later suspended Adams indefinitely, citing a need for a “more thorough” exploration into the coach’s conduct and interactions with players and coaches.
Adams is in his second year as the head coach at Texas Tech. He previously served as an assistant under Chris Beard and director of operations under Tubby Smith. He was named Beard’s replacement once Beard accepted the job at Texas.
According to ESPN, Adams is signed through the 2026-2027 season after previously agreeing to a $15.5 million contract extension. He would be owed at least $7 million if fired without cause.
The network also reports Adams’ future with the team may have already been uncertain because of how the team has performed this season.
ESPN and the university have said that Adams apologized to the team. However, Adams told Stadium that was not the case.
“One of my coaches said it bothered the player,” he told Stadium’s Goodman. “I explained to them. I didn’t apologize.”
Adams was also involved in another incident earlier this season in which he allegedly “spit on a player,” which he attributed to having a bad cough.
Goodman reports the previous incident will also be considered during the investigation. He also suggested that Adams is likely done at Texas Tech.
Assistant coach Corey Williams has been named the interim head coach as Texas Tech (16-15, 5-13 in the Big 12) plays West Virginia (18-13, 7-11) at 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
