FRISCO, Texas — Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire didn’t shy away from the challenges — or the lessons learned — during the re-recruitment of wide receiver Micah Hudson, one of the Red Raiders’ top playmakers, who returned to the program after briefly entering the transfer portal.
Speaking Tuesday on the main stage at Big 12 Media Days at Ford Center at The Star, McGuire explained how the process started with a phone call to Hudson’s mother.
“Whenever the portal opened up, I called his mom, and I said, I'm going to reach out to Mike. His mom didn't want him to leave. And she said, You don't have to worry about reaching out to Mike, and he's coming to see you face to face,” McGuire said.
The Red Raiders coach also shared how he took responsibility for missteps in the relationship.
“The first thing I did, before he even started talking, I said, Micah, let me open up and tell you what I feel like I did wrong and, what I would do different if I could do it over again,” he said.
McGuire believes that honesty helped clear the air with Hudson, who was one of Texas Tech’s highest-rated recruits in recent history.
“And I think we've had a really good relationship. It got strained at the end, and I think that really kind of opened that, you know, took some of the barriers down. Maybe he was worried that I'd be upset with him, and he's, he's been good man,” McGuire said.
Looking ahead, McGuire said the focus for Hudson — and the entire team — is about embracing the standard.
“You know, right now, through the spring and the summer, our mindset as a team is make the main thing the main thing, and the main thing is be on time,” he said.
“And then the second part is, when you walk into the building or walk on the football field, empty the tank. This is the standard we're going to practice at. And that's all I'm asking out of these guys right now, and [Micah] has done that this summer.”
McGuire smiled when asked about what Hudson’s return means for the program.
“So I'm glad to have him back, and I think it’s a great story.”