Football
- Title:
- Head Coach
Sonny Cumbie enters his fifth season as Louisiana Tech's head coach in 2026 after leading the Bulldogs to an eight-win campaign and a Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl championship in 2025.
CUMBIE AT LOUISIANA TECH- 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Champions
- Back-to-Back Bowl Appearances (2024-25)
- Five All-Americans
- 42 All-Conference USA Honors
- 2025 CUSA Co-Defensive Player of the Year
- Eight Wins in 2025 — Most Since 2019
Cumbie, who was named the 34th head coach in program history on Dec. 1, 2021, guided Tech to an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in Conference USA during his fourth season at the helm. The Bulldogs went 5-1 at Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium and closed the season with three consecutive victories, capped by a 23-14 comeback win over Coastal Carolina in the Independence Bowl.
The eight victories were the most by Louisiana Tech since 2019, while the Independence Bowl championship marked the program's first bowl victory since 2019 and ninth bowl title overall. Tech overcame an 11-point halftime deficit against Coastal Carolina, shutting out the Chanticleers in the second half and scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete the largest postseason comeback in program history.
Louisiana Tech's growth was evident on both sides of the football in 2025.
Offensively, the Bulldogs averaged 27.3 points per game and developed one of the nation's most productive rushing attacks. Tech ranked second in CUSA and among the top 25 nationally in rushing offense, while producing four 300-yard rushing performances and one 400-yard outing during the season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs established themselves among the top units in Conference USA. Tech led the league in scoring defense at 20.8 points per game, a mark that ranked among the top 35 nationally, while allowing 374.8 yards per game.
The Bulldogs also led CUSA in rushing defense, limiting opponents to 134.6 yards per game, and produced one of the nation's most opportunistic defenses. Tech intercepted 22 passes during the season, returning five for touchdowns, and led the conference in red-zone defense as opponents converted on just 71.8 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard line.
Individual accolades followed the team's success. Nine Bulldogs earned All-CUSA recognition, highlighted by safety Jacob Fields being named CUSA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earning First-Team All-CUSA honors. Devin Gandy joined Fields on the first team, while Eli Finley, Mekhi Mason, Jakari Foster and John Hoyet Chance earned second-team honors.
Foster went on to earn Associated Press First-Team and Walter Camp Second-Team All-America honors after leading the FBS in interceptions. Foster and Gandy brought the number of Bulldogs to earn All-America recognition during Cumbie's tenure to five, joining Marquis Crosby, Michael Richard and David Blay.
The 2025 championship season continued the progress established one year earlier.
In 2024, Cumbie led Louisiana Tech to its first bowl appearance since 2020 as the Bulldogs faced nationally ranked Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Tech finished 5-8 overall and 4-4 in CUSA play.
The Bulldogs featured one of the nation's top defenses during the 2024 regular season, ranking 11th nationally and first in CUSA in total defense at 301.9 yards allowed per game. Tech ranked 23rd nationally in pass defense and 30th in rushing defense, while its 20.5 points allowed per game ranked 25th nationally.
Eight Bulldogs earned All-CUSA honors in 2024, highlighted by First-Team selections David Blay and Tru Edwards. Quarterback Evan Bullock was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team after starting the final 10 games of the season, while Blay earned Phil Steele All-America Honorable Mention recognition.
In 2023, Cumbie served as the primary play caller for an offense that ranked fifth in CUSA with 384.7 yards per game and third in the league with 243 first downs. The Bulldogs eclipsed 300 passing yards four times and rushed for more than 100 yards seven times.
Ten Bulldogs earned All-CUSA honors that season, led by First-Team selections Smoke Harris, Blake Ochsendorf and Willie Roberts. Defensive back Michael Richard was named CUSA Freshman of the Year and earned First-Team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic.
During his first season in Ruston in 2022, Cumbie led Tech to a winning record at home, becoming the first first-year Bulldog head coach to accomplish the feat since Derek Dooley in 2007.
The Bulldogs earned 15 All-CUSA selections during Cumbie's inaugural season, including First-Team honorees Tre Harris, Keivie Rose and Smoke Harris. Running back Marquis Crosby earned Freshman All-America recognition after rushing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns, with his rushing total ranking sixth nationally among FBS freshmen.
Across his first four seasons in Ruston, Cumbie's Bulldogs earned 42 All-Conference USA honors and produced five All-Americans.
Prior to arriving at Louisiana Tech, Cumbie built a reputation as one of college football's top offensive minds during stops at Texas Tech and TCU.
Cumbie returned to his alma mater, Texas Tech, in 2021 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before being elevated to interim head coach for the final five games of the season. He helped guide the Red Raiders to bowl eligibility and a berth in the Liberty Bowl.
Before returning to Lubbock, Cumbie spent seven seasons at TCU, including four as co-offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the Horned Frogs produced some of the most prolific offenses in program history and made six bowl appearances.
In his first season at TCU in 2014, Cumbie helped engineer one of the nation's most dramatic offensive turnarounds as the Horned Frogs improved from 25.1 points per game in 2013 to 46.5 points per game. TCU finished 12-1, won the Big 12 championship and defeated Ole Miss in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Cumbie helped develop quarterback Trevone Boykin into one of the nation's top players. Boykin earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2014 and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2015.
Prior to TCU, Cumbie spent four seasons on the coaching staff at Texas Tech, where he worked with quarterbacks and wide receivers while helping develop some of the nation's most productive passing attacks.
His coaching career followed a standout playing career at Texas Tech.
After walking on for the Red Raiders in 2000, Cumbie earned the starting quarterback job as a senior in 2004 and led the nation with 4,742 passing yards while throwing 32 touchdowns. He capped the season with one of the most memorable performances in Holiday Bowl history, passing for a bowl-record 520 yards and three touchdowns as Texas Tech upset a Top-5 California team.
Cumbie earned honorable mention All-Big 12 and First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors following the season before beginning a professional playing career that included time in the Arena Football League and with the Baltimore Ravens.
Cumbie and his wife, Tamra, are both natives of Snyder, Texas, and graduates of Texas Tech. They are parents to two sons, Grey and Hays
SONNY CUMBIE COACHING EXPERIENCE2022-Present – Louisiana Tech Head Coach
2021 – Texas Tech Offensive Coordinator (Quarterbacks)/Interim Head Coach
2017-20 – TCU Offensive Coordinator (Quarterbacks)
2014-16 – TCU Co-Offensive Coordinator (Quarterbacks)
2013 – Texas Tech Co-Offensive Coordinator (Outside Receivers)
2010-12 – Texas Tech Assistant Coach (Inside Receivers)
2009 – Texas Tech Offensive Graduate Assistant
2009 (spring) – San Angelo Stampede Head Coach/Director of Player Personnel (IFL)
What Others are Saying About Sonny Cumbie
“I’ve gotten a chance not only to experience first-hand the tremendous coaching ability of Sonny Cumbie, but also to understand how exceptional a person and leader he is. Coach Cumbie is one of the bright young offensive minds in football. This opportunity is a great one, and I am excited to watch the success he will have at Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are getting a good one.” – Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator (former Arizona Cardinals and Texas Tech Head Coach)
“Sonny is one of the up-and-coming coaches in our profession. He showed his potential on how he handled the Texas Tech situation.” – Gary Patterson, Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Texas (former TCU Head Coach)
“I am so happy for Coach Cumbie to be named head coach at Louisiana Tech. I have known for a long time that he was destined to be a successful head coach. Over the past month, I have witnessed Coach Cumbie lead our football team at Texas Tech and inspire and instill a level of confidence within a locker room that has elevated our team. His genuine approach builds trust and his passion motivates young men to be their very best. The Louisiana Tech family has a great man leading their football program.” – Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech Director of Athletics
“Sonny is a fantastic choice for Louisiana Tech. He will connect with both players and recruits. His energy and optimism will be contagious and create excitement within the football program. Also, he’s a perfect fit in Ruston and will embrace and serve the community. I have no doubt he will be highly successful.” – Sonny Dykes, TCU Head Coach
“Sonny is a rising star. He is well prepared to be a successful head coach. He’s an innovative offensive coach. More importantly, he is a great motivator and he connects with players. Sonny is a relationship builder that will build LA Tech into a championship program.” – Neal Brown, West Virginia Head Coach
“Sonny is a longtime friend of hundreds of coaches in the state of Texas. He is a great coach and a better man. He will go to great lengths to spend time with every coach he is in contact with, no matter the size of the school or the success they have experienced. Every player’s parent will love him coaching their kid.” – Glen West, Assistant Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association
