Joey McGuire has been the head coach at Texas Tech since 2022. He has built the program into a CFP contender and has never shied away from standing behind his players. This week, he made that very clear.

McGuire spoke at the Houston Touchdown Club on Wednesday, making his first public appearance since Sorsby was granted a temporary injunction to play the 2026 season. A fan in the crowd asked directly if anything could stop Sorsby from suiting up for the Red Raiders this fall.

"Brendan Sorsby is recovering from an a********," McGuire said. "He's recovering. I've sat down with this young man multiple times. The things that he is going through and what he's been through is serious."

McGuire was not dismissing what Sorsby did. Sorsby wagered approximately $90,000 across four years, including over 40 b*** on Indiana football games while he was on their roster. He spent 35 days in an inpatient Arizona rehab facility for diagnosed g******* disorders before the injunction came through.

But McGuire drew on his own personal experience to explain his support. He said he has seen addiction up close within his own family and understands what it does to people.

"I have a number of people in my family that were a******* to different stuff," McGuire said. "He can be ready Week 3 against Houston is still a stretch because guess what? He's still recovering. You don't necessarily know between now and then exactly."

He also addressed how closely Sorsby is currently being monitored. The 22-year-old has someone overseeing every penny he spends and technology on his devices tracking his behavior.

"He's the first person to tell you that it's his fault," McGuire said. "But if you know anything about a*******, there's a point that you choose it and then, all of a sudden, you don't choose it anymore...I would never turn my back on him."

Sorsby will miss Texas Tech's first two games against Abilene Christian and Oregon State per the injunction terms. McGuire is not wavering.

What Texas Tech's Quarterback Room Looks Like for 2026

Sorsby is not the only QB McGuire is managing through uncertainty. Will Hammond is working his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee that ended his season last year.

Hammond suffered that injury while filling in for Behren Morton. Texas Tech is hoping he is healthy enough to start Week 1 and lead the offense during Sorsby's two-game absence.

Sorsby totaled 36 touchdowns at Cincinnati last season before transferring. If both quarterbacks are healthy by mid-September, McGuire will have real options. Right now, he is just focused on getting there.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore