A historic season carried Texas Tech football to the Big 12 Championship. Their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance was fueled by one defining force, Zarnell Fitch. That dominance has now earned national recognition, as he has been named the 2025 FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year. The award was selected by past recipients and presented by Teamworks. It also confirms what college football has witnessed all season.
Zarnell Fitch Building a Championship Defense in the Trenches
In his fourth season leading the Texas Tech defensive line, Fitch oversaw a unit. And that didn’t just excel statistically but redefined what elite run defense looks like in the modern game. The Red Raiders finished the season leading the nation in rushing defense. They allowed only 68.46 yards per game. That number stands as the lowest by any FBS team over the past four seasons and reflects total control at the line of scrimmage.
Zarnell Fitch has been named the @FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year 😤#WreckEm | @CoachZFitchpic.twitter.com/8XKSA0Ola3
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) December 15, 2025
Opponents found no room to operate, managing a nation-best low of just 2.3 yards per carry against Texas Tech. This dominance played a direct role in the Red Raiders’ march to a Big 12 title and a historic College Football Playoff berth. The front consistently erased game plans before they could develop, forcing offenses into uncomfortable and predictable situations.
Five of Texas Tech’s 13 opponents were held below or barely above 50 rushing yards, while eight finished near or below two yards per carry. Kansas was limited to just 47 yards on 38 attempts, and West Virginia managed only 37 yards on 22 carries…