BREAKING NEWS: Spike Dykes Donates Three Luxury Buses to Texas Tech Red Raiders – A Generous Gift that Reignites Tradition and Team Spirit…
*Lubbock, Texas – June 15, 2025*
In a stunning and heartfelt gesture that left players, fans, and administrators stunned and elated, legendary former Texas Tech head coach Spike Dykes has posthumously surprised the Texas Tech Red Raiders football program with the donation of **three state-of-the-art team buses**, gifted in his name through the Dykes Family Foundation. The donation, officially unveiled today at a special ceremony held outside Jones AT\&T Stadium, has been hailed as one of the most symbolic and generous acts in the history of the program.
Though the beloved coach passed away in 2017, his legacy continues to shape the soul of Red Raiders football — and today’s gesture serves as a testament to his lifelong devotion to the university, its athletes, and its future.
—
### **A Legacy on Wheels: The Spike Dykes Buses**
The three buses, each custom-designed with Texas Tech’s red-and-black color scheme and bearing Spike Dykes’ signature etched across the sides, are more than just transportation vehicles — they are rolling monuments to leadership, legacy, and love for the game.
Each bus includes:
* **Top-tier luxury seating** for 60 passengers
* **Full digital entertainment systems** with custom playbook loading features
* **Hydration and nutrition stations**
* **Interactive tactical video rooms**
* **Red Raider branding and “Spike’s Code” slogans** along the interiors
The buses are named:
1. **“The West Texas Warrior”** – honoring Dykes’ tough, blue-collar coaching style
2. **“Coach’s Command”** – dedicated to his leadership both on and off the field
3. **“Red Raider Spirit”** – celebrating the unity and grit he instilled in generations of players
—
### **A Ceremony of Tears and Triumph**
Today’s unveiling drew a massive crowd, including current Red Raiders players and coaching staff, alumni, Texas Tech administrators, and several former players from Dykes’ memorable tenure in the 1980s and ’90s.
The Dykes family — including his son Sonny Dykes, currently head coach at TCU — was in attendance and helped cut the ceremonial ribbon. Emotional speeches highlighted not just the importance of the donation, but the enduring values that Spike Dykes represented.
> “Dad didn’t care much for glitz, but he believed in taking care of his players,” Sonny Dykes said. “These buses are not about luxury — they’re about loyalty. About making sure the next generation of Red Raiders travel together with pride, unity, and purpose. That’s what Dad would have wanted.”
Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt praised the donation as “a historic moment that reconnects us with our roots.”
> “This is about more than buses. This is about mentorship, tradition, and the Red Raider way. Spike Dykes gave everything he had to Texas Tech. And today, even in spirit, he’s still giving.”
—
### **Spike Dykes: More Than a Coach**
Spike Dykes coached the Red Raiders from 1986 to 1999 and remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in the school’s athletic history. Known for his no-nonsense approach, dry wit, and fierce loyalty to his players and staff, Dykes earned 82 wins — then a record for the program — and multiple bowl appearances.
Even more than his wins, it was his *character* that defined him. Known for sitting down with struggling players for hours, visiting their families, and being a presence in the locker room long after his coaching days were over, Dykes embodied what it meant to be a Red Raider.
He became synonymous with West Texas grit and Texas Tech pride — and today’s donation, made possible by his family and close associates, only deepens his legend.
—
### **Reactions from the Red Raider Family**
The Texas Tech football team, currently undergoing a major resurgence under returning head coach Mike Leach, expressed overwhelming gratitude and excitement. Senior linebacker Davion Carter, visibly moved, spoke to reporters:
> “We read about Coach Dykes in the locker room walls, we hear stories from alumni… and now, we ride with him. These buses are going to remind us every trip why we play this game — not for fame, but for tradition.”
Head Coach Mike Leach also delivered a classic Leach-style statement:
> “If you’re going to invade a kingdom, you’d better have a good ship. Spike just gave us three pirate ships on wheels. And believe me, we plan on invading.”
Social media quickly exploded with reactions, with hashtags like **#SpikeStillLeads** and **#DykesDrive** trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Alumni from across the country shared pictures of their playing days under Dykes, along with emotional tributes.
—
### **Impact on the Program**
The donation arrives at a crucial time for the Red Raiders. With Leach back at the helm and new momentum around recruitment and national visibility, the buses represent both functional support and symbolic unity.
* **Recruiting Edge**: Recruits touring campus will now see a tangible commitment to tradition, comfort, and support — a major edge in attracting top talent.
* **Team Bonding**: Long bus rides to away games are often where teams bond and prepare mentally. These buses provide a sanctuary for preparation and reflection.
* **Visibility**: Every time a Red Raider bus rolls through a rival city, it will carry the name of Spike Dykes and the culture he helped create.
—
### **The Road Ahead**
Texas Tech announced that the first official trip using the Spike Dykes fleet will occur this fall when the Red Raiders travel to Dallas for their opening game against SMU. A ceremonial sendoff, involving a torch-passing ritual with Dykes’ former players and current leaders, is already being planned.
Plans are also in place to create a **Spike Dykes Memorial Corridor** at Jones AT\&T Stadium, where fans can walk through displays showcasing his life, his words, and now, his posthumous gift to the future of Red Raiders football.
—
### **A Final Word from the Past**
Before concluding the ceremony, the Dykes family played a previously unreleased audio clip of Spike himself, recorded at a 2004 alumni reunion. His gravelly, unmistakable voice echoed across the stadium:
> “Take care of your people. Take care of each other. And always show up proud — no matter what bus you ride in on.”
Today, thanks to Spike Dykes, the Red Raiders will always show up proud — riding in style, in legacy, and with the spirit of one of their greatest leaders etched into every mile of their journey.
**Welcome aboard the legacy line. Coach Dykes is still driving the team — one mile at a time.**
Leave a Reply