By Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Billy Gillispie era has begun at Texas Tech.
The school introduced its new basketball coach Wednesday and Gillispie said it feels like he has come home. The 51-year-old Abilene native is 140-85 in seven seasons as a Division I coach, and he previously led UTEP and Texas A&M to remarkable turnarounds.
Gillispie flashed the school's "Guns Up" sign before stepping to the podium and telling a crowd of about 800 at the basketball arena that he can't guarantee every game will be a win.
"I can guarantee there is not anybody that's going to come into this place and play harder than us or better together than us," Gillispie said. "I'll guarantee that to happen."
Gillispie replaces Pat Knight, who was fired March 7.
Gillispie returns to coaching after two seasons away. Kentucky fired him in 2009 after the Wildcats went 40-27 in his two seasons and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 17 years.