What Is 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Technological College during the 1961 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 4–5–1 record under head coach DeWitt Weaver. They competed in the Southwest Conference and played home games at Clifford B. & Audrey Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

Key Facts

The 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders finished with a 4–5–1 overall record
They played in the Southwest Conference (SWC), where they went 2–4
Head coach DeWitt Weaver led the team in his fifth season
Home games were held at Clifford B. & Audrey Jones Stadium
The team scored 120 points while allowing 155 points

Overview

The 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Technological College during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Southwest Conference (SWC), the team was led by head coach DeWitt Weaver in his fifth year at the helm.

The Red Raiders finished the season with a 4–5–1 overall record and a 2–4 mark in conference play, placing them near the bottom of the SWC standings. Despite the losing record, the season provided foundational experience for future programs and showcased emerging talent on both offense and defense.

Overall record of 4–5–1: The team won four games, lost five, and tied one, reflecting a slightly below-average season by national standards.
Conference record of 2–4: In the competitive Southwest Conference, the Red Raiders struggled against rivals like Texas and Arkansas.
Head coach DeWitt Weaver: In his fifth season, Weaver continued to build the program but resigned after the 1961 season due to declining results.
Home stadium: Clifford B. & Audrey Jones Stadium: Located in Lubbock, Texas, the venue hosted all of the team’s home games with a capacity of approximately 30,000.
Scoring differential of -35: The team scored 120 points while surrendering 155, indicating defensive vulnerabilities throughout the season.

Season Performance

The 1961 campaign featured a mix of competitive matchups and tough losses, particularly against stronger Southwest Conference opponents. The team opened the season with a loss to Oklahoma State and had a mid-season highlight with a 14–0 shutout victory over Baylor.

September 30, 1961: defeated Baylor 14–0: This win marked one of the season’s strongest defensive performances, showcasing the team’s ability to dominate under pressure.
October 21, 1961: lost to Texas 14–28: A tough defeat against a ranked Longhorns team highlighted the gap between Tech and the top SWC programs.
November 11, 1961: tied TCU 6–6: The only tie of the season came in a low-scoring, defensive battle that ended without a decisive winner.
October 7, 1961: defeated North Texas 20–13: A hard-fought victory that demonstrated offensive improvement and resilience in close games.
November 25, 1961: lost to Texas A&M 0–20: The season finale was a shutout loss, underscoring ongoing offensive struggles.
Defensive inconsistency: The Red Raiders allowed 155 points over 10 games, averaging 15.5 points per game against.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1961 Red Raiders’ performance can be contextualized by comparing them to other Southwest Conference teams that season.

Team	Overall Record	SWC Record	Head Coach
Texas	10–1	7–0	Darrell Royal
Rice	7–4	5–2	Jess Neely
Arkansas	8–3	6–1	Frank Broyles
Texas Tech	4–5–1	2–4	DeWitt Weaver
Baylor	4–6	2–5	John Bridgers

While Texas dominated the conference with a 7–0 record, Texas Tech’s 2–4 SWC performance placed them in the lower half. The comparison shows that Tech outperformed Baylor but lagged behind powerhouses like Arkansas and Texas, reflecting the program’s transitional phase.

Why It Matters

The 1961 season is a notable chapter in Texas Tech football history, representing a transitional period before the rise of more competitive teams in the late 1960s. Though not a standout year, it contributed to the evolution of the program’s identity and coaching direction.

End of DeWitt Weaver’s tenure: His resignation after the season led to the hiring of J.T. King, who would guide the team into a new era.
Foundation for future success: The experience gained by players in 1961 helped build depth for improved seasons in the mid-1960s.
Stadium development context: Games at Jones Stadium highlighted the need for facility upgrades, which occurred in later years.
SWC competitiveness: The season illustrated the challenges of competing in a strong conference with limited recruiting advantages.
Historical recordkeeping: The 4–5–1 record is preserved in NCAA and Texas Tech athletics archives as part of the program’s legacy.
Recruiting and development insights: Coaching changes following 1961 emphasized the need for modernized training and player development.

The 1961 Texas Tech Red Raiders may not have achieved postseason glory, but their season remains a meaningful part of the university’s athletic narrative, reflecting perseverance and the ongoing pursuit of gridiron excellence.