Texas Tech Head Coach Matt Wells Praises Tommy McVay After Serious Injury
Late Tuesday night, news broke that long-time Texas Tech staff member Tommy McVay suffered serious injuries after falling at his home.
McVay's sister related the news on Facebook, saying that McVay fainted and fell on Monday at his pool and was discovered unconscious and bleeding. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
"Tests showed he had three skull fractures, a broken vertebra in the neck which is pinching a blood vessel affecting blood flow, and a broken vertebra in the shoulder blade,” Carolyn Groce, McVay’s sister, wrote. "They finally diagnosed a pseudo-aneurysm caused by the cracked bone puncturing a vein."
McVay has been a staple of the Red Raiders football team since the days Spike Dykes was roaming the sidelines. Though McVay has had various titles and duties, every coach in Lubbock has seen his value and kept him on the staff. From Dykes to Mike Leach, Tommy Tuberville, and Kliff Kingsbury.
When Wells got to Lubbock, he said he hired McVay after talking to him for about five minutes. He talked about the man who's made an enormous impact on him in a very short amount of time in Texas Tech's media availability with the head coach.
"He was the first guy that I met when I walked into this football facility." Wells said of McVay. "Big smile, a handshake, and a hug." It wasn't just the first time they met. McVay continues his welcoming spirit every time he sees you: "Every morning he comes in and says how's my coach and gives me a fist bump."
Wells continued: "I can't even talk about the impact that he's made in this red raider community. Tremendous impact. Coaches, players, people, and players' families."
"He is Texas Tech football. Mr. Red Raider," Wells said, adding: "There's not a better encourager that I've met in my life than Tommy McVay."
Wells also put out a statement on Twitter along with a photo of him and McVay sharing a handshake.
After Wells posted the well-wishes on Twitter, scores of current and former players, coaches and local media members gave their own positive thoughts to McVay and his family during this difficult time. Even Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope reached out to the man behind every head coach since 1997.