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Texas Tech Baseball announced Monday morning that head coach Dan Spencer has been fired. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt announced the decision at the Texas Tech Football training facility in the Spike Dykes Media Room. Tim Tadlock was named interim head coach.

Spencer and his Red Raider Baseball program finished in last past place at 7-17 in the Big 12 and 29-26 overall. Texas Tech seemed to have the program in a positive direction after a 10-3 start to the season and a road victory over No. 10 Arizona State, but a conference opening sweep at the hands of Baylor doomed the Red Raiders for the rest of the season.

Tech hasn't participated in the NCAA Tournament since the 2004 season and haven't finished higher than 5th place in the Big 12 Conference since 2004. The Red Raiders have also struggled to make the Big 12 Tournament missing the action in Bricktown in Oklahoma City four times since 2003 and compiling a 3-11 record in the Big 12 Tournament.

Former Head Coach Larry Hays directed the Red Raiders from obscurity in the 80's to be a national power in the mid 90's and making eight consecutive NCAA Tournaments and winning three conference championships. Hays gave way to Dan Spencer in 2008 and the beginning was rocky with a losing record and losing non-conference games in the midweek due to a lack of depth.

The past two seasons under Spencer showed greater expectations for the program and the 2012 season showed promise as Tech started 10-3 and earned a victory on the road at No. 10 Arizona State, but mid-season collapse doomed the season and Spencer's stint at Texas Tech. Spencer's record at Tech was 115-112.

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