BREAKING NEWS: Head Coach Grant McCasland of the Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball Donates Entire $1.8 Million Bonus and Endorsement Contract to Charities and Homelessness Support Organizations…

*Lubbock, TX – April 21, 2025*

In a stunning and heartfelt act of generosity, Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball head coach Grant McCasland has announced that he is donating the entirety of his $1.8 million postseason bonus and recent endorsement earnings to various charities and organizations focused on homelessness and poverty alleviation across Texas.

 

The announcement came during a press conference held at the United Supermarkets Arena, where Coach McCasland, flanked by members of his coaching staff and players, took the podium not to celebrate his team’s remarkable NCAA Tournament run, but to deliver what he called “the most meaningful victory” of the year.

 

“Basketball has given me an incredible platform,” McCasland said. “But that platform means nothing if I’m not using it to lift others up. I see what’s happening in our communities — people sleeping in the cold, families struggling to find food and shelter — and I know we can do better. This is just a small way of trying to help bring hope and tangible support to people who need it most.”

 

According to McCasland, the $1.8 million consists of a combination of performance bonuses earned from Texas Tech’s Elite Eight appearance this season, as well as a recently finalized endorsement deal with a major athletic apparel brand. The funds will be split among several nonprofit organizations, including the Lubbock Homeless Consortium, Haven of Hope, the Texas Homeless Network, and Feeding Texas. Portions of the donation will also go toward mental health services for unhoused individuals and youth mentorship programs aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty.

 

Red Raiders Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt praised McCasland’s action, calling it “a defining moment in college sports leadership.”

 

“We talk about character, integrity, and impact beyond the game,” Hocutt said. “Coach McCasland just gave us all a real-life example of what that looks like. He’s not only a tremendous coach but also a remarkable human being.”

 

Players reacted with admiration and pride, expressing how McCasland’s leadership continues to inspire them on and off the court. Senior forward Daniel Batcho called it “the kind of move that makes you want to be better, not just as a player but as a person.”

 

Sophomore guard Pop Isaacs added, “Coach always talks about doing things ‘the right way’ — now we’ve seen what he means. This isn’t just words for him. It’s who he is.”

 

McCasland, who took over as head coach in 2023, has quickly transformed the Red Raiders program both on the court and in the community. Known for his faith-driven coaching philosophy and emphasis on player development and personal accountability, he has brought renewed energy and unity to Texas Tech basketball.

 

Community organizations receiving the donations were equally stunned and grateful. Monica Vega, director of Lubbock’s Grace Campus transitional shelter, said she was “moved to tears” by the announcement.

 

“This kind of donation doesn’t just change programs — it changes lives,” Vega said. “Coach McCasland has reminded us all that sports can be a powerful force for good.”

 

Social media has exploded with praise, as fans, alumni, and fellow coaches from around the country shared messages of support and admiration for McCasland. Even rival coaches from the Big 12 Conference, including Kansas’ Bill Self and Baylor’s Scott Drew, applauded the gesture, calling it “inspirational” and “a reminder of what leadership truly looks like.”

 

While McCasland emphasized that he doesn’t want the gesture to overshadow the efforts of those on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis, he hopes the donation brings renewed attention to the issue and encourages others in positions of influence to take action.

 

“I don’t want this to be about me,” McCasland said. “I want it to be about what we can all do, together, to make sure that no one is left out in the cold — literally or figuratively. We’ve got to take care of each other.”

 

With the 2024-2025 season officially in the books, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are already looking ahead to the future with high hopes. But thanks to Coach McCasland, the biggest victory of the year may have come not on the hardwood, but in the hearts of those who need it most.