Texas Tech is targeting Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder as the top assistant on Grant McCasland's men's basketball staff, sources told ESPN.
The two sides are close to a deal, sources said, and it could close soon.
Linder's arrival would mean a reunion for the two coaches. He spent two seasons as McCasland's assistant at Midland Junior College, from 2004 to 2006, when Midland won a combined 53 games.
Linder has been Wyoming's head coach since 2020, leading the Cowboys to a 63-59 overall record and guiding them to the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Led by stars Hunter Maldonado and Graham Ike, Wyoming went 25- 9 in 2021-22 before losing in the First Four to Indiana. Maldonado returned the following season, but Ike missed the entire season with a foot injury and the Cowboys struggled to maintain momentum.
Before taking over at Wyoming, Linder was the head coach at Northern Colorado for four seasons. He went 80-50 overall, including three straight 20-win seasons to end his time with the Bears.
McCasland just finished his first season in charge of Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 23 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance. They are expected to return three double-figure scorers and bring in an intriguing transfer class led by Kevin Overton (Drake) and Elijah Hawkins (Minnesota).
