Thrust into new roles just days before the 2010 Alamo Bowl, Texas Tech coaches Ruffin McNeil and Lincoln Riley were scrambling, unsure exactly what to do or how to act following Mike Leach's abrupt firing.
So defensive ends coach Charlie Sadler had a suggestion for McNeil and Riley, the Red Raiders' interim head coach and offensive coordinator, respectively: Talk to Donnie Duncan.
Riley had met Duncan — a former OU assistant coach, Iowa State head coach and OU athletic director — a few times, but what formed over those onerous four days became a close, special relationship.