BONUS: Is Texas Tech FIRING Tim Tadlock, SHOCKING Big 12 Softball NCAA Tournament News

The current landscape for Tim Tadlock and Texas Tech baseball is arguably the most turbulent era in his 14-season tenure. For a program that reached Omaha four times between 2014 and 2019, the 2026 season has been a jarring departure from "The Standard." Here is a breakdown of the extreme struggles facing the Red Raiders as of mid-May 2026. 1. A Historical Regression After missing the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and 2025, the pressure was on for a "bounce-back" year. Instead, the Red Raiders have spent much of 2026 fighting just to stay relevant. Conference Freefall: Tech currently sits at 9–18 in Big 12 play (26–25 overall). The Bottom of the Pack: For the first time in the Tadlock era, Texas Tech is mired in 12th place in the conference standings, narrowly clinging to the final qualifying spot for the Big 12 Tournament RPI Nightmare: The team’s RPI has plummeted to #132, effectively eliminating any chance of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The only path forward is winning the conference tournament—a tall task for a team that has lost 10 of its last 14 games.     2. The Pitching Crisis The "identity" of Texas Tech baseball—explosive offense paired with competitive pitching—has become lopsided. While hitters like Jesse Rusinek and Caden Ferraro are batting over .400, the pitching staff has been unable to hold leads. Inconsistency on the Mound: Tech has allowed double-digit runs in multiple conference series, including a mid-season sweep at the hands of TCU that sent the season into a downward trajectory. Road Woes: The team is just 3–9 on the road in Big 12 play, struggling to find a Friday night starter who can consistently silence opposing crowds. 3. The "Hot Seat" Conversation While Tadlock is a legend in Lubbock with 470+ wins, the three-year postseason drought has led to unprecedented external chatter regarding his job security. The 2026 Ceiling: Analysts have noted that Tech's odds of even making the Big 12 Tournament are a "toss-up" at 40-50%. Fan Sentiment: The frustration stems from the contrast between the 2010s "Omaha era" and the current reality of fighting for a #12 seed. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Rocket MoneyLet Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttps://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON.   WayfairHead to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.    FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.