Former Texas Tech football coach Spike Dykes dies at 79

Spike Dykes, who was the first coach to lead Texas Tech to seven straight bowl-eligible seasons, died Monday at 79 of an apparent heart attack at his home in Horseshoe Bay, just outside of Austin, Texas, according to multiple media reports.

When he retired in 1999, Dykes -- who was a fan favorite because of his self-deprecating humor -- was the school’s winningest football coach with a record of 82-67. His wins record was broken by Mike Leach in 2009.

Dykes was the head coach from 1986-99 and was a three-time Southwest Conference coach of the year and one-time Big 12 coach of the year (the conference’s first season in 1996). He was defensive coordinator from 1984-86.

His sons have followed him into the coaching business. Sonny Dykes has also been a head coach, last with California in 2016. He is now an offensive analyst at Texas Christian. Rick Dykes has been an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and Arizona.