Texas Tech defensive coach Wallerstedt resigns

Published Sep. 18, 2014 5:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) Texas Tech defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt has resigned for unspecified personal reasons.

Wallerstedt said in a statement issued by the university Thursday that he was stepping side ''because I want the best for the Red Raider program, and this will allow them to go in a different direction on defense.''

Mike Smith, who shared the coordinator title with Wallerstedt, will be in charge of the defense for the rest of the season.

The 48-year-old Wallerstedt joined the staff when former Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was hired as coach last year. They were on the staff together at Texas A&M in 2012.

The Red Raiders (2-1), who are coming off a 49-28 loss at home to Arkansas, open Big 12 play at Oklahoma State next Thursday.