2011 RED RAIDER FOOTBALL COACHES AND STAFF From 2005-2009, during the AFL’s off seasons, Cumbie served on the Texas Tech Sports Network as an analyst. He was able to stay closely involved with Tech football while broadcasting their games and offering the insights of a former player. After the Arena Football League suddenly ceased operations before the start of the 2009 season, Cumbie became the Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel for the San Angelo Stampede of the Indoor Football League. Four games into the season, Cumbie also added starting quarterback to his list of responsibilities. Once again, as he had with the Avengers, Cumbie led a franchise to the playoffs and its first playoff win in the team’s history. Cumbie and his wife, Tamra, are both natives of Snyder, Texas, and have called Lubbock home for more than 10 years. Cumbie graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in History; his wife has a Master’s Degree in Technical Communication.
Sonny Cumbie Inside Receivers Second Season • Texas Tech ‘04 Sonny Cumbie’s association with Texas Tech football began in 2000, when he was a walk-on quarterback. Cumbie is now in his second year a full-time assistant under Texas Tech Head Coach Tommy Tuberville and serves as the inside receivers’ coach under offensive coordinator Neal Brown. In Cumbie’s first season in 2010, the Red Raiders piled up 4,146 receiving yards along with 39 touchdowns. Tech’s 39 receiving touchdowns was one better than the Red Raiders totaled in 2009. Inside receiver Detron Lewis led the squad with 87 catches on the season and finished second with 852 receiving yards. During his years as a football player at Texas Tech, Cumbie worked diligently and waited patiently for his chance to serve as starting quarterback in the prolific Tech offense—and in 2004, he earned the spot and led the Red Raiders to an 8-4 season. During that season, Cumbie twice led the Red Raiders to 70+ point games and capped off the season with a 520 yard MVP performance in the 2004 Holiday Bowl victory over (then) No. 4 California. Cumbie still holds the Holiday Bowl record for most passing yards. He finished the season with 4,742 yards passing—fifth-best in school history, and 7th best in NCAA History. He was an Honorable Mention performer on the field and All Big 12 Performer in the classroom. Following a successful career at Texas Tech, Cumbie went on to play for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL). As a rookie in 2006, Cumbie started 12 games and set a franchise record for most passes attempted without an interception: 252. He was named the AFL All-Rookie Team Quarterback and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Upon completion of the 2006 season, Cumbie was signed by the Baltimore Ravens. In 2007 Cumbie was back in the AFL, leading the Avengers to their 1st playoff victory in franchise history, throwing for 83 touchdowns.
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