Texas Tech Red Raiders Helmet History

Red painted leather helmet with unique double "T" logo on the front in black.

Tech's leather helmet thoughout the 1930s and early 1940s.

Worn in 1949 and 1950 for home games only.

Silver shell, red stripe

Tech began a silver helmet era, duplicated in 1957.

Silver shell, red stripe, red numbers, gray masks

Return to silver helmets for two years, with the addition of red numbers. Riddell RK version.

Red helmet, white stripe, white player numbers on the sides. Numbers were rounded in 1958, square cut in 1959-60. Gray masks

E.J. Holub also wore red helmets, before beginning his career with the AFL Dallas Texans. Helmet shells are Riddell RK.

Black shell with red stripe, white player number on sides, gray facemask

With the arrival of Coach J.T. King, Texas Tech began wearing black helmets, a trend that has continued to this day, except during the Jim Carlen period. Helmet shells are Riddell.

Black shell with red double "T" outlined in white on sides, gray facemask

The double "T" is added for the first time, and becomes a staple on the Texas Tech helmet for the next 36 seasons. Helmet shells are Riddell.

White shell with black-white-red-white-black stripes, red double "T" outlined in black on sides, gray facemask

A neat, new design incorporated during the tenure of head coach Jim Carlen (who would later take this same look to South Carolina). Helmet shells are Macgregor and Riddell.

White shell with black-white-red-white-black stripes, red double "T" outlined in blackon sides, red facemask

By adding the red facemasks, this was a great look for Tech, if only for one season. It would be nice to see Tech return to this classic look. Helmet shells are Macgregor and Riddell.

Black shell with white-red-white stripes, red double "T" outlined in white on sides, red facemask

This is one of Tech's best looks, combining equally the black and red (scarlet) of the school's colors. An overall excellent design, especially the red mask. This look was instituted by Steve Sloan, who was Tech's head coach from 1975-1977, during which Tech was a major powerhouse, going 23-11 with a SWC co-championship. Helmet shells are Macgregor and Riddell.

Black shell with thin white-red-thin white stripes, red double "T" outlined in white on sides, black facemask

Another change instituted by coach Jerry Moore was the changing of the facemasks to black. This look was carried through under the tenures of David McWilliams and Spike Dykes. Helmet shells are Riddell and Schutt.

Black shell with double "T" outlined in white on sides, black facemask

1993-1999
2015 Special

Tech removed the stripes on the helmets once and for all well into the tenure of Spike Dykes. The removal of stripes on the pants would soon follow. Helmet shells are Riddell and Schutt. Also worn as a throwback in 2015.

Black metallic sparkle shell with black facemask, red, black and white "3-D" double "T" logo outlined in white on sides

Black metallic sparkle shell with black facemask, red, black and white "3-D" double "T" logo on sides

Same as 2000, but the extra white outline around the decal has been removed. Helmet shells are Riddell and Schutt regular and Schutt DNA.

White pearlesque metallic shell with black facemask, red, black and white "3-D" double "T" logo on sides, thin blackl-space-red-space-thin black stripes

Black metallic sparkle shell with black facemask, camouflage, black and white "3-D" double "T" logo on sides

White pearlesque metallic shell with black facemask, red, black and white "3-D" double "T" logo on sides

White alternate helmet returns for 2011 minus the stripes.

Black metallic sparkle shell with black facemask, patriotic stars and stripes"3-D" double "T" logo on sides

Wounded Warrior style helmet worn 11/12/2011 against Oklahoma State.

White shell with black facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes black at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, double "T" 3-D logo on sides outlined in white and black.

Black shell with black facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes white at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, double "T" 3-D logo on sides outlined in white.

One of the three new helmets for 2013 for Tech. This is the black version, worn in most of the games.

Gray shell with black facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes black at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, double "T" 3-D logo on sides outlined in white and black.

One of the three new helmets for 2013 for Tech. This is the gray version, with special all gray uniforms (so far).

Gray shell with black facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes black at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, double "T" 3-D logo on right side outlined in white and black, stylized player number in red outlined in black on left side of helmet.

Unique helmet worn twice, 10/26/2013 against Oklahoma an 10/25/2014 against TCU. Worn at least once each year.

White matte shell with black facemasks, thin black stripes, double "T" 3-D logo on sides outlined in white and black superimposed on state of Texas.

Lone Star helmet version for 2013

Red metalllic shell with black facemasks, red stripe that becomes black at the back of the helmet with 3-D double "T" logo on the back of the stripe. Various sized montage of "NEVER QUIT" printed in red all over helmet.

Worn on 11/9/2013 against Kansas State. "Lone Survivor" helmet.

Metallic black shell with black facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes black at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, special red metallic "matador" logo on right side of helmet, player number in metallic red on left side of helmet, black facemasks.

Special helmet previewed before 2013 season as "prototype" and worn only in 2013 Holiday Bowl against Arizona State.

Metallic white shell with oversized black matador outlined in white on both sides in a wraparound design, black facemasks.

New "Ombre" white helmet debut.

Shell features wraparound Texas state flag design with white "lone star" on right side, Texas Tech "double-T" on left side, black facemasks.

Metallic black shell with black facemasks, red and black running red raider image on side of helmet outlined in white, black facemasks.

Black "Ombre" helmet worn 11/15//2014 against Oklahoma

Black shell with red metallic facemasks, metallic red stripe that becomes white at the back of the helmet with "GUNS UP" on the back of the stripe, double "T" 3-D logo on sides outlined in white.