LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) – Kliff Kingsbury was sacked Sunday by Texas Tech, after the former record-breaking quarterback of the Red Raiders lost his general record in six seasons.

Sports director Kirby Hocutt announced his decision after a meeting with Kingsbury, a day after the Red Raiders finished their third consecutive defeat with a 35-24 loss to Baylor when they got the chance to become eligible for the cup. It was their fifth consecutive loss after a 5-2 start this year.

"I would like to thank Kliff Kingsbury for his six years of dedication to leading our football program," said Hocutt. "He worked very hard and represented us in an exemplary way."

Kingsbury finished with a 35-40 overall record, a winning percentage of .467, which is better than just two of 14 other Texas Tech coaches in the history of the program.

The Red Raiders were 19-35 in Big 12 games under Kingsbury, including 3-6 in the conference each of the previous three seasons. They spent nine consecutive seasons with no record winner in the Big 12 game.

After starting 7-0 at Kingsbury's 2013 debut, the Red Raiders finished 8-5. They had a five-game losing streak before beating Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl to finish their best season.

"For what he has accomplished and contributed to Texas Tech, as an athlete, student and football coach, Kliff Kingsbury occupies a special place in the hearts of the Red Raiders," said Texas President Tech, Lawrence Schovanec. "As a coach, he was a model of class and character and he always put the best interest of his student athletes at the forefront." I admire and appreciate everything. that he did for Texas Tech. "

Kingsbury was only 33 when he was named head coach of his alma mater following the unexpected resignation of Tommy Tuberville after the 2012 season.

At the time, Kingsbury had just finished his only season as offensive coordinator at Texas A & M in 2012, when Aggles's quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Kingsbury had previously coached Case Keenum in Houston.

Kingsbury's specialty is the quarterback position, which he has played in 43 games with Texas Tech, as well as 12,429 yards and 95 touchdowns between 1999 and 2002.

Baker Mayfield, Davis Webb and Patrick Mahomes were the starting quarters for Texas Tech under Kingsbury.

In Kingsbury's first game as Tech's coach in 2013, Mayfield was the first true novice quarterback to start an early season for an FBS team. Mayfield was later transferred to Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy and became the No.1 choice of the selection at the beginning of the year.

Texas Tech have used three quarterbacks this season and all have been hampered by injuries.

When junior McLane Carter injured his ankle in the first half of the season, real rookie Alan Bowman took over and was the country's leading passer before being sidelined twice this season because of a partially deflated lung. Bowman has missed the past three games with 2,638 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games.

Bowman tweeted after Saturday's game that Kingsbury was "the best coach I've ever had, even a better human being.You do not understand the work that he's doing behind closed doors".