Fresh off of a week of media reports detailing the dire state of contract negotiations between Texas Tech and head coach Mike Leach, the Red Raider football program has been dealt another serious blow.

Texas Tech running backs coach Seth Littrell confirmed to RedRaiderSports.com that he has accepted a position on Mike Stoops' staff at Arizona, filling a vacancy created by the departure of Dana Dimel for Kansas State.

"I just feel like, right now, this is the best situation for me and my family," said Littrell, who will coach running backs, tight ends and fullbacks for the Wildcats. "This is a great opportunity (at Arizona). Mike Stoops has made me very comfortable with my future in Tuscon."

Littrell, who just finished his fourth year at Texas Tech, was recently recognized by Rivals.com as the top recruiter on Leach's staff. In the 2009 class alone, Littrell's involvement was integral to the Red Raiders signing four-star running back Eric Stephens and four-star defensive tackle Pearlie Graves.

This decision did not come easy to Littrell, who had rebuffed job offers from Kansas and Arizona over the past few years. But sources close to the situation indicate to RedRaiderSports.com that the contract situation between Leach and the University played a role in Littrell's decision.

"I love Mike Leach like a father," explained Littrell, "he brought me into this business. He taught me everything I know. I love this city, I love the players here."

During the 2008 season, Littrell oversaw a tandem of running backs (Shannon Woods, Baron Batch) that posted the best rushing output, nearly 1,500 combined yards, in Leach's nine-year tenure at Texas Tech.

Littrell played college football for Oklahoma, and was a team captain on the Sooners' 2000 squad that won the BCS National Championship.

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