Texas Tech is likely to become the new Oregon, which can’t be good news for the UA athletic department.
UA fans saw first-hand the rise of Oregon from a mid-level athletic department to elite status from about 1995-2024, thanks to the bountiful contributions from Nike’s Phil Knight. I lived in Oregon and covered the Ducks from 1978-81, and they didn’t have two nickels to rub together. They started charging reporters for lunch in the football press box, which I have never seen even at Washington State or anywhere. Knight’s money changed all of that.
Now comes Texas Tech mega-booster Cody Campbell, whose net worth is estimated at $15 billion. He told reporters at Big 12 football media day last week that Texas Tech has the second-highest-rated football transfer class of 2025 — ahead of big-money schools from Alabama to Ohio State — because of his contributions. “This isn’t a hobby,†he said. “This is my calling. We are gaining ground on blueblood programs because we have donor money.â€
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Arizona running back Quali Conley (7) runs over Texas Tech defensive back C.J. Baskerville (9) on a run up the middle in the third quarter of their Big 12 game in Tucson on Oct. 5, 2024.
Texas Tech is about the last place I expected to rise to prominence in any sport. Have you ever been to Lubbock, Texas? If so, you know what I mean.
Oh, how I miss the good old days of college sports.
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