Texas Tech is likely to become the new Oregon, which canβt 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 Nikeβs Phil Knight. I lived in Oregon and covered the Ducks from 1978-81, and they didnβt 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. Knightβs 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 β ahead of big-money schools from Alabama to Ohio State β because of his contributions. βThis isnβt a hobby,β he said. βThis is my calling. We are gaining ground on blueblood programs because we have donor money.β
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.
