Cody Campbell, a former Texas Tech lineman who now serves as a fundraiser, has been engaged in a back-and-forth conversation with Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Campbell recently turned to X to express his wish for a future game between the Red Raiders and the Houston Cougars on Friday, October 18. The former offensive lineman objected to the date, stating that Friday evenings are special for high school football in Texas.
Friday Night Lights are revered throughout the great state of Texas! It is completely ridiculous that the @Big12Conference and @FOXSports would plan @TexasTechFB and @UHCougarFB on a Friday night (October 18th)!! I am aware that @brettyormark is not a native Texan, but he has been here long enough to know better! Come on, man!
Campbell didn’t stop there. On Tuesday, the booster contacted Yorkmark and continued his appeal for a schedule change.
I learned about it from the (tech football) team up here and our administration that it was being considered, according to Campbell. They (TV partners) have the draft or whatever, and the conference does not want to admit it, but they do have the power to influence those choices. They just decided not to because they were pursuing ratings, which I get on the one hand, but high school football is crucial in Texas.
We have a road game the week before. It’s not the best scenario for us, and… I believe that our conference should have provided us with greater protection.
Yormark reacted to Campbell on Wednesday, stating that he does not manage the Big 12.
Campbell clarified that Yormark is not the ‘dictator of the conference. ‘
As commissioner, he must keep in mind that he serves the presidents, who work for the boards, Campbell told ESPN. He does not control the conference. That is not his job. It is his duty to fight for his constituents in all situations.
Yormark told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the conference’s board and athletic directors have agreed to schedule 12 games each year outside of Saturdays in order to increase Big 12 Conference viewership. He said that including the Red Raiders in a Friday night showdown would help to achieve that aim.
According to Yormark, Big 12 football games on Friday night outperformed the Conference’s average rating by 64% in 2025. During the TV scheduling process, all of our schools are treated equally, and this game falls within our scheduling constraints. I’m grateful that our TV partners give us these possibilities.
Campbell does not object to the proposal. He stated that he did not think it was in the best interest of the schools or leagues to play on that night.
Who is Cody Campbell?
Campbell is from Lubbock and played for the Red Raiders from 2001 to 2004. He was undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft but signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He stayed with the club until August 2006, but his career was cut short by a terrible injury.
He is a billionaire oil-and-gas entrepreneur and a powerful supporter of Texas Tech athletics. Campbell’s name is recognized at AT&T Stadium on the Texas Tech University campus.
Campbell serves as Chairman of the Texas Tech System Board of Regents.
