LAS VEGAS – Day 1 of the 2024 Big 12 Media Days is in the books in Sin City. Tuesday began with a State of the Conference address from Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, followed by pressers from eight of the league’s 16 teams. The day wrapped up with breakout sessions for each team, where we were able to connect with Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, along with Utah quarterback Cam Rising. Check out our 2024 Big 12 Football Media Days – Day 1 Recap, featuring some of the biggest highlights and stories from Tuesday below.
Brett Yormark
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark opened things up on Tuesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with a 40-45 minute keynote covering a breadth of topics. He began by highlighting the Big 12’s success in 2023, citing NCAA tournament appearances, ticket revenue growth, and increased sponsorships for women’s sports across the conference.
On the Field?
Pivoting to the upcoming 2024-25 season, Yormark had plenty of exciting updates to share. While Arizona and its former Pac-12 counterparts don’t officially join the Big 12 until August 2, Yormark described the league acquiring the four corners as the “‘A’ scenario for us when we thought about realignment.” He repeatedly mentioned the new parity amongst all 16 teams, stating that each week, and consequently November, will matter more than ever before, calling the Big 12 “the deepest conference in America.”
New innovation and technology is also in the works. While teams have been utilizing coach-to-player helmet communication through the spring, Yormark announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft that will bring tablets to the sidelines and coaching booth this fall.
Off the Field?
Off the gridiron, Yormark discussed a number of the behind the scenes initiatives happening to boost the league’s brand recognition and revenue. Value creation was atop his list, citing ESPN and Fox as integral drivers in connecting fans with the league. He said the Big 12 is taking “an innovative approach exploring new TV windows”, citing just how many games on are Saturdays.
“Listen, all I can say on that is Saturdays, there’s a lot going on on Saturdays, as we all know. A lot of competition. So the question is, are there new TV windows we can explore where we can highlight, elevate, and amplify our football programs maybe a little differently? And we’re exploring that. There’s nothing that we have vetted out specifically that I want to discuss just right now, but we’re working at it, and we’ll see where it takes us.” said Yormark.
The Commissioner also touched on other sponsorships opportunities within the league, including his advocacy for the recent permission of on-field logos. He followed that up with his thoughts on commercial patches. “I’ve been very vocal with the NCAA to push for making commercial patches permissible for officials’ uniforms, similar to what the NBA has done,” said Yormark.
Big 12 & Marching Band?
Brett Yormark concluded his opening presser by highlighting the Big 12’s desire to embrace the ever-changing nature of college football, without comprising the pageantry and tradition of the sport. He cited the halftime performance of the 2023 Big 12 Championship game, which featured Nelly, along with the Longhorn Band from the University of Texas and Cowboy Marching Band from Oklahoma State University.
“People were concerned what were going to happen to the school bands if we did a halftime show. We found a performer, Nelly, one of the best there is, that wanted to choreograph that halftime with our student bands, and it made for a wonderful experience for them.”
Sonny Dykes – TCU
Kicking off the coaches comments in our 2024 Big 12 Football Media Days – Day 1 Recap, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes echoed Brett Yormark’s comments about parity during his press conference.
“I think what makes the Big 12 unique is parity. If you look at the Big Ten, you look at the SEC, you look at the ACC, the same teams have represented those leagues year in, year out in the conference championship games. In the last three years, six [five] different Big 12 teams have been in the championship game. So I think right there that speaks to the parity of the league.”
Dykes followed up his comments saying the depth and parity in the Big 12 reminds him of his time in the Pac-12 at Cal. “Every team in the league is good. Every team in the league is capable of beating any other team on any given Saturday.”
Chris Klieman – Kansas State
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman took time to address the non-conference matchup between Arizona and Kansas State that is currently scheduled for Friday, September 13, in Manhattan, Kansas.
“I think it was probably too late when everything got finished up with scheduling. And I’m glad that we’re playing Arizona. They’re a terrific football program, and it’s a great early-season game for the Big 12 to get on national TV on a Friday night. So that excites us, and I know it excites Arizona. There’s really good talent on both teams.”
Klieman also added that he hopes the league can eventually land on an even number of conference matchups. As opposed to having an uneven split of home and away games, i.e. four home and five away, he would rather see either eight or 10 games. “If you have to play a Power Five, you might as well play it in your league and get five and five,” said Klieman.
Scott Satterfield – Cincinnati
Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield discussed his thoughts on the Big 12 spanning from coast to coast, as well as some of his thoughts and advice for the four incoming head coaches new to the league.
“The fact that you’re playing so many new teams and now our league is spread from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast now and trying to logistically figure that piece out, with all the traveling we’re having to do in this league,” said Satterfield. “We’re getting to see some great parts of the country where they have outstanding fan base and great coaches and players.”
Satterfield added, “To me, it’s a great challenge and it’s fun. It’s fun for our players and our student-athletes that get to experience this, the fact that college football opens up so many doors for our players and our coaches to be able to experience everything this country has to offer. And I think that’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s certainly something that we look forward to.”
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech
During the breakout sessions, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire was asked about Border Conference, and what it will mean to renew that rivalry between Arizona and Texas Tech.
“That’s gonna be a great game. That’s our first road game in the Big 12. They’ve got a phenomenal quarterback [Noah Fifita] and a No. 1 draft pick in a wide receiver [Tetairoa McMillan], and they are going to be really tough. I think that’s going to be a great game because it’s going to be so important for both teams. It’s early in the season, I think you’re going to have two teams that have gotten off to a hot start; I hope we’re one of ’em. I do think that’s going to be a big game when it comes to the conference. It’s good, it’s easy for our fans to get to. When they come to us, it’s easy for their fans to get to, so it’s got a chance to really be a rivalry.”
Kyle Whittingham – Utah
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, one of college football’s longest tenured head coaches, spoke a little bit about the addition of former Arizona wide receiver Dorian Singer.
“Dorian has been a great fit. Had a terrific spring. Very easy to understand how he was able to have over a thousand receiving yards at Arizona a couple years ago. But what he did in spring was impressive.”
Cam Rising – Utah
As part of our 2024 Big 12 Football Media Days – Day 1 Recap, we also had a chance to connect with Utah quarterback Cam Rising during an afternoon breakout session, and asked if the old Pac-12 rivalries between the corner schools will carry any extra weight.
“Absolutely, I mean we’ve played them the last few years. They’re a competitive team. Last year, they had our number, so that’s a game we definitely want to get right there. But, they’re a great team, so it’s always going to be a hard one.
Kenny Dillingham – Arizona State
We asked Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham about his relationship with new Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, and if the two have had a chance to connect yet.
“We talked a few times. His son came to our camp this year. Good high school quarterback. We’ve connected. Good guy. Excited to have him in our league.”
Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Mike Gundy took a firm stance on next steps star RB Ollie Gordon II, who was arrested last week for a DUI. That stance; it’s Ollie’s decision.
“We brought him here today so you guys could ask him that question. That was one of the reasons that I wanted to bring him here. It’s hard for me to speak for Ollie. I can only give you some indication on what I’ve seen over the last week.”
Gundy added, “The other thing I shared with Ollie yesterday was, after he decided that he wanted to come to today’s event, that I told him, when this is finished today at 4 o’clock, it’s over for me. I’ve already made the decisions that I think what’s best for you and this team, and you need to make the decisions and the comments what you think is best for yourself and the team. And then after today it’s over with. And that’s what our goal is, and I think we’ll be able to get that accomplished.”
Matt Campbell – Iowa State
While Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell did not address changes to the league or anything that directly impacts Arizona, Iowa State also had a redshirt-freshman lined up under center last season. Here’s what he had to say about redshirt-sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht, who per Campbell’s comments, appears to draw a number of comparisons to Noah Fifita.
“I think the biggest thing for Rocco is when you finally have videotape of yourself in game action to be able to go back and as an individual and collectively as a coaching staff, go back and really work through, man, what went really well, man, where are you really having success and how do we grow forward,” said Campbell.
“And I think the other thing is really just the ability to do the common things in an uncommon way. Sometimes I think we get so enamored in all the other things, but taking care of the football, distributing the ball where it needs to go based on what the coverage dictates. Man, in those critical moments, can you be flawless in execution.”
Sounds like Arizona’s No. 11 if you ask us!
While Arizona did not participate on Tuesday, the Wildcats did drum up some news of their own, after debuting a new alternate helmet ahead of their inaugural season in the Big 12. We’ll be back at Allegiant Stadium on Wednesday for a follow-up to today’s 2024 Big 12 Football Media Days – Day 1 Recap!