Big 12 conference aspire to be deepest football conference in America

FRISCO, Texas — Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark was hired on Aug. 1, 2022, and as he approaches his three-year anniversary at the helm, Yormark discussed the progress the league has made under his tutelage and where he feels the Big 12 is headed.

“I’m thrilled with where the Big 12 is right now. Three years ago, I said I wanted to modernize this conference,” Yormark said Tuesday to kick off 2025 Big 12 football media days at the Star in Frisco. “I wanted it to be more contemporary. I wanted to get on the consciousness of future student-athletes.

“I wanted to create a foundation that would enable us to succeed. I love the trajectory of this conference. It’s everything I could have wished for three years ago when I took this job, but it looks like we’re just getting started. I’m excited about our future. This conference today is not the best version of itself, but we will be sooner than later.”

One constant during Yormark’s tenure has been a dizzying amount of change. Conference stalwarts Oklahoma and Texas bolted for the Southeastern Conference after the 2023 season, but the league added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF in 2023 and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah in 2024 with Arizona State winning the Big 12 football championship game in its inaugural season in the league, a sign the conference is on solid footing.

“I believe we will be the deepest football conference in America. No league offers the competitive balance that we do,” Yormark said. “Last season, the Big 12 led the nation in fourth-quarter lead changes and go-ahead scores in the final minute of conference games.

“This year, our star power, especially at quarterback, will be on full display. The Big 12 returns nine starting quarterbacks who threw for over 2,400 yards last season. I fully expect the Big 12 to earn multiple college playoff bids this year and to show once again that we can compete with anyone.”

Klieman Bullish on ‘Cats/Cyclones Rivalry

One of the funnier moments from Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman’s news conference on Tuesday morning was when a media member asked the Iowa native whether he grew up a fan of either the Cyclones or the Hawkeyes?

“Well, I grew up in Waterloo and was a Northern Iowa fan. That’s where I played. I was a Panther,” Klieman said with a wry smile. “It (KSU/ISU) is a great rivalry. I remember watching it all the time as a kid and listening to the games. I know that this is a great rivalry (and) has been for a long time.

“Great respect between the two programs.”

Texas Flood Victims on Minds of Yormark, Coaches

Yormark opened his presser by mentioning those affected by the flooding in Central Texas earlier this week, which has to date claimed more than 100 lives, and asking for a moment of silence.

Coaches hitting the podium followed suit and also mentioned flood victims, especially Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, a Texas native who has spent his entire coaching career in the Lone Star State.

“Before I talk about my team, being a proud Texan and being nowhere else, our prayers are with everybody in Central Texas,” McGuire said.”

Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.