Thanks Bobby! Helpful perspective.
Couple things seem clear:
1) Texas Tech has a big “Kick Me” sign on their back as every Big12 head coach expresses some mix of envy and anger towards Lubbock for their stupid money and illegal promises being thrown around. Joey McGuire and the Raiders are gonna get everybody’s best each Saturday. If Tech’s goal was to shine a big bright light on themselves, mission accomplished.
2) It’s gonna take a while, maybe 6 months, maybe a year, maybe longer, for things to settle down with improved clarity and enforcement from the new Sports Commission to start guiding schools and enforcing compliance. Until then, Wild Wild West continues.
3) All the ‘tricks’ used this spring in front loading contracts, paying HS players monthly $$, promising NIL, etc, it’s all short-term. Eventually in the next 1-2 yrs, these overpaid players will be offered much less the next year to stay and then it gets interesting to watch the transfer portal once they’ve drained all the could from their tier 2 school like Tech.
4) Staying with point #3…..Feels like Tech is playing a more brash version of the same game that A&M played in 2022 when they bought their way to the #1 recruiting class. It became clear very quickly you can’t buy culture, the wins didn’t show up on the field in College Station, locker room divided and over half that vaunted #1 class (majority of the top rated players) transferred out. Will be interesting (and fun) to watch unfold and see how it plays out. For A&M, they were so tired of spending and losing that they swallowed $76mllion to part ways with Jimbo and start over. Joey McGuire buyout is nothing in comparison if he doesn’t win big this season.
5) Long-term, Texas gonna be fine. Discipline wins in long run. Strategic Expanded Legitimate NIL (to augment rev sharing) for all our key players on both sides of the ball who are proving it on the field will be key over time.
6) Many teams are gonna find their way to sign 5-stars and load up with unproven talent. With all the money talk and financial promises to these 18-20 yr olds, team culture, discipline, work ethic, player development, elite coaching, now more than ever, will be what separates the elite teams from all others.
Fired up for this season to get started!!
Hook em!! 🐂🤘🏼🧡