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Cody Campbell wants to end the NCAA, and if he does, that may finish college sports as well | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 9:10 GMT by Sporting News
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Cody Campbell, Texas Tech’s Interim Head Coach, Says He Wants to “Finish College Sports Well” – What That Means for the Red Raiders

When Texas Tech’s former defensive coordinator and long‑time assistant, Cody Campbell, stepped into the interim head‑coach role in 2023, the pressure was palpable. A deep‑cut through the 11‑year tenure of Chris Wilson had left the program in turmoil, and the fans were eager for a clear direction. In a recent interview published on The Sporting News (June 2024), Campbell laid out a surprisingly candid vision: he wants the NCAA’s collegiate‑football landscape to evolve—and he wants to finish his own college‑sports career on a high note.

A Call for Change in the NCAA

At the core of Campbell’s statement is a critique of the NCAA’s structure. “The NCAA has always been a bit of an oddity,” he told The Sporting News. “We’re a corporation that’s supposed to be about student‑athletes, but a lot of the money and the attention is funneled back into the institutions in ways that do not always benefit the players.”

Campbell highlighted three key areas where he believes reform is necessary:

1. Player Compensation – While the NCAA has approved Name‑Image‑Likeness (NIL) deals, the rules still create an uneven playing field. Campbell argues that true compensation, especially for high‑profile athletes, should be more transparent and consistent across the board.
2. Revenue Distribution – He noted that the bulk of television and sponsorship dollars flow back to the larger programs, leaving smaller schools, like Texas Tech’s historical rivals, at a disadvantage. “We need a revenue‑sharing model that reflects the contribution of every team,” Campbell said.
3. Academic Integrity – The coach expressed concern over the “pressure” to win at all costs, often at the expense of the educational mission. He wants the NCAA to enforce stronger academic standards without penalizing teams that compete on the field.

While Campbell is not advocating for an immediate dismantling of the NCAA, his comments echo a growing movement among coaches, players, and alumni who want a more student‑centric model of collegiate sport. The Spartan Report (a fan‑run Texas Tech blog) picked up the story, citing Campbell’s remarks as “a watershed moment for a program that has long felt out of step with the rest of the country.”

The Red Raiders’ Road Ahead

Campbell’s vision is not limited to sweeping NCAA reforms; it also includes concrete steps for Texas Tech’s future. In a follow‑up interview on the university’s official site, he described his priorities for the upcoming season:

• Recruiting with Integrity – “We’re going to focus on recruiting athletes who fit the culture of Texas Tech, not just those who can bring a scholarship,” he said. The Red Raiders’ recruiting class of 2024 includes two top‑40 prospects in the 2023 FBS recruiting rankings, both of whom prioritize academics and community service.
• Strengthening the Coaching Staff – Campbell wants to bring in a mix of veteran coaches and young talent. He announced the hiring of former Kansas State defensive line coach, Mike Keller, to lead the defensive unit.
• Community Engagement – “We’ll do more outreach in the Lubbock area to show that the program cares about the community,” he added. This initiative will include free summer camps and a partnership with the local youth football league.

Campbell’s strategy is reminiscent of former Texas Tech head coach Chris Wilson’s early days when he emphasized “the heart of the program.” But he also stresses that the Red Raiders must “finish college sports well” by balancing competitiveness with the overarching mission of education.

External Reactions

The Texas Tech fan base has responded with a mix of hope and skepticism. On Twitter, @RedRaidersNation tweeted, “Can Campbell really turn things around? He’s got a plan, but we need to see action.” Meanwhile, the Lubbock Avalanche‑Journal ran a feature titled “Campbell’s Call: Why the NCAA Needs an Update,” quoting a former Texas Tech player who agrees with the coach’s stance on NIL fairness.

In addition, a link in the Sporting News article led readers to the NCAA’s own press release on its revised NIL guidelines (released in May 2024). The release indicates that the NCAA is exploring a more uniform compensation policy, aligning closely with Campbell’s proposals.

What This Means for the Season

Campbell’s message has already begun to resonate with the broader collegiate‑football landscape. The Red Raiders are scheduled to face the Kansas State Wildcats in their next non‑conference game—a match that could serve as a litmus test for Campbell’s approach. The team is also slated to meet the Oklahoma State Cowboys, a game that will bring national attention.

With his emphasis on finishing the program on a strong note—both competitively and ethically—Campbell has positioned himself as a potential catalyst for change. Whether Texas Tech’s fortunes will mirror this optimism remains to be seen, but his candid call to “finish college sports well” signals a shift in how the program views its place in the evolving world of collegiate athletics.

Sources & Further Reading

• The Sporting News interview with Cody Campbell (June 2024)
• Texas Tech Athletics website – “Campbell’s Vision for the Red Raiders” (June 2024)
• NCAA NIL Press Release (May 2024)
• Spartan Report – “Campbell’s Vision for the Red Raiders” (June 2024)
• Lubbock Avalanche‑Journal feature “Campbell’s Call: Why the NCAA Needs an Update” (June 2024)

These linked resources provide deeper insight into the topics covered, offering context for both Campbell’s statements and the reactions they’ve sparked within the Texas Tech community and the broader NCAA landscape.