Texas Tech GM Spurns Notre Dame Overtures, Crowns Red Raiders as ‘The New Oregon’ in Bold NIL Era Declaration

In a move that underscores the shifting dynamics of college athletics, Texas Tech’s General Manager of football operations has emphatically turned away from overtures by Notre Dame, declaring that the Red Raiders are poised to become “The New Oregon” in the evolving name, image, and likeness (NIL) era.

The Red Raiders’ GM, often referred to as the architect behind Tech’s modern recruiting machine, made headlines this week when he reportedly declined a high-level inquiry from Notre Dame’s athletic department. The Fighting Irish, a college football blueblood with a storied tradition and national fanbase, were believed to be interested in recruiting top administrative and NIL talent as part of their efforts to stay competitive amid a rapidly transforming landscape. But instead of being lured by prestige and legacy, Texas Tech’s top NIL strategist doubled down on his current program.

That final line — “the new Oregon” — struck a powerful chord throughout college football circles. It was a clear reference to the early 2000s Oregon Ducks program, which exploded onto the national scene through a combination of creative branding, Nike-funded innovation, and aggressive program-building. Now, the Red Raiders appear determined to replicate and modernize that formula through strategic NIL partnerships and a robust, donor-supported infrastructure.

Since the NCAA officially opened the doors for student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness in July 2021, the recruiting game has changed dramatically. Programs that were once perennial powerhouses have found themselves outpaced by schools willing to innovate — and invest — in new ways.

Texas Tech has emerged as one of the boldest players in this new frontier. Their collective, The Matador Club, has become a nationally recognized force, funding competitive NIL deals that help retain current players and attract high-level recruits. The GM, whose role bridges traditional recruiting and the NIL landscape, has been instrumental in aligning alumni, boosters, and university leadership around a shared vision of aggressive upward mobility.

We’re not playing catch-up anymore,” said one source close to the program. “We’re sprinting ahead. The infrastructure in Lubbock is designed to not just compete with the SEC or Big Ten — it’s built to surpass them.”

Notre Dame’s reported interest wasn’t without merit. Their athletics department has long been lauded for its professionalism and excellence, and their leadership is actively working to modernize their approach in the NIL space. But Texas Tech’s GM saw a bigger opportunity — not in leaving for tradition, but in building something transformative.

There was once a time when a call from Notre Dame meant you packed your bags,” a national recruiting analyst noted. “But we’re in a different era now. The real power lies in the programs that are bold enough to reshape the narrative. Tech isn’t just trying to keep up — they’re rebranding themselves as a national NIL destination.”

This sentiment was echoed in a cryptic social media post from the GM following the report’s release. It featured a photo of the Texas Tech logo surrounded by lightning bolts, with the caption: “This is the energy. We’re just getting started.”

The results are already showing. Texas Tech’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the strongest in program history. Multiple four-star prospects have cited NIL transparency, player empowerment, and forward-thinking program culture as reasons for committing to Lubbock. Some high school coaches in Texas are even advising their players to “take a serious look” at Tech before jumping at traditional SEC or Big Ten offers.

One high-profile recruit recently told 247Sports, “What they’re doing at Tech feels different. They’re not promising the world — they’re showing how it works. It’s real. You feel the investment.”

As the Big 12 enters a new era without Oklahoma and Texas, schools like Texas Tech have a massive opportunity to assert themselves atop the pecking order. And with their NIL operation firing on all cylinders, the Red Raiders aren’t just aiming for relevance — they’re targeting dominance.