Brett Yormark saved the Big 12. Now it must find someone who can close the gap

Brett Yormark, a veteran of college athletics with over a decade of experience, played a crucial role in keeping the Big 12 Conference relevant and strengthening its brand. While not perfect, Yormark thrived in a challenging environment, displaying the qualities of an alpha leader. An insider noted that Yormark's leadership prevented the league from collapsing.

His most significant achievement was securing Colorado's entry into the Big 12 through a signing bonus, a move that saved the conference from potential extinction and established it as an automatic qualifying conference for the College Football Playoff. Yormark announced his departure from the Big 12 position on January 31, 2027.

As the conference seeks its next leader, the focus is on finding someone who can bridge the gap between the Big 12 and the more dominant Power Five conferences of the SEC and Big Ten.