Tribune: Is USF ready for next realignment?

[Ricky the Bull]

This may be buried in another thread, but thought it was interesting in that we get quotes from the AD on the matter.

 

 

 

TAMPA – Conference realignment – the subject that never really goes away in college athletics – has seemingly returned as a front-burner topic. It was fueled by the College Football Playoff’s four semifinal selections, which featured the snubbing of Big 12 Conference co-champions Baylor and TCU.

 

And it immediately led to speculation the 10-team Big 12 should expand by at least two schools – pronto – so it could regain the advantageous league championship game, for which NCAA rules state 12 schools are needed.

 

If that’s the case, where does that leave the University of South Florida’s athletic program? Of course, USF will publicly make the most of its presence in the American Athletic Conference, but like a host of other schools, it clamors for a spot in the so-called “Power Five’’ leagues.

 

And why not? It offers better access to larger bowls. Power Five schools earn about $23 million annually in media-rights deals. USF receives approximately $8 million with its AAC media contract, although the second-year league, with a better handle on its value, is attempting to renegotiate its ESPN contract.

 

USF would certainly be in the potential Big 12 expansion conversation – an ongoing theory has the Big 12 looking to USF and the University of Central Florida, giving the league the nation’s 13th- and 18th-largest television markets, plus a foothold in Florida’s football recruiting territory – but football struggles have hurt USF’s case.

 

No one realizes that more than first-year athletic director Mark Harlan.

 

“If we don’t get more than 20,000 people coming to Ray-Jay (for USF football games), I don’t know how successful we’re going to be,†Harlan said at a recent Bulls Blub function at Palma Ceia Country Club.

 

“That’s my job. That’s (coach) Willie Taggart’s job. That’s your job. Everybody has to help with that. We need to work our budget higher. They’re looking for schools that are top 50 research and high academics. We’re great there. But we’ve got to take care of our house competitively. When the (conference) merry-go-round starts again, I plan on us being right there.’’

 

USF will have company. Besides UCF, other potential Big 12 targets figure to be other AAC teams, such as Cincinnati, Memphis and Connecticut, along with San Diego State and Brigham Young.

 

Harlan said the Bulls are winning in the classroom, graduating athletes at the highest rate ever and posting record grade-point averages. He said coaches and athletes are more involved in the community — one of his priorities. Competition? Good in some places, but overall, especially in football, it needs work.

 

“This is not intramurals,’’ Harlan said. “This isn’t about participation. This is major Division I intercollegiate athletics. The scoreboard is important to us.’’

 

Ultimately, that will determine whether USF can leverage its natural resources and become a major player in the next round of conference realignment.

 

 

 

http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/bulls-beat-is-usf-ready-for-next-realignment-20141210/

[yosoybullsfan]

Yep saw that as well. Good article and shows Harlan is on the ball...but I don't see it happening.

[NewEnglandBull]

I like Harlan more and more.

[slick1ru2]

Interesting. The AAC must have realized all the time slots their football games now fill on the ESPN channels due to games moving to the conference networks and are renegotiating the contract.

[hm101]

Love that guy.

[Fold FB Invest in BB]

Bulls Blub

Sounds interesting?

[Rocky Style]

Interesting. The AAC must have realized all the time slots their football games now fill on the ESPN channels due to games moving to the conference networks and are renegotiating the contract.

Ah that makes sense. I was wonder why it is easier to watch AAC than the Big East days...

[Triple B]

This may be buried in another thread, but thought it was interesting in that we get quotes from the AD on the matter.

 

 

 

TAMPA – Conference realignment – the subject that never really goes away in college athletics – has seemingly returned as a front-burner topic. It was fueled by the College Football Playoff’s four semifinal selections, which featured the snubbing of Big 12 Conference co-champions Baylor and TCU.

 

And it immediately led to speculation the 10-team Big 12 should expand by at least two schools – pronto – so it could regain the advantageous league championship game, for which NCAA rules state 12 schools are needed.

 

If that’s the case, where does that leave the University of South Florida’s athletic program? Of course, USF will publicly make the most of its presence in the American Athletic Conference, but like a host of other schools, it clamors for a spot in the so-called “Power Five’’ leagues.

 

And why not? It offers better access to larger bowls. Power Five schools earn about $23 million annually in media-rights deals. USF receives approximately $8 million with its AAC media contract, although the second-year league, with a better handle on its value, is attempting to renegotiate its ESPN contract.

 

USF would certainly be in the potential Big 12 expansion conversation – an ongoing theory has the Big 12 looking to USF and the University of Central Florida, giving the league the nation’s 13th- and 18th-largest television markets, plus a foothold in Florida’s football recruiting territory – but football struggles have hurt USF’s case.

 

No one realizes that more than first-year athletic director Mark Harlan.

 

“If we don’t get more than 20,000 people coming to Ray-Jay (for USF football games), I don’t know how successful we’re going to be,†Harlan said at a recent Bulls Blub function at Palma Ceia Country Club.

 

“That’s my job. That’s (coach) Willie Taggart’s job. That’s your job. Everybody has to help with that. We need to work our budget higher. They’re looking for schools that are top 50 research and high academics. We’re great there. But we’ve got to take care of our house competitively. When the (conference) merry-go-round starts again, I plan on us being right there.’’

 

USF will have company. Besides UCF, other potential Big 12 targets figure to be other AAC teams, such as Cincinnati, Memphis and Connecticut, along with San Diego State and Brigham Young.

 

Harlan said the Bulls are winning in the classroom, graduating athletes at the highest rate ever and posting record grade-point averages. He said coaches and athletes are more involved in the community — one of his priorities. Competition? Good in some places, but overall, especially in football, it needs work.

 

“This is not intramurals,’’ Harlan said. “This isn’t about participation. This is major Division I intercollegiate athletics. The scoreboard is important to us.’’

 

Ultimately, that will determine whether USF can leverage its natural resources and become a major player in the next round of conference realignment.

 

 

 

http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/bulls-beat-is-usf-ready-for-next-realignment-20141210/

 

Even JJ doesn't get it that, ultimately, it's NOT about the scoreboard ...

[CousinRicky]

Love that guy.

 

Until we get passed over then everyone will call him a bum or blame Woolard or Genshaft. 

[hm101]

Re: results. We never won cusa before going to big east. But we had some tangible success in attendance, a few big wins

Edited December 14, 2014 by hm101