Quotes from USF AD about his efforts to get USF in B12. USF did not turn over any documents about B12 expansion like Cincinnati did, but Harlan says he is working behind the scenes to get USF in B12.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/u...es/2266477
"I'm very confident of where we sit and what we're doing," Bulls athletic director Mark Harlan said Friday.
"I'm not going to comment on any specific conversation that I have had with anybody in that particular conference,"(Big 12) Harlan said. "But suffice to say that I am always in contact with leaders in our industry and always will remain so."
"I did read that (Cincinnati Enquirer) article and I certainly respect that institution or any institution's approach," Harlan said. "
But I do know that there are different ways of doing things, and I'm very confident in our strategy."
"When deck chairs start moving around again, if there is an again, it's so unpredictable that it's almost tireless effort to try to predict when those things come up," Harlan said. "So I've just decided that the best thing we can do is just focus on ourselves and rise to the things that I know would make us great if things happened again.
"We are serious about trying to add great value to (the American Athletic) conference. It's very important to me and this institution that we do so. But also, we're aspirational, as we should be. And if there are things that happen, we want to make sure that we're in the best position, despite the fact that maybe approaches to those things are different from institution to institution."
He handled that well.
I think a lot of UC fans are upset with the Enquirer for bringing this out the way they did.
It paints UC unfairly in my opinion. I would guess if any other school had to publish details of what they have done with respect to courting the B12 we would see many of the same things that UC has done.
(02-26-2016 12:32 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote: [ -> ]Quotes from USF AD about his efforts to get USF in B12. USF did not turn over any documents about B12 expansion like Cincinnati did, but Harlan says he is working behind the scenes to get USF in B12.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/u...es/2266477
"I'm very confident of where we sit and what we're doing," Bulls athletic director Mark Harlan said Friday.
"I'm not going to comment on any specific conversation that I have had with anybody in that particular conference,"(Big 12) Harlan said. "But suffice to say that I am always in contact with leaders in our industry and always will remain so."
"I did read that (Cincinnati Enquirer) article and I certainly respect that institution or any institution's approach," Harlan said. "But I do know that there are different ways of doing things, and I'm very confident in our strategy."
"When deck chairs start moving around again, if there is an again, it's so unpredictable that it's almost tireless effort to try to predict when those things come up," Harlan said. "So I've just decided that the best thing we can do is just focus on ourselves and rise to the things that I know would make us great if things happened again.
"We are serious about trying to add great value to (the American Athletic) conference. It's very important to me and this institution that we do so. But also, we're aspirational, as we should be. And if there are things that happen, we want to make sure that we're in the best position, despite the fact that maybe approaches to those things are different from institution to institution."
Yup, like the other poster said. Excellent answer. He really handled that line of questioning in a way that would calm his fan base, but still represent the conference well.
(02-26-2016 01:13 PM)bearcatfan Wrote: [ -> ]He handled that well.
I think a lot of UC fans are upset with the Enquirer for bringing this out the way they did.
It paints UC unfairly in my opinion. I would guess if any other school had to publish details of what they have done with respect to courting the B12 we would see many of the same things that UC has done.
UC put themselves under the microscope after the embarrassing Christmas Card/video they sent out begging the ACC for a spot during the last wave of expansion.
He had me until he started talking about strengthening the conference they're in.
Whenever your AD says that, might as well get comfy.
UC fans would slip into a depression if Mike Bohn or Ono started talking about strengthening the AAC.
Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
(02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
If it's going to occur, you would think it would at least come from schools that actually win something once in a while.
Tampa Tribune needs to request all travel logs, emails and communications regarding Big 12 discussions from USF President and AD.
(02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Because some schools want better and deserve better. If Tulsa is happy being in a league that gets 2 NCAA tourney bids, loses successful coaches, has NO shot at a football national championship, is shut out of NY6 automatic access, and makes $25-$30 million dollars a year less than the other leagues, well good for you. ECU and Tulane are probably happy to be here too.
The rest of us think we can do better, and quite frankly, we can (and have).
(02-26-2016 01:29 PM)LetsGoUC Wrote: [ -> ]He had me until he started talking about strengthening the conference they're in.
Whenever your AD says that, might as well get comfy.
UC fans would slip into a depression if Mike Bohn or Ono started talking about strengthening the AAC.
Until if/when UC is invited to the B12, they HAVE to strengthen the AAC. They have no other choice. A weak AAC is no solution, so there is no harm is saying you'll strengthen AAC. And invite might not come for years. It may never come. Now it might come tomorrow also, but until one is in hand, you always strengthen where you are at.
(02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Money.
(02-26-2016 01:33 PM)LetsGoUC Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Because some schools want better and deserve better. If Tulsa is happy being in a league that gets 2 NCAA tourney bids, loses successful coaches, has NO shot at a football national championship, is shut out of NY6 automatic access, and makes $25-$30 million dollars a year less than the other leagues, well good for you. ECU and Tulane are probably happy to be here too.
The rest of us think we can do better, and quite frankly, we can (and have).
^^^this is why the AAC will not work long term^^^ everyone is looking for a way out at once.
(02-26-2016 01:13 PM)bearcatfan Wrote: [ -> ]He handled that well.
I think a lot of UC fans are upset with the Enquirer for bringing this out the way they did.
It paints UC unfairly in my opinion. I would guess if any other school had to publish details of what they have done with respect to courting the B12 we would see many of the same things that UC has done.
If UC's President hadn't bragged and/or posted photos on various social media sites about all of his trips to meet with Big 12 cities/schools/other Presidents, etc...odds are, the local Cinci paper wouldn't of bothered with a public information request of all his email about the Big 12 or his travel expenses, etc...
(02-26-2016 01:33 PM)LetsGoUC Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Because some schools want better and deserve better. If Tulsa is happy being in a league that gets 2 NCAA tourney bids, loses successful coaches, has NO shot at a football national championship, is shut out of NY6 automatic access, and makes $25-$30 million dollars a year less than the other leagues, well good for you. ECU and Tulane are probably happy to be here too.
The rest of us think we can do better, and quite frankly, we can (and have).
You now how most of that can be fixed? Winning. Both in and out of conference. I think UH could make it to the playoff this year if they were to go undefeated. The conference is now sitting on 4-5 teams that have potential to make the tournament season after season. The AAC should get the G5 slot to the NY6 bowls around 80-90% of the time
Money is the only real issue. The conference traded a big contract for exposure. I say, wait it out... keep the conference moving upward on a positive trajectory and more money will eventually come our way.
(02-26-2016 01:46 PM)KnightLight Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:13 PM)bearcatfan Wrote: [ -> ]He handled that well.
I think a lot of UC fans are upset with the Enquirer for bringing this out the way they did.
It paints UC unfairly in my opinion. I would guess if any other school had to publish details of what they have done with respect to courting the B12 we would see many of the same things that UC has done.
If UC's President hadn't bragged and/or posted photos on various social media sites about all of his trips to meet with Big 12 cities/schools/other Presidents, etc...odds are, the local Cinci paper wouldn't of bothered with a public information request of all his email about the Big 12 or his travel expenses, etc...
You don't know the Enquirer very well. They do those public information requests all the time and get very pissy about it if it is not fully complied with in an expedite manner. I believe the same week they went after UC they went after one of the local fire departments who had someone killed in the line of duty.
Unlike a lot of university "hometown" papers, they don't do UC any favors. They like to remind people there are not there to root for anyone just "tell the facts"-- in other words, you better watch your back because if there is any dirt they will find out about it and print it all over town.
(02-26-2016 01:50 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:33 PM)LetsGoUC Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Because some schools want better and deserve better. If Tulsa is happy being in a league that gets 2 NCAA tourney bids, loses successful coaches, has NO shot at a football national championship, is shut out of NY6 automatic access, and makes $25-$30 million dollars a year less than the other leagues, well good for you. ECU and Tulane are probably happy to be here too.
The rest of us think we can do better, and quite frankly, we can (and have).
You now how most of that can be fixed? Winning. Both in and out of conference. I think UH could make it to the playoff this year if they were to go undefeated. The conference is now sitting on 4-5 teams that have potential to make the tournament season after season. The AAC should get the G5 slot to the NY6 bowls around 80-90% of the time
Money is the only real issue. The conference traded a big contract for exposure. I say, wait it out... keep the conference moving upward on a positive trajectory and more money will eventually come our way.
B.S. UC had seasons like Houston just had from 2007-2012*. They were ranked in the final Top 25 poll five times in that stretch. They once finished #3 at the end of the regular season. Didn't do them any good when CR came around. They actually lost money on their TV contract afterwards.
* with the exception of 2010, during a coaching transition.
I think deep down all fans, UC and UCONN included, want the AAC to be a great league. To do that, we have to stick together and keep climbing slowly. I'm just not sure some schools have the patience for doing that, especially if an opening occurs in a big money conference.
We would love to get a fair shake and have access to better bowls, recruits, coaches, etc. To do that we need MONEY.
If the AAC had sufficient bowl and tv contracts, we'd be happy to stay.
The AAC got pinned in a corner with the stupid term "P5". its used against us by the media and other schools in recruiting, fan bases, even selection committee. THAT perception is something that not even more money can fix in my opinion.
(02-26-2016 01:54 PM)CliftonAve Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:50 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:33 PM)LetsGoUC Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Because some schools want better and deserve better. If Tulsa is happy being in a league that gets 2 NCAA tourney bids, loses successful coaches, has NO shot at a football national championship, is shut out of NY6 automatic access, and makes $25-$30 million dollars a year less than the other leagues, well good for you. ECU and Tulane are probably happy to be here too.
The rest of us think we can do better, and quite frankly, we can (and have).
You now how most of that can be fixed? Winning. Both in and out of conference. I think UH could make it to the playoff this year if they were to go undefeated. The conference is now sitting on 4-5 teams that have potential to make the tournament season after season. The AAC should get the G5 slot to the NY6 bowls around 80-90% of the time
Money is the only real issue. The conference traded a big contract for exposure. I say, wait it out... keep the conference moving upward on a positive trajectory and more money will eventually come our way.
B.S. UC had seasons like Houston just had from 2007-2012*. They were ranked in the final Top 25 poll five times in that stretch. They once finished #3 at the end of the regular season. Didn't do them any good when CR came around. They actually lost money on their TV contract afterwards.
* with the exception of 2010, during a coaching transition.
So you didn't get picked first in dodgeball. It's not like Cincy has a lot to be bragging about (especially in football) over its AAC seasons. The basketball team is good but so are several other schools who have been horrid at football (SMU for example) Big East Football was horrendous for multiple years.
(02-26-2016 01:29 PM)invisiblehand Wrote: [ -> ]Why can no one in this conference be happy that they're here and try to make the conference better. This divisive BS is annoying.
Yes, why shouldn't we be happy to play national TV basketball games in Houston before 623 fans and football games at Tulane with 2227 fans, including of course the officials, band, cheerleaders, coaches, ball boys, ushers and cotton candy salesmen.
(02-26-2016 01:46 PM)KnightLight Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2016 01:13 PM)bearcatfan Wrote: [ -> ]He handled that well.
I think a lot of UC fans are upset with the Enquirer for bringing this out the way they did.
It paints UC unfairly in my opinion. I would guess if any other school had to publish details of what they have done with respect to courting the B12 we would see many of the same things that UC has done.
If UC's President hadn't bragged and/or posted photos on various social media sites about all of his trips to meet with Big 12 cities/schools/other Presidents, etc...odds are, the local Cinci paper wouldn't of bothered with a public information request of all his email about the Big 12 or his travel expenses, etc...
Yes, they just would have ignored the comments of Oklahoma University President David Boren, virtually every national media organization and the fact that UC was left behind when Pitt and Syracuse and Lousiville left the Big East for the ACC and WVU left for the Big 12.