With king Karl retiring in June is there any word on the next commissioner of the Sun Belt? Has anyone heard anything?

If there's been no decision yet, I say we should email our ADs to take a look at the OVC's Beth DeBauche. In my opinion her getting the OVC digital network up and running, being able to keep Murray State in the conference are two big pluses. Any one else have ideas?

I think the deal is done. And, I think we hear something at the tournament.

#BirdBomb

(03-14-2019 12:01 PM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I think the deal is done. And, I think we hear something at the tournament.

I formally declined and removed my name from contention......prefer working the hardware store......fewer idiots!!

What direction would you like to see the conference move? The big issues I see in the future are tv deals/realignment and paying athletes. It would be nice to continue pushing for stronger OOC basketball schedules and hopefully become a two bid conference.

(03-14-2019 01:41 PM)slycat Wrote:  What direction would you like to see the conference move? The big issues I see in the future are tv deals/realignment and paying athletes. It would be nice to continue pushing for stronger OOC basketball schedules and hopefully become a two bid conference.

No sweeping changes needed at the moment. The ESPN+ deal is a long contract, so we don't have to worry about a media deal right off the bat. The most immediate thing would be to ensure 5 bowl games a year (plus a optional tie-in for a 6th.) Trying to retain a MWC opponent in a bowl would be nice too. Next up on the list would be to push schools keep working towards a good OOC record in basketball to make sure our NET rating gets better. After that, trying to get more men's soccer participation from current members to solidify our league in that sport.

(03-14-2019 01:54 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  

(03-14-2019 01:41 PM)slycat Wrote:  What direction would you like to see the conference move? The big issues I see in the future are tv deals/realignment and paying athletes. It would be nice to continue pushing for stronger OOC basketball schedules and hopefully become a two bid conference.

No sweeping changes needed at the moment. The ESPN+ deal is a long contract, so we don't have to worry about a media deal right off the bat. The most immediate thing would be to ensure 5 bowl games a year (plus a optional tie-in for a 6th.) Trying to retain a MWC opponent in a bowl would be nice too. Next up on the list would be to push schools keep working towards a good OOC record in basketball to make sure our NET rating gets better. After that, trying to get more men's soccer participation from current members to solidify our league in that sport.

I would like a western bowl or tie-in to one of the Texas bowls.

For TV deal, I meant the P5 deals that will cause possible realignment. Our current deal is fine.

Mike Aersico

ESPN owns a good number of bowls. They own the New Mexico Bowl and I think that would be a great opportunity to get a western bowl game. The game is MWC vs. CUSA. However, if the Belt could rotate with CUSA it could work. To make it up to CUSA, maybe get them in rotation with the MAC for Montgomery (since MAC is stealing our Arizona bowl tie-in).

While that's not in Texas, it would be better than another one out east.

That would help ensure 5 bowl games a year (with a Western bowl game too)


Myrtle Beach Bowl (Rotating) vs MAC/CUSA
New Mexico Bowl (Rotating) vs MWC
Camellia Bowl - permanent vs MAC/CUSA
New Orleans Bowl - permanent vs CUSA
Dollar General Bowl - permanent vs. MAC
Cure Bowl - permanent vs. AAC

(03-14-2019 12:01 PM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  I think the deal is done. And, I think we hear something at the tournament.

So I'm guessing they didn't offer you the job?

Maybe they'll hire Larry Teis and we can finally get rid of him.... Although, then I would want out of the Sun Belt ASAP.

I took the job. Expect an immediate focus on golf programs in the Sun Belt. And for me. In New Orleans. Because the previous guy said you have to play a lot of golf. I also made him give me the FedX account number.

But seriously. Next commish should/could

1. Secure bowls for bowl shuffle in 2020
2. Work with the institutions to get in more mini-tourneys in basketball to raise the NET
3. Work to get more SBC men's soccer teams (Looking at you Troy and USA)
4. Make sure all possible events are on ESPN+ (M/W Soccer, M/W Tennis, etc.)

(03-14-2019 02:52 PM)TXSTRiverBobcat Wrote:  Maybe they'll hire Larry Teis and we can finally get rid of him.... Although, then I would want out of the Sun Belt ASAP.

Damn, you REALLY hate our conference members don't you?

I wouldn't wish Larry on my worst enemy, unless they had a bunch of NCAA violations, because he would be good at fixing that ship.

(03-14-2019 03:34 PM)Yosef Himself Wrote:  But seriously. Next commish should/could

1. Secure bowls for bowl shuffle in 2020
2. Work with the institutions to get in more mini-tourneys in basketball to raise the NET
3. Work to get more SBC men's soccer teams (Looking at you Troy and USA)
4. Make sure all possible events are on ESPN+ (M/W Soccer, M/W Tennis, etc.)

I'm asking out of ignorance here, but why the focus on soccer?

As for what I want the commish focusing on?
- Pushing universities to ensure facilities are up to snuff.
- Securing bowl tie ins that are as attractive as possible (I'd love to get a pair of P5 bowl tie ins)
- Making the bylaws of the conference fully published.
- Adhering to those bylaws (and not treating them as guidelines)
- personal preference: drop the conference tourney to 6 teams.

I'm asking out of ignorance here, but why the focus on soccer?

Because we have to rely on 2 associate members to field the sport. Central Arkansas and Howard. It would be nice to have Troy and USA (since the other 4 members are in the east)


- Pushing universities to ensure facilities are up to snuff.

Nice yep. That's a good one. The facilities seem like they're constantly improving in the league. USA getting their OCS, Coastal with a big upgrade, App building their new fieldhouse and box seats, stAte's water fall... Don't want to get in too big of an arm's race, but we're looking good in that regard.

- Securing bowl tie ins that are as attractive as possible (I'd love to get a pair of P5 bowl tie ins)

Agreed.

- Making the bylaws of the conference fully published.
- Adhering to those bylaws (and not treating them as guidelines)

I have no strong opinion about this.

- personal preference: drop the conference tourney to 6 teams.

I think 8 but keep the first round at the higher seed's home court before the 6 teams go to the CCG with top 2 with two round byes. Then it can be Fri/Sat/Sun

(03-14-2019 03:56 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  I heard you were hiring Judy MacLeod.

That's a y'all problem. We don't want it.

If they hire John Iamaniro, we're leaving.

(03-14-2019 04:48 PM)T-Dog Wrote:  If they hire John Iamaniro, we're leaving.

I ain't got the words...