(02-11-2012 11:43 AM)T_Won1 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 11:38 AM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 11:17 AM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  

(02-11-2012 11:11 AM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  I cannot get over the fact that there are multiple people saying we shouldn't hire Benson because he tried to "harm the Sun Belt". There are some very legitimate reasons not to hire the man, I will grant you that, but this talk of him trying to harm or break up the Sun Belt is just childish. You make it sound like he targeted the Sun Belt vindictively when all he was doing was trying to replace schools that had left. I'd be more concerned about his ability to be a commissioner had he not tried to attract schools from the only other FBS conference that made any sense to contact. Where was he going to go for replacements? The PAC 12? We all talk about how if we're going to expand we need to stay away from going the FCS route, but now you're condemning this guy for trying to improve his conference with existing FBS programs? Seriously?

True, but why did he have to come calling to the SBC? Because he f'd his conference up by trying to destroy the MWC and got his lunch handed to him. Then, to keep things together he tried to harm the SBC. The cause and effect here is not like the SEC, PAC 12 or Big 10 trying to enhance strictly to maximize value. Instead, here it was to try to survive after enormously f'n up.

That's not exactly true, the MWC struck first blood by taking Boise and the were already in negotiation with Nevada, Fresno, and Hawaii when Benson tried to make the backdoor deal. So even had he not tried to make that deal that blew up in his face, he would have still been looking for new members.

And even still, how does that change the fact that he was looking to the Sun Belt for programs because it was the only realistic place to look before FCS?

Blaming him for the WAC falling apart is one thing(I don't agree, but don't think it's a totally unreasonable thought)being upset that invited Sun Belt schools is completely unreasonable.

Not true. BYU wanted out of the MWC. They approached Benson about joining the WAC in all sports but football. Benson asked all the WAC schools to sign a pact that if he allowed BYU to join, that no one would leave the WAC for the MWC (because he knew the MWC would do what they did... invite Fresno and Nevada). Everyone signed the agreement and even said if they broke the agreement they would have to pay $5 Million. So Benson announces BYU is joining the WAC. Then the MWC turns around and invites Fresno and Nevada and they immediately say, "Screw you Karl, we're going to the MWC." Stabbed him in the back and made him look stupid.

Well even if they weren't already "in negotiation" you just admitted yourself that Benson knew the invites were going to come. The timeline is not the important thing to take away from the post, the important thing is, Benson would have likely been looking to take schools from the Sun Belt regardless, even if it was just looking for one replacement for Boise.